EM requires a contractor that can provide customized legal database and legal research functions to effectively provide legal services and support to EM and EMCBC across the nation.

U.S. Department of Energy

Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

47QTCA20D002P/89303325FEM400467

(1)

Identification of Agency and the Contracting Activity:

The United States Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Environmental Management (EM), through the Environmental Management’s Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) intends to award a contract for the purchase of a subscription to the cyberFEDS® online employment law database service.

(2) Nature and Description of Action Being Approved:

EM requires a contractor that can provide customized legal database and legal research functions to effectively provide legal services and support to EM and EMCBC across the nation. The service requested is necessary and allows the legal office to provide accurate and timely legal advice to EM and EMCBC clients in an ever-changing legal landscape.

(3) Description of the Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs and Estimated Value:

The EMCBC, is a support office that provides various business and technical functions to the EM program. These business and technical functions include: Legal Services, Contracting, Financial Management, Human Resources, Information Resource Management, Cost Estimating and Analysis, and Technical Support and Asset Management. Specifically, the EMCBC Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) provides attorney and paralegal services, as needed, to resolve legal issues arising at the EMCBC, satellite office, and client sites. cyberFEDS® on the Web provides access to federal employment news, trends, case decisions, policies, guidance and more. cyberFEDS® keeps federal employment professionals up to date on the rapid changes in the federal government. cyberFEDS® is accessible 24/7 from anywhere and provides users with breaking news critical to legal decision-making, practical guidance to handle everyday federal workplace challenges, ready-to-use standard forms and tools, plus authoritative references like the Broida and Hadley Guides.

(4) Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition:

The statutory authority to noncompetitively award this contract is found in FAR Part 6.302-1, Only one responsible source is available, and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

(5) Contractor’s Unique Qualifications:

LRP Publications is a small business which leverages information solutions expertise to provide global sources of data, data fusion technology, and advanced analytics that address challenging and complex analytical and decision needs. They are a leading global provider of information-driven solutions for professionals in the legal, risk management, corporate, government, law enforcement, accounting, and academic markets. LRP Publications is the only provider of cyberFEDS software.

(6) Description of efforts to ensure offers are solicited and whether a notice will be publicized.

A notice was not publicized and was not required for this purchase.

(7) Determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The cost is fair and reasonable as they are the only provider of an exclusive service which is required for the day-to-day activities of the EM legal team. The cost for the next year (1) year of CyberFeds on the Web services, running from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 is $11,693.00 for eleven (11) licenses.

(8) Statement of Reason Why Market Research Was Not Conducted.

Market Research was not conducted for this purchase based on the contract 89303324FEM400425.

It was found that no other companies provide access to CyberFeds on the Web or a similar service.

(9) Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition

This contract is necessary for this critical mission support requirement to maintain a sustainable organization in compliance with the law and all legal precedents. All other facts have been documented.

(10) Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition Before any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services Required

The agency will reconsider whether it is prudent to seek competition of future acquisitions for these services.