Part_13_Justification_-_Portfolio_Media.pdf

Simplified Acquisition - Justification for sole source FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity: Commodity Futures

Trading Commission Financial Management Branch.

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved. Subscription to “Law360,” a product offered by Portfolio Media.

(3) A description of services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value). The proposed single-source, simplified acquisition is for a CFTC enterprise license to Law360. Law360 is a subscription based, legal news service operated by Portfolio Media, Inc (a Lexis Nexis subsidiary). An enterprise license will allow all CFTC employees access to the Law360 service.

The mission of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to protect market participants and the public from fraud, manipulation, abusive practices and systemic risk related to derivatives – both futures and swaps – and to foster transparent, open, competitive and financially sound markets.

In carrying out this mission, CFTC requires up to date information related to lawsuit filings, litigation, settlements, verdicts and court news. The Law360 service aggregates and analyzes news and information in these subject areas in a simplified manner, providing a unique, rapid, consumable, and searchable way to obtain necessary legal information. A subscription to Law360 will provide some of the information necessary to carry out the CFTC mission.

Portfolio Media, Inc., quoted a total price of $105,000.00 for an enterprise license for one (1) base year and four (4) option years. This price includes a substantial discount for US federal customers. The contracting officer sought and received validation of this pricing. Portfolio Media, Inc., provided a separate quotation for a commercial customer showing a price of $9,090 for 100 users annually. CFTC will be receiving coverage for almost 700 users.

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) - Exclusive licensing agreements

(5) Certification and approvals:

I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer:

Benjamin Van Wormer