LexisNexis_Single-Limited Source-or-Brand Name Justification Form.pdf

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 1 of 4

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE -or- BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION for

COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

The Government is required to ensure that the procurement of goods and services is adequately compeƟƟve. In the event that certain goods or services are only available from a certain source, or that a specific brand of a product is required, adequate jusƟficaƟon must be provided. Below must be completed in its enƟrety and all answers filled out as completely as possible.

IAW FAR 5.102(a)(6), when an acquisiƟon contains brand name specificaƟons, the ContracƟng Officer shall include with the solicitaƟon the jusƟficaƟon or documentaƟon required by 6.302- 1(c) [@ Government Point of Entry (GPE) hƩps://www.sam.gov minimum 30-days combined synopsis IAW 12.603], 13.106-1(b) [under Simplified AcquisiƟon Threshold], or 13.501 [sole source exempt from FAR Part 6 and not exceeding $900k], redacted as necessary.

Select the appropriate jusƟficaƟon by placing an X in the appropriate box below.

This purchase requires Single / Limited Source JusƟficaƟon (LSJ). The goods or services requested can only be procured through one specific enƟty because of its manufacture or other specificaƟons. By checking this box, the requester asserts that adequate market research has been performed to reach this determinaƟon.

OR

This purchase requires a Brand Name JusƟficaƟon. Due to pre-exisƟng specificaƟons, a specific brand of the given goods or services is required to saƟsfy the need. By checking this box, the requester asserts that adequate market research has been performed to reach this determinaƟon.

For the following quesƟons, provide all informaƟon available, as specifically as possible.

1. What goods or services are required? For brand name or equal, salient characterisƟcs below are firm requirements. A proposed "equal" item must meet the below firm requirements to be considered for award.

Vendor RELX INC.

Product Plaƞorm

LexisNexis

NAICS Code products 424920 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers products 513210 Software Publishers products 518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services services 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 2 of 4

PSC products 7630 NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS products 7A21

IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION

SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)

products 7H20

IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM PRODUCTS:

DATABASE, MAINFRAME, MIDDLEWARE (HW,

PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)

services B507 ECONOMIC STUDIES

Firm Requirements

As aƩached, the salient physical, funcƟonal, or performance characterisƟcs that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitaƟon scope (Statement of Work/Requirements (SOW or SOR).

2. What market research was conducted to conclude that a Single Source or Brand Name jusƟficaƟon is necessary?

Market Research

LexisNexis features are essenƟal to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the parƟcular feature(s) as described in the specified in the solicitaƟon scope (Statement of Work/Requirements (SOW or SOR), do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

Efforts to obtain compeƟƟon and idenƟfy alternaƟve sources or brands to saƟsfy requirement(s) are based off market research conducted by way of Claude AI research, past EXIM Acquisition history, librarian colleagues, EXIM staƯ.

3. Are there any subsƟtutes or equivalent items or products that could firmly meet mission requirements? If not, explain.

SubsƟtute(s) or equivalent

No – as described above per #2, Market Research.

4. What is the specific reason for this Single Source or Brand Name JusƟficaƟon? Include all applicable execuƟve orders, regulaƟons, and any other documentaƟon.

Applicable condiƟons

FAR Part 6 - CompeƟƟon in ContracƟng Act (CICA) of 1984 Competition is the default for federal acquisitions, ensuring fairness and cost-effectiveness.

Contracting Officers advocate for promoting broad participation.

Agencies must justify any non-competitive awards and follow structured procedures.

ExecuƟve Order (E.O.) 14267 - Reducing AnƟ-CompeƟƟve Regulatory Barriers (April 9, 2025)

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 3 of 4

5. FAR 6.302 et seq. idenƟfies circumstances which permit other than full and open compeƟƟon. Select the opƟon most applicable and then explain.

Only one responsible source, and no other supplies or services will saƟsfy agency requirements (FAR 6.302-1).

An unusual and compelling urgency such that injury to the agency may result (FAR

6.302-2).

Source is necessary for Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability purposes

(FAR 6.302-3).

Source is mandated by InternaƟonal Agreement (FAR 6.302-4).

Source is authorized or required by Statute (FAR 6.302-5).

Source is mandated by NaƟonal Security concerns (FAR 6.302-6).

Source is mandated by Public Interest (FAR 6.302-7).

Other: Not applicable.

6. FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999), governs how “equal” products are defined, evaluated, and offered.

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by-

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of provision)

SINGLE / LIMITED SOURCE AND BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES Page 4 of 4

INSTRUCTIONS to potenƟal offerors to be considered for award, all of the following must be met:

a. Offer requirements: Offers of “equal” product(s) (including those from the brand name manufacturer) must:

i. Meet the specified salient characteristics.

ii. Clearly identify the item by brand name (if any) and make/model number.

iii. Include descriptive literature (e.g., illustrations, drawings) or reference previously furnished data.

iv. Describe any planned modification(s) to conform to solicitation requirements, with modification(s) marked clearly, and the latest date which modification(s) would be implemented. If the latest date which implementation of modification(s) are after the solicitation closing / due date and time, offer may be considered for the next option period or recompete.

v. Attestation that the “equal” product(s) are commercial items with any modification(s).

vi. Offer must provide line-item pricing for an initial base period of 12 months, plus four (4) 1-year option periods of 12 months.

b. Evaluation basis: The Contracting Officer will evaluate “equal” products based on information provided by the offeror only; they are not responsible for locating or obtaining unprovided information.

c. Default: Unless the offeror explicitly states the product is “equal,” they must offer the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

d. Offer confirmation receipt: Offerors are to receive confirmation of receipt within two (2) hours after emailing to the Contracting Officer (CO) no later than the solicitation closing / due date and time.

PROGRAM OFFICE’S FINDINGS

The above jusƟficaƟon is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and demonstrates that procuring the brand represents the best value, considering price, quality, and as applicable, compaƟbility with exisƟng systems.

Susan Prophater, ContracƟng Officer RepresentaƟve (COR) signature and date Export Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S DETERMINATION

The above jusƟficaƟon is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Patricia Ludlow, ContracƟng Officer (CO) signature and date Export Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)