SOW_-_Computer_Assisted_Legal_Research.pdf

Statement of Work

Introduction:

Computer assisted legal research (CALR) has changed greatly since our use of JURIS in the late 1970s.

CALR began as a simple name and number access to abstract and full text legal documents and over time it expanded to mirror the data in reporters, codes, regulations, encyclopedias, citators, indices, synopses and periodical literature of all types.

Currently, the most successful CALR paradigm would use “super search” dialog box queries which, via a vast array of computer coding, provides access to billions of bits of legal data which covers all formats of the law and reaches back through one hundred years worth of cases, statutes, congresses and agency dispositions (etc.) to answer queries most efficiently and completely with citations, bibliographies and annotations on tangential topics appended. CALR intrinsically improves and reduces the time necessary for complete and verifiable research.

Objective Purpose:

Our purpose for a CALR is to continue to allow the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to keep pace with its own past experience and the modern practice of law, which demands that CALR be employed to comply with the legal profession’s requirements. Also, the methods and procedures for inquiry and analysis meet the standard for competent legal representation.

We require a CALR that capitalizes on professional staff work by reducing research time, while providing the best coverage of legal and periodical data that are both most current and reaches back in history as far as possible.

CALR at the FEC supports all divisions within the FEC by essentially aiding us in our mission of preventing corruption in the Federal campaign process by administering, enforcing and formulating policy with respect to Federal campaign statutes.

Definitions and Applicable Documents:

Computer assisted legal research (CALR) Legal Research and Law Library Management (Law Journal Press, 2013) Model Rules of Professional Conduct (American Bar Association, 2012)

Description/Scope of Work:

Routine inquiry and analysis at the FEC requires individual professional staff members to have robust access to an integrated legal and business information system. Also, that features the most exhaustive and connected subject classification of the law by topic with the most inclusive time parameters and most synthesized query system.

We require a one window search engine that covers all biblo constraints, formats and databases at once to save time, yielding the best query results as possible to gather U.S. law and business information.

The scope of legal, business, people and organization searches are most often confined to those within the United States with an emphasis on Federal and State law as well as use of full text FEC Advisory Opinions and policy statements.

Deliverables and Schedule:

Access to the computer assisted legal research internet portals.

The contract is for Fiscal Year 2014 and projects pricing for the following four fiscal years as follows:

Base Year: (10/01/13 - 09/30/14) Option Year 1: (10/01/14 - 09/30/15) Option Year 2: (10/01/15 - 09/30/16) Option Year 3: (10/01/16 - 09/30/17) Option Year 4: (10/01/17 - 09/30/18)

Performance Standards and Quality Measurement/Contractor Tasks:

To have CALR access and reference service twenty four hours per day and seven days per week via individual log on and passwords via laptop and other computers, as well as special skills and update training as needed.

Commission Furnished Property:

The FEC provides employees with computers and has training facilities for group instruction on site.

Deliverable Reporting and Communication:

Contracting Officer’s Representative is the Law Library Director and the Procurement Office is within the Chief Financial Officer’s aegis.