To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ellen McDonnell, Public Defender
Report Title: Contract - Thomson Reuters West
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Defender, or designee, to execute a contract with Thomson Reuters West in an amount not to exceed $291,330 to provide online legal research and reference materials for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% General Funds. The total cost is not to exceed $291,330 over the following years:
FY 23/24: $18,660
FY 24/25: $55,981
FY 25/26: $57,101
FY 26/27: $58,243
FY 27/28: $59,407
FY 28/29: $41,938
BACKGROUND:
Thomson Reuters West provides online subscription services to the Thomson West Proflex Online Law Library and provides access to various printed legal publications. These reference and research tools are essential components of effective legal representation.
Thomson Reuters West offers its products to governmental agencies at a 55% discount from the vendor’s standard pricing. Agreement to a five-year service contract term further reduces the cost in that the annual increase, typically five percent (5%) will instead be capped at two percent (2%). The contract contains a provision limiting liability.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the contract is not approved, the Public Defender’s Office will be unable to access essential printed and online legal research and reference materials and will need to procure these resources at a higher cost.