DEPARTMENT: Attorney
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Agreement With West Publishing Corporation For Westlaw Legal Research Subscription
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the County Attorney to execute a purchase order agreement with West Publishing Corporation for a three-year subscription to Westlaw electronic legal research tools.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Attorney's Office (CAO) has used Westlaw PROFLEX electronic legal research solutions on a subscription basis since 2017 to access caselaw, statutes, federal code, jury instructions, secondary sources and other resources and tools to perform the duties of the CAO. The CAO last renewed the subscription in 2022 with a current monthly rate of $5,478.85. The current contract expires in October.
West Publishing Corporation's newest legal research tool is Westlaw Precision with CoCounsel, providing AI-Assisted Research with faster search results and other enhanced researching tools.
The CAO desires to renew the subscription for another three? year period with the new researching tool at the rate of $7,354.00 for the first year and 1 percent annual increases thereafter. The subscription includes use for 46 attorneys.
The three-year cost of the subscription is $267,400.32. Executing the renewal prior to October allows the CAO to utilize the new functions under the current $5,478.85 monthly rate for remainder of the current contract term.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
The CAO recommends authorizing the County Attorney to execute a purchase order agreement with West Publishing Corporation for a three-year subscription to Westlaw electronic legal research tools for a total amount not to exceed $267,400.32 for a three-year term.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There are sufficient funds in the CAO budget for 2025 for this contract amendment. Costs associated with the contract for the three-year term after 2025 will be included County Manager recommended budget for t...
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