a) (i) The dispute between LexisNexis and the Department is with regard to the interpretation of clause 12.19 of RFB 2019 03 which requires the service provider to provide a shared one license accessible from all domains (DOJ&CD, OCJ, Constitutional Court, Legal Aid SA, NPA, The Public Protector and the Special Investigating Unit) for online (internet) services.
LexisNexis interpreted clause 12.19 of the bid to require a shared license from all domains which in their view is different from a concurrent user access which is attached to a domain.
The Department’s interpretation is that clause 12.19 of the bid required a shared one license accessible from all domains for online (internet) services which was clearly explained during the briefing session (question and answer session) to mean a concurrent user access attached to a domain. These questions and answers were provided by the Department in writing to all the bidders including LexisNexis.
(ii) The Department engaged with LexisNexis on the 12 March 2021 and urged them to restore the services and the services were restored on the same date.
b) The services were restored with immediate effect and there was no need for any contingencies.
c) The services were restored with immediate effect and officials have access.