20210416_Sole_Source_Justification_Approval_Redacted.pdf

Local Small Business Specialist: DSN:

Date: See Digital Signature

FAR Part 6 Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

1. Contracting Activity: Mission and Installation Contracting Command – West Point, 681 Hardee Pl., NY 10996

2. Description of Action: The United States Military Academy (USMA) Library request a Firm fixed Price contract for the renewal of the existing which is comprised of over 650 individual resources that support the Cadets curriculum. FY21 OMA funding will be provided for this contract.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: is a consortium that provides over 650 items consisting of reference works, data licenses for previously purchased content, journal articles, research papers, conference proceedings, electronic books and papers, and newspapers. The subject matter of these items span the full curriculum of USMA and covers critical subjects such as History, geography, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), psychology, literature, military studies, foreign affairs, political science, sociology, computer sciences, economics, environmental studies and other topics. All items within the are critical to the continued success of the USMA population.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-1 – Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. has provided over 650 database items over the past ten years. This data is well integrated in the curriculum and studies of the Cadets, Staff, and Faulty whom have utilized over 45 digital journals. This renewal is for the continuation of existing access to a suite of databases that is required by the staff, faculty and students at USMA. This database is necessary for the accomplishment of the mission at the Academy, and maintains USMA’s academic accreditation. As stated in AR 25-97 3-6 g “library collections must include materials to support organization mission requirements” and AR 25-97, 3-6 (d) “Acquisition of library materials shall take advantage of publisher/vendor discounts, schedules, licensing economies, central purchasing, and consortium buying where advantageous to the Army.”

meets all of the Academy’s accreditation needs and meets the various departments’ needs for academic studies of the Cadets.

b. Market research shows that is the only vendor that can provide all the required titles. No alternate titles or databases may be substituted for these essential resources; they are not interchangeable.

c. Majority of the titles provided by are core research items and are used widely across the departments within USMA by all levels of students. Failure to procure these items may jeopardize USMA’s accreditation and have a significant impact on the quality of instruction and research provided to the cadets and faculty at the United States Military Academy.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research and historical data supports issuing this procurement under a sole source basis. A special notice was published to Beta.Sam.gov on 5 April 2021. No responses to this listing was received. Based on the results of the special notice and historical data, there are no alternative commercial items available or other sources capable of providing access to the requested databases.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The library staff continue to review and update all required subscriptions as needed. In accordance with FAR 5.201(b)(1)(i), a synopsis of the Government’s intent to issue a sole source award will be posted at least seven days prior to award and any responses received will be considered.

8. Market Research: Market research conducted by the Contract Specialist consisted of internet searches, reviews of the General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage, the Army Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS), the Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) search engine, and determined that no other qualified source exist.

9. Interested Sources: None, other than the proposed contractor.

10. Other Facts: N/A

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. The Independent Government Estimate (IGE) will primarily be an analysis of the contractor’s proposed price. Additionally techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1(b)(iii) will be used to ensure the final price is fair and reasonable.