36C77624Q0147.docx

SUBJECT*

Scopus Abstract & Citation Database Subscription

GENERAL INFORMATION

Program Contracting Activity Central

6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 490 Independence OH 44131

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Andrew Allen Andrew.Allen6@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

SPECIAL NOTICE – NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Scopus Abstract & Citation Database Subscription

FBO Notice: 36C77624Q0147

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Central Office (VACO) Library has a requirement for a comprehensive, curated abstract and citation database. This requirement can be filled with an annual subscription to Scopus (brand name or equal).

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) intends to solicit and negotiate with Elsevier Inc, 230 Park Ave., Floor 8 New York, NY 10169 USA; to provide an annual subscription to Scopus which will be made available which will be made available for to up to 50 VACO Library staff and employees at a time. Scopus is the world’s largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings. Scopus covers research topics across all scientific and technical disciplines, ranging from medicine and social sciences to arts and humanities. Scopus contains 1.7 billion cited journal articles, books, book series, and conference references dating back to 1970. Scopus includes content from more than 5,000 publishers who publish approximately 23,000 peer-review journals in the physical sciences, health sciences, social sciences, and life science disciplines.

The procurement is being conducted by authority of FAR Part 6.302-1 and 13.106-1(b)(2), "soliciting from a sole source."

The NAICS code for this procurement is 519290 and the Small Business Administration Size Standard is 1,000 Employees.

This notice of intent to is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirements may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice.

Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses to this notice are due on or before Friday April 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. EST to contract specialist, Andrew Allen at Andrew.Allen6@va.gov.

Contracting Office Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs Program Contracting Activity Central 6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 490 Independence, OH 44131 Special Notice Special Notice

Special Notice

Statement of Work Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration

FY24-HIG-164, Scopus Abstract & Citation Database Subscription for VACO Library Brand name or equal

Feb 2024

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Central Office (VACO) Library has a requirement for a comprehensive, curated abstract and citation database. This requirement can be filled with an annual subscription to Scopus (brand name or equal) which will be made available to up to 50 VACO Library staff and employees at a time.

2.0 Background:

Scopus is the world’s largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings. Scopus covers research topics across all scientific and technical disciplines, ranging from medicine and social sciences to arts and humanities. Scopus contains smart tools to track, analyze and visualize research results.

Scopus will allow VACO Library staff to access scientific literature as well as search, analyze, evaluate, and integrate research results into VA workflow.

3.0 Required Salient Characteristics:

Capabilities of the abstract and citation database must include:

a. Identification of emerging trends in scientific and technical disciplines.

b. Visibility of the researcher’s work, ensuring proper accreditation and supporting career development.

c. Connection of the researcher with key contributors and external experts.

d. Assistance with the funding application process through the inclusion of funding information in articles when available.

e. Integration with existing platforms.

f. Preprint content articles are searchable.

g. Ability to conduct a search on a researcher to determine their contributions to a particular scientific area.

h. Indexing of open access articles.

4.0 Scope of Work:

The contractor shall provide up to 50 accounts for VACO employees with online access to a single online, web-based subscription to Scopus (brand name or equal). Authentication shall be through username/passwords. Accounts must be authorized by VACO library staff.

a. The contractor shall provide up to 50 simultaneous users with immediate access from any web-enabled computer.

b. The contractor shall assure the requirements listed in paragraphs 6, Information Quality, 7, Usability, 8, Currency, and 9, Access, Content, Support, are addressed.

5.0 Performance Period: One (1) year plus four(4) one (1) year option periods to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

6.0 Information Quality:

The contractor shall assure:

a. Information is accurate, authoritative, and relevant.

b. Authors and sources are well recognized subject matter experts in their fields.

c. Policies for determining validity and standards for inclusion of material are well described.

d. Guidelines and summaries include references or sources.

7.0 Usability:

The contractor shall assure:

a. Navigation within the system is logical and is easy to use. There is fast access to topics and subtopics. Topic linking or indexing retrieves material of high relevance quickly.

b. The product has “user friendly” help and direction aids.

c. Users can quickly and easily locate information by browsing by topic or category, or searching for a specific subject

8.0 Currency:

The contractor shall assure content areas are updated on a continuous, incremental cycle rather than on a single anniversary date for the entire product.

9.0 Access, Content, Support:

The contractor shall assure:

a. Product is 508 compliant (http://www.section508.gov/). If product is not 508 compliant, the contractor shall describe measures being taken to bring product into compliance and date, within 12 months of contract award, that product will be 508 compliant. Or, if product is not 508 compliant, the contractor shall describe why no work is being done to make it 508 compliant.

b. All site content and support of the web site is the responsibility of the contractor.

c. System downtime is minimal and VA project manager is notified when such occurs.

d. Information is easily printed.

e. A specific customer service representative will be appointed to the account to work with the program office. Customer service is available 24/7/365 via toll free number.

f. Usage statistics are available to the program manager

g. The product is accessible via a variety of personal mobile devices including Apple and Android devices.

h. The product is accessible via LibLynx.

i. The product’s licensing agreement permits free use for educational purposes of all pictures and graphics.

j. Graphics, pictures, and/or images that are searchable are highly desirable.

k. Onsite and remote customized instruction and training are available and designed to integrate solutions with maximum efficiency and effectiveness into the VA Central Office Library’s environment.

l. Training and marketing materials are available.

B. Price/Cost Schedule:

Base Period of Performance

TBD

Option Year One (1) of four (4)

TBD

Scopus (brand name or equal) Annual Subscription Option Year Two (2) of four (4)

TBD

Option Year Three (3) of four (4)

TBD

Option Year four (4) of four (4)

TBD

Total