5_-__(Redacted)-_J A.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section A: General Contract Information

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIE Purchase Request/ Identification Number:

Project/Program Name: AFRL/RQWC - Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

Nature is a weekly international journal publishing peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology on the basis of its originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, accessibility, elegance and surprising conclusions. Nature also provides rapid, authoritative, insightful and arresting news and interpretation of topical and coming trends affecting science, scientists and the wider public. The Nature subscription includes titles such as Nature Weekly, Nature Materials, and Nature Physics. All of these titles are essential to to aerospace research and are heavily utilized by AFRL Scientists and Engineers. These sources enhance the broad access to scientific research that is crucial to the work done at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The cost to the AFRL Library Council for access to the Nature Digital Library from February 1, 2016 - January 31, 2017 is based upon an official quote provided by the NPG representative. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a), the Contacting Officer shall determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable.

This subscription consists of electronic journals published exclusively by Nature on their web-based digital content site (www.nature.com). It will be made available to AFRL by IP recognition as a 12-month subscription.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source

AFRL has determined the Nature Digital Library is the only suitable vendor for this requirement and no other vendor has the capability to provide the content. Sole source acquisition is justified because Nature Publishing Group (NPG) has exclusive copyright to their data. Additionally, no vendors replied to the per-solicitation Intent to Award Sole Source notice posted on FBO. The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Staff from the AFRL Library surveyed the market for vendors to obtain competition in general science, materials science, and physics electronic journals publishing. The library used publisher's advertisements and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys, and was unable to identify publishers providing electronic journals equivalent in scope and quality to those published by the Nature Publishing Group. The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards

The AFRL librarian Council will continue to review new research databases to determine if another source will meet the needs of the students, faculty, and staff. We will also keep an open dialogue with our patrons and monitor our usage statistics to determine the necessity for future purchases.

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

10-Dec-2015

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer