A13 Redacted Clarivate EndNote SSJ signed by CO.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT (OPEN MARKET OR GSA)

UNDER $350,000

Sole source acquisitions may be used on a limited basis and only when the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Program Official has provided sufficient justification and the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances warrant such action. The content for a justification must contain detailed facts and rationale to justify the sole source acquisition. Soliciting from a single source must be done in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) or 8.405-6. At a minimum, the following information must be included:

Identification of Program Office, Contracting Activity, and Proposed Requirement, Justification and Program Office Certification:

A. Program Office:

Stephen B Thacker CDC Library Office of Science Quality and Library Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA Click here to enter text.

B. Contracting Activity:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Financial Resources Acquisition Branch

C. Identification of Requirement:

1. Nature of Action to be Approved by Contracting Officer:

a. Sole source acquisition of: EndNote Bibliographic Citation Management Software – Site License

b. Procurement Request (PR) Number (if available): HCAH-2026-95093

2. Proposed Vendor and Estimated Procurement Amount (if available):

a. Proposed Vendor: Clarivate Analytics

b. Estimated Procurement Amount: $190,264.26

3. Is the requirement on GSA Schedule? ☐ Yes ☒ No

D. Justification:

1. The justification for this non-competitive action is:

☒ In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), “only one source [is] reasonably available” which states that, “For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). (ii) Where a single source is identified to provide a portion of a purchase because that portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring brand-name item. The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand-name.”

☐ Urgency ☒ Exclusive licensing agreements/Proprietary data ☐ Brand name required ☐ Industrial mobilization ☐ Other (e.g., compatibility, space issues, continuity, compatibility, etc.)

☐ In accordance with FAR 8.405-6 “Limiting Sources” which states that, “the only circumstances that may justify the action are – (A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays; (B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or (C) In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-up to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.”

☐ Urgency ☐ Only One Source ☐ Logical Follow Up ☐ Brand name required

2. Other facts supporting sole source procurement:

a. What can this product/service do that other products/services cannot do?

The EndNote software provides the ability for the user to manage large numbers ofbibliographic citations and associated information in a standard interface. It includes numerous data import and export formats, as well as the ability to performdatabase searches from inside the software. It can also allow synchronization with other EndNote users (latest version X9). This softwaare can interact with MicrosoftWord to allow for the simple inclusion of the EndNote citations in Word documentsthrough the Cite While You Write add-in.

CDC researchers have used EndNote for many years and have developed extensive libraries of citations that are critical to ongoing and historical research efforts. These libraries are maintained in a proprietary EndNote format, making continuity of use essential to avoid data loss, workflow disruption, or extensive conversion efforts.

Changing products would require the removal of the existing software from all CDC computers which currently have it,and then installation of a different product. In addition, users would need to convertall of their existing files to the new format, and learn a new software interface.Clarivate Analytics is the only vendor to offer this specific software product. They are the developers of the product and provide software support for all EndNote users.

b. What other products/services were considered and why did they not meet the need?

Alternative citation management products—such as Zotero, Mendeley, and RefWorks—were assessed conceptually and determined not to meet CDC requirements. While some competing products offer conversion options, they do not provide full interproduct compatibility with EndNote libraries. Additionally, several alternatives are primarily web-based with limited desktop functionality and lack the fully developed features, advanced database searching capabilities, and integration required by CDC researchers. Open-source citation management products were also considered; however, they are not practical for the CDC Library at this time due to the absence of in-house software development and technical support resources necessary to implement, customize, and sustain such solutions. Furthermore, EndNote is proprietary software owned by Clarivate Analytics, and licenses, upgrades, and modifications are only available directly from the manufacturer, as the software is not licensed to third-party vendors for resale or procurement.

3. Program Office efforts to seek potential offerors:

Market research included the application of professional and institutional knowledge gained through prior procurements and long-standing use of citation management software within the CDC research environment. An online survey of currently available bibliographic citation management products was undertaken through the examination of product review and comparison sites, product websites, and other publicly available resources. The results were summarized and shared with library staff who are familiar with and regularly work with bibliographic software, including librarians who provide training in its use. Based on this review and their professional assessment, EndNote—currently in use—was determined to best meet CDC’s functional, operational, and training requirements.

E. Program Office Certification:

I have reviewed this sole source justification and certify the justification is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Name/Title: Jarvis Sims, Library Systems Team Lead

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Signature:

Certification Date: January 28, 2026

F. Contracting Office Certification:

I have fully relied on the information provided herein and hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer Name: Click here to enter text.

Contracting Officer Signature:

Certification Date: Click here to enter a date.