All-In-One Subscription Brand-Name Justification.pdf

CUI

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

CONTRACTING SERVICES OFFICE

700 ROBBINS AVENUE

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19111-5092

Controlled by: DCSO-C3

CUI Category: General Procurement and Acquisition / Source

Selection Information see FAR 2.101 & 3.104

Applicable Distribution: DLA/J6/Strategic Materials/DCSO

POC: Ron Fairley, Contracting Officer; (571) 363-7069

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION -- SEE FAR 2.101 AND 3.104

Brand-Name Justification [FAR 13.106-1(b)(2)]

SP8000-25-Q-0005

All-In-One Subscription

1) Identification of the agency and contracting activity:

Requiring Activity:

Defense Logistics Agency, (DLA)

DLA Strategic Materials

8725 John J. Kingman Road

Fort Belvoir, VA 22020-6220

POC: Curt Stough, curtis.stough@dla.mil

Contracting Activity:

DLA Contracting Services Office – Columbus Division 3

3990 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43213-1152

POC: Ron Fairley, ronald.fairley@dla.mil

2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

DLA Strategic Materials (DLA SM), by and through the DLA Contracting Services Office –

Columbus Division 3 (DCSO-C3), intends to solicit and award a firm-fixed price (FFP) contract to obtain specific commercially available, web-based subscriptions, publications, and periodicals for use by DLA SM market analysts, economists, materials engineers, and

Stockpile Liaisons. DCSO-C3 seeks the authority to solicit and award the requirement using brand-name descriptions for the 29 subscriptions, publication, and periodicals. DLA anticipates awarding the contract in May 2025, which will consist of one 12-month base period and one 12-month option period. This was last acquired by DCSO/DLA SM in Fiscal

Year 2022.

3) Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

DLA intends to purchase access to specific, individual subscriptions, which are required by the DLA Strategic Materials market analysts, economists, materials engineers, and Stockpile

Liaisons for data collection and studies supporting material acquisitions for the National

Defense Stockpile (NDS). In accordance with the statement of work, the contractor is required to acquire the 29 specific, commercially available magazine subscriptions, publications, and periodicals and make them available to designated users within DLA SM on an uninterrupted basis throughout the duration of the contract performance period. DLA estimates the value of this action at $1,944,347.86.

4) Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), “Only one responsible source and no other Supplies or Services will satisfy agency requirements”, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(2), Brand-Name.

5) Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

DLA SM requires the use of brand-name descriptions for 29 web-based subscriptions, publications, and periodicals. In order to fulfil the requirements of the Strategic and Critical

Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.), DLA SM must constantly conduct industry studies and market analysis for the various critical materials intended for the NDS. As the mission of the NDS is to stockpile those critical materials that cannot be mined, developed, or produced within the United States that are widely used in the manufacturing of U.S.

Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems, it is essential that the market analysts, economists, materials engineers, and Stockpile Liaisons within DLA SM are able to closely monitor international markets for rare materials, World-wide geopolitical and economic environments, and financial markets. The 29 specific subscriptions that make up the All-In-

One Subscription requirement are the benchmark publications for a number of specialty areas, which have the established international connections and resources to provide the most current and accurate information needed by DLA SM in their continuous execution of studies supporting the NDS mission. These sources provide data from processors, producers, and market sources to ensure the use of the best acquisition and disposition practices as well as data that is used by DLA SM in the creation of the Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

The following are the web-based subscriptions, publications, and periodicals required by

DLA SM in the performance of NDS mission:

PUBLISHER SUBSCRIPTION JUSTIFICATION

Fastmarkets Data Industrial Minerals

Provides the most accurate market data regarding Industrial Minerals.

Provides pricing data and market trends as well provide access to market experts for consultation regarding industrial minerals and their markets.

Fastmarkets Data

Scrap Metals

Provides the most accurate market data regarding Scrap Metals. Provides pricing data and market trends as well as access to market experts for consultation regarding the Scrap

Metals markets.

Base Metals

Provides the most accurate market data regarding Base Metals. Provides pricing data and market trends as well provide access to market experts for consultation regarding the base metal markets.

Ores and Alloys

Provides the most accurate market data regarding Ores and Alloys.

Provides pricing data and market trends as well provide access to market experts for consultation for ores and alloys necessary for metals production.

Minor Metals

Premier source of market data regarding Minor Metals. Provides pricing data and market trends as well provide access to market experts for consultation for minor metals such as

Molybdenum, Antimony, and

Tellurium.

Fastmarkets News

American Metal Market

Industry-leading source of data regarding the American Metal

Market. Provides market trends and insight on American affairs regarding metals and industrial news that may not be publicly available.

Metal Bulletin

This industry standard global metal newsletter provides market trends and insight on key metals utilized across the globe.

Industrial Minerals

This specific source is the industry leader for global industrial minerals news. Provides market trends and insight into key industrial minerals utilized across the globe.

CRU Group/Ryans

Notes Chrome Monitor & Prices

Prime source of pricing data for

Chrome and all chrome-related raw materials. It also provides news pertaining to the Chrome markets that government does not have access to through other sources.

CRU Group/Ryans

Notes

Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor &

Prices

Prime source of pricing data for iron-based alloys or iron-based raw materials. It also provides industry news to which government does not have access through other sources.

Noble Alloys & Minor Metal

Prices

Prime source of pricing data for noble alloys, platinum group metals, and minor metals. It also provides news for the listed groups that Government does not have access to through other sources.

CRU Group Tin Monitor

Industry-leading source of pricing data for tin and its alloy families. It also provides news to which the

Government does not have access through any other sources.

Argus Rare Earths

Monthly Outlook Site License

Industry-leading source of pricing data for rare earth elements as well as forecasted market trends utilizing proprietary information.

Argus Metal Prices Online Critical source for pricing data for metals within the stockpile and metals that DLA-SM is planning to acquire.

Argus Metal

International Online

Industry leader for pricing data across the globe for metals that are of national security interest, including in markets such as China and Russia.

Trade Data Monitor Online

A leading purveyor of market import, export, and customs data. Provides pricing data for all registered HTS coded materials as well as customs data.

Bloomberg

Professional Service B-

Unit Device

Online

The device provides access to proprietary information regarding critical materials prices as well as proprietary industry information. In addition to the previously mentioned, it provides proprietary financial risk metrics for individual companies and the global markets.

Bloomberg

Businessweek

(including access to subscriber only letters for raw materials etc.)

Digital

Aggregates reliable sources that are not listed under the subscriptions list for use in understanding market trends, industry news, and global affairs that may impact key markets.

The Economist Digital

Industry-leading source of information used by many policy makers that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

Platts Metal Daily

(Nonferrous Market

Data and Market

Insights)

Online & Email-Basic Service

+1 Enhanced Add-On

Most accurate/reliable provider of pricing data and market trends for non-ferrous alloy and non-ferrous raw materials.

Dow Jones &

Company, Inc.

Wall Street Journal - Digital

Subscription

Industry-leading source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that

DLA-SM uses for the Biennial Report on Stockpile Requirements.

Financial Times Standard Digital

Industry-leading source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that

DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

Darton Commodities, Ltd.

Cobalt Market Review Report

Online

Industry leader of data on Cobalt metal. Provides a reliable market overlook for Cobalt metal and alloys containing cobalt.

Benchmark Minerals

Intelligence Industrial Minerals

Source provides the most accurate forecasting data pertaining to the Rare

Earth market, pricing outlook as far as

2040, and supply/demand and cost-margin analysis for miners/refiners. In addition to the previously mentioned, updates on non-Chinese project profiles and potential policy actions from different nations as well as access to industry analysts are included.

Foreign Policy Digital

A reliable source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

The Diplomat Digital

A reliable source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

Ground News Digital

A reliable source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

The Washington Post Digital

A reliable source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

Reuters Digital

A reliable source of information used by many policy makers and industrial experts that provides key insights into the impacts of global affairs on the markets. Able to provide data that impacts the forecasting tools and variables that DLA-SM uses for the

Congressionally mandated Biennial

Report on Stockpile Requirements.

6) Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

As this intended action will be executed as a Request for Quote under FAR Part 13.5 procedures, this requirement will be synopsized for one (1) day prior to the opening of the solicitation. The Contracting Officer will post the solicitation on SAM.gov for 30 days.

7) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The Contracting Officer anticipates that the expected price for the subscriptions outlined in this brand-name justification will be determined fair and reasonable based on either a comparison of proposed prices received in response to the solicitation, a comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid, or a comparison of proposed prices with independent government cost estimates. The Contracting Officer will only proceed with the planned action after evaluating and confirming that the resulting price is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 Evaluation of Quotations or Offers.

8) Description of market research conducted and results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted:

Market research was conducted by DLA SM, which involved independent and academic research and interviews with service users and service providers. Prior to the use of a third-party vendor to consolidate subscriptions, DLA-SM managed subscriptions on a

“subscription-by-subscription” basis. This would make accessing critical information difficult as there was no central contractor to handle the users list for each subscription. To better manage subscriptions, an all-in-one subscription contract was initiated by DLA SM to better consolidate and manage the subscriptions that DLA SM utilizes daily. A multitude of sources were added under the umbrella of the all-in-one subscription contract, including but not limited to: Fast- markets, Argus Media, Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg Terminal, Platt’s Global, CRU Group, Trade Data Monitor, and more. DLA SM has been establishing consolidated subscription contracts for more than seven years, and the intended action is a follow-on to two expiring DCSO/DLA SM contracts for access to these required web-based subscriptions/publications. The data from these sources is used to inform the DLA SM on world events and critical material trade information that may impact the ability of the

Strategic Materials to perform their duties. Several of these sources are used by DLA SM for preparing the bi-annual Requirements Report that Strategic Materials drafts for

Congressional Review.

DCSO-C3 carried out comprehensive market research by publishing a Request for

Information (RFI) on SAM.gov, which enabled interested companies to submit their capability statements for this requirement. As a result of the RFI, three vendors have been identified as qualified to compete for this opportunity within a competitive environment.

9) Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

None.

10) Listing of sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisitions:

The DLA SM Project Manager provided DCSO with an acquisition package that included, among other documents, a detailed Independent Government Cost Estimate and a Market

Research Report. These documents, along with responses from an RFI published to

SAM.gov, established the following three sources expressed interest in this intended All-In-

One Subscription acquisition:

1. Prenax, Inc., Contract: SP8000-22-C-0003 – Expires: May 31, 2025

2. Cox Subscriptions, Inc. - Contract: GS-02F-0147T – Expired: September 29, 2024

3. Amergreen, Inc. – Contract: GS-02F-0079S – Expires: February 5, 2026

11) Actions, if any, the agency will take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

An acquisition or a portion of an acquisition that uses a brand-name description or other purchase description to specify a particular brand-name, product, or feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer does not provide full and open competition regardless of the number of sources solicited. Although DCSO-C3 does intend to solicit this action as a 100% small business set-aside and expects competition, DLA SM requires 29 specific publications to fulfil their requirements/responsibilities outlined in the Strategic and Critical Materials

Stockpiling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.). DLA SM continues to research and explore all publications across the specialized areas where data is collected for the Directorate’s comprehensive studies. Currently, however, the 29 publications specified within this brand-name justification represent the only magazines/publications able to meet the needs of DLA

SM as they execute the NDS mission.

12) Certifications and Approval:

Requirements / Technical Certification

I hereby certify that the supporting data for which I am responsible, and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CURTIS T. STOUGH

DLA Strategic Material National Stockpile Liaison

DLA Strategic Materials

Contracting Certification

I hereby certify that the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

RONALD E. FAIRLEY

Contracting Officer

DLA Contracting Services Office – Columbus 3

Competition Advocate Certification

I hereby certify and approve this justification.

MATTHEW S. RYAN

Competition Advocate

DLA Contracting Services Office