Attachment 1- Sole Source JA 12 Sept 25.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

July 2025 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

This justification and approval to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition supports requirements generated for the Department of Defense Libraries, AFSVC/VCL. The Contracting Activity is the 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to award a follow-on contract for DoD Libraries Foreign Policy Journal Subscription using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 13.106-1(b)(soliciting from a single source), and 13.501(a)(Sole source acquisitions). This individual action will result in the award of a new Firm Fixed Price Contract. This sole source requirement will be acquired from the following organization:

The Slate Group LLC (Doing Business as Foreign Policy) (

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

DoD Libraries needs access to Foreign Policy (FP) Insider to support to meet customer needs. Combined with full access to Foreign Policy's leading journalism, FP Insider provides exclusive access to research from FP Analytics that provides insightful, data-driven, and actionable intelligence on transformational trends impacting geopolitics and business. FP Analytics research, produced exclusively for Insiders, distills major topics such as 5G, data governance, and resource competition; identifies geopolitical and competitive forces shaping markets; and highlights risks and opportunities for businesses and organizations operating around the world.

Foreign Policy Insider is the exclusive provider; this database cannot be obtained anywhere else. Foreign Policy Insider is the only known source capable of providing the information described above for the Department of the Air Force Libraries to accomplish their mission.

The DoD Library Consortium exists to create partnerships among the libraries within the various services of the DoD. They cooperatively acquire materials that are made available to military and civilian employees across the DoD. These resources relate to various overarching goals of the DoD such as recreation, physical wellness, emotional resiliency, and educational pursuits.

The mission of DoD MWR Libraries is outlined in DoDI 1015.10 stating DoD Libraries will provide information resources and services required to accomplish the mission. The libraries support military personnel assigned to contingency operations, remote sites, and military missions IAW DoDI 1015.10, Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs.

The program provides professional military and voluntary education programs materials and services. Libraries also provide facilities, resources, and services to enhance the quality of life, regeneration, and resiliency for authorized customers.

To meet these needs, the DoD libraries must procure resources that can be accessed globally, including in areas with low or no internet access, and provide the below stated requirements. Access to Foreign Policy Insider is essential for DoD Libraries to effectively support the quality of life, educational advancement, and mission-critical needs of their patrons. The platform delivers high-value content through newsletters, live events, and real-time news alerts, while its administrative portal provides actionable usage insights via web and app-based access. Foreign Policy Insider provides online research tools from professionally curated sources that offer trusted information for a balanced, global perspective and to include special reports, power maps, special briefings/articles and graphic databases.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

July 2025 Page 3 of 4

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a Single Source FAR 13.501, Special Documentation Requirements

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

Foreign Policy Insider is the exclusive provider; this database cannot be obtained anywhere else. Foreign Policy Insider is the only known source capable of providing the information described above for the Department of the Air Force Libraries to accomplish their mission.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Market research confirms that Foreign Policy Insider is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Library Consortium Program quality of life efforts.

A Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov from 16 July 2025 - 30 July 2025 and the only response received was from the incumbent.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a), the Contracting Officer shall determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable. The basis of this determination is anticipated to be based on FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii) and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii). This has been previously procured for DoD Libraries and Military OneSource and the price shall be verified against The Slate Group LLC's price lists, catalogs, or advertisements and by comparison to prices previously paid.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

As described in Section VI above, in accordance with FAR Part 10, market research was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties.

Market research confirms that Foreign Policy Insider is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Library Consortium Program quality of life efforts.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

July 2025 Page 4 of 4

A Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov from 16 July 2025 - 30 July 2025 and the only response received was from the incumbent.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The Slate Group (D/B/A Foreign Policy) is the exclusive provider. This database content cannot be obtained from any other source. This is the only known source capable of providing the requirement for DAF Libraries to accomplish their mission.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

The proposed sole source is the only known source that expressed interest and can satisfy the government's requirements.

The Slate Group LLC (D/AB/A Foreign Policy)

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The contracting activity posted the Intent to Award Sole Source notice on SAM.gov to obtain competition. No responses were received.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.