DAFL Hoopla Content - Sources Sought (1).pdf

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis published by the United States Air Force (the Government or USAF). There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research to determine whether there are businesses available capable of providing an alternative product that meets the characteristics below. The Air Force anticipates procuring this product as a FY26 base effort with a projected period of performance of 8 July 2026 – 7 July 2027. This effort will have Two – one year option periods: Option year 1 – 8 July 2027 – 7 July 2028 and Option year 2 – 8 July 2028 – 7 July 2029.

Responses to this sources sought notice will assist in a determination of whether it is in the best interest of the Government to proceed with a competition.

PSC: 7630

NAICS: 516210

Size Standard: $47M

Subscription name: Hoopla Content

1. Hoopla Subscription for content points for DAF Libraries for the Hoopla platform with Midwest Tape, LLC. Hoopla is a digital media service that allows users to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, eBooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on their computers, tablets, phones, or TV. These titles can either be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline usage via the hoopla app. Has exclusive content that cannot be purchased or used on other digital platforms.

2. Product characteristics or an equal item must meet to be considered:

1. Must be able to provide a large variety of content that is continuously being updated and increased in multiple media formats

2. Must provide over 331k ebooks, 16,500 comics, 75K audiobooks, 13,500 movies, 2,200 TV Series, and 253K full music albums including new releases, current best sellers, and back catalog that can be simultaneously by users

3. Must also provide a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that can be added to the platform with the content points

4. Titles available at all times with no holds/simultaneous usage for users with the same tites

5. Firm-fixed pricing so there is no increase when new titles are accessed

6. May limit the number digital downloads per week/month per registered user and can be adjusted throughout the year

7. Online Web & App assistance for both users and Librarians

8. All content must be available online and navigable through a dedicated app and website for global access enabled with individual login for customer accounts

9. Provide marketing resources, that are continuously being update and available to

Librarians for free download

10. Must be accessible through iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Roku, Amazon Alexa, etc.

11. Must work with contract POC to establish authentication methods to provide optimal accessibility for all eligible patrons.

12. Must work with the current digital subscription contracted platform EBSCO Stacks for customer accessibility.

13. Security between the Website and server must be Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3

14. Must be able to supply or allow retrieval of database usage statistics

15. Must have HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) with long duration deployed on the servers to mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks

16. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA)

17. VCL must be able to test the platform to evaluate if it meets requirements. Must provide username and password to view content on platform.

The Government will consider responses received within 15 days of issuance of this notice.

Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a full and open competitive procurement or a small business set aside competitive procurement. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement. If the Government competes this requirement, a synopsis shall be issued utilizing the combined synopsis/solicitation procedure identified in FAR 12.603. If this effort becomes a Small Business Set-Aside, FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting, will apply. Therefore, small businesses that want to be considered for a small business set-aside should demonstrate how they intend to comply. A determination not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is an administrative decision by the Government that is solely within its discretion.

Contractors should be aware of the following information:

1. Contractors must include the following information:

a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

b. Identification as a large U.S. business, a small U.S. business, or a foreign business. Please note that size indicated should be based on the NAICS code for this effort listed above.

c. Identification of any other socioeconomic status including: Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business or HUBZone.

d. Company CAGE Code or UEI.

e. Capabilities Statement

2. This requirement is not intended for specific brand name products. Offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those that may be specifically referenced by brand name. Responses must address how alternate product meet the product characteristics specified above.

3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with their response. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposals nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as required basis, for further clarification on material provided.

Respondents should not construe this notice as a commitment by the Air Force for any purpose.

Responses should be emailed to Contracting Specialist: SrA William Sasser, william.sasser.2@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer: Gustavo Guadron, Gustavo.Guadron@us.af.mil no later than 5 June 2026, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Gustavo Guadron through email.