Crafting Subscription Sources Sought.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 30 September 2026 – 29 September 2027. This effort will have two – one year option periods: Option year 1 – 30 September 2027 – 29 September 2028 and Option year 2 – 30 September 2028 – 29 September 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.

FSC: 7630

NAICS: 516210

Size Standard: $47M

Subscription name: Crafting Subscription

Description: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Library Program requires a resource that provides access to The Creativebug flat fee platform service that offers crafting videos, tutorials and additional resources for creative makers. Product characteristics or an equal item must meet to be considered:

1. Must be able to provide a service that offers crafting videos, tutorials and additional resources for creative makers.

2. Must provide unlimited access for every skill level explore thousands of classes.

3. Must enable users of all skill levels to work alongside instructors to learn craft techniques.

4. Must provide a platform that is simple and intuitive, with features like chapter divisions, note-taking tools, 20-second rewind and more. Users can save favorite classes and receive personalized recommendations.

5. Must provide Unlimited Public Performance rights. Videos may be used as part of library's in-person, virtual, or hybrid programming - no paperwork or notifications required

6. Must provide downloadable patterns, templates and recipes

7. Must provide access to administrative portal, which includes usage statistics and reports, MARC Records, and marketing and promotional materials

8. Must send monthly newsletters to library admins for use in promotional efforts and programming

9. Must enable patrons who register to opt-in to receive notifications when new classes and live events are going to be released

10. All videos have closed captions and downloadable transcripts, and many videos also have downloadable class materials

11. Must provide a video library with over 2,000 classes that is updated daily/weekly with new videos added every day as part of a Daily Practice Series

12. Must be able to provide a login system for customers that meets the needs of active duty/civilian users and their dependents as well as retirees

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

14. Must be a one time flat fee for subscription/platform access and not pay per use/circ subscription/platform access

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

16. Security between the Website and server must be Transport Layer Security

(TLS) 1.3

17. Must be able to supply or allow retrieval of database usage statistics by Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Other, and Navy)

18. Must provide a single sign on login for all registered DoWL users - SSo methodology – SAML attributes are required for authentication

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

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

21. 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 10 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: Homer Rios, Homer.Rios@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer: Gustavo Guadron, Gustavo.Guadron@us.af.mil no later than 17 August 2026, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to both Homer Rios and Gustavo Guadron through email.