5_-_JA_RBDigital_DoD_CO_signed_final_Redacted.pdf

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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

25 May 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 1 of 4

NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: >SAT and < $700K > $700K and < $13.5M

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIEC

Purchase Request / Local ID Number:

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): Recorded Books Digital

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304a, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

01 Aug 2018

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

Signature

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

01 Aug 2018

Contracting Officer

Signature

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

25 May 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 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 Air Force Libraries. The contracting activity for this requirement is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Specialized Contracting Section (AFLCMC/PZIEC).

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

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to procure electronic access to Recorded Books (RB) Digital services 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:

Recorded Books, LLC.

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

The proposed effort covered by this individual Justification and Approval is for a 12-month subscription to the following RB Digital services for the Department of Defense: IndieFlix, a streaming video service of modern movies; Universal Class, a professional and recreational instruction that include continuing education credits;

Qello, a music video and concert streaming service; ArtistWorks, an online musical instruction by professional;

Zinio Digital Magazines, a digital magazine subscriptions; and ComicsPlus for the AF Libraries.

These databases are vital reference tools for DoD and AF personnel. RB Digital is important for the service personnel and library staff to have instant access to digital information in multiple platforms that can be streamed or downloading with no waiting. This program will be made available to libraries of various military branches across the DoD and can be accessed through computers and mobile devices. This database collection provides information that enhances quality of life for DoD and AF personnel.

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

13.106(b), Soliciting from a Single Source 13.501(a), Sole Source Acquisitions

This acquisition uses Simplified Acquisition Procedures because it falls within the authority of the Commercial Item Test Program. Since this acquisition is less than $7M, Simplified Acquisition Procedures may be used in accordance with FAR 12.203.

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

The RB Digital database is a unique resource for the DoD Library Program. Recorded Books is an exclusive, must order direct distributor for the majority of the required supplies and is the non-exclusive preferred vendor for Qello and Comics Plus. With the RBdigital platform as a central location for the supplies required, Recorded Books is the only known source that can provide these services in this way for overall ease of use and convenience of the end user.

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

A Sources Sought posting on Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) from 30 May 2018 - 29 June 2018. An

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

25 May 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 4 amended Source Sought, due to a change in the RB Digital services that were required, was posted on 13 June 2018 and extended to response date to 3 July. No viable responses were received for the Sources Sought postings. An Intent to Award Sole Source was posted on FBO from 3 July 2018 - 9 July 2018. No responses were received. The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

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 by AFLCMC/PZI for AF Libraries and the price shall be verified against 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, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties. Moreover, the AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market in order to determine if competition was obtainable. The library reviewed advertisements, new publications, and available conferences to ensure the course of action for a sole source acquisition was the most appropriate moving forward.

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

None.

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

responded to the Sources Sought posting; however, after evaluation by the technical team, it was determined that his proposal did not meet the requirement of the Government. notified of this decision on 20 June 2018.

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

Recorded Books, LLC.

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 will post a Sources Sought and Intent to Award Sole Source on FedBizOpps, as described in Section VI above, in order to obtain competition. If acceptable responses are received, the contracting activity will modify its strategy accordingly.

AFSVA/SVPL will keep an open dialog with the users/patrons and evaluate statistics to determine the necessity to use this resource to supplement its collection of research databases. AFSVA/SVPL will continue to survey the market for vendors to obtain competition in databases. The library will use publishers' advertisements, Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

25 May 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4 of 4 professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

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.