Final_JA_Redacted_Redacted.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

March 2018 SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE Page 1 of 2

Section A: General Contract Information

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

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIEC

Project/Program Name: Encyclopedia Britannica

Purchase Request/Identification Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) and AFFARS 5313.106-1(b), this is a justification for other than full and open competition for a sole source acquisition.

The DoD library consortium requires access to a reputable digital encyclopedia. In addition to an encyclopedia, the database needs to provide an extensive library of images (including rights cleared for customer usage), article history (showing changes and updates), news feeds to New York Times & BBC, Interactive work atlas, famous quotations search, collegiate dictionary, American History records, world data analyst, and an academic and school encyclopedia.

Encyclopedia Britannica fits all of these requirements. This database is a vital reference tool for DoD personnel and their families and provides access to high quality information critical to meeting the Air Force Library Program and DoD Library Consortium's mission as stated in AFI 34-250 and DoDI 1015.10, to support military and voluntary education programs in the Air Force.

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 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. 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. Britannica is the only known resource that address the depth and breath required for the Department of Defense mission. The academic support provided to the armed forces by this acquisition is critical to support the libraries' mission.

The vendor quote provided is for the DoD Library Consortium. The cost for access to Encyclopedia Britannica from 1 Sep 2019 to 31 Aug 2020 is $99,202.00, based upon an official quote provided by the Encyclopedia Britannica representative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

Encyclopedia Britannica is vital to the ongoing mission of the DoD Library Consortium, outlined in detail in Section B.

There is no other reputable encyclopedia databases covering the broad range of topics, images, American History records, and an academic and school encyclopedia that is on the market. Encyclopedia Britannica's electronic access to a plethora of scholarly and general subjects and images makes it the world leader in encyclopedias. Britannica is the only known encyclopedia that provides K-12 literature and higher academic support in one resource. Moreover, no other resource provides the extensive image library required by the libraries. Encyclopedia is vital to ongoing mission (See

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

March 2018 SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE Page 2 of 2 section B) of the DoD libraries. While other vendors may have collections that support specific aspects of the DoD Mission, the depth and breadth of Britannica's collection is an essential quality to the DoD library requirement. This subscription will need ot meet the information needs of a wide variety of missions and individuals. This resource will be utilized by individuals pursuing voluntary education goals across DoD including remove, isolated, downrange locations.

The DoD's requirement is for a subscription database that meets the demand of high level technical services, dependents in isolated and remote areas pursuing K-12 learning, as well as individuals pursuing advanced degrees. The subscription must offer the collection and services to meet the needs of a broad user base, provide high quality resources, and be accessible in all locations. The depth and breadth of Britannica's collection make it the only feasible supplier that can meet the DoD libraries needs and provide customers with an all-inclusive database. There aren't comparable databases in the market that would cover all of these aspects in one place with the same functionality and access. Therefore, Encyclopedia Britannica is the only known source to meet the agency's needs.

Encyclopedia Britannica has exclusive legal copyrights and is a "must order direct" company. The publisher does not market their publications through distributors so they are not available from any other source. Britannica is the leading provider of encyclopedias and one of the world's most trusted sources of information on every topic. Without this sole source acquisition, the DoD Library's mission to provide the military and their families with educational support would be seriously harmed or delayed without the latest, up-to-the-minute information available from this subscription.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Market research confirms that Encyclopedia Britannica is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD research and educational information and materials.

AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market for vendors to determine if competition was available for the requirement. The library used publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions, and new publication reviews to conduct its surveys. No viable vendors were found.

The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

An intent to award sole source notice was posted on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps.gov) and no qualified responses were received that could meet the requirement.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

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 subscriptions. AFSVA/SVPL will continue to survey the market for vendors to obtain competition in aircraft safety publications. The library uses publishers' advertisements, interlibrary loan requests, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

15-Aug-2019

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer Signature of Contracting Officer