J_and_A_Redacted_Redacted.pdf

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

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

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This justification and approval to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition supports requirements generated for the DoD Libraries Consortium. The contracting activity for this requirement is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Specialized Contracting Section (AFLCMC/PZIEC).

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to procure RBDigital Universal Class using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901). 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

The proposed effort covered by this individual Justification and Approval is for a 12-month subscription with two option years to RBDigital Universal Class. This is an instructional courses database that supplies lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas and some with continuing education units (CEUs) that will allow the DoD Libraries to complete their program mission.

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

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.

Market research confirms that RBDigital Universal Class is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements of acquiring an accredited online source with a vast range of subject areas to satisfy the diverse professional background of personnel across the DoD. RBDigital is the exclusive provider of Universal Class so this database content cannot be obtained anywhere else. This is a "must order direct" company. No other companies were identified that could provide the necessary supplies.

A failure to acquire this product creates inefficiency through an increased need of library resources and creation of unproductive processes. In addition, buying these materials on-demand instead of using RBDigital Universal Class would greatly increase the cost. Accordingly, RBDigital Universal Class is the only firm capable of providing the supplies described above without DoD personnel experiencing unacceptable delays and substantial duplication of cost that could not be recouped through competition.

An Intent to Award Sole Source notice (FA8604-19-P-5066) was posted on FBO from 19 August 2019 - 24 August 2019 advising industry of the intent of the Government to award sole source and requesting any interested firms to submit a capabilities package indicating their capability to provide the requirement. No viable responses were received.

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

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Market research confirms that RBDigital Universal Class is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Library Program's education and quality of life efforts.

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.

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.

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.

Recorded Books, LLC

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 uses publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

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

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