19P5052_Sources_Sought_DoD.docx

Sources Sought Synopsis

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 FY19 base effort with no option years. The period of performance for this subscription is 30 September 2019 – 29 September 2020. Responses to this sources sought notice will assist a determination of whether it is in the best interest of the Government to conduct a sole-source acquisition or to proceed with a competition.

FSC: 7630

NAICS: 519130

Size Standard: 1000 employees

Subscription name: RBdigital Unlimited Audiobook Service

Supplier name: RBdigital

Product description: This subscription to the RBdigital Unlimited Audiobook Service allows unlimited access to e-audiobooks online and through an app. Titles and checkouts are unlimited and new titles are added frequently.

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

· Must be able to provide access to e-audiobooks without limiting titles or number of electronic checkouts.

· Must contain an extensive selection of titles with new titles added frequently.

· Subscription price should be firm-fixed with no increase when titles are added.

· With the exception of company titles, no titles should be embargoed and should be immediately added to the collection.

· Must be able to interface with the Air Force Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Marine Corps, Military OneSource, and Navy Digital Library (NDL).

· Must be able to provide password embedded URL’s for Library OPACs

The Government will consider responses received within 20 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 DUNS Number.

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

3. If this posting specifically references brand name products, offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those specifically referenced. Responses must address how the alternate product meets the product characteristics specified above.

4. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

5. Responses are limited to of 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format.

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 Cortney Bess at Cortney.Bess@us.af.mil and Joelynn Laux at joelynn.laux@us.af.mil no later than 1 July 2019, 2:00 PM EST. Any questions should be directed to Cortney Bess through email.

All responses should be received no later than 1 July 2019, 2:00 PM (Eastern).