FINAL ACS SSJ (06.15.2023)akw_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source Justification (SSJ)

SSJ No.:

Date:

Pursuant to the requirements at 41 U.S.C. 1901 or the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1903 Special emergency authority as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 13.5 and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO), Information Technology Acquisition Center (ITAC), prepared this Sole Source Justification (SSJ) on behalf of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, (OCIO), Solutions Development Directorate (SDD), Research Library and Information Services (RLIS).

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

DHS/OPO/ITAC intends to award a sole source Purchase Order to the American Chemical Society (ACS), 1155 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 without seeking competition to obtain access to an evidence based chemical science and chemical engineering journals. This action is being taken pursuant to FAR subpart 13.5. ACS holds exclusive copyright and digital rights for all ACS published content.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

DHS Science & Technology Laboratories are directed by law to conduct studies and analyses or assessing the threat and hazards associated with an accidental or intentional large-scale chemical event or chemical terrorism event. DHS S&T Laboratories supports the Homeland Security Enterprise by providing a crucial knowledge repository of chemical threat information, design and execution of laboratory and field tests, and a science-based threat and risk analysis capability, among other services. This mission requires access to the highest quality evidence based chemical science and chemical engineering journals, eBooks and publications in order promote and accelerate the applied research and advance the DHS mission in both daily and in emergency response situations.

http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/

4. Identification of the authority.

This action is being taken in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)sole source.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

ACS Publications is the exclusive owner of the content and information available through ACS Web Editions and the ACS Legacy Archives. ACS holds exclusive copyright and digital rights for all ACS published content. All articles in those services are available in either PDF or HTML formats. No other publisher, editor, or company owns or controls access to ACS Web Editions and ACS Legacy Archives, only the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS All Access subscription provides access to all ACS journals, digital books, news, and archives.

Access allows users to conduct studies and analyses or assessing the threat and hazards associated with an accidental or intentional large-scale chemical event or chemical terrorism event. DHS requires access of this quality to maximize research and development (R&D) efforts by giving researchers everything they need for discovery and research. DHS cannot conduct chemical analysis or assess chemical threats without access to the latest cutting-edge chemical science and chemical engineering information. Also, access to an online Reagent Chemicals Database that has been reviewed and approved by the American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents enables DHS Chemists to detect chemicals and prevent chemical threats. Without this information a thorough chemical detection and chemical threat analysis cannot be accomplished.

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

The Research Library & Information Services (RLIS) program will continue to review Government and Commercial databases, reviewing professional journals and attending conferences. Should another chemical science & chemical engineering research database become available, DHS will pursue a competitive award. DHS intends to post this requirement on System for Award Management (SAM.gov) pursuant to FAR 5.301 and FAR 6.305(a).

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Fair and reasonable pricing based on ACS providing information concerning discounts rates for Government agencies procuring the same product. Pricing may vary depending on usage, number of locations, number of researchers, students, and employees.

8. Description of market research.

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10. This market research revealed that while some vendors could satisfy some of DHS’ minimum requirements, only ACS has the capability to satisfy all the following DHS minimum requirements.

Minimum Requirement

1. Access to Online Reagent Chemicals Database that has been reviewed and approved by the American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents.

2. Access to Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) platform

3. Access to an online Guide to Scholarly Communication that provides training and instruction for scientific communication.

4. Access to Complete collection of American Chemical Society (ACS) Journals 1949 to present

5. Access to American Chemical Society (ACS) published eBooks 1949 to present.

6. Access to a digital newsletter that focuses on new topics and core techniques from across the sciences.

7. Access to an online chemical science and engineering research platform.

8. API interface to support scientific research text and data mining.

After a thorough examination of industry providers, it was concluded that ACS is the only vendor that can provide the highest quality evidence based chemical science and chemical engineering journals, eBooks and publications research information that satisfies the government’s minimum requirements. The chemical science and chemical engineering journals, eBooks and publications research information are not available in any similar scope from another provider.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification.

There are no additional facts.

10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No sources have expressed an interest in this acquisition.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required.

The Research Library & Information Services (RLIS) program office performs on-going market research such as reviewing Government and Commercial databases, reviewing professional journals, and attending conferences to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the sole source requirement before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

Should another chemical science & chemical engineering research database become available, DHS will pursue a competitive award

12. DHS intends to post the requirement pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii) and 6.305(a).

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

14. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval