JA DoDL Readers Advisory.pdf

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION August 2023 Page 1 of 8

Was a J&A approved for the preceding acquisition where that acquisition required a J&A? Yes No

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

Is this a Bridge Action as defined at DAFFARS 5302.101? Yes No

Dollar Value of this Acquisition: < $750K > $750K and < $15M > $15M and < $100M > $100M

Contracting Activity: 773 ESS

Purchase Request (if available) / Local ID Number: HE15014191090

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): DoDL Readers Advisory

Program Type (PEO, Enterprise, of Operational):

Authority:

6.302-1 – 10 USC 3204(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source - No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): $ 577,275.00 J&A Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION ( DAFFAR S 5306.304(a))

Date

18 Sep 2024

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity Amie Stone

AFSVC/VCL /2103957179

Signature STONE.AMIE.V.1282275 Digitally signed by

STONE.AMIE.V.1282275771

Date: 2024.09.18 15:55:34 -05'00'

18 Sep 2024

Contracting Officer Ernest J. Medina

773 ESS/PKA / 2109253392

Signature MEDINA.ERNEST.J.1133 Digitally signed by

258589

MEDINA.ERNEST.J.1133258589

Date: 2024.09.18 13:08:17 -05'00'

Date Communications and Info Systems Officer (CSO) [ Name ] [ Office Symbol / Phone Number ]

Signature

23 Sep 2024

Local Legal Reviewer KENT H. GRUBB, Attorney-Advisor, DAFC AF/JACQ - KLFSC; kent.grubb@us.af.mil

Signature GRUBB.KENT.H.107182 Digitally signed by

GRUBB.KENT.H.1071828090

Date: 2024.09.23 14:54:15 -05'00'

APPROVAL ( DAFFAR S 5306.304(a))

26 Sep 2024

Flight Chief, PKA (Authority delegated by 773 ESS/CC Clinton T. Minor III

773 ESS/PKA

Signature MINOR.CLINTON.11329 Digitally signed by

76941

MINOR.CLINTON.1132976941

Date: 2024.09.26 08:46:33 -05'00'

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION August 2023 Page 2 of 8

(See "Specific Guidance for Completing this Template" after item XII below.)

I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

773 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron 1517 Billy Mitchell Blvd, Bldg 954 San Antonio, TX 78236-1865

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

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to purchase additional content on the already established EBSCP subscription 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: EBSCO.

The mission of DoD Libraries is outlined in DoDI 1015.10 stating DoD Libraries will provide information resources and services required to accomplish the mission. The DAF/DoD 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. These resources relate to various overarching goals of the DoD such as recreation, physical wellness, emotional resiliency, and educational pursuits.

To meet these needs, the DoD libraries must procure resources that can be accessed globally, including in areas with low or no internet access, and provide the below stated requirements. These resources need to include access to quality of life resources. Reader Advisory with reading recommendations for all age groups and encourages reader success in young readers. This database covers fiction and non-fiction titles and use “appeal” factors to match books to readers. Reader Advisory is integrated with the DoD Integrated Library System (DoDILS). The EBSCO databases subscription offers an all-encompassing collection and services that provide high quality resources that can be accessible in all locations. The depth and breadth of the EBSCO databases make it the only feasible supplier that can meet the DoD libraries' needs and provide customers with an all-inclusive database. There are no other comparable services that would cover all of these aspects in one place with the same functionality and access. Without this acquisition, the DoD Libraries' mission to provide military members and DoD Civilians with educational and recreational materials would be seriously harmed or delayed without the latest, up-to-the minute information and full-service capabilities available from the databases provided by EBSCO.

DoD/DAFL have not found another product to compare to this database. EBSCO offers unique reader advisory that is not found any where else in the library marketplace. We have partnered with EBSCO for over 10 years for Novelist+.

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

The proposed effort covered by this individual J&A is for a 12-month subscription (1 Base Year) to additional EBSCO databases for DoD Libraries. The requirement is for a subscription database that provides simultaneous downloadable content the EBSCO Novelist with the DoDL Integrated Library System (digital card catalog) to meet mission needs. This system must be able to interface with the DODL database websites, provide a EBSCO Novelist.

Security between the Website and server must be Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3. Must be able to supply or allow retrieval of database usage statistics by Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Military OneSource/ Other, and Navy). Must have HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) with long duration deployed on the servers to

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION August 2023 Page 3 of 8 mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA). Must be able to provide a login system for customers that meets the needs of active duty users and their dependents as well as retirees.

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a Single Source

FAR 13.501(a), Sole Source acquisitions

This acquisition uses Simplified Acquisition Procedures because it falls within the authority of Commercial Items.

Since this acquisition is less than $7.5M, Simplified Acquisition Procedures may be used in accordance with FAR 12.203.

V. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

Market research confirms that EBSCO is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Libraries Program.

VI. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

A combination of price analysis techniques found in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-3 will be used to determine the price to be fair and reasonable. Additionally, the contracting officer has the right to conduct discussions regarding the proposed prices to ensure a determination of a fair and reasonable price prior to award.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(ii) and FAR 13.106-3(iii).

VII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

A combination of price analysis techniques found in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-3 will be used to determine the price to be fair and reasonable. Additionally, the contracting officer has the right to conduct discussions regarding the proposed prices to ensure a determination of a fair and reasonable price prior to award. 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(ii) and FAR 13.106-3(iii).

Price shall be verified against EBSCO current price lists, catalogs, http:// www.ebsco.com or advertisements and by comparison to prices paid from previous and current subscription/contracts with other customers that are similar.

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

The 773 ESS has relied upon the Department of the Air Force Libraries' surveillance of the market for contractors to determine if competition is available for this requirement. The library used publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions, and new publication reviews to conduct market research. Market research indicates no other capable vendor sources have been identified.

Each year librarians/product owners attend numerous conferences hosted by entities such as the Texas Library Association, Public Library Association and American Library Association. These conferences host hundreds of vendors that serve the library community. Over the course of several days, the librarians conduct market research by conversing with the vendors and experiencing products first-hand.

Continuous market research is also completed by staying up to date on current and new product offerings and

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION August 2023 Page 4 of 8 updates via various mailing lists as well as Internet searches completed by the product owners.

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

None

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

AFSVC/VCL will attempt to obtain competition whenever possible by use of professional journals and trade exhibits.

AFSVC/VCL will continue to keep up-to-date and review new research databases to determine if another source will meet the needs of the students, faculty, and staff, in addition to keeping an open dialog with our patrons and usage statistics to determine the necessity for future purposes. The 773 ESS will continually canvass the market by posting sources sought notices to determine if their are viable sources to obtain competition. Additionally, contracting may perform an opportunity assessment in the future.

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

AFSVC/VCL will attempt to obtain competition whenever possible by use of professional journals and trade exhibits.

AFSVC/VCL will continue to keep up-to-date and review new research databases to determine if another source will meet the needs of the students, faculty, and staff, in addition to keeping an open dialog with our patrons and usage statistics to determine the necessity for future purposes. The 773 ESS will continually canvass the market by posting sources sought notices to determine if their are viable sources to obtain competition.

XII. 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.