JA for EBSCO_Redacted.pdf

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

18 Jun 2019 SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE Page 2 of 4

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to purchase electronic access to Consumer Reports from EBSCO using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 13.501(a) (Sole Source Acquisitions) and

. This individual action will result in the award of a new Firm Fixed Price Contract.

The anticipated subscription period of performance (PoP) will run from 30 September 2020 through 29 September 2021 with four (4) option year periods that can extend the PoP to 29 September 2025. This subscription will be purchased with FY20 0100 DoD Funds. This sole source requirement will be acquired from the following organization:

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. 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 require access to a database that provides product ratings and reviews and in-depth advice, tips, and trends written by research experts for consumers. Information should be updated frequently, providing reliable data, unbiased information, and more than 9,000 ratings, reviews, product comparisons and video clips. Contents should have buying advice, product reviews, product ratings, product recommendations, money-saving advice and tips, and product videos. Database subjects should cover appliances, automobiles, babies and kids, electronics, food, health information, and money/personal finance.

The database needs to have Keyword search, product search, A-Z product list, and the ability to limit by major category. Search functionality should be by keyword, Boolean/phrase, options to limit by keyword or phrase, capability to cite, export, and Permalink functionality sustainable URL to return to original article. Customer convenience services should include online help, option to save, print, email, save search histories and results, and one-on-one trusted advice straight from a consumer research specialist. Access to information should be seamless, minimal response time between query initiation and query results, and search results within 5-10 seconds.

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

18 Jun 2019 SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE Page 3 of 4

Without this acquisition, the AF Library's mission to provide product ratings and reviews and in-depth advice, tips, and trends to its users would be seriously harmed or delayed without the latest, up-to-the minute information and full service capabilities available from this subscription.

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

A sources sought notice was posted on beta.SAM.gov from 20 August 2020 through 03 September 2020.

EBSCO was the only qualified response received. An Intent to Award Sole Source notice was posted on beta.SAM.gov from 04 September 2020 through 10 September 2020 and no qualified responses were received.

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

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

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

AFSVC/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 related databases. AFSVC/SVPL will continue to survey the market for vendors to obtain competition in related databases. The library uses publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

AFSVC/SVPL will attempt to obtain competition whenever possible by use of professional journals and trade exhibits. The AFSVC/SVPL personnel will continue to keep up-to-date and review new database subscriptions to determine if another source will meet the needs of the users. We will also keep an open dialog with our patrons and usage statistics to determine the necessity for future purposes.