JA-Multi Topic Database_Redacted.pdf

Department of the Air Force: Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

April 2026 CUI Page 2 of 4April 2026 CUI Page 2 of 4

I. Agency and Contracting Activity (RFO 6.104-1(a)(1)):

Agency: AFMC Contracting Activity: 772 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron JBSA-Kelly Annex, San Antonio, TX

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved (RFO 6.104-1(a)(2)):

The Department of War (DoW) Libraries has a requirement for access to the digital version of the Multi-Topic Database Collection. The award will be a firm fixed price purchase order awarded on a sole source basis to .

Cage Code . UEI: .

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs (RFO 6.104-1(a)(3)):

The mission of the Department of Defense (DoD) Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Libraries and the Department of the Air Force Library Program (DoWL) is to support military personnel assigned to contingency operations, remote sites, and military missions in accordance with DoDI 1015.10, Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs. To support mission readiness, voluntary education, and quality of life, DoD and DoW Libraries require a subscription to the Multi-Topic Database Collection. The requirement is for 24/7 unlimited, simultaneous user access to the digital multi-topic electronic reference database subscription package through established network authentication methods. The subscription must provide seamless, global access to four integrated, proprietary core databases:

- : Extensive multidisciplinary coverage of biology, chemistry, criminal justice, economics, environmental science, history, marketing, political science, and psychology, featuring more than 11,000 peer-reviewed journals and 8,000 full-text periodicals.

- : : Authoritative narrative biographical entries for over 640,000 international figures across all historical eras, with 4,800+ curated portal pages and advanced search criteria.

- : Intuitive, internet-style search interface delivering access to over 17,000 scholarly journals, general-interest magazines, and multimedia assets (transcripts/audio from NPR/CNN, videos from BBC Worldwide Learning) with no embargo on more than 90% of content.

- : Scholarly resources, reports, and hand-selected military publications covering governmental policy, socioeconomics of war, and armed forces structures.

The contract will consist of a 12-month base period and two (2) 12-month option periods. The estimated value of the acquisition is as follows:

Base Period (30 Sept 2026 - 29 Sept 2027): $ Option Period 1 (30 Sept 2027 - 29 Sept 2028): $ Option Period 2 (30 Sept 2028 - 29 Sept 2029): $ Total Estimated Value (Base Plus Options):

IV. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(4)):

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

RFO 12.201-2, Other procedures - 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1)

V. Rationale for Use of Authority (RFO 6.104-1(a)(5)):

The only contractor capable of fulfilling this requirement is:

April 2026 CUI Page 3 of 4April 2026 CUI Page 3 of 4

Based on the results of market research, . is the only source capable of providing authorized digital access to the Multi-Topic Database Collection. is the exclusive creator, developer, copyright holder, and direct distributor of all content produced under the brand. No other contractor, reseller, or third-party vendor possesses the legal authority or intellectual property rights necessary to provide this content or grant licensed access to the complete digital databases. To substantiate its exclusive capability, the core databases are proprietary, copyrighted commercial electronic products owned and licensed exclusively by . does not utilize third-party resellers or authorized agents in the federal library market space who can provide the custom SAML SSO multi-branch authentication integration. Because the requirement is specifically for licensed digital access to official publication, the Government cannot obtain the required content from another source without infringing upon exclusive intellectual property rights. No other contractor can provide an equivalent product that satisfies the Government's requirement for authentic, complete, and licensed access to multi-topic database suite. Accordingly, . is the only responsible source capable of meeting the Government's requirements.

VI. Integrated Market Analysis and Efforts to Solicit Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(6), (8), and (10)):

A Market Research Report was conducted to identify potential sources capable of satisfying the Government's requirement for the Multi-Topic Database Collection for DoD and DoW Libraries. Historical acquisition data confirmed that the current requirement has been successfully fulfilled by . under Contract for the period 30 September 2024 through 29 September 2026. The historical review also identified that the subscription has been a key part of the DoD Libraries portfolio since 30 September 2020, when sole-source contract was awarded to

, which spanned from 30 September 2020 through 29 September 2024. Prior market research including a sources sought on beta.SAM.gov in 2020 and a sole-source intent notice yielded no qualified alternative responses.

To maximize competition, the Government issued a Sources Sought Notice on SAM.gov under Notice ID FA80522608072026C from 7 August 2026 through 17 August 2026. The notice requested capability statements from interested vendors and required respondents to demonstrate their ability to satisfy all minimum requirements.

Two (2) vendors expressed interest and submitted written responses:

1.

The vendor submitted a capability statement demonstrating compliance with all minimum requirements identified in the Sources Sought Notice. The response confirmed that is the exclusive developer, publisher, copyright holder, and distributor of the Multi-Topic Database Collection. will self-perform the core requirements, providing direct access to its proprietary content, digital platform, and associated services.

2.

submitted a capability statement consisting primarily of a general company overview detailing construction, civil engineering, facility support, and project management services. The submission did not demonstrate any capability to satisfy the minimum technical reference database requirements and did not provide evidence of ownership, licensing authority, publishing rights, or distribution rights for electronic database content. Consequently, the submission was determined to be technically unacceptable.

The Government's market research, historical acquisition review, and public announcement collectively demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to identify competitive sources. Although two (2) vendors responded to the Sources Sought Notice, only . demonstrated the legal authority, proprietary rights, and technical capability necessary to satisfy all Government requirements. The other respondent was unable to substantiate any capability to provide the proprietary content and associated licensing rights required for performance. Accordingly, competition is not viable because only . possesses the exclusive intellectual property and distribution rights necessary to provide the required subscription service.

April 2026 CUI Page 4 of 4April 2026 CUI Page 4 of 4

VII. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost (RFO 6.104-1(a)(7)):

The Contracting Officer is responsible for evaluating, determining, and documenting the anticipated contract cost/price is fair and reasonable in accordance with RFO Subpart 15.4, Contract Pricing.

VIII. Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification (RFO 6.104-1(a)(9)):

Due to the absence of alternative sources that can provide the required licensed content, there are no duplicated costs associated with a follow-on acquisition; however, the Government would be harmed by the loss of continuous access to the unique digital reference resources and exclusive academic and military analytical content provided by the Multi-Topic Database Collection.

IX. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition (RFO 6.104-1(a)(11):

Prior to each subsequent acquisition, the Government will continue to conduct market research to verify whether additional authorized sources or changes to licensing and distribution rights have occurred. If authorizes additional distributors or licensing partners in the future, the Government will reevaluate its acquisition strategy to determine whether competition is feasible.