JA SAM.pdf

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE March 2023 Page 1 of 4

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

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: >SAT and < $750K > $750K and < $15M

Contracting Activity: 773 ESS/PKA

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: PR

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): DAFL Library Patron APP

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3403, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION ( AFFARS 5306 . 304 ( a)) ** The text in the signature blocks below is editable, including the title.

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X

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306 . 304 ( a))

NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE March 2023 Page 2 of 4

I. 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 processed.

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to purchase additional content on the already established Library Patron App 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: Novel Effect.

The Department of the AF Libraries require a Library Patron App that meets the libraries mission to provide quality and technically capable materials as stated in AFI 34-150. The mission of DAF Libraries is outlined in DoDI 1015.10 stating DoD Libraries will provide information resources and services required to accomplish the mission. The DAF 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 DAF such as recreation, physical wellness, emotional resiliency, and educational pursuits.

To meet these needs, the DAF 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. In order to meet these needs, the DAF Libraries need access to Library Patron App subscription. Novel Effect provides access to a one of a kind App that provides sound effects while reading juvenile books to children. This App enables librarians, teachers and parents to provide unique immersive experience while reading a book that is found in the library, overdrive or even on the home bookshelf. The Novel Effect App delivers interactive music, sound effects, and character voices that are perfectly tuned to respond as a book is read aloud this is a unique app that is found in the app store for apple and andriod products. Novel Effect has over 1,000 stories and is continously working on new soundscapes for more children's stories.

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 (and 2 option periods) to a Library Patron App library staff and customers to use on a daily basis. This system must be able to interface with the DODL platform and provide access for library staff and customers around the world. 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 Department of the Air Force Libraries. Must have HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) with long duration deployed on the servers to mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA). Must be able to work with the current DoDL platform for access to online resources.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

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

FAR 13.501(a), Sole Source acquisitions

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

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

The Novel Effect subscription offers an all-encompassing collection and services that provide high quality resources that can be accessible in all locations via the Novel Effect App. The uniquie qualities of the Novel Effect Apps content make it the only feasible supplier that can meet the DAF libraries' needs and provide staff with a complete Library Patron App. 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 DAF Libraries' mission to provide this unique experience and service available from this subscription.

Novel Effect has exclusive legal copyright to its content collection and is a "must order direct" company. Novel Effect is the only known source capable of providing the item described above for the Department of AF libraries to accomplish the libraries' mission.

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

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

VII. 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).

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

The 773 ESS has relied upon 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 updates via various mailing lists as well as Internet searches completed by the product owners.

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

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

Based on extensive market research, Novel Effect is the only known vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

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

None

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making 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 work with AFICC/KA to perform a opportunity assessment.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

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