Justification-and-Approval-Form-DIAV FE_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval For Other than Full and Open Competition

Plan ID Number: LCFDL26R0033

Form Updated 4/14/2023

Justification & Approval

As a legislative branch agency, the Library is subject to the competition and advertising requirements of 41 U.S.C. § 6101. Like the Competition in Contracting Act and the FAR, 41 U.S.C. § 6101 does not require competition when a contracting officer certifies that only one source or brand-name item is available, when dictated by public exigency, or when otherwise authorized by law.

This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a contract or order by means providing for other than full and open competition per 41 U.S.C. § 6101, LCR 7-210, and, as applicable, FAR 6.302, FAR 13.106-1, FAR 8.405, and FAR 16.505. Contracting without competition shall not be justified on the basis of a lack of advance planning or concerns related to availability of funds.

This form shall be used to support instances where competition will be limited to a single source, a limited number of sources, including where a brand name product is required.

Part 1 – Identification

1. Contracting Agency and Activity: Library of Congress, FEDLINK

2. Nature of Action Being Approved

Contract (or modification) LoC or Leg Branch Order (or modification) GSA Schedule or GWAC: Identify Schedule/Contract Other: Identify

Plan ID Number: LCFDL26R0033 Contractor (or Brand Name): LibLime, a division of Progressive Technology Federal Systems (PTFS) Estimated Value (Base and all options):

Period of Performance: Base plus four one-year options starting 9/30/2026

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Library Needs

The Defense Intelligence Agency’s library (DIAV) requires the annual renewal of its Bibliovation software license from LibLime, a division of Progressive Technology Federal Systems (PTFS). DIAV also requires maintenance and periodic onsite support of the Bibliovation Library Services Platform (LSP). PTFS will be required to install Bibliovation software upgrades and patches and provide onsite technical support/training as necessary.

Plan ID Number:

Form Updated 12/10/2025

Part 2 – Program Office Justification & Approval

4. Authority for Contracting Without Competition Over $350,000 For this requirement over $350,000, under FAR part 6, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

There is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C); FAR 6.302-1.

Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. FAR 6.302-1(b)(1).

Source controls copyrights, patents, raw materials, or secret processes cannot be acquired otherwise, or similar circumstances. FAR 6.302-

1(b)(2).

Other exception identified in FAR 6.302-1: Identify the exception

There is such unusual & compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured if competition is not limited.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B); FAR 6.302-2. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute (e.g., AbilityOne, UNICOR, GPO, GSA Public Buildings Service, Appropriations Act, etc.) per 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 6.302-5: Identify the authority

Other basis authorized in 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b) or FAR part 6.302: Identify the exception

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. FAR 6.302-1(c).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

IT Standard Data Sheet)

Up to and including $350,000 For this requirement up to $350,000, using simplified acquisition procedures under FAR part 13, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

Only one responsible source is reasonably available to meet Library requirements. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b); FAR 13.106-1.

Product or service is reasonably available from only one source.

Source controls copyrights, patents or other exclusive licensing arrangements.

Urgent circumstances; only one source can reasonably deliver by required date. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute: Identify the authority

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

IT Standard Data Sheet)

GSA Schedule Order For this GSA schedule order under FAR part 8, the basis for not competing among GSA schedule-holders and/or specifying a brand name product or item is:

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following GSA procedures would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A).

Only one GSA source is capable of fulfilling the requirement at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B).

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original order that was placed competitively among GSA schedule-holders (i.e., the original order was not sole-source or limited-source.) FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C).

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

Order Under Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery Contract or GWAC For this order under FAR subpart 16.5, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

The need is so urgent fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR

16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).

A logical follow-on order in the interest of economy and efficiency. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(i)(2)(C).

To satisfy a minimum guarantee. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(D).

Authorized or required by statute. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(E).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. 41

U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

5. Rationale for Contracting Without Competition

FEDLINK is authorized to limit competition on the basis of the citation in section 4 because DIAV has an existing Bibliovation LSP that operates on a MARC platform, which houses several thousand bibliographic records and digital objects. This LSP is proprietary and was developed by PTFS. The Bibliovation software and its required support and maintenance and training are only available through LibLime, which is a division of PTFS. There are no other authorized resellers (see email from vendor in the file dated July 28, 2026).

The use of Bibliovation ensures visibility between DIAV’s library and other DoD agency libraries, as other DoD libraries can directly search DIAV holdings in Bibliovation. Bibliovation’s LSP and software are highly specialized in that they provide seamless access between agencies to data and research materials.

If this requirement was competed and another vendor received the award, there would be a substantial cost to DIAV to migrate all of the data from Bibliovation to another LSP that would not be expected to be recovered through competition.

This would include the costs of new software, licenses, maintenance and training before an operational digital library could be in use at DIAV, which would mean DIAV would need to continue paying for their current Bibliovation license during any transition period.

Additionally, a new Authority to Operate (ATO), which is a risk-based decision by the DoD to grant the use of a cloud-based system, would likely be required for another vendor’s software, which would add an additional cost to DIAV and additional time before a migration could begin.

Finally, if another vendor’s solution was tried and failed, it could result in the potential loss or damage of thousands of digital library records and would result in substantial DIA man hours to restore, which would be extremely burdensome.

Without a working catalog, DIAV staff would not have timely access to mission-critical holdings.

6. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition Before Subsequent Contract Is Required

To increase competition, FEDLINK will continue to monitor industry for similar software products that can meet the Government’s requirements. However, for the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, FEDLINK has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for this specific requirement, as it involves the maintenance of a proprietary system already in place. If another potential source emerges that can provide this support, FEDLINK will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

7. Program Office Certification

I certify that the description of the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements, and technical information that provide the basis for this justification are accurate and complete.

Librarian, COR

Date

12. Contracting Officer Determination of Responsibility Checked System for Award Management (or will check in the case of competitive proposals for a brand name product)

13. Contracting Officer Determination of Best Value I have determined that this action represents the best value to the Government because: as described in Section 5 above, Bibliovation is the LSP currently used by DIAV, is a proprietary system sold only by LibLime (a division of PTFS), and the cost to migrate all of the data from Bibliovation to another LSP would not be expected to be recovered through competition. Award to LibLime/PTFS is in the best interest of the government for the reasons stated throughout this justification.

14. Contracting Officer Certification I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this justification is accurate and complete. For those actions up to $900,000, I approve contracting without competition for this requirement.

Date

08/17/2026