NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE - DoDL READER ADVISORY.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

The 773d Enterprise Sourcing Squadron (773 ESS) intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract to a single source EBSCO Industries, INC. under the authority of FAR 13.106- 1(b)(2) (only one source reasonably available) on 30 September 2024. The period of performance (PoP) shall be: 30 September 2024 – 29 September 2025.

PSC: 7630

NAICS: 519290

Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees

Subscription: DoDL Reader Advisory

Supplier: EBSCO Industries, INC.

Product Description: DoD Libraries require access to an already established subscription that provides a Reader Advisory with reading recommendations for all age groups and encourages reader success in young readers. This database should cover fiction and non-fiction titles and use “appeal” factors to match books to readers. Reader Advisory should be able to integrate with the DoD Integrated Library System (DoDILS). 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 DoDL is looking for a current provider for commercial off the shelf access a Readers Advisory.

This subscription must be able to provide a Reader advisory with online research tools from professionally curated sources that offer trusted information for a balanced, global perspective and insights. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with reading recommendations for all age groups and encourages reader success in young readers.

Must be able provide a Reader advisory with cover fiction and non-fiction titles and use “appeal” factors to match books to readers. The database for grades K-8 should match books to specific Common Core standards. Must be able provide a Reader advisory to assist users to identify non-fiction texts that are just right for their reading level. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with audiobook recommendations, complete series information, appeal language to describe books, read-alike information, professional book reviews, reader ratings and reviews, recommended “Reads” lists, award winner lists, book discussion guides, genre overviews, readers' advisory guides, teaching guides, Common Core support. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with Lexile numbers. Lexile numbers provide an estimate of the result’s reading difficulty, and the approximate grade-level reading ability required for comprehension.” Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with the benefits of “On The Shelf” feature shows titles available at the customer’s library, popular, professional and reader reviews all in one place, browsing by topic, age, reading (Lexile) level, reading lists, such as “Top 10” and “Best of’, “How Do I?” tab links to common FAQs, downloadable quick lists of recommended books by topic, Common Core Standard documents, and curricular guides by grade or unit. Access to information must be seamless, minimal response time between query initiation and query results, and search results within 5-10 seconds. Must be provide 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. Must be provide customer convenience services should include online help, option to save, print, email, save search histories and results, recommendations drafted by librarians and teachers, common FAQs, and ability to browse by topic, grade, Lexile level. Must be able to interface with all 4-service branch library and Military OneSource websites and Library Integrated Library System (digital catalog) using industry standard authentication methods to ensure only eligible patrons can access resources from any internet connected computer browsers and mobile devices. Must work with contract POC to establish authentication methods to provide optimal accessibility for all eligible patrons. 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 mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA). VCL must be able to test the platform to evaluate if it meets requirements. Must provide username and password to view content on platform.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the Government. The Government will consider responses received by 27 September 2024, 03:00 PM, CST for this notice. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement. A determination not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Contractors Should Be Aware of the Following Information:

1. Contractors MUST include the following information:

a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

b. Identification as a large U.S. business, a small U.S. business, or a foreign business.

Please note that size indicated should be based on the NAICS code for this effort listed above.

c. Identification of any other socioeconomic status including Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business or HUBZone.

d. Company CAGE Code and UEI.

2. If this posting specifically references brand name products, offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those specifically referenced. Responses must address how the alternate product meets the product characteristics specified above.

3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

4. Responses are limited to 10 pages in a Microsoft Word or PDF compatible format.

Responses shall be e-mailed to Contracting Specialist: Courtney Perry at courtney.perry.5@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer Ernest Medina at ernest.medina.2@us.af.mil no later than 27 September 2024 at 03:00 PM CST.