Redacted J and A B036.pdf

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

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Cengage Learning Inc's (Gale) databases are a unique resource for the DoD Library program. The Gale Chilton's Auto Repair database provides information on repairing over 2,600 vintage vehicle makes and models with comprehensive automotive expertise. This car repair database has been directed toward DIY repair including information in full text, diagrams, specification tables, troubleshooting guides, photos, illustrations, multimedia (videos and animation), and ASE test prep. Gale's Legal Form database provides legal forms to help support the Gale's Small Business database, currently subscribed to by DoD Libraries. This database provides legal forms from fifty (50) states drafted by attorneys and law firms in subject areas including but not limited to: real estate, wills, bankruptcy, bill of sale, contracts, employment, corporate, landlord tenant, living wills, name change, power of attorney, taxes, and divorce. In addition to these topics, legal Q&A, attorney directories, product descriptions, law digest with major legal case coverage, and comprehensive form description documents are provided with this database. Gales Military Collection database provides 270 full-text journals and periodicals, and indexing and abstracts for 440 journals and periodicals pertaining to all branches of the military and government including, current news to military members, analysts, policy makers, students and researchers, and all aspects of the past and present military affairs.

The Gale databases are vital to the ongoing mission (see section III) of the DoD libraries. While other vendors may have collections that provide similar materials, no other vendor provides this comprehensive list of educational and recreational subjects. The Chilton's database focuses on DIY repair specifically meeting DoD Library user needs. Gales Legal Form database is the only database that can directly support the Gale's Small Business database, currently subscribed to by DoD Libraries. There is no other vendor that could provide a database that can integrate into Gale's Small Business database. Lastly, Gale's Military Collection database provides the most authoritative collection of military and government topics. The Gale databases subscription offers an all-encompassing collection and services that provide high quality resources that can be accessible in all locations. The depth and breadth of the Gale databases make it the only feasible supplier that can meet the DoD libraries' needs and provide customers with an all-inclusive database. 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 DoD Libraries' mission to provide military members and DoD Civilians with educational and recreational materials would be seriously harmed or delayed without the latest, up-to-the minute information and full-service capabilities available from the databases provided by Gale.

A Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov on 25 August 2022 for 15 days. This was an open market assessment release designed to identify potential sources to satisfy the Governments requirements and no qualified responses that could meet the requirements were received. Additionally, an intent to award on a sole source basis notice was posted on SAM.gov on 09 September 2022 for 5 days and no qualified responses that could meet the requirements were received.

Moreover, the AFSVC/VCL surveyed the market in order to determine if competition was obtainable. Library staff reviewed relevant professional journals and publications to acquire information on the capabilities available in the market. The products of other service providers were also compared and reviewed at library technology conferences. The libraries are in contact with other agency librarians to confirm the competitive environment for this supply, and seek out additional solutions for this requirement. The library reviewed advertisements, new publications, and available conferences to ensure the course of action for a sole source acquisition was the most appropriate moving forward. After this market research, AFSVC/VCL was unable to identify any other source that could provide the requirement.

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

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No qualified responses that could meet the requirements were received.

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

Cengage Learning Inc.

AFSVC/VCL 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/VCL will continue to survey the market for vendors to obtain competition in related databases. The AFSVC/VCL 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.

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

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