Redacted JA for OverDrive Universal Class B030.pdf

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

April 2021 Page 2 of 4April 2021 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

AFLCMC/PZIEB

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to purchase electronic access to the OverDrive Universal Class subscription using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by AFFARS 5313.501-10 U.S.C.

2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901) and 13.501(a)(Sole source acquisitions).

This individual action will result in the award of a new firm fixed-priced contract. The base subscription period of performance will run from 30 September 2022 to 29 September 2023 with four (4) option years, extending the contract through 29 September 2027. This sole source requirement will be acquired from the following company:

Overdrive, LLC

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The DoD Libraries has a requirement for a subscription to an instructional courses database to support the education and quality of life mission of the DoD Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs (MWR) Libraries.

As outlined in DoDI 1015.10, Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs, the Department of Defense (DoD) Libraries will provide information resources and services required to accomplish the mission of the Library and Information Services Program. The Library and Information Services Program consists of libraries that support readiness, the military mission, quality of life, voluntary education, professional and technical education and training, lifelong learning, transition and career assistance, and the leisure needs of military communities. DoD Libraries support military personnel assigned to contingency operations, remote sites, and military missions. The DoD Library Consortium exists to create partnerships among the libraries within the various services of the DoD and they cooperatively acquire materials that are made available to military and civilian employees across the DoD.

To effectively implement mission needs, DoD Libraries requires a subscription to an instructional database that is IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) certified, supplies lifelong instructional learning courses in over 30 subject areas with at least 500 educational courses which are designed and lead by professional instructors, and offers continuing education units (CEUs).

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

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

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

OverDrive Universal Class instructional courses database is International for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) certified, provides courses in over 30 subject areas, including videos, assignments, quizzes, tests, options for interaction with students and instructors, and offers continuing education units. The subscription provides access to an excess of 500 educational courses which are designed and led by professional instructors, are self-paced, and allow enrollment in up to five courses at a time with six months to complete each course. Subscription course variety ranges from technical courses on computer software to digital photograph to babysitting. The subscription offers video auditing of a minimum of 300 courses for review, provides detailed statistics to track course topic enrollment and provides staff training and marketing services. The subscription database interfaces with all four (4) service branch

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

April 2021 Page 3 of 4April 2021 Page 3 of 4 library websites including but not limited to the Air Force Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Marine Corps, Military OneSource, Navy Digital Library (NDL), and the DoD Library Service Platform.

Market research confirms that OverDrive Universal Class is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements of acquiring an accredited online source with a vast range of subject areas to satisfy the diverse professional background of personnel across the DoD. Overdrive is the exclusive provider of Universal Class so this database content cannot be obtained anywhere else. No other companies were identified that could provide the necessary supplies.

A failure to acquire this product creates inefficiency through an increased need of library resources and creation of unproductive processes. In addition, buying these materials on-demand instead of using OverDrive Universal Class would greatly increase the cost. Accordingly, OverDrive Universal Class is the only firm capable of providing the supplies described above without DoD personnel experiencing unacceptable delays and substantial duplication of cost that could not be recouped through competition.

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

A Sources Sought was posted on SAM.gov on 2 August 2022 for 15 days. This was an open market assessment release designed to identify potential sources to satisfy the Government's requirements and no qualified responses were received. Additionally, an intent to award on a sole source basis notice was posted on SAM.gov on 17 August 2022 for 5 days and no responses were received.

Market research confirms that OverDrive Universal Class is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Library Program's education and quality of life efforts.

AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market for vendors to determine if competition was available for the requirement. The library used publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews to conduct its surveys. No other viable vendors were found

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

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(a)(2)(ii) and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) (iii). This has been previously procured by AFLCMC/PZI for AF Libraries and the price shall be verified against price lists, catalogs, or advertisements and by comparison to prices previously paid.

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

As described in Section VI above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties.

Moreover, the AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market in order to determine if competition was obtainable. 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.

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

NONE