SAM JA.pdf

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION March 2023 Page 1 of 5

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: 773rd ESS

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: HE15014191090

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): The Economist

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Enterprise

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): $2,735,000.00 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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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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION March 2023 Page 2 of 5

I. Contracting Activity.

773 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron 1517 Billy Mitchell Blvd, Bldg 954 San Antonio, TX 78236

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

The Department of Defense (DoD) Libraries has a requirement for The Economist Online. The DoD libraries requires access to the digital version of Economist with 24/7 unlimited, simultaneous access and unlimited user access. This will be a new contract. Contract type will be firm fixed price. The purpose of this action is to authorize a sole source contract to The Economist, CAGE: 1PGE0 UEI: FMG7KKXGGD74.

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

The mission of DoD Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Libraries is to support military personnel assigned to contingency operations, remote sites, and military missions in accordance with DoDI 1015.10, Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs.

DoDL is looking for a current provider for commercial off the shelf access to The Economist Online. The Economist Online for DoD Libraries, is required for everyday usage by all DoD Libraries customers for mission, voluntary education and quality of life. DoD libraries requires access to the digital version of Economist with 24/7 unlimited, simultaneous access and unlimited user access. This subscription specifically includes access to an easily searchable and viewable version of the digital web-based version of The Economist journal, access to the Economist app, audio version, podcasts and digital newsletters. The Economist online also includes exclusive content only available online such as: access to The Economist briefings & special reports, providing in-depth research and analysis on global topics spanning politics, economics, science, technology, and business, access to The Economist weekly Leaders - fact-based opinion pieces on events shaping the global agendas, offering 24/7 unlimited, simultaneous access for users through established authentication methods.

BACKGROUND: The Economist E-Journal is a popular borrowed E-journal for DoDL. Both the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen Brown and CSAF Gen Allvin include articles and podcasts on their Leadership Libraries from The Economist. The Economist database is a vital reference tool for DoD personnel and their families and provides access to high quality information critical to meeting the Air Force Library Program and DoD Library Consortium's mission as stated in AFI 34-250 and DoDI 1015.10; to support military and voluntary education programs in the Air Force. The Economist is a heavily used resource for mission, voluntary education and quality of life needs by all of DoD community. The Economist provided a sole source letter dated 8 May 2024 certifying that The Economist is the exclusive producer of all content created, published, and distributed under The Economist brand and copyright.

This contract action will have a period of performance (PoP) with a base period of 12 months plus one (1) 12-month option periods. The total estimated value of this acquisition including all options will be

Base Period: CLIN 0001 - The Economist, Qty: 1, total: PoP 30 Sep 2024 - 29 Sep 2025 Op Period 1: CLIN 1001 - The Economist, Qty: 1, total: PoP 30 Sep 2025 - 29 Sep 2026

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

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, 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).

The only contractor that can fulfill this requirement is:

The Economist

CAGE: 1PGE0 UEI: FMG7KKXGGD74

Based on market research, The Economist is the only contractor that can provide digital access to the Economist. The Economist provided a sole provider confirmation of content license letter, dated 08 May 2024, validating that The Economist is the exclusive producer of content created, published, and distributed under The Economist brand and copyright.

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

773 ESS posted a Source Sought on 30 May 2024 on SAM.gov. The Economist, CAGE: 1PGE0 UEI:

FMG7KKXGGD74, is the only company that responded. The Economist was the only vendor that showcased their ability to meet our requirement.

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

The CO determination that the price will be fair and reasonable is based on a review of historical data and will be reviewed against the Independent Government Estimate (IGE) to determine reasonableness.

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

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research was conducted by 773 ESS via Sources Sought notice to canvass potential vendors. See Section VI. Moreover, the AFSVC/VCL and the DoD Library Forum continually surveys the library commercial market in order to determine if competition is available. 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 annually at library technology conferences. The libraries are in constant contact with other agency librarians to assess the competitive environment for this supply.

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

Based on extensive market research, The Economist is the only known vendor capable of performing this requirement. The Economist used to allow for the various platforms like OverDrive to host the Economist magazine until 2023. Economist determined it would no longer allow the magazine to be hosted on other platforms and you had to subscribe direct to the Economist for access in 2024.

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

The Economist

900 3RD Ave Fl 16

New York, NY 10022 USA

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.

The Contracting Office posted Sources Sought notices on SAM.Gov, with only one capable offeror. Going forward the Contracting Office intends to hold an Industry Day to draw potential vendors. Additionally, the Contracting Office will attend the annual library/educational conference to monitor and evaluate potential sources of supply. They will also post Sources Sought notices to survey the market to determine if there are any viable vendors capable of fulfilling this requirement. The results of the market research will dictate the acquisition strategy.

Additionally, the 773rd ESS will collaborate with AFICC Program Management (KA), higher headquarters and small business to perform an opportunity assessment in hopes of realizing additional procurement avenues.

AFSVC/VCL will continue to survey the market for vendors to obtain competition through publishers' advertisements, annual professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

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 (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is

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

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