SAM JA.pdf

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE March 2023 Page 1 of 4

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: 773 ESS/PKA

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: PR

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): DAFL IOP Science Journals

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

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): $ 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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE March 2023 Page 2 of 4

I. Contracting Activity.

773 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron 1517 Billy Mitchell Blvd, Bldg 954 San Antonio, TX 78236-1865

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

Due to circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to purchase additional content on the already established Institute of Physics (IOP) Science Journals using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 13.106-1(b)(soliciting from a single source), and 13.501(a)(Sole source acquisitions). This individual action will result in the award of a new Firm Fixed Price Contract. This sole source requirement will be acquired from the following organization: IOP

Patrick Technical Library has a requirement access for the IOP corporate database. This database, which is part of the IOP, makes it easier for researchers to access scientific, technical, and medical journal content needed for their projects. The content: Condensed mater, soft mater and materials science; atomic, molecular, optical and plasma physics; nuclear and high energy particle physics; medical physics, biological physics and biomedical engineering, etc. are absolutely essential for the researchers using the databases at Patrick Technical Library.

The Patrick AFTAC scientists and engineers (S&Es) require access to updated technical reference materials covering condensed mater, soft mater and materials science; atomic, molecular, optical and plasma physics;

nuclear and high energy particle physics; medical physics, biological physics, and biomedical engineering. IOP is the only source available for the collection of journals and other scientific materials in one place. IOP has the exclusive rights to this database to provide it to libraries and other research institutions. Without this sole source acquisition, the Air Force Library's mission to provide airmen with research support would be seriously harmed or delayed without the latest, up-to-the-minute information available from these subscriptions.

Without this sole source acquisition, the The Patrick AFTAC Library's mission to provide their technicians with quality scientific resources would be seriously harmed or delayed.

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

The proposed effort covered by this individual J&A is for a 12-month subscription to a IOP science journals for AFTAC scientists and engineers to use on a daily basis. Patrick Technical Library has a requirement access for the IOP corporate database. This database, which is part of the Institute of Physics (IOP), makes it easier for researchers to access scientific, technical, and medical journal content needed for their projects. The content:

Condensed mater, soft mater and materials science; atomic, molecular, optical and plasma physics; nuclear and high energy particle physics; medical physics, biological physics and biomedical engineering, etc. are absolutely essential for the researchers using the databases at Patrick Technical Library.

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

DAFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

FAR 13.106-1(b), Soliciting from a Single Source

FAR 13.501(a), Sole Source acquisitions

This acquisition uses Simplified Acquisition Procedures because it falls within the authority of Commercial Items.

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

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE March 2023 Page 3 of 4

Since this acquisition is less than $7.5M, Simplified Acquisition Procedures may be used in accordance with FAR 12.203.

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 IOP subscription offers an all-encompassing collection and services that provide high quality resources that can be accessible in all locations via the IOP website. The unique qualities of the Novel Effect Apps content make it the only feasible supplier that can meet the DAF libraries' needs and provide the AFTAC scientists and engineers with a complete need authoritative and peer reviewed science journals. 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 AFTACs mission to provide this unique experience and service available from this subscription.

IOP has exclusive legal copyright to its content collection and is a "must order direct" company. IOP is the only known source capable of providing the item described above for the AFTAC scientists and engineers to accomplish the Patrick Technical libraries' mission.

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

Market research confirms that IOP Science Journals is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements and is intended to support the DoD Libraries Program.

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

A combination of price analysis techniques found in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-3 will be used to determine the price to be fair and reasonable. Additionally, the contracting officer has the right to conduct discussions regarding the proposed prices to ensure a determination of a fair and reasonable price prior to award.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(ii) and FAR 13.106-3(iii).

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

The 773 ESS has relied upon the Air Force Libraries' surveillance of the market for contractors to determine if competition is available for this requirement. The library used publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions, and new publication reviews to conduct market research. Market research indicates no other capable vendor sources have been identified.

Each year librarians/product owners attend numerous conferences hosted by entities such as the Texas Library Association, Public Library Association and American Library Association. These conferences host hundreds of vendors that serve the library community. Over the course of several days, the librarians conduct market research by conversing with the vendors and experiencing products first-hand.

Continuous market research is also completed by staying up to date on current and new product offerings and updates via various mailing lists as well as Internet searches completed by the product owners.

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

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

Based on extensive market research, IOP Science Journals is the only known vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

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

None

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.

AFSVC/VCL will attempt to obtain competition whenever possible by use of professional journals and trade exhibits.

AFSVC/VCL will continue to keep up-to-date and review new research databases to determine if another source will meet the needs of the students, faculty, and staff, in addition to keeping an open dialog with our patrons and usage statistics to determine the necessity for future purposes. The 773 ESS will continually canvass the market by posting sources sought notices to determine if their are viable sources to obtain competition.

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 signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

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