single_source_justification redacted.pdf

This is a Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition) document for a federal contract opportunity with the Air Force Technical Center (AFTC).

The procurement seeks a sole source acquisition of annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) subscription access to the SAE International Digital Library for the AFTC Technical Research Library at Edwards Air Force Base. The contract period runs from June 2, 2026 through June 1, 2027, with three option years available. The SAE Digital Library provides access to more than 200,000 industry-leading technical papers, standards, reports, books, magazines, and other aerospace engineering content. SAE is justified as the single source because it is the only publisher and authorized distributor of the proprietary technical papers, specialized aerospace standards, and specifications required by Air Force engineers. The Air Force's aerospace testing systems are specifically designed around SAE standards, and no other vendor can legally or practically provide equivalent access to this proprietary content. The contracting officer, Christina Day, determined on March 24, 2026 that only a single source is reasonably available in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

Market research efforts included internet searches, Federal Supply Schedules, industry conferences, GSA Advantage, and FPI-Unicor databases, yielding no competing alternatives for aerospace engineering library subscriptions. The government will continue conducting market research to identify potential new vendors and will post presolicitation notices on sam.gov to solicit competition for future contracts. Future efforts to preclude single-source awards include utilizing internet searches, contacting known suppliers, and exploring GSA Advantage to identify alternative sources offering equivalent aerospace standards and engineering information.