Sole source JA_FY25 DoD Chiltons Nat Geo and Legal Reference (30Oct24) Fully Signed REDACTED.pdf

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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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 Chilton's, National Geographic, and Legal Reference subscription. This will be a new contract to fulfill the expired contracts FA860422PB036 and FA860420P5041, which will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. The purpose of this action is to authorize a sole source contract to Cengage Learning, Inc. (Gale), CAGE code: 72BG3, UEI: GVF9XNR1HF79.

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.

This subscription package must provide Chilton's Automotive Repair Manuals, National Geographic, and Legal Reference databases. Must include backfiles and unlimited simultaneous access to content by users.

The Gale Chilton's Auto Repair database will provide information on repairing over 2,600 vintage vehicle makes and models with comprehensive automotive expertise. This car repair database must be directed toward DIY repair including information in full text, diagrams, specification tables, troubleshooting guides, photos, illustrations, multimedia (videos and animation), and ASE test prep.

The National Geographic database will include National Geographic Kids, National Geographic People, Animals, World, & National Geographic issues/content that is from current date to back issues from 1888.

Content will include full-text books, magazines, videos, maps and National Geographic images. National Geographic Kids will include the complete run of the magazine from the first issue in 2009 to the present and provide authoritative, age-appropriate digital content suitable for younger students in subjects like English Language Arts, social studies, and science. Database must allow access to previously purchased eReference books and materials on the Cengage Gale platform when retrieving information/searches for DoD Library customers. Tools must feature 160 million full-text articles from leading books, journals, magazines, newspapers and primary sources, multimedia assets including videos, podcasts, tutorials and images, daily updates of new content. These databases must cover subject matter with a specific focus on business practices, literary resources, environmental studies, and world cultures. The information must be provided in a simple user interface that allows users to search an individual database or the entire collection. Interface must offer a browser by subject with a visual topic map/finder graphic alternative to getting a list from a regular search feature. Users should be able to browse by topic or preform detailed searches. They will also use the Access My Library mobile application that is customizable app that allows users to save article, citation, and links. Must have a notes and highlight feature to articles/topics that can be downloaded or printed by the customer for later usage . Databases must work seamlessly with Google and Microsoft customer personal accounts for saving information for later usage.

Gale's Legal Form database must provide legal forms to help support the Gale's Small Business database, currently subscribed to by DoD Libraries. This database will provide 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 must be provided with this

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

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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.

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

A Sources Sought notice was posted on SAM.gov on 05 Sep 2024 for 5 days to seek out any qualified vendors that could meet this requirement. The Sources Sought notice closed on 10 Sep 2024. Only one vendor (the incumbent) expressed interest and submitted a response. This vendor is: Cengage Learning, Inc.

(Gale), CAGE code: 72BG3 and UEI: GVF9XNR1HF79. This vendor is considered a Large Business.

We reviewed the vendor's capability statement, website, and past performance history to determine vendor's potential of fulfilling the requirements listed above. Cengage Learning, Inc (Gale) is the only vendor that can fulfill this requirement. See Section V, for reference.

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 as detailed in Section VI.

Moreover, the AFSVC/VCL and the DoD Library Forum continually survey 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 providers are also compared and reviewed annually at library technology conferences. The librarians are in constant contact with other agency librarians to assess the competitive environment for this supply. DoD Librarians attend multiple conferences a year and are always researching online, professional journals and with other library systems available online resources.

DAF Libraries work with the DoD Libraries Forum to review and test online resources. They ask various base/ post librarians to also test and give feedback. DAF and DoD librarians attend various conferences including but not limited to the Texas Libraries Association, American Libraries Association, Public Libraries Association and the Electronic Resources and Libraries Conferences where they view and test online resources in the exhibit halls. DAF and DoD librarians also take information and set up trials for others to also test the products. They review the Library Journal, American Libraries, BookList, Computers in Libraries and also visit vendor websites.

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, Cengage Learning, Inc (Gale) Inc. is the only known vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

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

Cengage Learning, Inc.(Gale) 5191 Natorp BLVD Mason, Ohio 45040-7104 CAGE code: 72BG3

UEI: GVF9XNR1HF79

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.

For the most recent expired contracts FA860422PB036 and FA860420P5041, the Contracting Office posted Sources Sought notices on SAM.Gov, with one capable offeror. Going forward the Contracting Office intends to hold annual Industry Days to draw potential vendors. The contracting office will work with with AFICC/ KA, Small Business and the mission partner to perform an opportunity assessment in an effort to determine if there are other ways of procuring this requirement. 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.

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 my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.