Sources Sought.pdf

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis published by the United States Air Force (the Government or USAF).

There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research to determine whether there are businesses available capable of providing an alternative product that meets the characteristics below. The Air Force anticipates procuring this product as a FY25 base effort with a projected period of performance of 31 August 2025 – 30 August 2026.

Responses to this sources sought notice will assist in a determination of whether it is in the best interest of the Government to proceed with a competition.

FSC: AF11

NAICS: 519210

Size Standard: $21 Million

Subscription name: DAFL – Machine Readable Cataloging & Inter Library Loan

Description: DAF Libraries requires a resource that provides access to bibliographic, abstract, and full-text information for MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) records. DAF Library staff need access to interlibrary loan resources for customer's to borrow from other libraries worldwide to offset their current onsite collections. DAF libraries to participate in loaning and borrowing resources from other libraries around the world.

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

1. Must enable DAFL 65 MWR libraries to update MARC records holdings for ILL use with no cataloging/downloading of records

2. Must be able to provide access to interlibrary loan services and over 50 million bibliographic item records for cataloging resources from a network of over 1000 libraries worldwide for DAFL over 65 MWR libraries

3. DAF Libraries should be able to register their new titles for interlibrary loan

4. Must provide an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a modern, cloud-based service that automates borrowing and lending processes through a resource sharing network of 10,000+ libraries located worldwide

5. Must provide a resource sharing network that has access to millions of bibliographic records and billions of holdings. Quickly supply needed electronic or print resources, including hard-to-find items.

6. DAF Libraries should be able to easily review what resources are available from other libraries, borrow directly from them, and share their materials.

7. Must be able to provide single access point on a Z39.50 server

8. Must be able to interface through the Department of the Air Force Portal and the DoD Library Service Platform

9. Must be able to provide an ILL built with the latest standards (such as

NCIP, Z39.50, OpenURL, and ISO 18626) and is FedRAMP-compliant.

10. Must provide an ILL platform with the latest accessibility and security standards, including alignment to ISO 27001 and the NIST Cyber Security Framework.

11. Must provide online training for library staff

12. VCL requires Best Value when evaluating vendors not lowest cost

13. VCL must be able to test the platform to evaluate if it meets requirements

The Government will consider responses received within 14 days of issuance of this notice. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a full and open competitive procurement or a small business set aside competitive procurement. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement. If the Government competes this requirement, a synopsis shall be issued utilizing the combined synopsis/solicitation procedure identified in FAR 12.603. If this effort becomes a Small Business Set- Aside, FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting, will apply. Therefore, small businesses that want to be considered for a small business set-aside should demonstrate how they intend to comply. A determination not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is an administrative decision by the Government that is solely within its discretion.

Contractors should be aware of the following information:

1. Contractors must include the following information:

a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

b. Identification as a large U.S. business, a small U.S. business, or a foreign business. Please note that size indicated should be based on the NAICS code for this effort listed above.

c. Identification of any other socioeconomic status including: Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business or HUBZone.

d. Company CAGE Code or UEI.

e. Capabilities Statement

2. This requirement is not intended for specific brand name products. Offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those that may be specifically referenced by brand name. Responses must address how alternate product meet the product characteristics specified above.

3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with their response. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposals nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as required basis, for further clarification on material provided. Respondents should not construe this notice as a commitment by the Air Force for any purpose. Responses should be emailed to Contracting Specialist: Zachary Brown, zachary.brown.53@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer: Gustavo Guadron, Gustavo.Guadron @us.af.mil no later than 5 August 2025, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Gustavo Guadron through email.

mailto:zachary.brown.53@us.af.mil