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 FY26 base effort with a projected period of performance of 2 September 2026 – 1 September 2027.

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: 7630

NAICS: 516210

Size Standard: $47M

Subscription name: Book and Audio Book Point Plan

1. Description: The Department of the Air Force Library Program has a requirement for: Book collection development point system that enables the Department of the Air Force Libraries Division to provide books and audiobooks. The purpose is to procure a book point plan for books requested throughout the year by DAF Libraries and shipped worldwide from a known book and audiobook vendor in the library marketplace.

2. Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

1. Must be able to provide materials for collection development in a book format

2. The vendor must provide reliable monthly selection lists ensuring that selections will be new release or high demand titles. The customer also desires the ability to select older titles that may not be on the selection lists

3. Must be able to provide material of new releases, current best sellers as well as a back catalog of older material

4. Requires access to the vendor's pre-publication lists with advance notice of new releases, and access to information about other titles available.

5. General content: all genres (for example: drama, comedy, mystery/thriller, fantasy/ science fiction, action/adventure, animation, foreign language); non-fiction and fiction on general topics (for example: biography, travel, history, military, personal development, health and psychology).

6. Shall provide a multi-tier web-based system for review and selection. The system shall offer access to information about publications such as reviews, selection lists, release dates, publisher's list prices, book covers, descriptions, etc. Librarians shall have their own unique logins to select items, build carts, and submit selections to the Contractor, or notifications to the ordering officer, who will then submit the selections to the Contractor.

7. Selections shall be allowed throughout the month for multiple libraries

8. Must be a current book wholesaler in the library marketplace working with publishers to provide access to over 19 million books, music, movies and more

9. Must provide real-time stock check for distribution centers

10. Must have select and order books to be shipped up to 115 libraries

11. Items received in error or in unacceptable condition shall be replaced and shipped to the customer at no additional cost.

Return of such items shall not be required.

12. Shipping shall be via U.S. Postal Service First Class and Priority Mail, UPS, FedEx Ground, or similar to APO addresses, either New York, NY or San Francisco, CA. No international shipping is required.

13. No technical or physical processing is required

14. Must be able to dedicate customer service representatives to resolve all service issues

15. Must provide username & password for VCL to test platform

The Government will consider responses received within 13 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: SrA William Sasser, William.Sasser.2@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer: Gustavo Guadron, Gustavo.Guadron@us.af.mil no later than 4 August 2026, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Gustavo Guadron through email.