Sources Sought.pdf

Sources Sought Synopsis

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 and capable of providing an alternative product that meets the characteristics below.

The Air Force anticipates procuring this product as a FY20 base effort with four (4) option years. The period of performance for this subscription is anticipated 30 September 2020 – 29 September 2025.

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

Option Period: 30 September 2021 – 29 September 2025

FSC: 7630

NAICS: 519130

Size Standard: 1,000 employees

Subscription name: EBSCO Consumer Reports

Supplier name: EBSCO Industries, Inc.

Product description: DoD Libraries require access to a database that provides product ratings and reviews and in-depth advice, tips, and trends written by research experts for consumers. Information should be updated frequently, providing reliable data, unbiased information, and more than 9,000 ratings, reviews, product comparisons and video clips. Contents should have buying advice, product reviews, product ratings, product recommendations, money-saving advice and tips, and product videos. Database subjects should cover appliances, automobiles, babies and kids, electronics, food, health information, and money/personal finance. The database needs to have Keyword search, product search, A-Z product list, and the ability to limit by major category. Search functionality should be by keyword, Boolean/phrase, options to limit by keyword or phrase, capability to cite, export, and Permalink functionality sustainable

URL to return to original article. Customer convenience services should include online help, option to save, print, email, save search histories and results, and one-on-one trusted advice straight from a consumer research specialist. Access to information should be seamless, minimal response time between query initiation and query results, and search results within 5-10 seconds. Database must be able to provide password embedded URL’s for access through Library OPACS. It also must be able to interface with the Air Force Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Marine Corps, Military OneSource, and

Navy Digital Library (NDL).

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

1. Must provide searchable full-text access to Consumer Reports Magazine

2. Must provide product ratings and reviews and in-depth advice, tips, and trends written by research experts for consumers.

3. Information must be updated frequently, providing reliable data, unbiased information, and more than 9,000 ratings, reviews, product comparisons and video clips.

4. Contents must have buying advice, product reviews, product ratings, product recommendations, money-saving advice and tips, and product videos.

5. Contents should have buying advice, product reviews, product ratings, product recommendations, money-saving advice and tips, and product videos.

6. Must provide subjects covering appliances, automobiles, babies and kids, electronics, food, health information, and money/personal finance.

7. Must have Keyword search, product search, A-Z product list, and the ability to limit by major category. Search functionality should be by keyword, Boolean/phrase, options to limit by keyword or phrase, capability to cite, export, and Permalink functionality sustainable URL to return to original article.

8. Customer convenience services should include online help, option to save, print, email, save search histories and results, and one-on-one trusted advice straight from a consumer research specialist.

9. Access to information should be seamless, minimal response time between query initiation and query results, and search results within 5-10 seconds.

10. Must be able to interface with the Air Force Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Marine

Corps, Military OneSource, and Navy Digital Library (NDL).

11. Must be able to provide password embedded URL’s for access through Library OPACS.

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 DUNS Number.

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.

4. Responses are limited to of 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format.

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 Dragan Rasic at dragan.rasic.1@us.af.mil and Ashley Collins at ashley.collins.5@us.af.mil no later than 03 September 2020, 2:00 PM EST. Any questions should be directed to Dragan Rasic through email.

All responses should be received no later than 03 September 2020, 2:00 PM (Eastern).