Sources Sought Notice - W9124J24RPRIQ 8Aug24.docx

Sources Sought Notice

ProcurementIQ For IMCOM G4 Category Management Branch

W9124J-24-R-PRIQ

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for a subscription to IBISWorld’s ProcurementIQ on a SOLE SOURCE basis but is seeking vendors that may be able to provide this requirement in order to support a competitive procurement. Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested business (large and small) to respond to this sources sought synopsis. In addition, small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), must describe their identifying capabilities in meeting the requirements at a fair market price, i.e., information which may help support a set-aside.

The proposed sole source Fixed Price contract will be to IBISWorld, Inc. IBISWorld, Inc. is the company name and the product name ProcurementIQ is program that allows for trend analysis for strategic sourcing opportunities. This includes a ready to use report encompassing industry benchmarking, leverage assessments, supply chain risks, pricing forecasts, analysis of price drivers, and major vendor statistics to streamline market research. The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is 10 United States Code 41 U.S.C. 1901 implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

The ProcurementIQ Product is currently being utilized at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC); specifically, for industry and procurement Research reports that will provide acquisition requirement professionals the necessary base knowledge when researching a requirement. The data and the analysis provided in the reports will arm stakeholders with vital market Intelligence to assist in price negotiations with suppliers in an effort to conduct acquisitions that will result in rate, process, and demand efficiencies for the Army.

This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Furthermore, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this SSN. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if issued. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government-Wide Point of Entry (GPE) located at SAM.GOV. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the GPE for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 519290 – "Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services”. The size standard for this NAICS code is 1,000 employees.

If a different NAICS code would be better suited, please state in your response what NAICS is better suited for this requirement and why.

A continuing need is anticipated for the service. Attached is the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

For your information, the contract number and name of the incumbent contractor is as follows:

a. Contract Number: W9124J-22-C-0017

b. Extent of Competition: Sole Source

c. Contract Name/Info: IBISWorld dba, DUNS: 362061066 / CAGE Code: 45L60

d. Contract Total Firm Fixed Price: $360,000 (Base and two (2) Option Periods) This requirement under consideration is being looked at as a 4-year effort, which would include one (1) 12 month base period and three (12) twelve month option years.

In response to this sources sought, please provide:

1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solution solutions. Also contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes@army.mil or 210-466-3015, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sources Sought Synopsis. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

2. If, after reviewing the draft SOW, you feel that your firm can provide the support needed, please provide the name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s) / certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.

3. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.

4. Please provide information in sufficient detail regarding any relevant previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination.

5. Information to help determine if the requirement (item or service) is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing and catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.

6. Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition, including competition among small business concerns.

7. Recommendations to improve the Army's approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS to acquiring the identified items/services.

8. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition and identify alternatives or solution solutions. Also contact the Mission and Installation Contracting Center (MICC) Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@army.mil or 210-466-3015, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition. Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the SSN. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

9. Upon receipt of responses, the Government will request from our Customer an assessment regarding each firm’s potential to fulfil our requirements as depicted in the draft PWS.

10. Questions for this sources sought shall be submitted on or before 4:00 P.M. CST on 23 August 2024. Government Response will be provided within four business days after receipt of all questions.

11. Responses to this sources sought notice shall be submitted on or before 1:00 PM CST on 28 August 2024 via email to Teresa M. Agostino, Contract Specialist at Teresa.m.agostino.civ@army.mil and Stephen Fuller, Contracting Officer at Stephen.b.fuller4.civ@army.mil. The Government will not return any information submitted in response to this notice.

12. All questions MUST be in writing. In all responses, please reference W9124J-24-R-PRIQ and ProcurementIQ in the subject line. Verbal questions will not be accepted. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. No telephonic responses will be accepted. No solicitation currently exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in www.sam.gov. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.