W9124J-22-R-TARL_ Sources Sought Notification_29 Jul 2021.docx

Sources Sought Synopsis Trail Advocacy Resource Library (TARL) For The Office of the Judge Advocate General’s Corp (OTJAG), U.S Army, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX

W9124J-22-R-TARL

THIS IS A Sources Sought Synopsis ONLY. The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract to provide a 150 sets of a Trail Advocacy Resource Library (TARL), comprised of seven (7) legal publications on an SOLE SOURCE basis, but is seeking vendors that may be able to perform this requirement in order to support a competitive procurement. Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested businesses (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 RELX, INC., CAGE CODE: 1VVN8, for the TARL in support of the Criminal Law Division, Office of the Judge Advocate General (OTJG), U.S Army. The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is 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. See Attached SOW.

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. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. 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. 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 located at beta.sam.gov. It is the responsibility of potential offerors’ to monitor the Government wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

The anticipated NAICS code is: 511130 - Book Publishers; size standard for this NAICS code is 1,000 employees. In your opinion, does the NAICS code fit this requirement? If not, which NAICS code would you suggest and why?

The Army has a continuing need for the TARL training tool. The requirement was previously fulfilled through the below contract:

W9124J-21-P-0013 awarded to RELX, INC., CAGE CODE: 1VVN8.

In response to this sources sought, please provide the following information:

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 solutions. Also contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott D. Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@mail.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 Notification. 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 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. Information in sufficient detail regarding 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, 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 SOW to acquiring the identified items/services.

8. 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 SOW.

9. Questions for this sources sought shall be submitted on or before 12:00PM CDT on 26 Aug 2022. Government Response will be provided within 5 business days after receipt of all questions.

10. Responses to this sources sought notice shall be submitted on or before 1200PM CDT on 2 Sep 2022 via email to Walter L. Williams, Contract Specialist at walter.l.williams24.civ@army.mil and Sylvia Farmer, Contracting Officer at sylvia.farmer.civ.civ@army.mil.

The Government will not return any information submitted in response to this notice. This notification 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. No solicitation currently exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in sam.gov. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

All questions MUST be in writing. In all responses, please reference W9124J-22-R-TARL and Trial Advocacy Resource Library (TARL) in the subject line. Verbal questions will not be accepted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. No telephonic responses will be accepted.

Email: walter.l.williams24.civ@army.mil Email: Sylvia.farmer.civ@army.mil

Attachment 1: Statement of Work.