DoDL Reader Advisory, Small Engine, and Trade Skills

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 FY24 base effort with three (3) one-year options.

The tentatively projected period of performance for this subscription is (PoP may change):

Base Year: 01 September 2024 – 31 August 2025

Option Year 1: 01 September 2025 – 31 August 2026

Option Year 2: 01 September 2026 – 31 August 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: 519290 - Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

Size Standard: 1000 employees

Subscription name: DoD Reader Advisory, Small Engine Repair & Trade Skills

Description: DoD Libraries require access to a subscription that provides a Reader Advisory with reading recommendations for all age groups and encourages reader success in young readers. This database should cover fiction and non-fiction titles and use “appeal” factors to match books to readers.  Reader Advisory should be able to integrate with the DoD Integrated Library System (DoDILS). DoD Libraries requires a subscription to Trade Skills development subscription. Must provide a one-stop shop for members of the DoD community to explore the skilled trades industry, start their careers, connect with employers and more.  DoD Libraries require access to a database that provides detailed, user-friendly repair guides for all manner of small engines. Database content should assistance in providing routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service) as well as extensive repairs (engine and transmission disassembly) and allows users to search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type, and model numbers in PDF full-text documents. Content should offer more than 450 full-text reference books with original photos and illustrations, information on more than 25 years of engine models, coverage of more than 90,000 repairs, full collection of Clymer repair manuals with new and updated content added regularly, and user-friendly interface. Database should also provide information on the repair of air-cooled engines, ATVs, chainsaws, commercial mowers, diesel engines, farm tractors, generators, motorcycles, marine (boats), outdoor power equipment, personal watercraft/jet ski, riding lawn mowers, rotary tillers, snowmobiles, snow throwers, string trimmers and blowers, walk-behind mowers, and yard and garden tractors. 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 DoDL is looking for a current provider for commercial off the shelf access a Readers Advisory, Small Engine Repairs and Skilled Trades subscriptions.

Product Characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

1.  Must be able to provide a one-stop shop for members DoD community to explore the skilled trades industry, start their careers, connect with employers and more.
2. Must provide in-depth information on more than 100 skilled trades in over 15 trade industries that connects individuals with hundreds of trade schools across the United States and Canada and provides training resources for those seeking to build their trade knowledge and experience. Connect members of your community to skilled trades content, training, and jobs — all in one, easy-to-use platform.
3. Must provide at minimum trades: automotive, aviation, construction, energy, forestry, person care, home care, hospitality, janitorial, landscaping, manufacturing, marine, security, transportation, utilities.
4. Must provide access to video and virtual training from experts from across North America provide high quality learning content to prepare individuals for professional certification exams and ensure day-one work readiness. Virtual reality and simulation-based training modules are also offered on-platform for several trades.
5. Must provide a personality and experience assessment, pay and career growth data, job placement info, scholarship info and over 600 trade schools by location and/or trade.
6. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with online research tools from professionally curated sources that offer trusted information for a balanced, global perspective and insights.
7. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with reading recommendations for all age groups and encourages reader success in young readers.
8. Must be able provide a Reader advisory with cover fiction and non-fiction titles and use “appeal” factors to match books to readers.  The database for grades K-8 should match books to specific Common Core standards.
9.  Must be able provide a Reader advisory to assist users to identify non-fiction texts that are just right for their reading level.
10. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with audiobook recommendations, complete series information, appeal language to describe books, read-alike information, professional book reviews, reader ratings and reviews, recommended “Reads” lists, award winner lists, book discussion guides, genre overviews, readers' advisory guides, teaching guides, Common Core support.
11. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with Lexile numbers. Lexile numbers provide an estimate of the result’s reading difficulty and the approximate grade-level reading ability required for comprehension.”
12. Must be able to provide a Reader advisory with the benefits of “On The Shelf” feature shows titles available at the customer’s library, popular, professional and reader reviews all in one place, browsing by topic, age, reading (Lexile) level, reading lists, such as “Top 10” and “Best of’, “How Do I?” tab links to common FAQs, downloadable quick lists of recommended books by topic, Common Core Standard documents, and curricular guides by grade or unit.
13. Database content must provide assistance in routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service) as well as extensive repairs (engine and transmission disassembly) and allows users to search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type, and model numbers in PDF full-text documents.
14. Content must offer more than 450 full-text reference books with original photos and illustrations, information on more than 25 years of engine models, coverage of more than 90,000 repairs, full collection of Clymer repair manuals with new and updated content added regularly, and user-friendly interface.
15. Must also provide information on the repair of air-cooled engines, ATVs, chainsaws, commercial mowers, diesel engines, farm tractors, generators, motorcycles, marine (boats), outdoor power equipment, personal watercraft/jet ski, riding lawn mowers, rotary tillers, snowmobiles, snow throwers, string trimmers and blowers, walk-behind mowers, and yard and garden tractors.
16. Access to information must be seamless, minimal response time between query initiation and query results, and search results within 5-10 seconds.
17. Must be provide 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.
18. Must be provide customer convenience services should include online help, option to save, print, email, save search histories and results, recommendations drafted by librarians and teachers, common FAQs, and ability to browse by topic, grade, Lexile level. 
19. Must be able to interface with all 4-service branch library and Military OneSource websites and Library Integrated Library System (digital catalog) using industry standard authentication methods to ensure only eligible patrons can access resources from any internet connected computer browsers and mobile devices.
20. Must work with contract POC to establish authentication methods to provide optimal accessibility for all eligible patrons.
21. Security between the Website and server must be Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3
22. Must be able to supply or allow retrieval of database usage statistics by Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Military OneSource/Other, and Navy)
23. Must have HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) with long duration deployed on the servers to mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks
24. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA)
25. VCL must be able to test the platform to evaluate if it meets requirements. Must provide username and password to view content on platform

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 shall be emailed to Courtney Perry at courtney.perry.5@us.af.mil no later than 28 August 2024, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Courtney Perry through email.