Intent to Award Sole Source- Springer Nature

The United States Air Force (the Government) intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase order to a single source, Springer Nature, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) (only one source reasonably available) on or about 30 September 2025.  This action provides access to SpringerLink and Nature.com Complete publications.  The period of performance will be 30 September 2025 through 29 September 2026.

FSC: 7630

NAICS: 519210

Size Standard:  $21 MIL

Subscription name: Springer Nature Access and Select Basic eBooks

Supplier name: Springer Nature

Product description: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) require access to selected collections from the Springer Nature Access and Select Basic eBooks for 2025-2026.

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

• Full-text online access (where applicable) to journal articles in optics and physics, in either downloadable PDF or HTML format (PDF is preferred).
• All graphical figures and citations of the original full-text article must be available within the digital document (object) that stands for that article.
• Search interface that includes numerous primary categories and ability to perform keyword and other specialized topical queries for effective searches.
• Individual account creation for saved searches and alerts.
• IP authentication (institutional multi-user, single campus subscription).
• Librarian-accessible COUNTER-compliant usage data for searches and downloads.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the Government.  The Government will consider responses received within 5 days of issuance of this notice.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether 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 decides to compete 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:

1. 1. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. Company CAGE Code and/or UEI Number. 

1. In your response, you must address how your product meets the product characteristics specified above.

1. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

1. Responses are limited to 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 Anne Mitchell at anne.mitchell.1@us.af.mil no later than 29 August 2025 at 9:00 am EST.  Any questions should be directed to Anne Mitchell through email.