National Agricultural Library Annual Institutional Membership Dues

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE
The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Agricultural Library (NAL) intends to issue an award to Association of Research Libraries on a sole source basis.  Award will be made pursuant to FAR In accordance with FAR 13.501 and 41 USC 3304 §(a)(l ), the property and service needed is available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or service will satisfy the needs of the agency.
The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is mandated (7 U.S.C. 3101) to serve as the primary agricultural information resource of the United States. As a consequence of these activities, NAL is recognized as a major research library in the United States. This research library designation is applicable to about 125 of the over 120,000 libraries in the United States.
Under this requirement, the Contracting Activity intends to renew annual institutional membership dues.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries at comprehensive, research institutions in the US and Canada that share similar research missions, aspirations, and achievements. The association conducts a program of identification and member education on a wide range of topics related to information policy and the activities of research libraries. ARL gathers statistics on the activities of its members and develops bench marking and quantitate research tools on library operations. The Association publishes regular reports on trending topics in information policy as well as annual statistical reports. Access to these reports and data is available only to members and delivered via the ARL website. The annual membership fee covers the cost of all publications, reports, training services, and membership meetings.

The anticipated Period of Performance is for one year.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES.  This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be constructed as a commitment by the Government.  Potential sources who believe they can provide the services listed above are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contact based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government.
The deadline to respond to this notice is Saturday, January 17, 2026.  Requested information shall be limited to no more than 2 pages. Interested firms are instructed to submit written responses by e-mail to shane.pope@usda.gov .  NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any cost associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information provided.
The Point of Contact for this action is Angela Wingert and any response must be emailed to shane.pope@usda.gov