Notice for intent to sole source textbook services

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) intends to award a sole source contract to A Book Company LLC for textbook services at Haskell Indian Nations University. The contract will encompass creating an online campus bookstore, shipping textbooks to students, offering various book formats, providing customer support, and facilitating course material selection. Critical contract requirements include the vendor having at least ten years of experience in contract textbook services, developing an online storefront, and offering free and expedited shipping options. Potential alternative vendors must submit a capability statement and pricing information by 4:00 pm CDT on April 24, 2025, to Jon Pickel at Jon.Pickel@bie.edu if they believe BIE should reconsider the sole source procurement. The procurement will be conducted under FAR 13.501(a) with a NAICS code of 519210 for Libraries and Archives.

The contract is not set aside for any specific small business designation and will be a five-year firm-fixed price agreement. While specific award value details are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive textbook services suggest a significant multi-year commitment. The sole source justification is based on A Book Company LLC being the only known vendor capable of meeting the BIE's specific requirements for Haskell Indian Nations University. The contract will cover comprehensive textbook services including online ordering, phone support, multiple book format options, and direct shipping to students on and off campus. The procurement timeline indicates the notice was posted on April 9, 2025, with a response deadline of April 24, 2025, signaling a relatively rapid procurement process for these specialized textbook services.