Notice of intent to award sole source

The Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary, through its Shared Services Procurement Office on behalf of SelectUSA, has published a Notice of Intent to Award a sole source contract to The Financial Times Limited for commercial subscription access to the fDi Markets database. This special notice, posted on March 2, 2026, represents the Government's intention to award a firm-fixed-price contract under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) provisions and 41 U.S.C. 1901. The fDi Markets database provides critical foreign direct investment intelligence to support SelectUSA's investment attraction activities. This notice is informational in nature and does not constitute a formal request for proposals, though it does invite capability statements from other potential sources. The Department of Commerce determined that The Financial Times Limited is the sole capable source based on the proprietary nature of the database and its unique integrated analytics and early-warning investment signal capabilities.

The Government requires access to a comprehensive, global foreign direct investment database that delivers current and historical greenfield investment data, early investment signals, company investment intelligence, and exportable analytical reporting capabilities at city and regional detail levels. Interested contractors must submit capability statements in writing within fifteen calendar days of the notice publication—by March 17, 2026—to demonstrate their ability to satisfy the Government's needs. Statements must be directed to the Contracting Officer, Alicia Brister, via email at abrister@doc.gov, and inquiries will only be accepted through this email channel. The anticipated contract will consist of a base period with three one-year option periods on a firm-fixed-price basis. Any responsible source, regardless of size or classification, may submit a capability statement; there are no specific set-asides or eligibility restrictions noted beyond the requirement to demonstrate technical capability to meet the stated requirements.