Notice of Intent to Sole Source Chemical Research Database Subscription

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) intends to negotiate solely (as prescribed in FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i)) with The American Chemical Society, 1155 16TH ST NW, Washington, DC 20036for the procurement of the SciFinder Chemical Research Database Subscription.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 518210 and the size standard is $40M.

The SciFinder database is the only database on the market currently that completely meets WRAIRs requirements. WRAIR chemists require access to an externally hosted, web-based, comprehensive chemical database. This database must have an intuitive search interface, have the ability to perform faceted searching, and be able to IP authenticate. This interface must be Section 508 Compliant because FAR regulations require this. It must only use session cookies because government privacy regulations prohibit the use of persistent cookies. It must be Open URL compliant so that the WRAIR. electronic journals can link from the search results with a single click. This product must have data including chemical reactions, chemical structures, bibliographic data, analytical data, patents, and molecular sequences. This product will be used in support of the antimalarial, antileishmanial and chem/biodefense programs. This product must have access to the CAS registry database, as CAS registry numbers represent specific chemical structures, and are used by chemists when referring to a specific structure of a compound. CAS registry numbers must come as part of a subscription from CAS. While they appear occasionally in the public domain, they are licensed and should be only used by a valid license holder. As such, American Chemical Society is the only responsible source that possesses the services required to meet the Government's requirement.

This announcement constitutes the only notice by the government; a written solicitation will not be issued. All sources that believe they are eligible to provide these items must respond in writing.  Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence to clearly articulate the ability to provide the items outlined above.  A request for documentation will not be considered an affirmative response. This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, the purchase will be awarded without further remark. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Ms. Dawn Jennings at dawn.v.jennings.civ@health.mil.

Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above e-mail address or by mail to the address listed below no later than 12:00PM ET, July 9, 2024.  Contracting Office Address:
US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, ATTN: FCMR-ACO-AA, 808 Schreider Street, Frederick, MD 21702-5014

Point of Contact:
Dawn Jennings

Dawn.v.jennings.civ@health.mil