Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Online Subscription

This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming
solicitation, but merely notification of the Social Security Administration's
(SSA) intent to issue, on a sole-source basis, a firm fixed-price purchase order
to EBIX, Inc. for access to their online subscription entitled the Health
Illustrated Encyclopedia. Under the authority of Federal Acquisition
Regulations (FAR) Part 6.302-1, the Contracting Officer has determined that
the circumstances of the contract action deem only one responsible source
and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Health
Illustrated Encyclopedia is only available from its producer and manufacturer
and not through dealers or distributors. The period of performance will be for
twelve months, beginning October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, with
an additional four options years, if exercised.

The Health Illustrated Encyclopedia will be accessed through SSA's Digital
Library. This resource is used for SSA disability hearing and adjudication
purposes by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review and the Office of
Disability Programs. The subscription is also used as a resource to support
the agency's employee health programs. The Health Illustrated Encyclopedia
includes electronic access to search and browse health information available
in the anatomy, physiology and life science areas. This subscription is unique
because it provides high quality medical illustrations, photographs, and
diagrams that complement the articles and provide SSA components with
accurate health information on a wide range of medical conditions in order to
adjudicate disability claims. The subscription includes online access to search
and download documents and illustrations including:
• 1,600 diseases & conditions, injuries, symptoms, surgeries, and tests in
3,600 articles
• Over 2,000 full-color images
• Thousands of cross-referenced hyperlinks to more information
• Available in Spanish

This requirement is utilizing procedures in FAR Part 12 in conjunction with
procedures in FAR Part 13. A determination by SSA not to compete this
proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the
discretion of SSA. Information received will be considered for the purposes of
determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The government
does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this notice.
Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to
establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Responses shall be
submitted by 12:00PM ET on September 16, 2019. If SSA does not receive an
acceptable response to this announcement by September 16, 2019, in accordance
with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), negotiations will be conducted with EBIX, Inc. as the
only source and a purchase order will be issued without any additional notices
being posted. Respondents should refer to 0919-19-1022 in their responses.
All responses must be submitted via email to Stephanie.Puryear@ssa.gov.

.