Notification of the SEC's Intent to Award a Single Source Purchase Order to Mergent Inc.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a single source purchase order to Mergent Inc. for access to a comprehensive historical fixed income securities database. The SEC requires this database to support its regulatory, surveillance, and policy-making functions, specifically needing data on corporate bond issuers and insurance company bond transactions. The database must be accessible through the Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) platform via a secure web-based interface with annual updates. The contracting officer has determined that Mergent Inc. is the only source capable of meeting these specific requirements under FAR Part 13.106-1(b). The anticipated award date is August 8, 2025, with a contract value below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to inform the market of the SEC's intention to proceed with a sole source procurement while providing an opportunity for other potential vendors to demonstrate their capabilities. Interested parties who believe they can meet the requirements must submit clear and convincing documentation by the July 29, 2025 deadline to be considered for the procurement. The contract structure includes a one-year base period with four additional one-year option periods, totaling up to five years of potential performance. While this is not a competitive solicitation, contractors must prove they can provide equivalent access to comprehensive fixed income securities data through the WRDS platform to challenge the single source determination. The government retains full discretion in deciding whether to proceed with competition based on any responses received to this notice.