Research Publications

This Sources Sought notice is for subscriptions granting access to peer-reviewed, academic literature in a wide array of scientific fields and engineering disciplines. This access will support the missions of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Library Council, which includes all eight AFRL technical directorates, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and AFIT; the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) Tyndall and Patrick Tech Libraries; the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC); the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) Tech Library; and the 711th Human Performance Wing, which includes the Human Effectiveness Directorate (RH) and the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM).

As a result of this Sources Sought and general market research, the Government intends to award any resulting contracts between June 2025 and December 2030. The literature may include, but are not limited to, complete products, specifically collections of subscriptions or perpetual access to e-books and/or periodicals as required from the publishers indicated on the attached list with the ability to download full-text content for offline use (leased content is not acceptable).

This is not a presolicitation or Request for Quote (RFQ) and should not be construed as a commitment by the Government. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract and or pay for any quote preparation costs.  The Government will not accept quotes at this time.  This notice is not an offer by the Government to enter into a contract. Responses will allow the Government to conduct an initial review of market capabilities in support of requirements to procure publications from selected sources.

NAICS Code: 519210

For Small businesses interested in this opportunity:

SUBMISSION DETAILS: All interested parties are encouraged to submit a response to this Sources Sought. Questions will be accepted until 05 May 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, with Government answers posted no later than 08 May 2025. Final submissions will be accepted until 22 May 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time and should address the following information:

1. Company name, cage code, address, point of contact, phone number, and email address.

2. Identification of whether the company is currently designated as a Small Business as defined in FAR Part 19.1 and the appropriate category (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.).

3. Identification of whether the company is an original manufacturer or a reseller.

4. Company description of relevant capability and experience to provide supplies/services in accordance with the minimum requirements.

5. Company description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers.

For publishers who do not permit resale of publications:

1. Submit a letter of sole source indicating that resellers are not available for publication.

Questions and submissions shall be sent electronically to Benjamin Spencer, Contract Specialist, benjamin.spencer.8@us.af.mil and Jessica Vetter, Contracting Officer, jessica.vetter.1@us.af.mil .

Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “Library Subscriptions”. Note that e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB are designed to filter e-mails without subject lines or with suspicious subject lines or contents (i.e., .exe, or .zip files).  Therefore, if this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through the e-mail filters.  Also be advised that .zip or .exe files are not allowable attachments and may be deleted by the e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB.  If sending attachments with e-mail, ensure only .PDF, .doc, docx, xls, or .xsls documents are sent.  The e-mail filter may delete any other form of attachments.