The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is issuing a Notice of Intent to negotiate a sole-source contract with Elsevier Inc. for access to its ScienceDirect® database and related electronic publications. This arrangement is deemed necessary as Elsevier is identified as the only responsible source for these services, as outlined under FAR regulations. The contract will span one year with the potential for four additional one-year renewals, focusing on providing access to Elsevier’s electronic journals and books selected by National Library of Medicine (NLM) librarians.
The Draft Statement of Work defines key objectives, including access to Elsevier's publications, subscription support, and options for acquiring e-books and additional titles. The contractor will also be tasked with providing administrative accounts for tracking usage and generating reports on publication statuses and pricing. Furthermore, the government will manage access links and security validation procedures. The initiative underscores NLM's commitment to maintaining a rich biomedical literature collection and ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to vital electronic resources.
The document presents a government solicitation for contracted services, specifically requesting proposals for the provision of Elsevier Publications via the ScienceDirect Online Service for the National Library of Medicine (NLM). It outlines a framework for the entire contract, covering a base year from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, followed by four option years running through 2029. The solicitation emphasizes a "Negotiated (RFP)" approach and specifies the submission details, evaluation factors for award, and contract clauses. It is administered by the National Institutes of Health, highlighting compliance requirements and the necessary acknowledgments for amendments to the solicitation. The specified product/service codes relate to newspapers and periodicals, underscoring the focus area for this partnership. The award process and submission guidelines mandate that proposals be fully completed and submitted before the established deadlines to be considered for acceptance. This solicitation typifies the federal government's approach to procuring services through a structured contractual framework.