Intent to Award Sole Source- Springer Nature
Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA2396 USAF AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND AFRL PZL AFRL PZLEWRIGHT PATTERSON AFB, OH, 45433-7541, USA

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210)

PSC

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS (7630)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/c0723469146c4437a802cf7216ce186e/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, intends to award a sole-source contract to Springer Nature for access to SpringerLink and Nature.com Complete publications, effective January 1, 2025, for a one-year term with four optional additional years. This procurement is essential for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to access a comprehensive collection of scientific, technological, and medical journals, books, and reference works necessary for their research initiatives. Interested parties may submit capability statements to demonstrate compliance with the specified product characteristics, although this is not a request for competitive quotes; submissions are due by November 11, 2024, and should be directed to Anne Mitchell at anne.mitchell.1@us.af.mil and Kerisha Wordlaw at kerisha.wordlaw.1@us.af.mil.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Anne Mitchell
    anne.mitchell.1@us.af.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    IASS 24-25 Draft.docx
    The United States Air Force intends to award a sole-source contract to Springer Nature for access to SpringerLink and Nature.com Complete publications, effective January 1, 2025, for one year, with four optional additional years. This procurement follows FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), indicating that only one source is reasonably available. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) require these resources to access scientific journals, books, and reference works. Products must include full-text access to articles in specific scientific fields, a comprehensive search interface, and institutional IP authentication. Interested parties may submit capability statements within five days of issuance, although this is not a request for competitive quotes. Responses should include company details, product characteristics compliance, and must be submitted in an unclassified format. The government may consider responses to decide on a competitive procurement approach, with the option to reserve the contract for small businesses. Email submissions are due by November 11, 2024. This notice illustrates the Air Force's focus on acquiring specialized access to essential academic resources to support its research initiatives.
    JA_Redacted.pdf
    The document titled "Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" outlines procedural guidelines for federal agencies regarding sole source procurements for particular commercial items. It emphasizes the circumstances under which a sole source justification is permissible, primarily focusing on instances where only one source can fulfill the requirements due to unique capabilities or specialized expertise related to the item in question. Key points include the necessity for clear documentation to support the sole source decision, including an explanation of why competition is not feasible and a description of the specific brand name or item being procured. The document serves as a regulatory framework to streamline the procurement process while ensuring accountability and compliance with federal standards. The tone is formal and instructive, aimed at guiding government officials in appropriate procurement practices, especially in the context of federal grants and RFPs. Overall, the file represents an essential component of government procurement policy, ensuring that justified, non-competitive purchases align with broader regulatory objectives and fiscal responsibility.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Intent to Award Sole Source- Springer Nature
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