76 -- Scientific and Technical Book Account for Purchase On Approval

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b), Only One Source Reasonably Available, with Yankee Book Peddler (YBP), Inc, 999 Maple Street, Contoocook, NH 03229. NIST has a requirement for a scientific and technical Book Account with purchase on approval.YBP provides books and supporting collection management and technical services to libraries The company possesses an online system for book title review and selection. The YBP system possesses comprehensive approval plans, flexible notification/slip plans, continuations services, and a web-based bibliographic information database, GOBI. The electronic notification system, GOBI Alert, allows individual users to mark their requests online for library staff and receive lists of new books specific to their disciplinary interests. The NIST library staff and users require a broad range of highly scientific and technical books on an “as needed” basis and a generous approval and return plan that allows return of books up to 120 days after shipping. The extended approval period is critical because books purchased for the NIST Research Library must undergo multiple layers of review prior to approval of purchase. The Government is not aware of any other comparable source. Additionally, staff and users are trained and experienced users of the online system. For these reasons, award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost in terms of time, personnel resources, and funding to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. NIST intends to negotiate with YBP, the only known source that can satisfy this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quotation; no solicitation is available, however, any interested party that believes it can meet the requirements may submit written notification to the Contracting Officer of their interest and bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements listed. Such information will be reviewed to determine if it is necessary to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.