--Subscription to Chemical Economics Handbook

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) intends to award a sole source fixed price purchase order to IHS Global, Inc. (also doing business as SRI Consulting) for the 2013 edition of the Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH). The Chemical Economics Handbook provides a unique compilation of information on the chemical industry and on chemical applications necessary to support EPA analyses. IHS Global, Inc is the only source that provides this type of chemical market encyclopedia. Single volume synopses of the chemical industry lack the breadth and depth of information and insight that these the CEH encyclopedias contain. The proposed contract action is for supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106 (b)(1). Efforts to acquire similar supplies, and/or develop alternate sources for this requirement would result in significant additional costs to the Government that are not expected to be recovered through competition. However, interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however all proposals received within five days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive proc u rement.