This is a Sources Sought Synopsis published by the United States Air Force (the Government or USAF). There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research to determine whether there are businesses available capable of providing an alternative product that meets the characteristics below. The Air Force anticipates procuring this product as a FY21 base effort. The period of performance for this subscription is 14 September 2021 –13 September 2022. Responses to this sources sought notice will assist a determination of whether it is in the best interest of the Government to exercise the existing option or to proceed with a competition. FSC: 7630 NAICS: 519130 Size Standard: 1,000 employees Subscription name : Gale E Book Collection Supplier name : Cengage Learning Inc. Product description : Cengage Learning Inc. Gale E Book Collection which includes: Black Lives Matter Collection (Ages 3-18), Coronavirus/Global Pandemic Online Collection (Ages 3-18), Pre-K- 3rd Grade Online Collection (414 books) All Interest Levels. Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered : Must provide Black Lives Matter Collection (Ages 3-18), Coronavirus/Global Pandemic Online Collection (Ages 3-18), Pre-K- 3rd Grade Online Collection (414 books) All Interest Levels. Must provide Coronavirus & Global Pandemics Collection which helps learners better understand global viruses, pandemics, epidemics, outbreaks, and more. Must provide Pre-K- 3rd Grade Online Collection to include all things kids want to learn about at an early age- animals, plants, sports, holidays, colors, shapes, numbers, opposites, nature, science, how to: make a lunch, clean your room, train a pet, etc. These titles must also offer read aloud options to help readers. Must provide Black Lives Matter Collection which helps learners better understand the Black Lives Movement with a current and historical perspective including such topics as Bias in America, Police Brutality, racial equity with content that is so important to help all learners both learn and grow. By providing both a current and historical perspective ie. the civil rights movement, African American history, political protests and government response, this collection provides the opportunity to better understand where we are today by understanding where we have been and propels equity, diversity, and inclusion forward. Titles must work on the Cengage Gale platform and interact with the Gale Virtual Reference Library database. Must provide for 190 locations- similar to the DOD consortia with locations world wide Must include custom site to help create equity of access to everyone involved. Must include additional tabs to the current Gale created webpage for DoD Libraries to cater to specific needs. The Government will consider responses received within 15 days of issuance of this notice. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a full and open competitive procurement or a small business set aside competitive procurement. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement. If the Government competes this requirement, a synopsis shall be issued utilizing the combined synopsis/solicitation procedure identified in FAR 12.603. If this effort becomes a Small Business Set-Aside, FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting, will apply. Therefore, small businesses that want to be considered for a small business set-aside should demonstrate how they intend to comply. A determination not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is an administrative decision by the Government that is solely within its discretion. Contractors should be aware of the following information: 1. Contractors must include the following information: Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers. Identification as a large U.S. business, a small U.S. business, or a foreign business. Please note that size indicated should be based on the NAICS code for this effort listed above. Identification of any other socioeconomic status including: Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business or HUBZone. Company CAGE Code or DUNS Number. 2. This requirement is not intended for specific brand name products. Offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those that may be specifically referenced by brand name. Responses must address how alternate product meet the product characteristics specified above. 3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED. 4. Responses are limited to of 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format. Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with their response. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposals nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as required basis, for further clarification on material provided. Respondents should not construe this notice as a commitment by the Air Force for any purpose. Responses should be emailed to Emily Dotson at
[email protected] and Ashley Collins at
[email protected] no later than 12 July 2021, 2:00 PM EST. Any questions should be directed to Emily Dotson through email. All responses should be received no later than 12 July 2021, 2:00 PM (Eastern).