Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Office of Informatics and Analytics January 24, 2014 VA701-14-I-0088 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE PROQUEST DATABASE PACKAGE SUBSCRIPTION INTRODUCTION: This sources sought notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA is currently conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced, and interested potential sources. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be incurred by interested parties in responding to this sources sought announcement. SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall provide ProQuest subscription services to the VA Central Office (VACO) Library license for electronic access to the following specific databases: ABI/INFORM, ProQuest Health Management, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, ProQuest Newsstand Core & Expanded Collection, ProQuest Research Library. BACKGROUND: These products are authoritative online databases used for researching a variety of topics. Search results include the journal citations that either have summaries or are linked to the actual full-text article. These databases are used to answer research questions received by VACO Library staff and are also available to VACO employees to perform individual required research. DESCRIPTION OF TASKS: Subscription services from ProQuest: These products are online databases used to search journals for information on specific topics. The search will contain journal references that either contain summaries or actual full-text articles. a. ABI/INFORM: This is a comprehensive business research database covering the fields or business, economics, management, marketing, and finance. This database is the industry standard and includes access to 1,338 full-text journal titles and 30,000 business-related dissertations. b. ProQuest Health Management: This database is designed to meet the needs of researchers studying the field of health administration. ProQuest Health Management provides reliable information on a wide range of topics including: hospitals, insurance, law, statistics, business management, ethics, health economics, and public health administration. This database includes access to 850 full-text journal titles and 4,500 full-text doctoral dissertations and theses. c. ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source: This database provides access to authoritative full-text journals, evidence-based resources and dissertations to support the study of many aspects of nursing, as well as allied health fields including physical therapy, nutrition, dental hygiene, etc. This database provides access to a number of e-books, 890 full-text journal articles, and 12,300 dissertations. Additionally, this resource provides access to training videos and CultureGrams Reports. CultureGrams Reports provide cultural awareness to over 200 countries and are designed to provide understanding of beliefs and practices of other cultures. d. ProQuest Newsstand Core & Expanded Collection: This database provides access to ten online newspapers (with back files) including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. e. ProQuest Research Library: This is a general reference database covering such subject areas of education, military, psychology, basic sciences, and women's issues. This database provides access to 4,000 full-text titles including scholarly journals, trade publications, magazines, and newspapers. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION Interested contractors who are responsible and capable of performing this type of work are strongly encouraged to respond by the date specified. At this time, no acquisition strategy has been decided. Contractors having the skills and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements should submit a response of no more than 15 pages in length, single-spaced, with a 12-point font minimum. The Government will not review any other data or attachments that are in excess of the 15 pages. Companies shall provide clear and unambiguous evidence to substantiate their capability to fulfill these requirements. Interested parties shall furnish the following information: 1. Company name and address 2. Company point of contact name, telephone number, and email address 3. Company business size and status (i.e. Large Business, Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small business, Woman Owned Small Business, etc.), the number of years in business, and affiliate information. 4. If the company holds a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract list the GSA Contract Number and relevant SINS. 5. Capabilities/Qualifications: A written response providing clear and unambiguous evidence to substantiate the capacity to fulfill this requirement. Description of the capabilities, qualifications, and skills the company possesses to perform services described in the scope of the work. It is requested that the above information be provided no later than 10:00 p.m. ET Monday February 10, 2014, 2013. Responses should be emailed to Michelle Rhodes,
[email protected]. All email correspondence for this project must reference the RFI Number and Project Title in the subject line of the email: VA701-14-I-0088, ProQuest Database Package Subscription. DISCLAIMER: This RFI has been issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this