Notice of Intent to Sole Source for a Cloud Storage Library

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST OF COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the National Museum of Health Medicine (NMHM), intends to award on a sole source basis, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Sirsi Corporation, 3300 N. Ashton Blvd, STE 500, Lehi, Utah 84043-5340, as the only responsible source that can provide the Cloud Storage Library.

This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-06 are incorporated. NMHM intends to procure a firm-fixed price requirement for a contract to provide cloud storage library services starting 01 June 2024. Sirsi Corporation will provide the cloud storage library with the following capabilities: Has remote support services for up to one (1) concurrent staff user.

Unlimited wed access for researchers via Online Pulbic Access Catalog (OPAC) One (1) gigabyte (GB) of linked media storage Works in/with Machine-readable cataloging (MARC) metadata to interact with OCLC Connexion. OCLC is an international bibliographical database that supplies MARC records that are then altered and downloaded into the local database. Provide information search and retrieval using Z39.50 protocol.

Z39.50 is an international standard client-server, application layer communications protocol for searching and retrieving information from a database over TCP/IP computer network, developed and maintained by the Library of Congress. It is covered and ANSI/NISO standard Z39.50 and ISO standard 23950. Functions or modules for cataloging, circulation and OPAC.

Cloud-based solution that makes the database more flexible, accessible, and easier for both the library and the IT to maintain with all the different technical requirements and safety issues that go along with database technology. Easy to use and intuitive user interface with 24/7 customer support that will generate and print call number labels using special label printers. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or barcoding technology to track library material for check out and inventory purposes.

Generate reports for inventory and other collection needs The Government engaged with other vendors who provide similar services; however, market research concluded that switching to any other system would require a three to six month transition timeframe as well as an approximate 439% - 758% increase in total price, mostly due to additional expenses to cover the installation of a new system, transfer of data from the current system to a new system, and training of Government personnel on the new system.

FAR 13.104 states, "The contracting officer must promote competition to the maximum extent practicable to obtain supplies and services from the source whose offer is the most advantageous to the Government, considering the administrative cost of the purchase.” Based on the market research results, the Contracting Officer has determined that it is not practicable to obtain competition for this requirement.

Savings typically associated with competition would not result in any value to the Government for this requirement because switching to any other system will result in significant additional expenses to the Government as well as a lengthy transition period. This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.203. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotes.

Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested concerns must submit their capability statement in writing to the email address listed below by the listed due date and time. Submissions that request documentation or request additional information or that only ask questions will not be considered affirmative responses and will not be considered valid.

Responses not considered valid will not be evaluated further. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects at least 10 days after the publication of this notice, the contract will be issued as sole source. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to the Contract Specialist, Tiffany Heath, at tiffany.n.heath3.civ@health.mil. Submissions shall be received no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time, 07 February 2024.