Intent to Award Sole Source - Recorded Books
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE
The United States Air Force (the Government) intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase order to a single source, Recorded Books, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) (only one source reasonably available) on or about 15 August 2018. The period of performance (PoP) shall be from 30 September 2018 - 29 September 2019.
FSC: 7630
NAICS: 519130
Size Standard: 1000 employees
Subscription name: The following subscriptions will be included in this purchase: RBdigital (OneClick Digital, InstantFlix, Qello, ArtistWorks, Acorn TV, Great Courses, Hollywood Films & TV Series, Anime, Broadway, Pongalo, Zinio, ComicsPlus) and Universal Class
Supplier name: Recorded Books, Inc.
Product description:
RBdigital provides access to multiple products through one platform, via website or mobile application. The RBdigital platform offers access to audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, comics, streaming video services, educational offerings, and more.
The following products will be included in this acquisition through the RBdigital platform:
Acorn TV: Streaming video service that includes mysteries, drama and comedies from Britain and more
Great Courses: video and audio streaming of lectures by college professors
Hollywood Films & TV Series: video streaming service of classical movies
Anime: video streaming service of Japanese cartoons
Broadway: Live and recorded stage performances
Pongalo: Spanish-language telenovelas and translated movies
Zinio: online magazine provider, titles include popular magazines such as National Geographic, The Economist, US weekly, and hundreds more.
ArtistWorks for Libraries: self-paced video lessons from Grammy Award-winning music and artistic professionals.
ComicsPlus: digital graphic novels and comics to library patrons on any Web-connected device.
IndieFlix: movie and television streaming service that offers over 7,000 shows from around the world.
Qello Concerts: full-length concerts and music documentaries
OneClickDigital: is an online e-book and e-audio book site that has both fiction and non-fiction material and also has an extensive e-audio book collection.
Additionally, Universal Class will be included in this acquisition. Universal Class offers over 500 online courses on a wide range of subjects. Universal Class offers courses 24 hours a day 7 days a week and each course is instructor led while also being self-paced to allow for both personal attention and maximum flexibility. Some courses may also be recognized for Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and can help with vocational improvement.
Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:
• Must be able to provide a single point platform with access to all products listed in product description, or comparable products with access to the extensive collection of each
• Must be able to provide Universal Class or comparable product
• Must be able to interface with the Air Force Portal
• Must be able to provide password embedded URL's for access through Library OPACS
• Must be able to offer perpetuity in contract for ebooks and audiobooks
This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the Government. The Government will consider responses received within 5 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 decides to compete 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 solely within the discretion of the Government.
Contractors should be aware of the following information:
1. Contractors must include the following information:
a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. Company CAGE Code or DUNS Number.
2. In your response, you must address how your product meets the product characteristics specified above.
3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.
4. Responses are limited to 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format.
Responses should be emailed to Nicole Cantrell at nicole.cantrell@us.af.mil and Joelynn Laux at
joelynn.laux@us.af.mil no later than 9 July 2018, 2:00 PM EST. Any questions should be directed to Nicole Cantrell through email.
Nicole L. Cantrell, Phone 9372557862, Email nicole.cantrell@us.af.mil
