Description
NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROCURE ITEM PECULIAR TO ONE MANUFACTURER (See FAR 11.105(a)(3)). The U.S. Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel (OGC) intends to renew its annual subscription license for West LegalEDcenter from Thomson Reuters, ( 610 Opperman Dr., Eagan MN 55123), on a sole source basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b). The period of performance is a 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods. The service provided by West is unique in its comprehensiveness in course offerings and other services. OGC serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on all legal matters affecting Departmental programs and activities. OGC requires an online legal education capability to meet the training and professional development needs of its attorneys and non-attorney staff. The West LegalEDcenter has been used in the past and has been a critical tool for meeting OGC's training and professional development needs. The West LegalEdcenter is a subscription-based online platform that offers the most comprehensive and current online catalog of legal and professional development content. This service will uniquely meet the training and professional development needs of OGC. West LegalEdcenter offers the most current and comprehensive library of online CLE programs, including programs from the nation's most respected national, state and local bar associations and distinguished CLE providers. West LegalEdcenter offers live webcasts, as well as recorded programs that can be taken on demand. With West LegalEdcenter, OGC will have the ability to take online CLE for credit in most U.S. states that have credit requirements, view program materials online or download materials to enhance CLE experience, simplify CLE reporting by tracking completed WLEC credits online and downloading Certificates of Completion for state licensing authorities, take notes, make comments, and/or ask questions during live programs, and take notes or make comments while viewing on demand programs, among other features. After thorough market research that included surveying product catalogs, GSA schedule offerings, and vendor websites, the Contracting Officer concluded that, while numerous entities may be able to develop a solution, only the solution described above is currently available in the commercial marketplace and is capable of immediately meeting the Department's needs without further development. Accordingly, the Department intends to solicit only Thomson Reuters and to renew its annual license subscription to West LegelEDcenter. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to meet the requirement in writing to the identified point of contact not later than September 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely to determine whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Department not to compete this proposed action on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Department. This notice of intent is NOT a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for competitive quotes. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.