Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, CCAP-SCN, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Natick Soldier System Center (NSSC), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: THOMSON REUTERS (SCIENTIFIC) LLC. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES and no solicitation will be issued; however, any firm that believes it can meet the requirement may give written notification to the Contracting Officer. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement listed. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The government requires access to Thomson Reuters online research publication databases. The required ISI Web of Science database is provided by Thomson Reuters. This collection of databases provides citations for scientists and researchers to use and rely on to perform research, locating publications pertinent to their research, and running cited reference searches for their performance appraisals. This is a valuable tool, in support of NSRDEC's mission. This access will allow the NSRDEC to access the publications. Access to the databases will support the Virtual Library Project. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): The reason the selected contractor is the only source is because Thomson Reuters is the only vendor that can supply access to the proprietary ISI Web of Science databases. This tool is currently being used by many researchers who find it extremely useful and important in their research. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: A market survey was conducted for this requirement which resulted in Thomson Reuters being the only source able to meet the requirement. The Web of Science is a proprietary database that is owned and hosed exclusively by Thomson Reuters therefore there are no other vendors in the market place that can meet this requirement. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: The Government continues to monitor the market place to ensure no other vendors have entered the market and can meet the exact requirements of the Government. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses to this requirement to the Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground CCAP-SCN, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail:
[email protected] no later than 12:00 p.m. EDT 16 September 2014. Contracting Office Address: Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground CCAP-SCN, Natick Contracting Division US Army Soldier Systems Center Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Sean Auld Contract Specialist
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