The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Agricultural Library (NAL) intends to award a sole source contract to Elsevier B.V.  The purpose of this award is to provide electronic access via the internet for all USDA users to GeoRef and GeoBase databases via the Engineering Village platform for use by all USDA employees, contractors, cooperators, and authorized public on-sit users.  See attached - Statement of Work (SOW).

The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is mandated (7 U.S.C. 3101) to serve as the primary agricultural information resource of the United States. One of its functions in that role is the acquisition of information in all aspects of agriculture and allied sciences.  In support of this function, the NAL acquires database content in electronic format from publishers and makes it accessible to USDA employees and library patrons via the internet. In keeping with its charge to collect agricultural and related information, it seeks to maintain a collection of resources in various formats from a variety of publishers and sources. 

Engineering Village, the essential engineering research database, provides a searchable index of the most comprehensive engineering literature and patent information available. Designed by, and for, the engineering community, this comprehensive, all-inclusive platform provides access to peer-reviewed, deeply indexed, relevant and accurate engineering research content in a single, easy-to-use interface that automatically links to records in the SCOPUS database, also subscribed to by NAL.

Elsevier BV, as the copyright holder for the GeoBase database and Engineering Village platform, is the only source capable of supplying NAL's requirements for electronic access via the internet for all USDA users, with perpetual data rights to the content of GeoBase.

The NAICS Code for this requirement is 511120 - Periodicals

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.  Authority for this sole source procurement is under 10 U.S.C.2403 (c) (1) as implemented in FAR 6.302-1, one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Any firm that believes it can provide the services listed above may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. The Point of Contact for this action is Ms. Marian Dyson and any response must be emailed to [email protected].  Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered.