This is a Sources Sought Synopsis published by the United States Air Force (the Government or USAF). There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research to determine whether there are businesses available capable of providing an alternative product that meets the characteristics below. The Air Force anticipates procuring this product as a FY21 base effort with four (4) one year options. The period of performance for this subscription is 01 September 2021 – 31 August 2022. The option years may extend the period of performance through 31 August 2026. Responses to this sources sought notice will assist in a determination of whether it is in the best interest of the Government to proceed with a competition.

Period: 01 September 2021 – 31 August 2026

FSC: 7630

NAICS: 519130

Size Standard: 1,000 employees

Subscription name: Miss Humblebee’s Academy

Supplier name: Cengage Learning Inc.

Product description: Miss Humblebee’s Academy package is a fun, interactive online kindergarten readiness program for children that presents learning concepts based on the U.S. Department of Education, Head Start Child Development, The National Association for the Education of Young Children, and other education-based organizations. It includes hundreds of guided lessons with sound and visual cues across many disciplines including Art, Language & Literacy, Math, Music, and Science & Social Studies.

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

• Must provide interactive games and learning experiences in an online self-contained classroom environment for ages 3-6
• Must provide content that uses both sound and visual cues to support diverse learning styles
• Must provide hundreds of lessons spanning all major academic subjects including social and emotional learning,
• Must provide weekly progress reports
• Must provide assessments to measure proficiency and learning
• Needs to have a mobile application
• Must be able to interface with the Air Force Portal, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Marine Corps, Military OneSource, and Navy Digital Library (NDL) and the DoD Library Services Platform
• Must be able to provide password embedded URL’s for access through Library OPACS

The Government will consider responses received within 15 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 competes 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 an administrative decision by the Government that is solely within its discretion. 

Contractors should be aware of the following information:

1. Contractors must include the following information:

• Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.
• 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.
• 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.
• Company CAGE Code or DUNS Number. 

2.  This requirement is not intended for specific brand name products. Offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than       those that may be specifically referenced by brand name. Responses must address how alternate product meet the product     characteristics specified above.

3.  Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

4.  Responses are limited to of 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format.

Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with their response.This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposals nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as required basis, for further clarification on material provided. Respondents should not construe this notice as a commitment by the Air Force for any purpose.

Responses should be emailed to Emily Dotson at [email protected] and Ashley Collins at [email protected] no later than 09 July 2021, 2:00 PM EST.  Any questions should be directed to Emily Dotson through email. 

All responses should be received no later than 09 July 2021, 2:00 PM (Eastern).