The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

USU intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC), located in Dublin, OH for the annual renewal of the OCLC Software Subscription (ContentDM/OCLC Cataloging and Metadata and WorldShare ILL/ILLiad).

These subscriptions will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12-Commercial Items and FAR Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Sole source determination is made in accordance with:

FAR Part 13.106-1 Soliciting Competition

(b) Soliciting from a single source

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

The mission of USU is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services. As such, it is essential USU provide the necessary training and equipment required for our students to become successful doctors and nurses and to be able to provide the best care possible for our soldiers and to support our research efforts.

OCLC is the central library catalog - all major libraries catalogs use it, including the Library of Congress and National Library of Medicine. These subscriptions allow USU's Learning Resource Center (LRC) to download complete, accurate records from other libraries and it allows us to share and borrow resources with other libraries. The ILLiad resources sharing management software automates interlibrary loan processes, reducing paperwork and saving time over manual methods.

Other software options on the market are unable to satisfy the LRC's requirements as they do not configure and integrate with Learning Resource Center's existing operating programs including: Docline, RapidILL, Odyssey, ILLiad, and the WorldCat Resource Sharing interface, all provided by Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). Additionally, the Archives has used this software for over 7 years and uploaded nearly 3500 documents, images and volumes to it, making them accessible to all LRC patrons.

This is not a request for quotes and a solicitation package will not be issued. Sources interested in responding to this requirement must be able to provide compelling evidence that they can provide the abovementioned requirement as specified. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contractual action based upon responses received is solely within the discretion of the government. Responses must be received via email ([email protected]) by 3:00 p.m. EST on August 17, 2018.