The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), located on the National Naval Medical Campus (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Thomson Reuters for electronic access to Science Citation Index Expanded to include backfile collections. 

The awarded contract will be an option year contract with a base period of one (1) year with three (3) one (1) year options.  The contract will authorize the addition of new titles offered by Thomson Reuters and to include additional sites if needed.  Performance is to commence approximately on April 26, 2010.  This order is being procured in accordance with FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), to include FAR Part 13.5 (Test Program for Certain Commercial Items).

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.

Thomson Reuters is the publisher and sole provider for electronic access to the listed journals.  Access to these journals is required by faculty, students and researchers.

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 close of business on April 16^th.