DODL MILITARY NEWS, JOURNALS, STRATEGIES, AND MORE SUBSCRIPTION

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 FY25 base effort with two (2) one-year options.

The projected period of performance for this subscription is:

Base Year: 01 September 2025 – 31 August 2026

Option Year 1: 01 September 2026 – 31 August 2027

Option Year 2: 01 September 2027 – 31 August 2028

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.

FSC: AF11

NAICS: 519290 – Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

Size Standard: 1000 employees

Subscription name: DoDL Military News, Journals, Strategies and More

Description: DoD Libraries need access to a resource that includes key sources such as Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corp Times, Navy Times, Armed Forces Journal and Defense News. Serves and supports millions of active duty, reserve and retired military personnel worldwide, along with their dependent. Covers military, government and defense news, issues, strategies, careers, benefits, training and much more

Product Characteristics an equal item must be considered:

1. Must be able to provide online research tools from professionally curated sources that offer trusted information for a balanced, global perspective and insights

2. Must provide Provides Web-based access to current and archived news and information on the U.S. Armed Services and federal government

3. Must provide resources that include more than 40 key sources such as the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corp Times

4. Must provide resources that cover military, government and defense news, issues, strategies, careers, benefits, training and much more

5. Must provide content from more than 200 military publications

6. Must provide fully searchable resource includes current and historical news coverage

7. Must provide newsletters, live events, news alerts, and an admin portal for accessing usage information

8. Must provide resources in addition to the essential Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times, Armed Services and Government News offers current and archived articles from such sources as Armed Forces Journal and Defense News. It also incorporates the Congressional Quarterly Transcriptions and Federal Times, a leading newsweekly covering key issues across all

U.S. government departments and agencies. Other important sources offered by Armed Services and Government News include:C4ISR: The Journal of Net-Centric Warfare, Decision Times, Military Times Association Guide, Special Sections, Targeted News Service, Training and Simulation Journal

9. Must be able to interface with all 4 service branch library and websites using industry standard authentication methods to ensure only eligible patrons can access resources from any internet connected computer browsers and mobile devices.

10. Must work with contract POC to establish authentication methods to provide optimal accessibility for all eligible patrons.

11. Security between the Website and server must be Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3

12. Must be able to supply or allow retrieval of database usage statistics by Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Military OneSource/Other, and Navy)

 13. Must have HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) with long duration deployed on the servers to mitigate/prevent man-in-the-middle attacks

14. Website certificates should be RSA 2048-bits (SHA256withRSA)

15. VCL must be able to test the platform to evaluate if it meets requirements. Must provide username and password to view content on platform.

The Government will consider responses received within 14 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:

a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. Company CAGE Code or UEI.

e. Capabilities Statement

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.

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 shall be emailed to Courtney Perry at courtney.perry.5@us.af.mil no later than 30 July 2025, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Courtney Perry through email.