DoW National Geographic & Chilton Subscription Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

This notice indicates the government's intent to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract to a single source for a subscription to Chilton's Auto Repair Manuals and National Geographic (Magazine, Kids, People, Animal, World, and various media formats). This action is being taken under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(2), citing that only one source is reasonably available.

• Chilton's Auto Repair Manuals Database: Must cover over 2,600 latest to vintage vehicle makes and models, offering comprehensive automotive expertise for DIY repair. Content should include full text, diagrams, specification tables, troubleshooting guides, photos, illustrations, multimedia (videos and animation), and ASE test prep.

• National Geographic Content: Must include full-text books, magazines, videos, maps, and images. This includes the complete run of National Geographic Kids magazine from 2009 to the present, with age-appropriate digital content for subjects like English Language Arts, social studies, and science.

• Period of Performance: 15 June 2026 – 14 June 2029.

• This is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation.

• Responses must be received no later than 09 June 2026, 12:00 PM CST.

• Responses must be e-mailed to SSgt Christian Etner (christian.etner@us.af.mil) and Gustavo Guadron (gustavo.guadron@us.af.mil).

• Submitted information must be UNCLASSIFIED and limited to 10 pages (Word or PDF).

• The government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement.

• NAICS Code: 519290

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees

• Contractors must identify their business size (large, small, foreign) and any socioeconomic status (e.g., WOSB, 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone).

• Company CAGE Code and UEI must be included.

• If brand-name products are referenced, offerors are encouraged to suggest alternate products and explain how they meet the specified characteristics.

Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document outlines the justification for a sole-source contract to procure subscription services for Chilton's Automotive Repair Manuals and National Geographic content for the Department of War (DoW) Libraries. This action is to fulfill an expiring contract and is intended to be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract.

• Chilton's Automotive Repair Manuals: Provides information on repairing over 2,600 vintage vehicle makes and models, including full text, diagrams, specification tables, troubleshooting guides, photos, illustrations, multimedia, and ASE test prep.

• National Geographic: Includes content from National Geographic Kids, People, Animals, World, and other publications from current date back to 1888. Content types include full-text books, magazines, videos, maps, and images. It must provide age-appropriate digital content for younger students and allow access to previously purchased eReference books.

• Database Features: Must offer full-text articles from leading books, journals, magazines, newspapers, multimedia assets, daily updates, a simple user interface, browser-by-subject functionality, and a mobile application for saving articles and notes. Must be compatible with Google and Microsoft accounts.

• Period of Performance: A 12-month base period plus two (2) 12-month option periods.

• Estimated Value: The total estimated value of this acquisition, including all options, is not specified in the provided text but is derived from an Independent Government Estimate.

• Funding: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) DoD O&M funds will be used.

• Authority: Justification is based on RFO 12.201-1 Simplified Procedures, 41 U.S.C. 1901.

• Rationale: Market research indicates that the incumbent vendor is the only known source that can satisfy the government's requirements. Gale, the provider, confirmed they have no authorized resellers. The databases are considered vital to the DoW libraries' mission, and no other vendor offers such a comprehensive and integrated collection.

• Not applicable, as this is a sole-source justification.

• A Sources Sought notice was posted on SAM.gov, yielding only one interested vendor (the incumbent).

• The Contracting Office will continue to post Sources Sought notices to survey the market for future acquisition strategies.

• The incumbent is stated to be the exclusive provider and distributor of these resources, with no third-party vendors authorized to provide identical access or platform functionality.

• The document includes signature blocks for the Contracting Officer and another certifying official, with dates redacted.

• A note indicates that signature blocks will appear based on the "Dollar Value of this Acquisition" selected.