Knovel Online Subscription
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has awarded a sole-source, Firm Fixed Price contract to Elsevier Inc. for a Knovel Online Subscription. This contract, valued at an estimated $639,079 over five years, provides essential access to specialized technical and engineering content for NRL's engineers and technical staff.
Scope of Work
This award covers access to the Knovel 35 subscription package, which includes:
- Licensed information content on the Knovel platform.
- A web-based application integrating technical information with analytical and search tools.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) using Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP).
- Awardee: Elsevier Inc.
- Period of Performance: 5 years (Base Year + 4 Option Years), with each period being 12 months.
- Estimated Value: $639,079 for the 5-year period.
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (sole-source award).
- Award Date: May 6, 2026.
Evaluation & Justification
This was a sole-source award, not a competitive solicitation. The justification cites 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a), as the statutory authority. NRL determined that Elsevier is uniquely qualified as the sole developer, owner, and distributor of the Knovel platform, which offers proprietary features and curated content not replicable by other vendors. A Sources Sought Notice was posted on SAM.gov from March 17, 2026, to March 31, 2026, but no responses were received.
Additional Notes
The agency has committed to conducting continuous market research for future acquisitions to identify potential competition.