R605--BrowZine Subscription POP 02/17/2026 - 02/16/2027 PO# 776-C60017 CO: Andrew Schoenecker

Other / Unclassified

This document appears to be an award notice or a summary related to a previous award for BrowZine Subscription services. It includes details such as the solicitation number (36C77626Q0068), award number (36C77626P0017), award amount ($303,598.00), award date (02-17-2026), and the awardee (THIRD IRON LLC).

While not a solicitation or SOW, this information provides context for potential bidders by indicating a past award for BrowZine Subscription services. It details the vendor, contract value, and period of performance for a previous procurement, which may be relevant for understanding the agency's needs and the competitive landscape for this service.

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document justifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarding a firm-fixed-price contract to Third Iron for a subscription to their "Third Iron Complete" product on a sole-source basis. This product is a commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) web-based solution that provides access to electronic journal collections and simplifies access to full-text articles for healthcare providers and researchers within the VA healthcare system.

• Annual subscription to Third Iron Complete, with four 12-month option periods and a six-month extension.

• The service provides a browsable and readable format for e-journal collections.

• Features include personalization (My Bookshelf, My Articles), automatic updating of library holdings, and integration with commercial vendors.

• Includes LibKey Discovery for integrating with existing library infrastructure, LibKey Link for PubMed integration, LibKey Nomad browser extension, and libkey.io for resolving DOIs and PubMed IDs.

• The system must accommodate approximately 130 VAMC accounts, with flexibility for additional accounts.

• The system must function independently from the VA computer network and require no software installation.

• Contract type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: One annual subscription plus four 12-month option periods and a six-month extension.

• Market research was conducted, and no other sources were found to meet the requirements.

• The proposed action will be synopsized on SAM.gov, and any proposals received will be evaluated.

• Pricing will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness against the IGCE and historical pricing.

• Market research included a search for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) concerns, yielding 8 results, but none were found to be capable of meeting the specific requirements.

• The justification cites 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as the statutory authority for other than full and open competition, based on the "Only One Responsible Source" criterion.

• The VA Library Network (VALNET) requires this specific solution to promote online resource usage and improve workflow efficiency.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for a subscription to BrowZine, an annual membership with a twelve (12) month base and four (4) twelve (12) month option years, plus a six (6) month extension. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Library Network (VALNET), requires this commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS), web-based product to provide VHA healthcare system users with access to online journals and simplify researcher workflow.

• Supply a web-based method for accessing VA-subscribed journals and user authentication.

• Maintain a web-based system for self-registration accounts for VA staff.

• Provide a system supporting Single Sign-On (SSO) for secure on-and-off-site access.

• Organize user groups and allocate journal access at individual or group levels.

• Accommodate approximately 152 VAMC accounts, with capacity for growth.

• Function independently from the VA computer network, requiring no software installation.

• Provide links to full text of journals/PDFs.

• Ensure the system is 508 compliant or provide a plan for compliance within 12 months.

• Ensure accessibility via various personal mobile devices (Apple and Android).

• Minimize system downtime and notify the VA project manager of any occurrences.

• Provide onsite and remote instruction with training materials.

• The contract will be with Third Iron, LLC.

• Period of Performance: 12-month base period plus four (4) option years and a six (6) month extension.

• Procurement is conducted under FAR Part 6.103-1 (Only One Responsible Source).

• This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available.

• Responsible sources believing they can meet the requirements may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation.

• Responses are due by Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. EST.

• Submit responses to Sharif Ra El at sharif.ra-el@va.gov.

• FAR 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns and FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be included.

• NAICS Code: 519290

• Small Business Administration Size Standard: 1,000 Employees.

• The government reserves the discretion not to compete the procurement based on responses received.