Scholarly Communication Support
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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, has issued a pre-solicitation for a BPA Call for Scholarly Communication Support Services. This opportunity is intended for existing BPA holders under contracts 1232SA23A0006, 1232SA23A0007, and 1232SA23A0008. The services aim to advance USDA's scientific integrity and gold-standard science requirements. A Request for Quote (RFQ) will be issued to these specific BPA holders.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will provide expert advice and operational support in:
- Scholarly publishing
- Research integrity
- Copyright and licensing
- Open access and public access to USDA-funded research
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the NAL Trusted Journal List (TJL) program, including evaluating journal requests and detecting predatory journals.
- Managing the selection process for journals to be included in AGRICOLA.
- Developing and delivering research integrity training for stakeholders.
- Reporting on the quality and impact of USDA research outputs.
- Documenting criteria, procedures, workflows, and decisions for all program areas. Performance standards include daily TJL evaluations, documented AGRICOLA decisions, and Section 508-compliant training materials.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Pre-solicitation for a BPA Call (Commercial Services)
- Duration: One base year with two one-year options.
- Set-Aside: Not applicable; limited to specific existing BPA holders.
- Pre-solicitation Response Date: February 20, 2026
- Published: February 5, 2026
- Place of Performance: Remote or onsite at the National Agricultural Library (Beltsville, MD).
Evaluation
Award will be made to the vendor that provides the best value to the Government for these services.
Special Requirements
Key personnel should possess a Master's degree in library science or equivalent experience in scholarly publishing. The contractor must comply with USDA and NAL content standards and scientific integrity principles. Government-furnished equipment will be provided.