What this opportunity is
The Department of Defense is seeking electronic access to the IHS Engineering Work Bench Expert Collection for the Air Force's Library Program. This opportunity is not set aside for small businesses, and it is currently a Sources Sought notice, meaning there is no solicitation available yet. The government aims to assess market capabilities to provide a product that includes standards, codes, and technical references, with a focus on addressing information overload through an intuitive interface. Interested parties should respond within 30 days to inform the decision on whether to pursue a competitive procurement.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
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 FY26 base effort
with a projected period of performance of 22 September 2026 – 21 September 2027. This effort
will have three – one year option periods: Option year 1 - 22 September 2027 – 21 September
2028, Option year 2 – 22 September 2028 – 21 September 2029, and Option year 3 – 22
September 2029 – 21 September 2030.
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: 7630
NAICS: 516210
Size Standard: $47M
Subscription name: HIS Global Market
1. Description: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Library Program requires Electronic
access for Scott Civil Engineers to IHS Engineering Work Bench Expert Collection
2. Product characteristics or an equal item must be considered:
1. Must include: standards, codes, specifications, applied technical reference,
engineering periodicals, patents and patent applications, and enterprise knowledge
sources. To include the attached list of standards (Custom Collection)
2. Must address the “information overload” challenge with a single intuitive interface
that uses advanced knowledge discovery technologies to surface answers from a
curated universe of technical knowledge.
3. Engineering Work Bench Expert Collection
4. Collection for EI community, Program Management Offices, Sheppard Schoolhouse /
Cable and Antenna Operations AFSC 1D773C, and Base SCX/Cable Antenna shops
5. Must provide an enterprise license for HQ CCC/CZMM to administrate to all locations
needing access to standards library
The Government will consider responses received within 30 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:
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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 should be emailed to Contracting Specialist: Homer Rios,
Homer.Rios@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer: Gustavo Guadron Gustavo.Guadron@us.af.mil
no later than 8 July 2026, 4:00 PM CDT. Any questions should be directed to Gustavo Guadron
through email.
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Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.