99 -- On-line Subscription Service

The US Air Force plans to award a sole-source purchase order to Jane's Information Group for an online subscription service providing access to critical reference materials, including All the World's Aircraft, Land-Base Air Defense, and Terrorism and Insurgency Center. This contract is justified under statutory authority 10 USC 2304(c)(1) and follows the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, which allows for non-competitive procurement when only one responsible source can fulfill the agency’s specific requirements. The subscription service is essential for the Department of Defense’s operational needs, specifically administered through the 42nd Contracting Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. The solicitation, identified by Reference Number F2XHE15168A100 and posted on August 16, 2005, offers no set-aside type and does not specify NAICS code details, reflecting the specialized nature of the service. Although the action is sole-source, entities that believe they can meet the requirements are encouraged to submit a capability statement to the designated point of contact, demonstrating the Air Force's openness to alternative providers if available. This ensures that the department maintains access to unique and authoritative defense-related reference content critical for mission support.