ASTM ONLINE CODES AND STANDARDS

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to negotiate a sole source purchase order with ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) for online codes and standards through ASTM's partnership program and portal. NRC's Office of Information Services (OIS) is responsible for the agency's Technical Library, which contains a collection of scientific and technical books, journals, reports, industrial codes and standards, and other materials. Specifically, the Technical Library provides access to ASTM online codes and standards at the request of individual staff at NRC. ASTM codes and standards are needed by technical and scientific staff at NRC for research and regulatory activities. ASTM is the sole publisher of the codes and standards via the digital library. No other entity can furnish these documents through the ASTM portal without infringing on ASTM's copyrights. Ther period of performance for this effort is one base year with two one year options. The authority for negotiating on a sole-source basis with ASTM International is made under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 which provides for limiting competition in those situations where the supplies or services are available from only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541712, Size Standard: 500 employees. This notice of intent is neither a request for proposal nor a solicitation of offers. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. In doing so, interested sources must submit technical capabilities and any other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the NRC's needs. Detailed capabilities must be submitted to the above address not later than 5 calendar days from the date this announcement appears in the Federal Business Opportunities. Telephonic responses and responses providing insufficient information for evaluation by the NRC will not be considered.