Membership to the Association of Research Libraries

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Agricultural Library (NAL) intends to issue an award to the Association Research Libraries (ARL) on a sole source basis. Award will be made Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 and 41 USC 253(c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a non-profit organization of 125 research libraries at comprehensive, research institutions in the US and Canada that share similar research missions, aspirations, and achievements. The association conducts a program of identification and member education on a wide range of topics related to information policy and the activities of research libraries. ARL gathers statistics on the activities of its members and develops bench marking and quantitative research tools on library operations. The Association publishes regular reports on trending topics in information policy as well as annual statistical reports. Access to these reports and data is available only to members and delivered via the ARL website. The annual membership fee covers the cost of all publications, reports, training services, and membership meetings. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is mandated (7 U.S.C. 3101) to serve as the primary agricultural information resource of the United States. As a consequence of these activities, NAL is recognized as a major research library in the United States. This research library designation is applicable to about 125 of the over 120,000 libraries in the United States. In support of its operations, NAL monitors issues that affect research libraries, changes in information policy, and effective training for research librarians. ARL is the forum in the United States that research libraries such as NAL utilize to accomplish those activities. Access to the activities and information produced by the Association of Research Libraries is restricted to its members. The membership benefits include access to current and past reports, participation in training opportunities for research librarians, briefings and programs on important advancements and issues in information policy and research library operations, and networking activities. The NAICS Code for this requirement is 519120 Libraries and Archives THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES: This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be constructed as a commitment by the Government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the services listed above are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. The Point of Contact for this action is Shelia Tucker and any response must be emailed to Shelia.Tucker@ars.usda.gov. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than December 15, 2016.