The intent of this Pre-solicitation Notice is for informational purposes only. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Contracting Operations Branch (COB) intends to award a sole source to Royal Society of Chemistry for journals for use by all USDA employees, authorized public on-site users cooperators and volunteers working on behalf of USDA and acting within the scope of their relationship with USDA. Access includes perpetual data rights to the content that is made available to USDA during the performance period.

The proposed contract will be awarded using the JOFOC (and is attached for reference),   

The synopsis does NOT constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Quotes (RFQ) nor does it restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach.  The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice nor will it reimburse firms for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice.  However, all responsible sources, meeting the requirements which, if received within 10 calendar days of publication of this notice shall be considered by the Government.  All responses must be submitted to the Government primary point of contact at the contracting office address shown below. If no written responses are received after the publication of this notice the contract will be awarded without further notice.  A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.