DA10--523-26-2-3801-0028: 523C68173 Embase Database VISN1 Library FY26 (VA-26-00043941)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically VISN 1, has awarded a single-source contract to Elsevier Inc. for a B+3 option year subscription to the Embase Database VISN1 Library. This award, valued at $30,873.02, ensures continued access to a critical biomedical and pharmacological resource for all VISN 1 facilities.
Scope of Work
The contract provides a subscription to the Elsevier Embase Online Journal, which is essential for systematic reviews, drug safety monitoring, and evidence-based research. Key features and requirements include:
- Enhanced ease of access and usability.
- Comprehensive search capabilities, including "long-string" searches.
- Enhanced connective reliability and improved speed of response.
- Maximum coverage of evidence-based biomedical conference abstracts.
- International, specialized pharmacological content.
- In-depth indexing of drug-related research, covering medical devices, safety, efficacy, and regulatory aspects.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Single Source Award (Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1)
- Product Service Code: DA10
- NAICS Code: 513210
- Award Number: 36C24126P0341
- Award Amount: $30,873.02
- Award Date: March 30, 2026
- Published Date: April 6, 2026
- Awardee: ELSEVIER INC.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This requirement was not eligible for SDVOSB or Small Business set-aside. The justification states that Elsevier Inc. is the only reasonably available source due to exclusive copyrights and licensing for the "Embase.com" journal database, and no known SDVOSB/SB resellers exist.
Evaluation
This document serves as a justification for a sole source award, not a solicitation for proposals. The recommendation was for a FAR 12.102(a) sole source award to Elsevier Inc.
Additional Notes
The VISN1 Knowledge Information Library previously used an incumbent Embase platform for eight years but experienced performance issues, content limitations, and complex access. Market research confirmed that Elsevier Embase.com offers superior ease of use, comprehensive content, and reliability. The "Embase.com" database contains over 32 million datasets, with 6 million exclusive to the platform, and covers over 8,500 journals, many unique to Embase.