Justification & Approval for Library Services Platform, Brand Name Alma & Primo
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 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of Chief Counsel Library, has issued a Justification & Approval (J&A) for a sole-source, firm-fixed-price task order to continue utilizing the Alma & Primo Library Services Platform (LSP) from Ex Libris (USA) Inc. This platform is a FedRAMP-authorized Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution essential for managing library materials and supporting legal research. The proposed task order period is from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2030, with an estimated annual value of $334,573.13.
Scope of Work
The Alma & Primo LSP provides a unified, cloud-based interface for library staff to manage all types of library materials, including physical, electronic, and digital resources. This encompasses acquisition, cataloging, digitalization, journals, images, and video. The platform is critical for the IRS to meet its legal research support and statutory obligations.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Justification & Approval (Sole Source)
- Vendor: Ex Libris (USA) Inc.
- Software: Alma & Primo Library Services Platform (LSP)
- Current Contract: Deliver/task order 2032H5-21-P-00129 (Sep 30, 2021 - Sep 29, 2025)
- Proposed Task Order Period: September 30, 2025 - September 29, 2030 (Base + 4 Option Periods)
- Estimated Dollar Value: $334,573.13 for a twelve-month period
- Set-Aside: None specified (sole source)
- Published Date: April 28, 2026
Justification for Sole Source
Ex Libris is identified as the sole producer of the proprietary Alma & Primo platform, which holds FedRAMP authorization. This platform uniquely meets IRS requirements for electronic and print resource management, discovery integration, and advanced analytics, while complying with NIST security standards and federal cloud security policies. Market research indicated that other systems lacked FedRAMP authorization or comparable integration and security features, which is a mandatory requirement per the IRS Internal Revenue Manual.
Market Research & Efforts to Ensure Competition
An RFI was issued on SAM.gov on August 19, 2025, to confirm the availability of other FedRAMP-authorized cloud services, but no additional capable vendors were identified. Market research also included government databases (FPDS, SAM.gov, USA Spending) which revealed similar sole source awards to other agencies. A notice of intent to award a sole source contract will be posted on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) to allow for capability statements from responsible sources. The contracting activity will continue to search the marketplace for other brands and potential sources.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact: Kimberlee R Brown (Kimberlee.R.Brown@irs.gov, (240) 613-5068)
- Secondary Contact: Cleidiane Perez (Cleidiane.S.Perez@irs.gov, (757) 213-3832)