1. Purpose
This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market research purposes only in accordance with FAR 10.001. It does not constitute a solicitation, a request for proposal, or a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing library support services.
The information gathered through this RFI will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy, set-aside eligibility, and procurement approach, including but not limited to full and open competition, small business set-aside, or sole source justification.
2. Requested Information
Interested vendors are requested to provide the following information. Responses should be concise and limited to 10 pages or fewer.
2.1 Company Information Cover sheet that includes:
- Legal company name, address, DUNS/UEI number, and CAGE code;
- SAM.gov registration status and expiration date
- Points of contact including phone number and e-mail address;
- Small business status and applicable socioeconomic categories (e.g., 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB, SB)
- Business size standard under the applicable NAICS code
- Applicable Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), Multiple Award Contracts (MACs), or GSA Schedule contracts (if any)
2.2 Capability Statement
- Description of your firm's experience providing news monitoring services to Federal Government clients in accordance to the attached Draft Statement of Work
2.3 Pricing Information (Rough Order of Magnitude Only)
- For market research purposes only, provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing estimate for a Base Year + up to 4 Option Years (one year each)
2.4 Draft Statement of Work (SOW) Comments
A draft Statement of Work (SOW) for this requirement is attached to this RFI as Attachment A. The SEC is seeking industry feedback on the draft SOW prior to finalizing the solicitation. Respondents are encouraged to review the draft SOW and provide written comments addressing the following:
- Clarity and completeness: Are the requirements clearly and sufficiently described? Are there any ambiguities, gaps, or inconsistencies that should be addressed?
- Technical feasibility: Are the technical requirements, delivery timelines, and performance standards achievable and consistent with industry standards and commercial best practices?
- Overly restrictive terms: Are there any requirements that may unnecessarily restrict competition or limit the pool of capable vendors?
- Performance standards and metrics: Are the proposed performance standards (e.g., delivery timeframes, alert response times, uptime requirements) reasonable and measurable?
- Suggested revisions: Please provide specific recommended edits, additions, or deletions to the draft SOW language, with rationale.
SOW comments should be submitted using a tracked-changes version of Attachment A or in a separate document that identifies the relevant SOW section, proposed revision, and rationale. Comments will be used to inform the final SOW and will not be attributed to individual respondents in any subsequent solicitation.
Note: The draft SOW is provided for comment purposes only and does not represent the Government's final requirements. The Government reserves the right to revise, modify, or withdraw the draft SOW at any time without obligation.
3. Instructions for Submission
- Responses must be submitted electronically to: Pleshette Brown, Contracting Officer
- Subject line: "RFI Response - Library Support Services - [Vendor Name]
- Responses are due no later than July 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time
- File format: PDF or Microsoft Word
- Page limit: 10 pages for the RFI response (excluding cover page, Attachment A SOW comments, and other attachments)
- Draft SOW comments (Section 2.4) should be submitted as a separate document or as a tracked-changes version of Attachment A, included with the RFI response
3.1 Questions and Answers
Interested vendors may submit written questions regarding this RFI in accordance with the schedule below:
RFI Timeline
- RFI Issue Date - June 30, 2026
- Questions Due - July 7, 2026, by 10:00 AM Eastern Time
- Q&A Posted - July 14, 2026
- RFI Responses Due - July 17, 2026, by 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Questions must be submitted via email to Pleshette Brown at Brownpl@sec.gov with the subject line: RFI Questions Library Support Services [Vendor Name].
All questions and Government responses will be consolidated and posted to SAM.gov as an amendment to this RFI. Responses to individual vendors will not be provided. Vendors are encouraged to monitor SAM.gov for any amendments or updates prior to submitting their RFI response.
Note: Questions received after the questions deadline may not receive a response. The Government reserves the right to respond to questions at its discretion.
4. Disclaimer
This RFI is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
Issuance of this RFI does not restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to cancel, revise, or proceed with any acquisition strategy deemed in the best interest of the Government.
Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and clearly marked. The Government assumes no liability for the disclosure or use of unmarked information provided in response to this RFI.
5. Attachments
Background
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing library support services. The SEC Library serves the information needs of SEC staff nationwide, providing essential services such as reference and research, collection development and management, and access to online resources.
This contract aims to ensure that SEC staff have timely and reliable access to necessary research resources.
Work Details
The contractor will provide high-quality professional library support services including:
1. Professional reference services;
2. Print and electronic collection support;
3. Training and user engagement functions;
4. Account and password administration.
Specific duties include conducting legal, legislative, regulatory, and business research; answering reference questions; staffing a reference desk; assisting staff with research platforms; developing instructional content; maintaining metadata for reference requests; providing circulation and document delivery services; managing user accounts; coordinating library training sessions; auditing library records; and ensuring quality control of work performed.
Period of Performance
Base Period: 09/28/2026 to 09/27/2027; Option Period 1: 09/28/2027 to 09/27/2028; Option Period 2: 09/28/2028 to 09/27/2029; Option Period 3: 09/28/2029 to 09/27/2030; Option Period 4: 09/28/2030 to 09/27/2031.
Place of Performance
Services will be performed at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Headquarters located at 100 F St NE, Washington, DC 20549, with some positions allowing for remote work.
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must provide qualified personnel with specific skills including effective communication, customer service skills, significant experience in legal research, expertise in legal research databases (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis), experience with business data resources (e.g., Bloomberg), and relevant degrees (e.g., ALA-accredited MLIS).
Key personnel must not be removed or replaced without prior notice.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on contract 50310221C0083 awarded to 360 Innovative Solutions for $2,155,101 covering 09/28/21 through 09/27/26. The prior award description indicates “LIBRARY SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED,” which aligns closely with the current requirement for professional library support (e.g., reference/research, collection support, training/user engagement, and related account administration), suggesting the work may be a continuation of the same service line.
