THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION OR PROPOSAL.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Enterprise Services -Acquisition (ES-A), located in Washington, D.C., intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis and award a purchase order to FASTMARKETS GLOBAL LIMITED, 8 Bouverie ST, London, United Kingdom.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of permitting other than full and open competition, implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii).

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Critical Minerals and Metals (OCMM) requires access to the database in oder to fill knowledge gaps surrounding companies involved in the supply chains for critical minerals and metals with information that is either not publicly available or that companies are unwilling to share during industry meetings. This will also help OCMM expand its stakeholder database and conduct outreach to companies that it may have otherwise not known were involved in the supply chains for critical minerals and metals. Finally, it will help us have a better understanding of which steps of production are concentrated in China and which the major players in the region are.

The Industry Monitoring and Analysis Unit (IMAU) has the mission of monitoring the global steel and aluminum industries, to include tracking of new investments, changes in supply changes and access to raw materials, as well as identifying price developments in both industries. Production, capacity, price, and other datasets on the steel and aluminum industries are necessary for multilateral negotiations with trading partners in establishing tariff rate quota agreements.

This subscription is necessary for both I&A and E&C because the Iron and Steel Works of the World Directory is no longer being published by Fastmarkets. Previously, OCMM and IMAU subscribed to Fastmarket’s the Iron and Steel Works of the World book, but the directory was moved online last year (2020 was their last hardcopy). Subscribing to Fastmarkets will expand E&C and I&A’s ability to continue contributing detailed and reliable information in a timely manner about both steel and aluminum companies and their operations. The database includes extensive company information: ownership, main products, production, financials, employees, subsidiaries, plants, and mines. Fastmarkets’ Company Database is created by a data team who reviews public information and confirms details with companies.

This is NOT a solicitation for quotations, quotation abstracts, a request for competitive quotations; or request for competitive proposals; however, all responses received within 15 days from the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Responses must clearly and thoroughly defend any claims or assertions that attempt to refute the Government’s claim. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Information received on this notice must eliminate the Government's concerns and addressed how the items can be provided without jeopardizing the on-going projects. If no affirmative responses are received within 15 days of this notice to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, a purchase order will be issued to FastMarkets. There is no solicitation package available. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to FSlim@doc.gov.