70 -- Annual LS-DYNA Software License

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specifically its Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division, plans to renew an annual software license maintenance support agreement for LS-DYNA through a sole source negotiation with Livermore Software Technology Corporation of Livermore, CA. The sole source justification is based on the fact that Livermore Software Technology Corporation is the sole developer and vendor of this proprietary software. The LS-DYNA license is critical for an ongoing research program, ensuring consistency, continuity of service, and helping control costs. The contract duration is one year, and no solicitation or competitive quotation requests will be issued, although the agency will consider responses received by September 1, 2006, before making a final decision. This procurement, referenced under solicitation number 06-891-6125sks, falls under the NAICS code 541511, which relates to custom computer programming services. The contracting office is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and the primary points of contact for the contract are Sandra K. Shaffner, a Contract Specialist, and Michael R. Szwed, a Supervisory Contract Specialist. This action is handled under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), confirming the sole source nature of the acquisition, with the government retaining discretion whether to pursue a competitive procurement based on any feedback received.