Ansys Software Licenses & Engineering Support - Consolidation Determination and Findings (D&F)

The Department of Defense, through the United States Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Edwards Air Force Base, plans to consolidate over ten existing purchase orders for Ansys proprietary software licenses and engineering support into a single five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Ansys Government Initiatives, Inc. This consolidation is justified under FAR 7.107-2 due to the sole-source nature of the requirement—Ansys is the only provider of the proprietary software and associated OEM engineering support critical to maintaining mission capabilities. The consolidation aims to enhance administrative efficiency, reduce costs related to multiple contract management, and avoid expenses associated with transitioning or recreating data on alternative platforms, thereby ensuring uninterrupted support for AFTC’s critical testing operations. The contract strategy includes a subcontracting plan to encourage small business participation in line with federal regulations, although the prime contractor is a large business and no small business firm is capable of performing as prime. This contract involves acquiring continuous access to Ansys simulation software and specialized technical support essential for maintaining system integrity and operational compatibility at Edwards Air Force Base. The IDIQ structure allows task order issuance over the five-year period spanning January 2022 through July 2025. While no pricing or specific contract clause details are disclosed, the acquisition follows a sole-source justification based on the proprietary technology and mission criticality. Inspection and acceptance responsibilities reside with the government and contractor respectively, though formal criteria and acceptance locations are not explicitly defined. The determination and findings memorandum underscores compliance with applicable FAR regulations and highlights the mitigation of an organizational conflict of interest given Ansys’s dual role as software developer and service provider. The solicitation, identified as FA930226R00XX and posted on January 6, 2026, is managed by the AFTC contracting office at Edwards AFB, facilitating streamlined procurement to support ongoing Air Force testing missions.