D--To provide Software Upgrades, Configuration and Annual Maintenance of Computer Aided Job Evaluation (CAJE) Software.

The U. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, intends to make a firm-fixed price, sole source award to Link HR Systems Inc, Philadelphia, PA. GovWorks/DOI intends to issue a Purchase Order in accordance with FAR Part 13.5, Test Program for Certain Commercial Items and 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This non-competitive action is being issued by GovWorks under the authority of the U. S. Department of Interior Franchise Fund on behalf of the United States Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Human Resources (HR). The DOS HR department has a requirement for the acquisition of services to provide the annual software maintenance for the Computer Aided Job Evaluation (CAJE) application applications purchased in 2002. The estimated total value of this project is $500,000. The Contractor shall provide licensing authorization, help desk and telephone support, software upgrades and new releases, and operational and configuration support. The Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources purchased the Computer Aided Job Evaluation (CAJE) application, known commercially as LinkJE, as a commercial off the shelf product to replace the U.S. Department of State's narrative standards-based job evaluation methodology for local positions of U.S. Embassies abroad.. Link HR Systems Inc. remains the only vendor of the web-based CAJE and/or LinkJE software in North America. No other vendors or re-sale marketing agents provide licensing or annual maintenance of either the LinkJE or CAJE product applications. The web-based CAJE application is the only product specifically designed for use by a U.S. Government agency that employs staff in 170 countries worldwide. The LinkJE product provides the software platform upon which CAJE has been developed. Considering the sizable investment that the Department has made in the development of the web-based CAJE application, and the functionality requirement to support U.S. government users in 170 countries in 24 time zones on a seven day work week basis, it would not be beneficial for the Department of State to redesign their current application. The removal of the LinkJE systems architecture and features would require a costly redesign of the CAJE application and extensive database migration. It would also require an extensive implementation program throughout the Department to allow 300 application Users the time and resources for re-training, data migration and user confidence. The Department of State considers the CAJE application as a mission critical element which streamlines overseas human resources operations and reduces the overall cost of human resources operations at 170 Embassies worldwide. In order to maintain compatibility and functionality, this procurement must be for software and maintenance of the same type. This is NOT a request for competitive quotes. The intent of this Special Notice is for informational purposes only. However, all information received by 4:30 p.m. EST November 14, 2003, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. POC: Mathew Ridolfi, MMS, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170. Questions must be emailed to Mathew Ridolfi at contact@example.gov. TELEPHONIC QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR ACKNOWLEDGED.