Frasca hardware software maintenance

The 10th Mission Support Group, Directorate of Contracting, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado has received a Sole Source justification for the purchase of hardware and software maintenance renewal with Frasca International for custom built flight simulators. This contract will be written for a base period one year with three option years. This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-36 effective 11 August 2009. The North American Industry Classification System Code [NAICS] is 541519 and the size standard is $25,000,000.00. Frasca International designed and custom built eight flight simulators containing numerous data bases that achieve the simulation requirements set forth by the Department of Military Strategic Studies. To integrate the ten systems within each simulator and to network these eight simulators together, a large number of proprietary software programs were created by Frasca. When one of these systems malfunctions it affects the remaining systems. Only the software engineers that created these data bases can determine which system caused the problem and what the appropriate repairs are. Custom software is used in simulators of this caliber to achieve the desired results. All of the software programs were written by Frasca International and only they have complete knowledge of its workings. Since each system in the simulator relies on information from every other system, it would be unwise to attempt to repair or manipulate one system without complete knowledge of the interaction of all systems. At this time, Frasca International is the only company that has complete knowledge of the intricate workings of each software package and system. For this reason, Frasca International is the only vendor that can meet the Government's requirement Place of performance will be at the 10th Communications Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO This synopsis is for notification purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time. Any offerors believing they can provide the required custom hardware/software maintenance agreement that meets all of the features and functions of the requirement described above may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide all services with properly qualified personnel as identified in the agreement. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement can be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received NLT 1600 MDT on 11 September 2009. Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov and with Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov . Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC Nicole Allen, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-3587or sent via e-mail to nicole.allen@usafa.af.mil. Alternate POC is Leslie Ryan, Contracting Officer, (719) 333-3961, leslie.ryan@usafa.af.mil. 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (AUG 2005) (a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern. (b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). (c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the USAF Academy Ombudsmen, Kelly Snyder 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 email: kelly.snyder@usafa.af.mil Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067. (d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. (e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. (End of clause)