GIS Contingency Support Software Maintenance Services

The 10CONS/LGCB, Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy intends to award a sole source purchase order for 1 (ea) GIS contingency support software maintenance services provided by Unique Solutions - 392 Cobblestone Dr. Colorado Springs, CO, 80906-4819, USA. This is a sole source acquisition for commercial items using simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR Part 12 and 13. The contract line items are as follows: CLIN Description: 0001 1 (ea) GIS contingency support software maintenance services Description of Services: The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, HQ USAFA/DFCE, US Air Force Academy, Colorado requires technical support and maintenance of existing, Unique Solutions, Inc. custom-built Contingency Support Exercise (CSE) software. This software includes both server and client side components of the CSE Instant Messenger application, custom Google Earth data files, preparation and maintenance of pertinent classroom video tutorials, and other related AF software products. The service contract shall provide all labor, travel, and other related items necessary to maintain the software, prepare instructors for its use, and provide real-time maintenance support during periods of classroom use. * Any required delivery is to be included in the total price and shipped to the U.S. Air Force Academy CO 80840 - FOB Destination. This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-61, effective September 13, 2012. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 541511 and the size standard is $25.5 million employees. Sole Source Justification: A. The US Air Force Academy Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering requires programming and developer support for its Geographical Information System (GIS) used for the purpose of supporting and executing CSE exercises. The GIS in use is a custom developed program by Unique Solutions, Inc. Due to the custom nature of the software, only their programmers are familiar with the CSE code, software, and the exercise. The GIS developer sets up the software for each section of students (~26 sections of ~28 students each), each day of the exercise. Also, the GIS developer must be able to quickly troubleshoot any errors encountered during the four weeks of the exercise and provide necessary maintenance to ensure continuity of the exercise. B. The original software developer, Unique Solutions, is the only GIS developer intimately familiar with USAFA's CSE software system. Unique Solutions efforts during the development of the CSE software system allowed the company to establish the intimate knowledge necessary to meet this requirement. Specifically, Unique Solutions capabilities (attributable to their development efforts) yield the company as the only vendor capable of meeting the timeframe requirement. Award of this purchase order to a company other than Unique Solutions would expose the Government to undue risk by compromising the performance of this critical software; adversely impacting 15% of the ENGR 101 curriculum. Over 1,000 cadets utilize this software program throughout the acedemic year. Award to a different vendor would require up to 3 months time for the faculty to adequately train a new GIS developer on the exercise scenario and USAFA classroom procedures/policies. Also, as a result of market research, the Government has reasonable assurance additional costs would not be recovered through competition. This synopsis is for notification purposes only and THIS IS NOT A REQUEST for bids or proposals. DO NOT SUBMIT A QUOTE AT THIS TIME. Any offerors believing they can meet the governments requirements for this acquisition have the burden and responsibility to provide documentation that substantiates their products are equal to or better by demonstrating their product, at a minimum, has the same features and functionality of the sole source products. The offeror should provide an understandable comparison between the two products along with brochures, specifications, and any other useful information for government consideration. 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 brand name or equal procurement can be conducted. A determination that equal products exist based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received by 1200 pm Mountain Standard Time, 10 October 2012 at 10 CONS/ LGCB. 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 synopsis. Contractors must have a current registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.SAM.gov and with Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at www.SAM.gov Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC Andrew Lawson, Contracting Specialist, (719) 333-2327 or sent via e-mail to andrew.lawson.2@us.af.mil Alternate POC is Elizabeth M. Lawson, Contracting Officer, (719) 333-3929 or email elizabeth.lawson.1@us.af.mil 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (APR 2010) (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 5226 Cedar Drive USAF Academy, Colorado 80840 United States Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 email: kelly.snyder@us.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) Primary Point of Contact: Andrew Lawson Secondary Point of Contact: Elizabeth M. Lawson Contracting Office Address: 5226 Cedar Drive USAF Academy, Colorado 80840 United States Place of Contract Performance: USAFA USAFA, Colorado 80840 United States Allow Vendors To Add/Remove From Interested Vendors: Yes