INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE Air Force Materiel Command, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB OH, intends to negotiate a sole source Firm-Fixed Price contract for SGI hardware and software maintenance in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 15.2, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. The contract will be awarded to Silicon Graphics Federal, Inc (SGI Federal). Market research was previously conducted and it has been determined that this is a sole source requirement IAW FAR 6.302-1. This is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available. All interested sources must respond in writing with clear and convincing evidence to support their ability to provide timely and effective supplies/services within three (3) days of this publication. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on responses received is solely within the discretion of the Government. Requirement is as follows: SGI hardware & software maintenance agreement for the existing SGI equipment. Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Justification: Supplies (or services) required are available from only one or a limited number of responsible source(s) and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Market research was conducted with only one respondent: Silicon Graphics Federal, Inc. (SGI Federal). Ms. Janet Miller, ASC/AQM, Wright-Patterson AFB OH, 45433, has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of the Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact the buyer at the telephone number listed herein. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Should you desire to contact the Ombudsman, Ms. Miller can be reached by e-mail: janet.miller@wpafb.af.mil. Any questions regarding this acquisition should be directed to the Contract Negotiator, Aaron Thompson, at e-mail: Aaron.Thompson@wpafb.af.mil.
