J--Multiple Purpose Extractors 7.5/Omation 206-Maintenance

The Social Security Administration (SSA) plans to negotiate a sole-source contract with OPEX Corporation for the maintenance of three Multiple Purpose Extractors, Model 7.5, and eight Omation 206 Letter Openers. This decision is based on the determination that OPEX is the only reasonable source, due to its use of proprietary diagnostic software protected by patents and copyrights, which is not available to other vendors. The contract will be awarded under Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, specifically FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The anticipated award is a firm, fixed-price purchase order covering a performance period from February 13, 2014, to February 14, 2015, with three optional extensions potentially extending the contract through February 13, 2018. SSA has specified that responses to this sole-source notice must be submitted by December 18, 2013, and solicitations will not be distributed upon request. The contract falls under NAICS code 811212 and will be managed by the SSA Office of Acquisition Grants in Baltimore, Maryland. The arrangement underscores the exclusivity of OPEX’s maintenance services due to the proprietary nature of its software, justifying the sole-source procurement methodology.