Mathmatica Software License Renewal

Requirement: Renewal of Mathmatica Campus License The 10th Contracting Squadron, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado intends to make a Sole Source award to Wolfram, Inc. for the renewal of Mathematica Campus License for a period of 12 months (28 August 2016 - 27 Agust 2017). This procurement is for the acquisition of a sole source commercial item using policy and simplified procedures in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 13. The government intends to award a firm fixed priced contract with the following line item: 0001: Renewal of Wolfram Research Mathematica Campus License for a 12 month period (28 August 2016 - 27 Agust 2017). This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-89, effective 14 July 2016. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 511210 and the size standard is $38.5 million. Wolfram, Inc is considered a large business under this NAICS. Sole Source Justification: Only one responsible source and no other item will satisfy the USAFA requirement. USAFA has obtained Mathematica licenses from Wolfram Research, Inc. since 1994. This software is important to the Academy mission and is used by faculty and cadets in multiple academic departments (Math, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Aero, Engineering Mechanics). This software is also used by researchers in Physics. All software is copyright protected. A typical software license grants an end-user permission to use one or more copies of software. Wolfram Research has proprietary rights to this software and directly provides all upgrades, patches, and releases for the software, and all technical support. The main characteristic of proprietary software licenses is that the software publisher grants a license to use the software, but ownership of those copies remains with the software publisher. One consequence of this feature of proprietary software licenses is that virtually all rights regarding the software are reserved by the software publisher. Authorized third-party providers of the software are not allowed to provide the license and maintenance support. Award of this contract to another company is not possible, and lack of maintenance will jeopardize the performance of this critical educational mission. For the reasons stated above product licenses and upgrades must be sole source/brand specific. In this case, only one source, Wolfram Research, Inc. is able to provide the software and maintenance required. This synopsis is for notification purposes only and THIS IS NOT A REQUEST for quotes. 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, 2 August 2016 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 System For Award Management at www.SAM.gov. Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC Wanda Farr, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-2796 or via email wanda.farr@us.af.mil or Russell W. Jordan, Contracting Officer, (719) 333-3961 or via email russell.jordan@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, James Anderson 8110 Industrial Drive USAF Academy, Colorado 80840 United States Telephone number 719-333-2074 FAX 719-333-9018 email: James.Anderson72@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: Wanda Farr Contracting Office Address: 8110 Industrial Drive USAF Academy, Colorado 80840 United States Place of Contract Performance: USAFA USAFA, Colorado 80840 United States