Sources Sought - Modeling Computer-Aided Design Software Package

This announcement serves as a Sources Sought Synopsis issued for the purpose of market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 for an upcoming acquisition at the United States Air Force Academy. This sources sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. For the purpose of this acquisition, the North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 511210 and the size standard is $38.5 million. The purpose of this notice is to identify companies capable and qualified to provide a modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software package that runs on Microsoft Windows computers for use in many scientific, engineering, and research projects with the stated specifications to the U.S. Air Force Academy. All businesses capable of providing the required software are invited to respond. Interested small business vendors must reference their 8(a), HUB Zone, Women-owned, or Service Disabled Veteran status, if applicable. A modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software package must have the following salient characteristics: Item No. 0001 (1 Each) SolidWorks or Equal: Equal to or better than the following characteristics: Full Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) capability Ease of use is critical, since we require a short learning curve for new students Fully-functional built-in CAD, CFD, and animation, with no limitations on CAD size or complexity Functional "lofting" tool Must be able to import CAD geometries from other sources for analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and of all the different CAD software products that generate geometry files Must have structural analysis capabilities including static, frequency, buckling, thermal, drop test, fatigue, nonlinear, linear dynamic and pressure vessel design tools Must have flow simulation capability including high Mach number options Must open SolidWorks Part and Assembly files natively and retain all features and ability to edit. Conversion from SolidWorks formats to an intermediate format for import is not acceptable. We have thousands of hours of work in existing SolidWorks designs that are edited and reused; if we can't open them natively and don't have SolidWorks, this work is wasted. Easy to create and edit basic 3d shapes Intuitive layout for incoming cadets to understand and utilize with minimal training Simplified tool-bars with fewer clicks to perform standard actions Ease of mating objects, so that mates can easily be changed if revisions are necessary Ability to edit configurations in Excel spreadsheets Ability to cut and paste AutoCAD geometry straight from AutoCAD drawings Ability to export to pdf without additional software installed (e.g. Acrobat) Simplified mating of objects and with information on process so mates can easily be changed should a revision be necessary Ability to open or import SolidWorks Part and Assembly files natively and retain all features and ability to edit. Conversion from SolidWorks formats to an intermediate format for import is not acceptable. This is necessary to preserve thousands of hours of work in existing SolidWorks designs that are edited and reused. Easy to learn ability to transfer from the CAD model to the Finite Element Analysis and the Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis packages. Easy to learn ability to transfer from the CAD model to the 3-d printing format All potential offerors are reminded, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) 252.204-7004 Alternate A, System for Award Management, lack of registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) will make an offeror ineligible for contract award. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this sources sought synopsis. Delivery is FOB Destination to USAF Academy, CO 80840. The specifications for this requirement are included. Comments and/or suggestions on the specifications are encouraged and can be included in your capabilities package. Interested businesses shall provide the following information: 1. Company name, mailing address, cage code, DUNS number, point of contact, telephone number and email address. 2. Business size status, e.g., 8(a), Woman Owned or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, small business, large business, etc. 3. Appropriate written information and/or data supporting your capability to provide the stated modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software package. 4. Answers to the following questions: (include questions below as applicable, otherwise delete. Add any questions specific to the acquisition not included below). a. How long have you been in business? b. Have you provided this item in the past? c. Are you a manufacturer or supplier of the item? d. What is your lead-time for delivery? e. Have you ever performed Government contracts? f. What are your payment/discount terms? Do you offer an educational discount to universities? g. If you require different terms and conditions than those normally used by the Government, what are your commercial terms and conditions? Please feel free to provide a copy of your terms and conditions for this type of work. h. What is your estimated cost for this requirement? You will not be held to this price, it is only for market research purposes. i. Are user manuals, or any other items, included? j. Do you offer warranty coverage? If yes, provide further details. This notice is designed to locate responsible sources that have an interest, and have the ability to supply the item described herein. If your firm is capable and qualified to provide the modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software package, send the required response in writing to the primary point of contact indicated within this announcement. Responses are due no later than 10 June 2015, 1:00 p.m. Mountain time by e-mail. Questions and responses should be addressed to the primary contact, Grace Podoll, Contracting Specialist, 719-333-2327 or grace.podoll@us.af.mil or the alternate point of contact, Russell Jordan, Contracting Officer, 719-333-3961 or russell.jordan@us.af.mil.