D -- Server Technical Support

The Information Technology Service of the Library of Congress intends make a sole source firm-fixed price award to the IBM Corporation for a base and three option years, to provide enhanced technical support for its P690 and P9119-595 servers that are crucial to the infrastructure operations for support users and customers. The service will include status reports, monthly review calls (for open tickets), and help in identifying and circumventing potential problems. The Library of Congress uses the service to provide the library with proactive performance/problem management through dedicated technical support and a single point of accountability, which will be available 24x7x365. When the library reports a server problem it will be directed to a specialist who will be dedicated to finding a quick resolution. The Library of Congress intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1); the regulatory authority is Far 6.302-1. Award is anticipated on or about May 17, 2006. It is the Library’s belief that the IBM Corporation is the only contractor presently qualified to provide this critical service without significant interruption of the operations of the Library’s servers, which are crucial to the infrastructure operations of the Information Technology Services, and/or significant duplication of effort and cost to the Government. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any other company that (1) is either legally incorporated as a U.S. business entity, or is capable of demonstrating through its business plan its intention to be fully incorporated as a U.S. business; and (2) believes it can meet the performance requirements of the specifications noted above without significant interruption of the operations of the Library’s server operation, and without significant duplication of effort and cost to the Government, is invited to apply to the Library for consideration. All written proposals including capabilities/facilities statements and past performance summaries that are received within fifteen (15) days of the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement, and a determination not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice remains solely within the discretion of the Government.