D--D--Maintenance and System Enhancement of Firebase Fire Analysis Computer System

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to issue a Request for Offer to the firm identified as CaseWare Technology located in Pleasant View, UT. CaseWare Technology developed the FWS Fire Budgeting and AllocationSystem (FIREBASE) in its current configuration. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) utilizes the Successful Software Projects (SSP) development methodology for all computer system development. CaseWare Technology is the only company known to FWS that uses SSP methodology. The FIREBASE system is very unique. The analysis engine is run by matrices to determine staffing and equipment requirements for fire suppression and prescription burning. The matrices represent the adaption of the FWS fire management business rules for automated analysis. CaseWare Technology is the sole company that understands the matrices and their associated business rules. The matrices are quite complicated and fire management is a highly technical field. In addition, CaseWare Technology developed the system and has proprietary information relative to the system and it is the only company capable of maintaining the FIREBASE computer system and issuing software upgrades. The purpose of this procurement is to support the Branch of Fire Management by maintaining and integrating updates to the computer software used to perform fire analysis (FIREBASE). The Government requires analysis of fire activities on each field station, both wetland and prescribed fires, staffing (i.e. number of fire managers, support staff), equipment, and the associated budget to support fire activities. Maintenance of FIREBASE may include any of the following: changes to existing FIREBASE codes, user support for information technology (IT), headquarters staff through telephone or on-site assistance; analysis of enhancements for FIREBASE; basic system enhancements, Project Team meeting facilitation; headquarters IT staff training; assist field users of FIREBASE; post implementation reviews, update data and process models as needed; and documentation of application functions and help guidelines. The Government requires the following system integration enhancements: FIREBASE upgrades must be compatible with Access 2000, Windows 2000, annual report capabilities and additional requirements as mandated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a sole source contract for one base year and four (4) option periods. See Note 22.