70 -- Sole Source to Infront Devices & Services

The U.S. Dept of Agri, National Finance Center intends to issue a sole source award under FAR6.302-1.,"Only one responsible source and not other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirement." Project consists of softward and license to upgrade Automatic Timeclock System.This is a system that the NFC purchased in 1998. This software currently resides on a pair of IBM Advanced Interactive Executive Servers. IBM has advised NFC that these platforms will be unsupported as of DEC 2003. This acquisition is neccessitated as a result of this change. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effor on a full and open competition basis, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral Communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No solicitation document exists for this procurement.