Sources Sought - DMEA Keysight Software Maintenance Agreement

This Sources Sought Notice is issued for informational and planning purposes to obtain market research that may enable the Government to use or increase competitive procedures to meet a contemplated requirement. This notice shall not be construed as an obligation on behalf of the Government. Please do not request a copy of the solicitation for this requirement, as one does not exist. Furthermore, quotes and/or proposals are not being requested, and no contract will be awarded as a result of this notice. The Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) requires a one (1) year software maintenance agreement to provide updates, maintenance, and support for Keysight Technology's Integrated Circuit Characterization and Analysis Program (IC-CAP) and Advanced Design System (ADS) software tools. Continued software maintenance is required to provide critical enhancements and upgrades to the parameter extraction and modeling tools used for Radio Frequency (RF) systems and architectural designs of microelectronics required to support the DMEA mission. Market research conducted by technical experts revealed that this software is proprietary to Keysight and that Keysight is the only source that sells, licenses, and services this software. Please see the attached DRAFT Performance Specification for additional information regarding the requirement. Keysight currently provides the required software updates, maintenance, and support under DMEA contract HQ0727-15-P-1518; prior to 2015, Keysight was part of Agilent Technologies, Inc., which provided the same support agreement under DMEA contracts HQ0727-14-P-1430, HQ0727-13-P-1306, H94003-12-P-1205, H94003-11-P-1122, H94003-10-1015, and H94003-09-P-9008. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code for the requirement is 511210 for Software Publishers. The Product and Service Code for the requirement is 7030 for Information Technology Software. The small business size standard for the requirement, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is $38.5 Million annual revenue. Potential sources may identify their interest and capability to provide service by providing electronic written notice to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Nickie Cruthirds, by e-mailing [email protected] by 1400 / 2:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time (PST), Wednesday, 13 April 2016. The Government will consider all responses to determine whether the proposed contract action will be pursued using a non-competitive or competitive acquisition strategy; however, the final determination shall be at the discretion of the Government. Potential sources must be able to provide compelling evidence of ability to meet the requirement. Responses should be comprised of no more than ten (10) each 8.5 x 11 inch pages, with not less than 10-point font. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any Contractor's response to this request for information. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or any follow-up information requests. If the Government does not receive any compelling responses by this deadline, the Government may proceed with sole source procurement of the requirement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.