Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Executive Service

This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, but merely notification of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) intent to issue, on a sole-source basis, a firm fixed-price purchase order to Macroeconomic Advisers LLC (MA) for access to their on-line Executive Forecast Service database subscription. Under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 6.302-1, the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Executive Forecast Service database subscription is only available from its producer and manufacturer and not through dealers or distributors. The period of performance will be for twelve months, beginning October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The subscription will be accessed through SSA's Digital Library, via a dedicated server that resides behind the agency's firewall and is password protected. This resource is used by the Office of the Actuary and other economists to plan for future SSA program requirements. The Executive Forecast Service is designed to keep clients constantly up-to-date on the US economy. Clients receive updates that include the current-quarter forecast with each major release so that clients can track the evolution of this important bell-weather indicator. Subscribers also have access to MA principals and staff for telephone consultations. This subscription provides SSA economists and actuaries with access to weekly commentaries on current economic conditions and updates on how the outlook is evolving. SSA economists and actuaries rely on a MA's expertise in modeling and data analysis to create a sound base forecast for the trust funds. This requirement is utilizing procedures in FAR Part 12 in conjunction with procedures in FAR Part 13. A determination by SSA not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of SSA. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this notice. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Responses shall be submitted by 12:00PM ET on September 17, 2019. If SSA does not receive an acceptable response to this announcement by September 17, 2019, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), negotiations will be conducted with Macroeconomic Advisers LLC as the only source and a purchase order will be issued without any additional notices being posted. Respondents should refer to 0919-19-1030 in their responses. All responses must be submitted via email to [email protected].