Inactive 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)

NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIH-NINDS-NOI-21-005027 TITLE: Maintenance Support Services, Hardware Upgrade and Data Migration for Purview Picture Archive and Communications Sys... NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIH-NINDS-NOI-21-005027 TITLE: Maintenance Support Services, Hardware Upgrade and Data Migration for Purview Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) CLASSIFICATION CODE: J066 Maintenance and Repair of Instruments and Laboratory Equipment NAICS CODE: 811219 – Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance RESPONSE DATE: March 18, 2021 PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Shayna Simpson, Contract Specialist NINDS Contracts Management Branch, NIDA Shayna.Simpson@nih.gov DESCRIPTION: THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE/PROPOSALS. On behalf of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the Office of Acquisitions Contracts Management Branch Red, NINDS Section of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), intends to solicit on a sole-source basis by a request for quotation to Nimble Corporation (doing business as Purview) to upgrade hardware, administer data migration and to provide maintenance support service for the outdated equipment for the NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic's Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) on or around March 19, 2021, with an award issued on or around April 1, 2021. The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire: (1) maintenance support services, (2) hardware upgrade, and (3) data migration for an existing Government-owned Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) that was originally manufactured by Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview). These services shall be provided by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-Authorized Service Provider of the PACS, and all maintenance services shall be performed by OEM certified factory-trained technicians using OEM certified parts. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 811219 with a Size Standard of $22M. This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses, but rather is a sole-source acquisition to Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview). REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS) supports research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. This request originates from the NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic. The NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic and operates the Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS). The PACS supports radiology work within the NIC and associated laboratories (Translational Neuroradiology Section (TNS), Viral Immunology Section (VIS), and Section on Infections of the Nervous system) and requires a hardware upgrade and regular service to ensure the equipment maintains full function. A system data migration is also critical to continue to support cutting-edge research the PACS is employed by the NIH scientific community. It is essential to maintain and service this equipment on a regular maintenance schedule. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview), as the authorized provider of the Purview Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS), is the only contractor authorized and capable of providing the necessary hardware upgrade, data migration and maintenance support service to the PACS because the equipment is proprietary. Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) is the only source for factory trained and certified technicians to provide these services and to maintain and service the equipment. Only Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) is capable of providing the necessary hardware upgrade, data migration and maintenance support service because the equipment requiring maintenance is proprietary to this company, the original equipment manufacturer. Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) does not authorize any other contractors to perform this work. Use of any other contractor would jeopardize system functionality by risking hardware and software standards. This is turn would jeopardize the NINDS research data held and supported by this system which would be unacceptable for continuity of science. Accordingly, Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) is the only contractor capable of meeting the needs of this requirement. Furthermore, use of any other contractor for the system hardware upgrade, data migration and maintenance would void equipment warranties and jeopardize system integrity and functionality. Only an OEM-authorized service provider has access to the latest services and support information. Replacement parts or accessories must be compatible with the existing equipment, and only Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) can certify compatibility. An OEM-authorized service provider is the only source with direct access to these parts and labor. Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) is the only source authorized by the OEM to provide the hardware upgrade, data migration and maintenance services for this equipment. Because of the significant investment by NINDS in the purchase of this equipment, using an OEM-Authorized Service Provider is essential for maintaining the integrity of the system. In accordance with FAR part 10, extensive market research was conducted to reach this determination. Specifically, contact with knowledgeable individuals both in industry and Government, as well as reviews of available product literature, revealed no other sources. A review of the GSA Advantage, Dynamic Small Business Search, and previous Government acquisitions returned no results that meet all requirements. Therefore, only Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview), is found to be capable of meeting the needs of this requirement. The intended source is: Nimble Corporation (DBA Purview) 2001 Tidewater Colony Suite 203 Annapolis, MD 21401 Salient characteristics: This is a hardware upgrade, data migration, service and maintenance requirement for the Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS). Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to provide preventative maintenance and service, including onsite engineer calibrations and onsite engineer services, for the PACS. The Contractor shall provide a hardware upgrade on the PAC. The Contractor shall conduct an essential data migration required to keep the equipment fully operational. The Contractor shall supply all replacement parts to maintain the equipment at OEM specifications. The Contractor shall provide on-site remedial service and maintenance as well as regularly scheduled maintenance inspections and adjustments for all subsystems of the PACS. The Contractor shall provide technical support and remote diagnostics as well as checks of the system error logs. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide all necessary documentation, repair parts, spare parts, accessories, maintenance supplies, all special tools, test and support equipment, any travel and transportation, personnel skill requirements, and other related services required in the performance of maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in good operating condition. Estimated Period of Performance: Base year: 04/01/2021 - 01/31/2022 Option year 1: 02/01/2022 - 01/31/2023 Option year 2: 02/01/2023 - 01/31/2024 Option year 3: 02/01/2024 - 01/31/2025 Option year 4: 02/01/2025 - 01/31/2026 Place of Performance: Room 5C-103 National Institutes of Health 10 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 Contract Type: A firm-fixed price type contract with option periods is planned for this acquisition, consistent with commercial practices. CLOSING STATEMENT THIS NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE-SOURCE BASIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must provide evidence that they can provide equipment that meets all of the requirements in this announcement. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIH-NINDS-NOI-21-005027. Responses must be submitted electronically to Shayna Simpson, Contract Specialist, Contracts Management Branch – Red, NINDS Section, NIDA, at Shayna.Simpson@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and Fax responses will not be accepted.