JOFOC - Univ of Wisconsin - McIDAS Software_SAM.pdf

National Transportation Safety Board Justification for other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)

“University of Wisconsin McIDAS Software License Renewal”

Justification for Other than Full & Open Competition (JOFOC)

1. Program Office / Procurement Request Office of Aviation Safety, Operational Factors Division (AS-30) Procurement Request: PUR260040

2. Nature of Action

The purpose of this Justification for other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is to document soliciting from a single source for this specific requirement, to be awarded without competition to University of Wisconsin System, for the Man Computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS-X) software license renewal.

3. Description of Requirement

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a requirement to renew one (1) software license to access the University of Wisconsin’s McIDAS-X data system. The purchase of one (1) license authorizes 3-5 workstations to be loaded with the software.

The anticipated period of performance will extend from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

The NTSB has a unique requirement for a tool with the capability of acquiring, managing, analyzing, displaying and integrating environmental data for use in accident/incident investigations for all modes of transportation, as well as for the formulation of safety recommendations. McIDAS has been used by NTSB meteorologists since 1987 and is the only known system that provides timely display and analysis of global meteorological satellite data (real time and historical), and also allows access to a database of real time and historical meteorological products (e.g. international meteorological bulletins, advisories, and observations) from the Space Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin.

4. Statutory Authority FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a single source, for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization).

5. Unique Qualifications / Circumstances of Requirement The decision to award a sole source contract is based on the fact that the McIDAS-X system is a proprietary product, and no third party can provide access to the system. The University of Wisconsin – Madison has developed and maintained the system since 1970 and is the only vendor authorized to provide access and technical support of the system. There is no other known source that can provide timely display and analysis of meteorological data as well as access to the historical database or meteorological parameters.

6. Efforts to Determine Only One Source

McIDAS-X Software is proprietary software manufacture by the University of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin has not provided its software portfolio to any authorized resellers.

In accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(1), a Sources Sought notice will be posted to the Business Opportunities Page at SAM.gov to publicize the NTSB’s intent to award a sole source purchase order to the University of Wisconsin.

National Transportation Safety Board Justification for other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)

“University of Wisconsin McIDAS Software License Renewal”

Justification for Other than Full & Open Competition (JOFOC)

7. Contracting Officer’s Determination

The JOFOC has been reviewed and determined that based on the information provided, it is accurate and complete, the anticipated cost of any subsequent sole source award would be in the best interest, as well as fair and reasonable to the Government.

8. Market Research

NTSB was unable to identify any other sources with the capabilities to economically and effectively meet the requirement.

9. Other Pertinent Information

N/A

10. List of Interested Sources No other companies/organizations have expressed an interest in this requirement.

11. Efforts to Remove Barriers to Competition

The NTSB will continue to conduct market research to determine if the University of Wisconsin is the only source, or if there are other sources that are capable of meeting the NTSB’s requirement.

12. Contracting Officer’s Certification The Contracting Officer certifies that this JOFOC is accurate and complete.