Limited Source Justification Solidworks v2_Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-SSEL

Control #:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Justification Review Document for Limited Source Justification - FAR Part 8

Program/Equipment: U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Chemical Biological Center (CBC) is procuring yearly subscription renewal of SolidWorks for the Engineering Directorate Additive Manufacturing Design (ADM) Branch.

Authority: 10 United States Code 3204 (a)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), Only one responsible source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized requirements.

Amount: The estimated value of this effort is including all options.

Prepared by:

Requirements Representative:

Control Number:

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

The above quantities and pricing were specified in the Independent Government Estimate (IGE). The IGE was derived by obtaining quantities based on the Government’s verified need. The total estimated price of was based on an analysis of pricing information received in response to Request for Information (RFIs) and independent inquiries which were conducted and detailed in the Market Research Report.

5. Authority Cited: 10 United States Code 3204 (a)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), Only one responsible source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

6. Reason for Authority Cited: The Government must limit its purchase to the Solidworks brand due to specific operational requirements of the current systems in use. The CBC requires this specific brand name software, SolidWorks due to specific operational requirements of the current systems in use. This requirement is for a sole source to Lyme Computer System, Inc as they are the only valid reseller for SolidWorks in the United States. SolidWorks software is core/critical to ADM business processes; without it, there would be widespread interference with ongoing work.

(a) SolidWorks works in a 3D environment, and models created in the program consist of physical properties. A sketch is created, which can be further made into a 3D model. 3D modeling features are more dominant in SolidWorks as compared to AutoCAD. SolidWorks specifically gives CBC the ability to quickly create, validate, communicate, and manage the product development process getting the products to the customer faster, reduce manufacturing costs, and improving product quality for product applications.

(b) Alternatives: Renewing the existing SolidWorks licenses is crucial for the ADM Branch's mission, as the software is the core of its business processes and serves as its primary CAD software. Several alternatives were considered instead of approving this justification, but each was determined to be unviable. SolidWorks is what enables ADM to create the complex 3D renderings required by its customers and utilizes highly specialized packages for injection molding, routing, piping, and Finite Element Analysis. Critically, it is also deeply integrated with the branch's Product Data Management (PDM) software, which is essential for version and revision control.

Conducting a full and open competition for a new software solution is not a feasible alternative because it would break this PDM integration and render years of proprietary design files unusable without a cost-prohibitive and high-risk data conversion effort. This would cause widespread interference with all ongoing work.

Furthermore, it would necessitate a complete retraining of the workforce, leading to unacceptable delays. The alternative of using in-house resources to develop a similar

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

capability is also not viable due to the extreme duplication of cost and the multi-year timeline required to replicate such a sophisticated tool. Because any other path would introduce unacceptable costs, delays, and mission-degrading disruption, the only alternative that supports the Government's best interest is the approval of this justification to continue the use of SolidWorks.

(c) Impact if not approved: Disapproval of this justification would directly harm the core function of the ADM Branch, which is to provide agile, highly specialized 3D design and ensure system interoperability support with CBC missions. The continued inclusion and utilization of SolidWorks software is critical for this function. Without the requested subscriptions, renewals, and maintenance, the Government will lose all SolidWorks support. This loss would be immediate and severe, eliminating access to essential components such as motion analysis, advanced surface flattening, routing, built-in simulation, animation, and configuration tables that our team relies on for complex three-dimensional (3D) designs and product development. Losing access to this highly specialized and integrated system would halt our design and development workflow, introducing unacceptable delays in meeting customer requirements and degrading the quality of our mission support. Furthermore, any subsequent effort to adopt a different system would not only cause significant project delays during a transition but would also represent a substantial duplication of cost and a complete loss of the government's investment in our existing data and personnel expertise.

Therefore, disapproval would directly impair the unique design capabilities of the branch and cause demonstrable harm to the mission.

7. Efforts to Obtain Competition: This is a brand name requirement with SolidWorks being the Original Software Manufacturer (OSM). Competition is limited to SolidWorks authorized resellers holding a DOD ESI BPA. In accordance with DFARS 208.7402(a), departments and agencies shall fulfill requirements for commercial software in accordance with the DoD ESI. The activity required has identified no other product that will meet the Government’s needs.

Market Research was performed by IT Specialist via Centralized Hardware and Software Solutions (CHESS) Request for Information (RFI) (547170) that was posted on 9/24/2025 and closed on 10/07/2025 at 2300 hours. This returned 22 no responses.

Additionally, RFI’s were posted on National Aeronautics and Space Administration Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (NASA SEWP) and General Services Administration Electronic Buy (GSA EBUY). All returned no responses. Additionally, a Google search with key words “SolidWorks Authorized Resellers” which returned limited information however, the search provided authorized resellers outside of the U.S., but it showed Lyme Computer Systems as the only U.S. based authorized reseller.

8. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if changes occur in the marketplace that would enable future requirements to be procured outside of the mandated sources. Ongoing market research may include posting of sources sought announcements, reviewing trade journals, and attending industry symposiums to stay current on the latest software

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

license requirements to determine if any additional contractors develop products that meets the Government’s needs. Market research will be conducted annually and on all new requirements to verify on the current baseline to determine if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable greater competition, and if there are alternate sources for the Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products.

9. Market Research:

The following individuals performed market research: Chemical Biological Center (CBC), IT Specialist with 15 years’ experience. CHESS, NASA SEWP, and GSA EBUY RFIs that were posted on 9/24/2025 and closed on 10/07/2025 at 2300 hours. All returned no responses. Furthermore, IT Specialist reviewed previous contract delivery order number W58P0525F0011, awarded in February 2025 to Lyme Computers. The IT Specialist performed a Google search with key words “SolidWorks Authorized Resellers” which returned limited information, but provided that Lyme Computer Systems is the only US based authorized reseller.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history Contract number, N6600121A0029, W58P0525F0011 Contractor: Lyme Technology Solutions, Inc.

Description of requirement: SolidWorks Subscription Renewal Method of procurement: Unrestricted Contract type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract Delivery Date: 18 February 2025 Total awarded amount:

Number of option periods: NA Number of Offerors: 1 Source Selection Method: Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Basis for fair and reasonable pricing: Market Research and Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases

Contract number, N6600121A0029, Order W91ZLK24F0046 Contractor: Lyme Technology Solutions, Inc.

Description of requirement: SolidWorks Subscription Renewal Method of procurement: Unrestricted Contract type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract Delivery Date: 01 March 2024 Total awarded amount:

Number of option periods: NA Number of Offerors: 1

Source Selection Method: DFARS 208.74 designates the DoD ESI as the mandatory source for acquiring commercial software and services. Price analysis conducted in compliance with FAR 15.404-1.

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Basis for fair and reasonable pricing: Review of the pricing catalog posted on 01 April 2022 posted to the DoD ESI website, confirms there's been no increase in pricing, pricing remains competitive and within an acceptable range.

A Limited Source Justification (LSJ) was prepared and approved for the previous procurement. Based on the current market research, it has been determined the required SolidWorks software remains available through the DOD ESI program and therefore must continue to be purchased under the DOD ESI BPA.

There have been no significant changes in circumstances, and no unusual procurement patterns have been identified. The Government continues to conduct comprehensive market research to stay current on software license requirements and potential new contractors.

11: Technical Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

12. Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii) and 15.404- 2(b)(2)(v) quotes prices will be compared to historical prices paid and the Independent

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Government Estimate (IGE). Certified cost or pricing data will not be required in accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b)(3)- when a commercial item is being acquired.

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

CUI//SP-SSEL

(Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)

JUN 2023

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of Commercial- Off-The-Shelf SolidWorks software subscriptions on a limited sources basis pursuant to the authority of Title 41 U.S.C. 4106(c ) as implemented in FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. The estimated value of the new contract action is in the amount of for a five (5) year (base and four one-year options to include FAR 52.217-9). The period of performance will consist of a base period of 12 months from date of award and four (4) twelve-month option periods, if exercised. The approval is subject to availability of funds, and provided that the supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.