JOFOC_SAM.pdf
PDF 147 KB Posted
- Attached to
- KnowItAll Infrared (IR) Spectral Library Software Subscription Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- PUR250152
- Issued by
- National Transportation Safety Board
About this file
This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) document for a sole-source software subscription with John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) requires a renewal of the KnowItAll Infrared (IR) Spectral Library software license for its Materials Laboratory, which uses a Fourier-Transform infra-Red (FTIR) spectrophotometer. The software is critical for identifying unknown materials by comparing spectral libraries, and Wiley is the only direct supplier after acquiring the software rights from Bio-Rad Laboratories.
The proposed purchase order covers a one-year base period from June 30, 2025, through June 29, 2026, with four additional one-year option periods extending through June 29, 2030. The sole-source justification is based on the proprietary nature of the software and the lack of alternative suppliers who can provide the license independently of hardware purchases. The NTSB will post a notice on the System for Award Management (SAM) for three days, inviting other potential sources to demonstrate their capability to meet the requirement, though they do not expect other viable vendors to emerge.
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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition
“KnowItAll Infrared (IR) Spectral Library Software Subscription”
1. Program Office / Procurement Request:
Office of Research and Engineering, Materials Laboratory (RE-30) Purchase Request PUR250152
2. Nature of Action:
The purpose of this Justification for other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is to provide documentation that explains why this specific requirement is to be awarded without competition to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for the brand-name KnowItAll Infrared (IR) Spectral Library software subscription.
3. Description of Requirement:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a requirement to renew the software subscription to access the KnowItAll IR Spectral Library. The Materials Laboratory has one (1) Fourier-Transform infra-Red (FTIR) spectrophotometer. The library search software that is compatible with the FTIR spectrometer was produced by Bio-Rad Laboratories, which has sold the software rights to John Wiley & Sons, Inc., as of April 1, 2020. The software identifies unknown materials, spectral library searches are necessary to compare the spectra of the unknown material with those of known materials. The software renewal is critical to the operation of the Materials Laboratory and is required to allow unlimited access to spectral libraries. This is a recurring annual software license.
The proposed purchase order will be for a one (1) year base period and four (4) one
(1) year option periods. The period of performance for this software subscription is:
Base Year: June 30, 2025 through June 29, 2026 Option Year 1: June 30, 2026 through June 29, 2027 Option Year 2: June 30, 2027 through June 29, 2028 Option Year 3: June 30, 2028 through June 29, 2029 Option Year 4: June 30, 2029 through June 29, 2030
4. Authority Cited:
FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a single source. 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 KnowItAll library is a proprietary software to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Wiley is now the only direct supplier of the required software after the acquisition of the software from Bio- Rad. There are third party redistributors that will only sell the license as part of a hardware/software package. Thus, the NTSB will be unable to purchase the software renewal from another Contractor as they will only provide the software if the hardware was purchased directly from said Contractor. There would be unnecessary redundant
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition
“KnowItAll Infrared (IR) Spectral Library Software Subscription” costs and inefficiencies to the Government by purchasing another Contractor’s hardware.
6. Efforts to Determine Only One Source:
In accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(1) a notice of the contract action will be posted electronically at the Government Point of Entry (GPE), on the Contracting Opportunities page of the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) for three
(3) days. The notice will state that all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which will be considered by the agency.
7. Contracting Officer’s Determination:
I have reviewed the above JOFOC, 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 and fair and reasonable to the Government.
8. Market Research:
See Section 6, “Efforts to Determine Only One Source” above.
9. Other Pertinent Information:
N/A
10. List of Interested Parties:
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 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 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.
http://www.sam.gov/
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