Cognos Accelerated Value Program

70Z03818QM0000030

1. Action Code: K
2. Send to Fed Biz Ops: Yes
3. Date: 10 September 2018
4. Classification Code: D - Information Technology Services, including Telecommunications Services
5. Contracting Office Address:
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Aviation Logistics Center
ISD Procurement
1664 Weeksville Road
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909-5001
6. Title: COGNOS ACCELERATED VALUE PROGRAM
7. Response Date: 20 September 2018 at 4:30 pm EST
8. Primary Point of Contact: Terrie L. Pickard
9. Secondary Point of Contact: Martin W. Combs
10. Solicitation Number: 70Z03818QM0000030
11. Reference Number: N/A
12. Description:

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 and Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 70Z03818QM0000030 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-100 effective 22 August 2018.

The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 541519. The small business size standard is 150 employees. This is an unrestricted requirement. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price purchase order for the period of Eleven (11) months from 10/01/18-08/31/19 for the License Subscription Renewal and Support for an IBM Cognos Accelerated Value Program. The USCG intends to negotiate and award on a sole source basis to IBM Corporation, 650 East Swedesford Road, Wayne, PA 19087, Cage Code 3BXY7. All responsible sources may submit an offer that shall be considered by the agency.

The following schedule items are sought:
IBM Cognos Accelerated Value Program
QTY: 11 months
Period of Performance: 10/1/2018 to 08/31/19

See attached document titled:
"Terms and Conditions - 70Z03818QM0000030" and
"Wage Determination"

Closing date and time for receipt of offers is 18 September 2018 at 4:30 pm EST. E-mail quotations are preferred and may be sent to Terrie.L.Pickard@uscg.mil and Martin.W.Combs@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03818QM0000030 in subject line.

NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS
United States Coast Guard Ombudsman Program

It is the policy of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to issue solicitations and make contract
awards in a fair and timely manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was
established to investigate agency protest issues and resolve them without expensive and time consuming litigation. OPAP is an independent reviewing authority that is empowered to grant a
prevailing protester essentially the same relief as the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Interested parties are encouraged to seek resolution of their concerns within the USCG as an
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) forum rather than filing a protest with the GAO or some
external forum. Interested parties may seek resolution of their concerns informally or opt to file
a formal agency protest with the Contracting Officer or Ombudsman.

Informal Forum with the Ombudsman. Interested parties who believe a specific USCG
procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable
Contracting Officer. If the Contracting Officer is unable to satisfy their concerns, interested
parties are encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under
this informal process the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Use of
an informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a protest with the agency or
other forum. In order to ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following
information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting
Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).

Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman. Prior to submitting a formal agency protest,
protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer
through open and frank discussions. If the protester's concerns are unresolved, an Independent
Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest to either
the Contracting Officer or as an alternative to that, the Ombudsman under the OPAP program.
Contract award or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless contract award
or performance is justified, in writing, for urgent and compelling reasons or is determined in
writing to be in the best interest of the Government. The agency's goal is to resolve protests in
less than 35 calendar days from the date of filing. Protests shall include the information set forth
in FAR 33.103(d) (2). If the protester fails to submit the required information, resolution of the
protest may be delayed or the protest may be dismissed. To be timely protests must be filed
within the period specified in FAR 33.103(e). Formal protests filed under the OPAP program
should be submitted electronically to OPAP@uscg.mil and the Contracting Officer or by hand
delivery to the Contracting Officer.

Election of Forum. After an interested party protests a Coast Guard procurement to the
Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman, and while the protest is pending, the protester agrees not
to file a protest with the GAO or other external forum. If the protest is filed with an external
forum, the agency protest will be dismissed. The Ombudsman Hotline telephone number is 202.372.3695

.