IBM SPSS Sole Source Notice

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

USU intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with International Business Machines Corporation, located in Bethesda, Maryland for 91 units of IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Campus Edition (Annual License). The IBM SPSS program is used by academia and research programs throughout USU.

This software will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 - Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Sole source determination is made in accordance with:
FAR Part 13.106-1 Soliciting Competition

(b) Soliciting from a single source

(1) 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.

SPSS is designed to perform statistical procedures to ensure the accuracy of research analyses and provides a better understand of data and report results. SPSS is required in several education courses for the Graduate Education School and the Graduate School of Nursing. In addition, the software is used in a variety of research projects in the University. The research community at USU requires statistical software and utilities with capabilities and features that are exclusive to SPSS. Establishing a Campus Agreement Contract for multiple computer platforms is essential to the continuity of academic and research functions in the University. IBM is the sole provider of SPSS Campus Edition which includes maintenance support for the software. Competition cannot be considered because IBM SPSS Campus Edition is required for academic and research continuity.

International Business Machines Corporation is the only known source that can provided the requested software.

This is not a request for quotes and a solicitation package will not be issued. Sources interested in responding to this requirement must be able to provide compelling evidence that they can fulfill the above-mentioned requirement as specified. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contractual action based upon responses received is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received via email to jason.motala@usuhs.edu by 3:00 p.m. ET on 8 February 2019.

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