Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC) Microsoft Campus Agreement

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 Bell Industries, Inc., located in Indianapolis, IN for the renewal of various Microsoft products through the Maryland Educational Enterprise Consortium (MEEC). The award will be for a base period of 12-months with three (3) 12-month options.

This software renewal will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 – Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, to include FAR Subpart 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items.

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.

The mission of USU is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.  As such, it is essential USU provide the necessary training and equipment required for our students to become successful doctors and nurses and to be able to provide the best care possible for our soldiers and to support our research efforts.

The Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium offers centrally coordinated and negotiated procurement opportunities for member organizations to gain economic advantage and value in the acquisition of products and services that are beneficial to the educational enterprise. These member organizations collectively interact with prospective vendors and develop specifications to procure cost effective, high quality product and service solutions.

USU has been a member of MEEC since 1999. MEEC has had an agreement with Microsoft since July 1999. Membership in this consortium allows USU to receive full licensing of Microsoft products at educational discounts. USU has benefitted from this agreement providing the university with standard and service software products. Bell Techlogix (Bell Industries, Inc.) manages the agreement between Microsoft and MEEC and has been doing so since 1999. As such, Bell Industries, Inc. acts as a reseller for Microsoft products to MEEC members.

Bell Industries, Inc. is the only known source that can provide this Microsoft software renewal through MEEC.

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 provide the above-mentioned requirement as specified. Responses must be received via email at melissa.beale@usuhs.edu by 10pm Eastern Local Time on Friday, 2 October 2015.