Matlab Maintenance and Technical Support (Notice of Intent to Sole Source)

This is a Notice of Intent and is not a request for quotations (RFQ). The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Eye Institute (NEI), intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order on a sole source basis to:

MathWorks, Inc.
3 Apple Hill Drive
Natick, MA 01760-2098

This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Requirement

The Government requires MATLAB software licenses and associated maintenance and technical support services to support ongoing scientific research activities at NEI.

The maintenance subscription includes:

• Access to the latest MATLAB and Simulink updates (biannual releases)

• Worldwide technical support from specialized engineers

• Access to MATLAB Online, MATLAB Mobile, and MATLAB Drive

The anticipated period of performance is March 06, 2026 through March 05, 2027.

Renewal of Matlab Campus-Wide Suite support and maintenance is essential to sustain NEI's research and mission. This requirement ensures that staff and researchers have uinterrupted access to critical computational  tools, technical support, and product updates necessary for advancing innovation.  

Sole Source Rationale

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), Soliciting from a Single Source.

MathWorks, Inc. is the developer, sole manufacturer, and exclusive owner of MATLAB software and its proprietary toolboxes. MathWorks retains exclusive control over software functionality, licensing terms, updates, and maintenance services.

NEI’s existing validated analytical models, scripts, and research workflows are written exclusively in the MATLAB programming language. Transitioning to an alternative solution would require redevelopment, retraining, and revalidation of scientific outputs, resulting in increased cost, unacceptable technical risk, and disruption to mission-critical research operations.

Although authorized resellers may distribute MATLAB licenses under certain contract vehicles, MathWorks remains the only source capable of providing the required proprietary licenses and official maintenance services. Market research indicates that direct procurement from MathWorks represents the best value to the Government.

Accordingly, MathWorks, Inc. is the only source reasonably available to satisfy the Government’s requirements.

FAR Provisions and Clauses

This acquisition is for commercial items. The following provisions and clauses apply:

• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

• FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (The Government will evaluate the capability of the offeror to provide the required proprietary software licenses and maintenance services.)

• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

• FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

• FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

All applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the current Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) will be included in the resultant award.

Responses

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet the Government’s requirement.

Responses must clearly demonstrate the capability to provide the proprietary MATLAB licenses and associated maintenance services described herein without disruption to existing research operations.

Responses must be received no later than: March 05, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Responses shall reference Solicitation Number 75N98026Q00075 and be submitted electronically to:

Helmut A. Winffel
Email: helmut.winffel@hhs.gov

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.