Notice of intent to award sole source contract

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

The United States Tax Court (Court) intends to award a Sole Source contract to CMC Software Inc.(CMC) of Nashua, New Hampshire, to continue to provide the Court with support services associated with its proprietary software program known as "Blackstone...The Judicial System" (Blackstone program), an automated case processing and information tracking system.

Synopsis:

The Court requires an automated case processing program that offers steady reliability, is readily adaptable to the Court's changing needs, is easy to access and navigate by Court personnel, and that is backed by competent technology professionals who are able to provide prompt troubleshooting assistance and solutions. In 1985, the Court contracted with CMC for a license to use its Blackstone program and to provide necessary updates and fixes so that the Blackstone program is compatible with the Court's technology infrastructure, to configure and maintain the hardware on which the Blackstone program runs, and to provide the Court with customized "Classic" Blackstone programs and virtual networked Blackstone programs.

The Court is in the process of implementing a new electronic system to permit the parties in Tax Court cases to file (eFiling), serve (eService), and view documents (eAccess). Under an existing contract, CMC currently is modifying the various modules that make up the Blackstone system to accommodate the Court's eFiling initiative. CMC has also assisted the Court in developing its Continuity of Operations/Disaster Recovery Plan (COOP). Blackstone and the hardware that supports it are considered essential to the Court's COOP plan.

The proposed contract action is for software and support services for which the Court intends to negotiate with only one source under authority of the Judiciary Procurement Program Procedures (Part 3.6-Other Than Full and Open Competition). As the developer of the basic Blackstone program, CMC possesses unique knowledge, capabilities and proprietary intellectual property/data required to provide the services necessary for the reliable operation of the Court's automated case processing program. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is currently available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Responses/proposals received within twenty (20) days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Court. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Court not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open basis is solely within the discretion of the Court. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirements by submitting a white paper and past performance data by no later than September 23, 2009, to United States Tax Court, Attn: Mr. Robert Daniels, Deputy Director of Facilities Management, 400 Second Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20217 or via email to rjdaniels@ustaxcourt.gov. Questions shall be submitted to the above email address.

Contracting Office Address:

United States Tax Court

Office of the Clerk of the Court

400 Second Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20217

Point of Contact

Robert Daniels

Deputy Director of Facilities Management

Phone: 202-521-4667

Email: rjdaniels@ustaxcourt.gov