Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Anaqua, Inc. commercial docketing and patent database software system and related support

This notice announces the intent by the United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), in support of the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OJSA), to issue a new contract on a sole source basis, as prescribed by the procedures in FAR 13.5 in accordance with 41 USC 1901, to Anaqua, Inc. This is not a request for proposals.

The Government intends to award a sole source contract to Anaqua Inc. for a period of approximately 15 months, inclusive of all options. The USAMRDC OJSA Intellectual Property (IP) Group requires continued use of the commercial Anaqua docketing and patent database software system along with associated customer support services, periodic software and system updates, training, and some flexibility for further configuration and customization.  The system will continue to reside on a local server at Fort Detrick, Maryland and will be accessible via internet browser; licenses based upon volume of records will continue for the duration of the contract. Patent docketing is one of the most crucial functions within any IP department.  The docketing and database system provides tools for data capture, reporting, document generation, and establishing workflows.  A docketing and patent database system also allows the OSJA IP Division to ensure that deadlines are met to maintain and protect Department of Defense intellectual property. Anaqua, Inc. is the only contractor poised to provide the necessary services to sustain the docketing and patent database software system in accordance with the Performance Work Statement until a competitive recompete is fully executed to provide a new system based upon the Government’s updated requirements. Additionally, based on the required performance and functional characteristics, Anaqua is the only system with all of USAMRDC’s records currently accessible and properly configured and customized to allow for full performance based on Government needs. Anaqua is the only source for its proprietary suite of software offerings; there are no known third part resellers available. Award of this contract to any other contractor would result in duplicative costs and unacceptable delays, including a lengthy lapse in service and significant loss of data.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services) and the size standard is $40.0M.

This announcement fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.101(a) and 5.203(a). This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects eleven (11) days after the publication of this notice, the Government intends to issue an award directly to Anaqua, Inc. without further remark. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Ms. Lisa Kuhns at lisa.z.kuhns.civ@health.mil

This notice is provided solely as information to the marketplace. Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above e-mail address no later than 11:59 am EST, Monday, 22 January 2024.