Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Axon - Investigate Pro SW Licenses

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

This is a Special Notice with the intent to award a sole source award to Axon Enterprise, Inc. under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 based on the vendor’s unique technical qualifications as the only manufacturer and provider of the Investigate Pro Software as described below. Notice is provided as information to the marketplace, market research, and is an invitation for any other qualified companies to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to provide solutions that perform the required functions.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a federal agency mandated by Congress to investigate all aviation accidents, selected accidents/incidents in other modes of transportation, and report the results of those investigations.  

The NTSB has a requirement to purchase Axon Investigate Pro software licenses. Axon Enterprise, Inc. manufactures a forensic video player, Investigate Pro, that allows investigators to drag and drop typical and proprietary video formats into the player and accurately play the video evidence. Additional features include but are not limited to, the ability to batch convert proprietary videos to standard formats, organize large amounts of video evidence, identify video timing at the frame level, create narrative reports, and analyze video compression data.

The NTSB regularly receives large quantities of video evidence from security cameras, other digital video recorders, portable video cameras, proprietary onboard video recorders, and videos from cell phones. The video evidence routinely requires proprietary video players that must be sourced and installed on sensitive NTSB equipment, which is difficult and time-consuming for investigators.

Due to the time-sensitivity of NTSB investigations, the NTSB requires an all-in-one solution that can process terabytes or more of video evidence as quickly as possible, regardless of the original video format. Investigate Pro ensures that video evidence can be analyzed efficiently and effectively.

The decision to award a sole source order is based on the face that Axon Enterprise, Inc. is the manufacturer of the required software, and it is not available through any third-party resellers nor is it available for purchase through any government-wide acquisition vehicles.

Sources capable of fully satisfying the above requirements are invited to submit capability statements/expressions of interest providing the Government the necessary information to determine actual capability. At a minimum, this information, which must be prepared specifically in response to this notice should, must include: (1) identification of company or organization; (2) an assertion of existing, full capability to meet proposed requirements; (3) business/contracts/marketing office point(s) of contact; (4) notification of business size and /or special status; and (5) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the requirements, if solicited. These expressions of interest shall adhere to a ten (10)-page submission limit plus web links and any specialized product descriptions. The statement of qualifications should include only information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise, and experience to perform the requirements described in this notice. General marketing material should not be included. The NTSB prefers that companies do not submit proprietary material. However, the Government recognizes that proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by NTSB. Parties must submit information within six (6) days of publication of this notice. NTSB will not return capability statements and the supporting documentation submitted in response to this notice. Telephone responses and inquiries will not be accepted. You may email questions regarding this notice to the issuing office to Kate Campbell via email at: kate.campbell@ntsb.gov.