NOTICE of Intent to SOLE SOURCE - DS Government Solutions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Acquisition Services issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source ABAQUS software licensing and technical support services from DS Government Solutions, with a response deadline of July 20, 2027. This procurement is not set-aside and is justified under FAR 8.405-6 as a unique or highly specialized supply based on capability rather than price advantage.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), located in Morgantown, West Virginia, requires an updated ABAQUS finite element analysis license to replace its 18-year-old version 6.9, which is incompatible with modern systems. NIOSH has used ABAQUS for 25 years to model complex engineering and biological challenges including vibration transmissibility, soft tissue injuries, and structural stability. The software handles highly non-linear materials, large deformations, nonlinear/biphasic/triphasic materials, thermal-mechanical interactions, contact issues with viscous materials, and user-defined constitutive models. Market research evaluated multiple options; COMSOL and ABAQUS partially met requirements, but COMSOL was deemed incapable of resolving NIOSH's complex analytical needs. DS Government Solutions (Dassault Systemes subsidiary, located in Waltham, Massachusetts) provides the license and maintenance support throughout the contract period. The requirement is not listed on GSA Schedule. NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) applies.