Notice of Intent to Sole Source - QPS Fledermaus FM Pro Software License Renewal

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Business Support Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with QPS to renew existing QPS FM Pro software licenses for NOAA/NCCOS. The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), requires the procurement of Annual Software License renewal and technical support for Fledermaus, FM Pro Software and Technical Support.  The staff for NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, (CCMA) utilize several existing applications which are written based on the QPS FM Pro software for processing biogeography data and imagery.  NCCOS has an extensive background in the utilization of FM PRO software for remote sensing, data processing, image processing, and many other uses.  This procurement includes renewing the existing FM Pro software license which shall include software support to include FMGeocoder (standalone) AS, HIPS I/O AS, HIPS I/O Subscription, Fledermaus 8 AS, Midwater AS, Qimera 2 AS, Automatic Height Matching Annual Support, TU Delft Sound Speed Inversion AS, and Softlock Server AS.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 513210, Software Publishers, with a business size standard of $47.0M.

Sole Source Justification

This is a purchase for the renewal of Fledermaus-FM Pro Software, leading interactive 4D geo-spatial processing and analysis tool used to interact with massive geographical datasets of numerous data types for ocean mapping and land-based projects within NCCOS. This is a software renewal available only from manufacturer and sole distributor of QPS. QPS is the sole manufacturer of Fledermaus and Qimera suite of application software, and they have full proprietary rights to the software and support. (see attached sole source letter).

In addition, NOAA/NCCOS has made a huge investment in this software in that several software applications have been written based on the FM Pro software for processing biogeography data and imagery, among several other types of applications.  A change to another set of data processing and image processing software would result in the loss of existing software applications, programs, and thousands of hours of research data, and will require extensive and costly retraining of staff.

Special Notice

This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities.  However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice.  Responses can be sent via e-mail to scott.beliveau@noaa.gov.  Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EDT on July 15, 2024.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: 

Announcement Number:1333MG-24-Q-0134

Project Title: QPS Fledermaus FM Pro Software License Renewal and Support

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein. 

All contractors doing business with this office must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov.

The notice will remain open from 7/5/2024 to 7/15/2024.