Notification of the SEC's Intent to Award a Sole Source Purchase Order to Morningstar Credit Ratings

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intends to award a fixed-price purchase order on a sole source basis to Morningstar Credit Ratings for access to their credit ratings data. The contracting officer has determined that Morningstar Credit Ratings is the only source that can reasonably meet the SEC's requirement in accordance with FAR Part 13.106-1(b). Morningstar Credit Ratings is one of the ten Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSROs) from which the SEC requires credit ratings data. This data includes all the following credit ratings from the structured finance market: CMBS, RMBS and any ABS ratings available currently or in the future which is required by the SEC staff.

The period of performance for the purchase order is anticipated to be one (1) year with four (4) one (1) year options. The total estimated value of this purchase order is below the simplified acquisition threshold.

The SEC intends to award a purchase order to Morningstar Credit Ratings on or about August 11, 2015. This notice is not a competitive request for proposals. A competitive solicitation will not be issued. However, the government will give consideration to interested parties that identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals by the response date of this notice.