Sole source – procurement of services via software updates and software maintenance agreeements

N0016423Q0292 – SOLE SOURCE – PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES VIA SOFTWARE UPDATES AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AGREEEMENTS – PSC DA10 – NAICS 513210

ISSUE DATE 23 AUGUST 2023 – CLOSING DATE 22 SEPTEMBER 2023 – 2:00 PM Eastern Time

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC-CR) has a requirement for a (five) 5-year Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for software license maintenance agreements for electronic design automation (EDA) Cadence software tools. The software license maintenance services include software tools for digital design verification tools, analog tools and physical verification tools. The tools are used in design, evaluation, verification, and debugging of analog, mixed signal and digital integrated circuits.

The proposed contract action is for existing software license maintenance within this acquisition for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with one source, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. San Jose, CA (CAGE: 0B6F5) Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1). This is being solicited on a sole source basis, because Cadence is the only responsible source capable of providing the required software updates and continued maintenance. The design databases for the parts are in Cadence proprietary formats, developed at the contractor’s expense and are not

available for sale to the Government. Use of alternate EDA software would require each design database to be converted at a cost of manpower and schedule. In addition, design kits that provide models, symbols, layout cells, verification decks, and other process information for each

semiconductor manufacturer’s process would need to be obtained and/or converted (at a cost of manpower and schedule) to compatible formats for alternate tools. Rising costs and program schedule delays will be incurred if the Government does not continue licensing for Cadence software maintenance. Delays in support of program electronics add both costs and schedule delays to the program. This software is required to continue support of multiple sponsor programs’ electronics without delay. The impact to the Government’s schedule would be substantial as this would involve design, programming, testing of new software. After initial testing and acceptance there would be additional year for purchase of licenses and employee training. Furthermore these employees would not be able to complete other tasks in support of the customer while completing these tasks to implement the new software. To summarize, during the new software being integrated, no support would be able to be provided to the customer.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency. However, a determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this solicitation is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Contractors must be properly registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 866-606-8220 or via the internet at https://sam.gov.

 Contractors must be properly registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and the Joint Certification Program (JCP) in order to receive the controlled attachments. Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 866-606-8220 or via https://sam.gov. Information about the JCP is located at https://public.logisticsinformationservice.dla.mil/PublicHome/jcp/default.aspx. The controlled attachments will be posted at the same time the solicitation is posted.

This combined synopsis and solicitation is being issued pursuant to the procedures at FAR Part 13.105 as a written. Solicitation Number, N0016423Q0292, is hereby issued as an attachment hereto. 

All changes to the requirement that occur prior to the closing date will be posted to Contract Opportunities on https://sam.gov/. It is the responsibility of interested vendors to monitor https://sam.gov/ for any amendments, which may be issued to this solicitation. For changes made after the closing date, only those offerors that provide a quote will be provided any changes/amendments and considered for future discussions and/or award.

Offers shall be e-mailed to erin.c.sherfield.civ@us.navy.mil. All required information must be received on or before 21 SEPTEMBER 2023 2:00 PM EASTERN TIME.