Description
Notice of Intent to Sole Source to iLab Solutions, LLC, for core subscriptions to Software as a Service The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of the NHLBI, Division of Intramural Research, intends to negotiate and award a contract or purchase order for core subscriptions to Software as a Service to iLab Solutions, LLC, 177 Hudson Street, Somerville, MA 02144 . BACKGROUND: The mission of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is to perform robust scientific and clinical research leading to a better understanding of biology and clinical pathology. Core Facilities within the NHLBI DIR feature a technology, an approach, or a group of related technologies designed to support the research in the NHLBI DIR community and provide services that are not readily or conveniently available from outside vendors. Core Facilities arise based on needs articulated in the NHLBI DIR, and they are transformed or eliminated when the need no longer exists. In 2011, the Office of the Scientific Director within the NHLBI DIR procured and implemented iLab Solutions, a Software as a Service (SaaS), to support and enhance the daily operations (scheduling, request tracking, inventory management, and billing) for approximately 13 diverse Core Facilities, and to assist the administration in tracking and reporting on Core Facility usage. During the first year, iLab was integrated with NIH enterprise directory (NED), and an NHLBI implementation of iLab was customized for the workflow of each of the 13 Core Facilities, and Core Directors and users were trained on how to use the customized iLab software to schedule, request, track inventory, and bill for services. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance will consist of a twelve (12) month base period followed by four (04) consecutive twelve (12) twelve month option periods. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is a follow-on requirement, wherein the contractor shall provide core subscriptions to iLab's software as a service including software licenses, implementation, user directory integration, version upgrades and feature enhancements, hosting, unlimited user support, and 5 hours of custom coding per Core Facility. Software as a Service includes software licenses, version upgrades and feature enhancements, hosting, unlimited user support, and 5 hours of custom coding per Core Facility. DIR also requires continued integration with NIH enterprise directory (NED). The contractor will provide user analytics at the completion of each period of 12 months, to be submitted within 15 days of the end of the reporting period. User analytics should include a list of registered users, and number of user requests tracked per user. This report will also provide an assessment of user requests made directly to iLab. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: During the period of Oct 1, 2011-Sept 30, 2012, NHLBI DIR, under contract No HHSN268201100450P, worked with iLab to customize software. This included integration with NIH enterprise directory (NED), customization to match financial system for billing, thirteen (13) NHLBI DIR core facilities worked intensively with iLab to customize iLab to match core facility workflows for user request management. This represented a considerable level of effort on the part of our core facility staff, as well as in training and adjustment for our user base, in addition to a cost of $25,000 for customization. When this contract was initially awarded, it was determined that iLab Solutions was the best value based on an open competition. Renewing the contract will enable the lab to maintain consistent and uniform data results and streamline laboratory operational procedures conducted at no cost for additional staff training. There are currently no other manufacturers and resellers of this product. This product can not be replaced without another expensive investment in product analysis, training and implementation. The cost and time required for a new manufacturer to install a new system is not in the best interest of the government. REGULATORY AUTHORITY: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) as set forth in FAR Part 6.302-1(b), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541513 and the Size Standard is $25.5M. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only notice; proposals are not being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The determination by the Government to award a contract or purchase order on a noncompetitive, sole source basis for a Software as a Service Subscription to iLab Solutions, LLC is based upon the responses to the sources sought synopsis published in the FedBizOpps on December 19, 2012. Information received as a result of this synopsis will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a future competitive procurement.