Sole Source: Schedule B Search Engine Site License

Under the Authority of Federal Acquisitions Regulation, Part 6, Subparts 6.301 and 6.302, The U.S. Census Bureau intends to contract with 3CE Technologies Inc. on a sole source basis to provide export filers an online Schedule B Search engine that ensures accurate classification of exports and accurate trade statistics. The search engine provides improved FTD data quality, and reduced the cost of providing commodity classification assistance and monitoring services. 3CEs Schedule B Search engine is unique in the way that it uses artificial intelligence to automate the processes of the Harmonized System (HS) Commodity Classification and HS Code Validation. It takes into account the HS's complex rules and its structure that govern proper commodity classification such as HS General Rules of Interpretation, World Custom's Organization (WCO) Legal Notes and Explanatory Notes. Their Search Engine is capable of identifying exporter's commodities with underspecified and/or ambiguous product information. It uses sematic query analysis, natural language processing, intuitive interactivity and automatic application of definitive HS rules and WCO legal notes. The 3CE Schedule B Search engine utilizes a series of questions and lists of "potential matches" to drill down to the 6-digit and 8-digit code. The Search Engine will display several 10-digit potential matches allowing the user to select the best 10-digit code to report on their export documents. The contract provides for 5 million Schedule B requests, allows for hosting of the 3CE link, and customer support for the Schedule B Search Engine. Without the use of 3CE's superior Schedule B Search Engine, Census anticipates more call to the Census Call Center, an increase in Census edit errors, an increase in the number of calls Census analyst must make to verify shipments, and an increase in inaccurate statistics. The period of performance for this requirement will be from the date of award for a period of 1 year with four option years. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincin evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Goverment. In doing so, interested sources must submit technical capabilities, pricing and other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the Census Bureau's needs, to [email protected] . This notice is not to be considered a request for quotations or proposals. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but offers will be used to determine if a comparable source is available and more advantageous to the Government. If no affirmative written response is received within 15 days from the publication of this notice, a contract may be issued to 3CE Technologies, Inc., without further notice.