D--NOTICE OF INTENT - Accelerated Value Program for Rational and WebSphere Software

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with IBM Corporation, located at 6710 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, for the purchase of their Accelerated Value Program for Rational and WebSphere software. This procurement is being made in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 ?Only one responsible source and no other supplies or supplies or services will satisify the agency?s requirements.? The Accelerated Value Program goes significantly beyond standard maintenance through dedicated access to IBM Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). These SMEs are available to the customer to assist with issues and problems both remotely and in person and support the initial implementation and follow on support of the Rational and WebSphere products. Due to the level of advice being provided by the SME?s, they will not only need to have access to the source code and IBM-specific technical knowledge, but will need to be able to directly access and coordinate within IBM?s support organization. IBM Rational and WebSphere tools are proprietary software licensed to SSA by IBM. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. This posting constitutes SSA?s notice of intent to negotiate on a sole source basis as described above. SSA does not intend to pay for any information received as a result of this notice. Interested parties that feel they can provide the services described above may respond by submitting their capability statement by email to [email protected] by 12:00 noon EST on April 4, 2013. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received SSA will proceed with sole source negotiations. Telephone calls regarding this matter will not be accepted, nor will they be returned.