Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Microsoft Support Services

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate with the Microsoft Corporation (MC), located at 5404 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 on a sole source basis under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subsection 6.302-1. These authorities provide an exception to the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. SSA intends to acquire Microsoft Support Services for SSA's mission oriented information technology (IT) business functions and initiatives. This contract will provide SSA with critical resources and MC specialized expertise to support mission-critical enterprise projects, as well as leading-edge MC information technology services that will map Microsoft technology to SSA's business functions. MC will provide SSA with the support to implement future software upgrades/releases, forthcoming network design and planning, deployment of MC products and technologies within SSA's client/server environment; plan migration strategies; tune and optimize hardware and software configurations; and provide timely problem resolution. This contract will also obtain Microsoft Public Sector Enterprise Services, which includes but is not limited to Microsoft Consulting Services, Microsoft Premier Services and Digital Advisory from Microsoft in support of Customer, Federal and executive mandates. The objective of the customer-wide Microsoft Public Sector Enterprise Services is to provide all SSA components with a central contract vehicle to access the MC services that support the Customer's significant investment in the MC software purchased through the Customer's Microsoft Enterprise Licensing Agreement. In addition, SSA will have direct access to MC consultants who shall have access to MC developers and source code, as well as access to internal MC business plans. Specifically, the contractor shall assist SSA in the follow areas: • Matching technology to business functions; • Knowledge transfer of Microsoft products, tools and technologies; • Best practice guidance on designing and planning; deployment and migration; and, tuning and optimizing current and future Microsoft products, tools and technologies; • Diagnosing and resolving Microsoft operating system software defects and limitations; and, • Counseling Best Practices on optimal positioning for current and future Microsoft operating system software to address SSA's evolving application requirements. MC is the only known responsible source that has access to the proprietary software code, future software releases, and confidential planning documents and business plans. MC system engineers are uniquely qualified because they have advanced knowledge of strategic product technology, understanding of their applications, detailed understanding of MC systems design specifications, and understanding of MC source code. For these reasons the agency believes MC is the only source that can provide the level of support the agency requires. The period of performance shall be for one year, with four one-year option periods (if exercised) and a six-month option to extend services (if necessary). Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Verbal responses are not acceptable and the agency will not provide consideration to any responses in writing. A determination by the agency not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the agency's discretion.