R -- Security Certification and Accreditation for Application Information Systems

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) intends to extend Contract No. 50-PBPT-8-00005 with Northrop Grumman Information Technology (NGIT) from December 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003 for services to support the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) for the security of its Application Information Systems (AISs), in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Appendix III, which interprets the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA), and contained in the USPTO's 21st Century Strategic Plan dated June 3, 2002. The USPTO requires NGIT's contract be extended to continue its task order support of the C&A of USPTO's critical systems. NGIT is currently piloting the vulnerability assessment required for C&A program. The vulnerability assessment pilot will not be completed prior to November 30, 2002, the expiration date of NGIT's current contract. The USPTO is in the process of awarding a follow-on contract for Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) services; however, a transition of the C&A cannot begin until the pilot is completed. The follow-on SETA contractor will perform all other SETA services required by the USPTO. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. At this time, NGIT is deemed the only responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements for the extension period for the continued support of the C&A for the security of its AISs. Any award to any other source would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and would cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. Concerns which believe that they have the ability to furnish the specified support are requested to give written notification to: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office of Procurement, Attn: Sylvia Van Dyke, Contracting Officer, Box 6, Washington, DC 20231. This is NOT a formal solicitation and a formal solicitation will not be issued. The Point of Contact is: Sylvia Van Dyke, E-mail: [email protected]., Ph: 703-305-4165, Fax: 703-308-5484. Please send all inquires to e-mail address.