70 -- Services to Provide Specific Source Code Modifications to JAWS and MAGic Software

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate exclusively with Freedom Scientific, Inc., for specific source code modifications to Freedom Scientific propriarity JAWS (Job Action With Speech) 4.02/4.5 and MAGic (Magnification) 8.0 software programs, currently installed on a SSA mainframe located at the National Computer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, that would allow SSA applications to be operated by users with visual impairments. The JAWS product is an advanced screen reader. This product actually reads the monitor content to the user. JAWS is used primarily by the blind and low-vision computer user. MAGic is a magnification program that can enlarge text and other screen images up to 20 times their original size. MAGic is used primarily by low-vision users. Freedom Scientific owns the source code for these products and employs programmers that are experienced in working with this proprietary source code.Freedom Scientific, Inc., is the only known source capable of satisfying SSA?s requirements for JAWS and MAGic software. If no affirmative written responses are received, to the effect that a comparable source exists other than Freedom Scientific, Inc., a Blanket Purchase Agreement will be negotiated with Freedom Scientific, Inc., for performing development and testing tasks to enhance JAWS and MAGic performance on SSA computers. Interested vendors able to provide the required source code modifications are invited to submit information in sufficient detail to demonstrate their ability to meet SSA's requirements. Cross-reference to previously submitted material is discouraged. Cost or pricing data may be submitted. This is not a request for proposal (RFP) and the Government does not intend to pay for information submitted; respondents should refer to AVPMMY600. Responses to this notice should be submitted via mail, in duplicate within 7 days of the publication of this notice. FAXED RESPONSES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email. The = size limitation for email attachments is five megabytes per individual = email message. The SSA utilizes Microsoft Word 97 as the standard = word processing software.