--Microsoft Support Service Contract

The US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (DOI/MMS) intends to award a sole source commercial contract to Microsoft Corporation for a subscription for Microsoft Premier Support Services, in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This requirement is being issued as a commercial acquisition under FAR Part 13.5 and FAR Part 12. The DOI/MMS and subordinate bureaus standardized on the Microsoft products such as Windows 2003 server, the Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft XP/Vista, Microsoft Active Directory (including WINS/DNS/DHCP), Microsoft SMS/SCCM, and Microsoft Exchange 2003/2008. To support these standards and the infrastructures they represent which deliver mission-critical services, MMS has a requirement for obtaining Microsoft Premier Support services. Only Microsoft Premier Support can support these technologies with direct access to Microsoft software developers and proprietary source code for current and future products. This subscription services also afford the ability to directly access Microsoft incident support which provide a direct access channel to Microsoft deep-skilled technicians and developers. Additionally, these services provide operational stability and escalation paths to support MMS IT systems which run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MMS intends to award the sole source commercial contract to Microsoft Corporation for a base year and three (3) 1-year option years. This is not a formal solicitation. This is not considered a Request for Quote (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposal (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No award will be made on the basis of quotations or offers received in response to this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that competition will be advantageous to the Government. If no affirmative written response is received, the contract will be awarded without further notice. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received by the POC stated herein by close of business Wednesday, June 25, 2008, will be considered by the Government. POC: Caroline Laikin, MMS, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20171, 703-787-1828. Questions and/or responses must be emailed to [email protected] Telephone questions or requests will not be accepted or acknowledged.