Opportunity: Notice of Intent to Sole Source - MeltFlow

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to Innovative Research, LLC to purchase the annual maintenance and support contract renewal for the MeltFlow-VAR and MeltFlow-ESR, which are used to perform computational analysis of the VAR and ESR processes being used at NETL, for the base performance period, July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, plus four additional one-year option periods through June 30, 2027. MeltFlow is a software tool for comprehensive simulation of vacuum arc remelting (VAR) and electroslag remelting (ESR) processes. This is considered a sole source to Innovative Research because to the best of the NETL’s knowledge, based on market research conducted, Innovative Research is the sole source provider of these software products and associated technical support in the United States, and the only known source that can provide the maintenance and support for the MeltFlow-VAR and MeltFlow-ESR. MeltFlow software licenses are proprietary to Innovative Research. Innovative Research develops and sells MeltFlow directly and provides technical support for MeltFlow directly to customers in the U.S. NETL has already invested time, training, and associated costs in using this software which continues to have a useful life; therefore, renewal of the annual maintenance and support contract is required so NETL can ensure continued use of this software; not doing so puts NETL at risk of failure or loss of service which could severely impact the organization’s research abilities. Innovative Research is the only vendor that can supply this software license maintenance and support renewal. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL’s requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:00 PM EDT on July 14, 2022. Responses must be submitted in writing to the purchasing agent, Lora Stumpf, via email at stumpf@netl.doe.gov no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.