Notice of Intent to Sole-Source: Globus High Assurance Subscription Renewal

GENERAL

This notice is issued in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 12.201-1(c)(2), advertising the Government's intent to issue an award on a sole source basis under the authority established in RFO 12.102(a). The National Institutes of Health, Specialized Scientific Information Technology (SSIT) Division anticipates issuing a single Purchase Order (PO) to the following entity:

The University of Chicago
401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60611

BACKGROUND

The intramural NIH campus utilizes Globus function as a service (FaaS) within the High-Performance Computation Biowulf Cluster as a centralized service for the NIH scientific community. Many NICHD scientists in the intramural NICHD community routinely transfer data to and from Helix/Biowulf and other major computational centers on campus, and it is vital for them to have appropriate, secure, and user-friendly tools such as Globus.

Globus at the University of Chicago is proprietary software and the only commercially available product that can properly maintain all the essential functionalities required in support of the intramural scientists need to transfer data to and from Helix/Biowulf. Globus utilizes a secure endoint to endpoint transfer system specifically developed for transferring high-performance research data - allowing the NICHD to transfer data exceeding several terabytes in size. Globus maintains transfer status in the event of network outages, minimizing negative impacts to transfer operations and research timelines. 

There is no other compatible software that can properly and adequately support the Government with this need. Market research indicates that Globus is the proprietary vendor and therefore, is a sole source.

RESPONSES

There will not be a solicitation or competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued as a result of this announcement. Any responses or inquiries to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition will be advantageous to the Government. 

Notwithstanding the stated intent, if other organizations believe they can fully meet the Government’s requirement, they must submit written documentation of their capabilities. The capabilities statement must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement and must be received by the response date listed in this posting. A general statement which merely states the entity is capable will not be sufficient. A determination not to compete with this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

NIH will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the evaluation of the information received.  Interested parties may respond and provide a capability statement no later than the date specified in this notice.  Emails must reference the announcement number in the subject line.  This is not an RFQ, and this announcement does not commit the Government to award a contract.