General HydroStatics (GHS) software

Synopsis: Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source Contract

Announcement Number: NM-AN8400-23-00241

Project Title: General Hydrostatics (GHS) Software
The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division-Norfolk, VA office, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the statutory authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Creative Systems, Inc. for acquisition of General Hydrostatics (GHS) software. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 513210, Software Publishers, with a business size standard of $47M.

Sole Source Justification

The required items must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems, and Creative Systems, Inc. is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement as the sole proprietor and manufacturer of the GHS source code and software. Currently, the NOAA Class A Program has stability files delivered as .gf files and other formats associated with GHS for stability analysis, and NOAA Class B requires either GHS or HecStab. GHS is the only software compatible with previous deliverables and also capable of meeting current stability analysis demands (i.e. Handling of complex stability criteria; True center of gravity [CG] shifts of tank contents both transversely and longitudinally for better realism and accuracy; Tank modes for flooding, damage, spilling, water-on-deck and many others; Heeling about any axis; Wind heeling moments derived from the geometry at any heel, trim and axis angle; Ease of modeling complex structures and interior spaces; Detailed and flexible graphics depicting conditions of flotation, flooding and tank loading; Ground modeling for vessels partly or totally supported by the ground; Multi-body capability for interactions between vessels). Other software (i.e. HecStab, Floatsoft, Siemens, DSS Catia, etc.) are not compatible with existing and future stability software requirements.

Special Notice

This special notice is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on Contract Opportunities. However, if an interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements and be in compliance with the above justification, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to robin.souza@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 11:00 AM EDT on September 8, 2023. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements.

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:

Announcement Number: NM-AN8400-23-00241

Project Title: General Hydrostatics (GHS) Software

It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure that any submission transmitted to the specified Government representative(s) is received prior to the due date specified herein.

Offerors are highly encouraged to contact the Government representative(s) specified above prior to the solicitation's stated time and date for receipt of offers to ensure the Government has received the submission. Offers received after the date and time specified in this solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

DOC/NOAA Eastern Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Unique Entity Identifier. A Unique Entity Identifier may be acquired free of charge by contacting SAM.gov.

The notice will remain open from 08/24/2023 to 09/08/2023.