Special Notice - Main Frame Hardware

This is a notification that the Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to issue a sole-source, indefinite-quantity indefinite-delivery contract to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) for System-z mainframe hardware and maintenance. The authority for this acquisition is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, and Part 6.302-1. The contracting officer ascertained that the circumstances of the contract action require that only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. In addition, IBM is the patent holder for System-z hardware, components, and associated features and only IBM or its authorized designees have the legal rights to provide System-z hardware, warranty, and maintenance. Only IBM will be able to provide all requirements throughout the ten-year period of performance, April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2026 (base year plus nine one-year option periods).

This is not a request for quotation nor is it an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. The government does not intend to pay for any information received resulting from this notification. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement. Submissions shall not exceed 5MB. This is not a request for quotation. A determination to compete this requirement based upon any responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. The government will not notify respondents of the result of the information received.

All questions, comments or submissions in response to this notice must be in writing and submitted by
1:00 p.m. ET, January 14, 2016 to Greg.Shanklin@ssa.gov.