Software License for the Comforte Secure Terminal Emulation Package for the USDA, AMS, Cotton & Tobacco Program
ID: 12639523P0088Type: Justification
AwardedJan 9, 2023
Award #:12639523P0088
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICEMRPBS MINNEAPOLIS MNMINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55401, USA

PSC

IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION SOFTWARE (PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE) (7A21)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is seeking to procure a software license for the Comforte Secure Terminal Emulation Package for its Agricultural Marketing Service Cotton & Tobacco Program. This procurement involves an annual license fee for the proprietary CERS J6530 software, which is essential for accessing cotton classification data and is exclusively available from ComForte, Inc., the sole vendor capable of providing necessary support and updates. The total estimated cost for this license is $25,198.45, with a performance period running from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Interested parties can reach out to Matthew Phillips at matthew.phillips3@usda.gov or by phone at 479-301-8811 for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
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    Title
    Posted
    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cotton and Tobacco Program is requesting a sole source justification to purchase an annual license fee for CERS J6530 software from ComForte, Inc. This procurement, estimated at $25,198.45, is deemed necessary because the J6530 application was custom-written by ComForte and is proprietary, making them the only vendor capable of providing support, maintenance, and updates. The software is critical for customers accessing cotton classification data. This justification aligns with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for simplified acquisitions, documenting the rationale for limiting competition due to the unique nature of the software.
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