Blaise 4 and 5 software licenses and support
ID: 1232SA24Q0005Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICEUSDA ARS AFM APDBELTSVILLE, MD, 20705, USA

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

PSC

IT AND TELECOM - BUSINESS APPLICATION/APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (LABOR) (DA01)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/9e2b0437858b4540a41ab707104d09b6/view
Timeline
    Description

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information from vendors regarding the renewal of licenses and support for Blaise 4 and 5 software, which is critical for the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in managing data from 800 interview units and supporting 16 developers. The procurement aims to ensure the continued operation of over 200 customized surveys that have been developed using Blaise over the past 20 years, emphasizing the impracticality of transitioning to alternative solutions due to high costs and lack of comparable functionalities. Interested vendors are invited to submit their responses by 12:00 PM EST on November 12, 2024, to Katelyn Nelson at katelyn.nelson@usda.gov, providing details such as organization name, contact information, and a statement of capability, while adhering to strict compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards throughout the software's lifecycle.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Katelyn Nelson
    (301) 837-8754
    katelyn.nelson@usda.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Statement of Objectives - Blaise.pdf
    The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) seeks to renew its licensing for Blaise 4 and 5 software, critical for the operation of 16 developers and managing data from 800 interview units. The renewal covers a 12-month base period, with two possible 12-month extensions. NASS has used Blaise for over 20 years, programming over 200 customized surveys essential to its mission. Alternatives are impractical due to significant transition costs and lack of comparable functionalities. Westat, Inc. is the sole vendor authorized to distribute Blaise licenses in the Americas. The software must support comprehensive Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI), integrate data from multiple sources, and facilitate thorough response review by statisticians. Deliverables include software licenses and technical support, with strict compliance to Section 508 accessibility standards governing all ICT products and services. The document outlines the necessity of maintaining software compliance throughout its lifecycle, focusing on accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This RFP reflects the USDA’s commitment to ensuring reliable data collection processes and operational continuity through established vendor relationships and stringent compliance requirements.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Blaise 4 and 5 software licenses and support
    Currently viewing
    Sources Sought
    Similar Opportunities
    Notice of Intent to Sole Source - USDA-ITSD-NIFA; CuadraSTAR Software Maintenance Support and License Renewal
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    Sources Sought Notification for CuadraSTAR Software Maintenance Support and License Renewal. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information for the procurement of CuadraSTAR Software Maintenance Support and License Renewal. This software is used to support the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Interested vendors are invited to submit a response by 12:00pm ET on 22 December 2023. The response should include organization details, capability statement, and certification of Authorized Reseller status. No proprietary or sensitive information should be included in the response. The USDA reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any future solicitation(s).
    Canned Dried Beans for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is seeking bids for the procurement of canned dried beans intended for use in domestic food assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program. The solicitation emphasizes compliance with federal procurement regulations and includes provisions for small business set-asides, ensuring participation from service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and other small enterprises. This initiative is crucial for providing essential food resources while supporting diversity within the federal procurement framework. Interested contractors must submit their proposals via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management System (WBSCM) by November 12, 2024, with successful bids announced by November 15, 2024, and deliveries scheduled between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025. For further inquiries, potential bidders can contact Douglas E. Stickler or Valerie Dinkel via email.
    Dry Beans for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs.
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is soliciting offers for the procurement of dry edible beans intended for use in domestic food assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program. This procurement is fully set aside for small businesses, with specific allocations for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and includes detailed requirements for product specifications, quantities, and delivery schedules. The solicitation is crucial for ensuring the availability of nutritious food options for federal nutrition assistance programs, with bids due by November 12, 2024, and deliveries scheduled between January 1 and March 31, 2025. Interested parties can contact Kelli Dawkins at kelli.dawkins@usda.gov or Valerie Dinkel at Valerie.Dinkel@usda.gov for further information.
    Updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - Domestic Programs (MSCP-D)
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued a Special Notice regarding the Updated Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements - Domestic Programs (MSCP-D), effective October 24, 2024. This solicitation outlines the provisions and contract requirements for vendors interested in supplying commodities for various USDA food programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The updated document emphasizes compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), vendor qualification criteria, and sustainability measures, ensuring that all commodities are sourced from U.S. suppliers. Interested vendors can find more information and submit bids electronically via the Web Based Supply Chain Management system (WBSCM). For inquiries, contact David C. Jackson at davidc.jackson@usda.gov or Elizabeth Hoover at elizabeth.hoover@usda.gov.
    Bison Sources Sought
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is conducting a Sources Sought Notice for domestically produced bison intended for USDA Food Programs. The procurement seeks suppliers capable of providing 100% domestic bison in specified pack sizes, including Bison Ground Lean and Bison Stew Meat, to support federal food assistance initiatives. This opportunity is crucial for ensuring the availability of high-quality, safe, and traceable bison products that meet federal standards for nutrition programs. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their capabilities and relevant information by December 5, 2024, to LaShawne Brown and Kevin Day via their provided email addresses.
    Digital Asset Management (DAM) replacement
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is seeking proposals for the replacement of its Digital Asset Management (DAM) system utilized by the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA). The new DAM solution must support the migration of over 46,000 digital assets, enhance user experience, and comply with federal IT standards, including data rights and accessibility under Section 508. This initiative is crucial for maintaining an efficient digital ecosystem that enhances public access to valuable resources, with proposals due by November 12, 2024, at 9:00 AM PST. Interested vendors should contact Elizabeth Wilson at elizabeth.wilson2@usda.gov for further inquiries and must submit a firm fixed-price quotation along with a capability statement demonstrating compliance with the performance requirements.
    Vegetable Oil And Buttery Spread for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is seeking offers for the procurement of vegetable oil and buttery spread to support domestic food assistance programs. This solicitation includes a 100% Small Business Set-Aside for certain items and requires compliance with specific standards, including a prohibition on subcontracting with debarred entities. The total quantity sought is approximately 3.5 million pounds, with deliveries scheduled between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025, to various locations across the U.S. Bids are due by November 15, 2024, and interested parties should submit their offers electronically via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management system. For further inquiries, potential bidders can contact Jenny Babiuch at jenny.babiuch@usda.gov or Valerie Dinkel at Valerie.Dinkel@usda.gov.
    Wild Rice for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs.
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is soliciting offers for the procurement of 155,000 pounds of Traditionally-harvested Wild Rice for food distribution programs on Indian Reservations. The Wild Rice must originate from the 2024 harvest, be mechanically parched using wood, and packaged in 25/1-pound increments, adhering to specific quality standards and storage conditions. This procurement reflects USDA's commitment to supporting indigenous communities and ensuring compliance with federal regulations, including the Food Safety Modernization Act. Interested vendors must submit their bids via the Web-Based Supply Chain Management System (WBSCM) by November 19, 2024, with deliveries required between December 1, 2024, and May 15, 2025. For further inquiries, potential contractors can contact Jenny Babiuch or Valerie Dinkel at the USDA.
    NTELX Perpetual License, Software Maintenance & Support
    Active
    Health And Human Services, Department Of
    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking small business sources to provide a perpetual license, maintenance, and support for NTELX software, specifically for the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). This procurement aims to ensure continuous operational support for mission-critical applications used by ORA staff, which are vital for optimizing import inspections and public health compliance under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. The NTELX software, including key modules such as PREDICT, FDanalyzer, FDfusion, FDmonitor, and FDauditor, processes approximately 50 million lines of import data annually, making it essential for risk assessment and compliance targeting. Interested small businesses must submit their capability statements by November 14, 2024, and can contact Robert Waite at robert.waite@fda.hhs.gov for further information.
    Wheat And Bakery Flour Products for use in Domestic Food Assistance Programs.
    Active
    Agriculture, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is soliciting bids for Wheat and Bakery Flour Products intended for domestic food assistance programs under invitation number 12-3J14-25-B-0063. The procurement aims to secure approximately 2,993,720 pounds of flour products, with specific set-asides of 10% for small businesses for Bakery Flour Products and 75% for Wheat Flour Products, emphasizing compliance with food safety regulations and vendor qualifications. This initiative is crucial for ensuring quality food supplies while supporting small business participation in federal contracts. Bids are due by 1 PM CT on November 15, 2024, with deliveries scheduled from January 1 to March 31, 2025. Interested vendors should contact Jenny Babiuch at jenny.babiuch@usda.gov or Valerie Dinkel at Valerie.Dinkel@usda.gov for further information.