70 -- KNOWLEDG MINING AND ENGINEERING PROBLEM-SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY

Notice Date

November 2, 2000

Contracting Office

NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

ZIP Code

23681-0001

Solicitation Number

1-011-N-A1

Response Due

November 15, 2000

Point of Contact

Marie W. Hamann, Purchasing Agent, Phone (757) 864-2258, Fax (757) 864-7709, Email m.w.hamann@larc.nasa.gov -- Susan E. McClain, Contracting Officer, Phone (757) 864-8687, Fax (757) 864-8863, Email s.e.mcclain@larc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Marie W. Hamann (m.w.hamann@larc.nasa.gov)

Description

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA LaRC is interested in the following: in order to assess the technology and it's effectiveness at NASA LaRC, we are seeking a four-month training/evaluation period for 12 users assessing the capability of recent advances in commercially available knowledge mining and engineering problem-solution technology. If the evaluation period is deemed successful by the LaRC user team, NASA LaRC will exercise an option to purchase a site license for at least 12 dedicated user sites, which will include at least three dedicated sites for library-like use in support to those trained in the use of the system. Functional Requirements of the system include: A. Knowledge mining, including the ability to: a) semantically process information (analyze large volumes of text to determine the interaction and relationships between words and the meanings of word combinations)from a user's own local hard drive, an organization's intranet, or the Internet. This capability employs mathematical linguistics theory, b) capture a process electronic information from internal and external sources, including research reports, patents, conference proceedings, and technical journals, c) organize all relevant content (from item-a) into a knowledge-based (or function-based), problem-solution index based on the relationships inherentg in the word combinations, d) perform full text searching recognizing all popular file formats, e) provide synonyms and filters to improve the results, f) provide concurrent access to multiple web search sites, g) semantically process links to web sites contained within specified web sites. B. Engineering problem solution support, including the ability to: a) utilize a knowledge-based tool such that users gain an understanding of the parameters of a problem and the potential solutions, b) Product Analysis: identify key functional requirements of the system, support generation of the correct problem statement, define component functions, evaluate interactions between elements of the system, propose new ways to increase value of the system, c) Process Analysis: analyze sequence of technological operations used in the system, incorporate value analysis, cost analysis and function analysis. d) Feature Transfer: transfer desirable features from one engineering system to another, e) Scientific Effects: generate new concepts by combining different scientific and engineering effects. These new concepts and the user's existing knowledge can be stored and managed in the software's knowledge base. Access to engineering and scientific effects and examples that can be searched by desired function or key word. Provide detailed descriptions, formulate and engineering limitations, and real-world examples, f) Best Principles: Based on the evaluation of patents across many different fields of engineering, apply best inventive principles to the problem, g) Prediction: identify key evolutionary trends of technology and suggest potential future directions of scientific innovation, h) Internet and patent analyzer: capability to automatically conduct web search of desired technical effects and related information. Search US Patent Office database, utilizing filters to tailor search relating to specific research needs. Perform competitive analysis on intellectual property activity, both by company and by technology. (This requirement may be linked to item A above). Training, Maintenance and Consulting Requirements: A. Initial Training: on-site two days, up to twelve people, all of which are to be active participants. B. Optional Training: on-site two separate days, as needed several weeks/months after initial training. C. Telephone and e-mail consulting support. D. End-of-evaluation period "lessons learned" meeting (on-site). E. Options for annual software maintenance for up to four (4) additional one-year periods. System Requirements: All software and training documents to achieve Functional Requirements above for 12 users during training. A. Operating System (required)- Windows 98, Windows NT, B. Operating System (optional)- Windows 2000, Mac OS, Mac OS using Virtual PC C. License seats with options to acquire up to 12 dedicated user sites iwth additional options for a total of 100 additional seats within a five-year (5) year period. The provisions and clauses in the RFQ are those in effect through FAC 97-19. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The NAICS Code and the small business size standard for this procurement are 42143 and $500K, respectively. The quoter shall state in their quotation their size status for this procurement. All qualified responsible business sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Delivery to Langley Research Center is required within 30 days ARO. Delivery shall be FOB Destination. The DPAS rating for this procurement is DO-A7. Quotations for the items(s) described above are due by 4:00 p.m., on November 15, 2000 and may be mailed or faxed to Marie W. Hamann, NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 126, Hampton, VA 23681; fax number (757) 864-6881 and include, solicitation number, FOB destination to this Center, proposed delivery schedule, discount/payment terms, warranty duration (if applicable), taxpayer identification number (TIN), identification of any special commercial terms, and be signed by an authorized company representative. Quoters are encouraged to use the Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items form found at URL: http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Forms/Index.html to submit a quotation. Quoters shall provide the information required by FAR 52.212-1. If the end product(s) quoted is other than domestic end product(s) as defined in the clause entitled "Buy American Act -- Supplies," the quoter shall so state and shall list the country of origin. The Representations and Certifications required by FAR 52.2l2-3 may be obtained via the internet at URL: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/pub/reps_certs/sats/ FAR 52.212-4 is applicable. FAR 52.212-5 is applicable and the following identified clauses are incorporated by reference. 52.222-21; 52.222-26; 52.222-35; 52.222-36; 52.222-37; 52.225-3; 52.239-1; 52.217-5; 52.217-7; 52.217-9; 52.232-34 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. As prescribed in 17.208(c)(1), insert a provision substantially the same as the following: Evaluation of Options (Jul 1990) Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity -- Separately Priced Line Item. As prescribed in 17.208(e), insert a clause substantially the same as the following: Option for Increased Quantity -- Separately Priced Line Item (Mar 1989) The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within [insert in the clause the period of time in which the Contracting Officer has to exercise the option]. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree. 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. As prescribed in 17.208(g), insert a clause substantially the same as the following: Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000) (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five (5) years. The FAR may be obtained via the Internet at URL: http://www.arnet.gov/far/ The NFS may be obtained via the Internet at URL: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/nfstoc.htm Questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing no later than NOVEMBER 10, 2000. Award will be based upon overall best value to the Government, with consideration given to the factors of proposed technical merits, price and past performance; other critical requirements include four months trial software at no cost to the Government so stated in the RFQ will also be considered. Unless otherwise stated in the solicitation, for selection purposes, four months free trial, technical, price and past performance are essentially equal in importance. It is critical that offerors provide adequate detail to allow evaluation of their offer (see FAR 52.212-1(b). Quoters must provide copies of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications -- Commercial Items with their quote. See above for where to obtain copies of the form via the Internet. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B". It is the quoter's responsibility to monitor the following Internet site for the release of amendments (if any): http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=C&pin=23 Potential quoters will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this combination synopsis/solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=23#1-011-N-A1)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001106/70SOL001.HTM (D-307 SN5057M8)