Notice of Intent from the Naval Air Systems Command, Aircraft Division (NAVAIR AD), Patuxent River, Maryland to contract using other than full and open competition with Consona CRM, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN to provide KNOVA Knowledge Management software upgrade from 5.7 to Version 7.3, professional installation services, and training. This contract will be negotiated on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". This is a follow-on to the following procurements: Contract N00421-07-C-0001, N00421-08-C-00084, Purchase Order N00421-07-P-0871, and Contract HC1028-08-P-2192N400019-08-MP-3031.
 

Consona/KNOVA software is in support of the National Help Desk (NHD). KNOVA is a packaged knowledge management solution to draw on collective enterprise knowledge and expertise. This enables the NHD to deliver fast, accurate and consistent answers to queries via multiple avenues. The system characteristics include: (1) supporting NHD and their customers; (2) allowing subject matter experts to capture, organize, manage, and analyze all content and resources used to resolve customer problems; (3) providing browser-based configuration and administration; (4) providing policy and procedures guidance; (5) supporting day-to-day operations of the NHD agents manning the support desk to resolve problems; (6) providing an integral component of the 24 x 7 x 365 support provided by the NHD; and (7) maximizing the value of the NAVAIR organization's intellectual base across divers functions and disparate locations at NAVAIR and NAWCAD Patuxent River, NAWCWD China Lake, FRC Southwest, FRC East, FRC Southeast, TSD Orlando, and NAWCAD Lakehurst.

Consona/KNOVA software provides a single knowledge platform that leverages structured and unstructured content while providing each user with appropriate access and services. Unlike other knowledge bases that only deliver content that is specially structured by hand in a proprietary repository, KNOVA's focus is on enabling the NAVAIR National Help Desk agents to create content while delivering solutions. The current version of software, version 5.7, relies upon disapproved software - older versions of Java and Microsoft SQL Server that we are no longer permitted to use. If we do not upgrade, we will no longer have the ability to run the software and the NAVAIR National Help Desk will be without use of a knowledge base. The use of another company would cause considerable cost, quality and schedule impacts, and additionally, Consona/KNOVA's patented cognitive search is based upon a unique database architecture of how content is stored and retrieved and is not compatible with other software.

The anticipated award date of this order is on or about 16 August 2010. The contract type is anticipated to be a Firm-Fixed-Price type contract. Anticipated delivery is 30 days from time of award.

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government will consider all responses received within fifteen calendar days after date of publication of this synopsis. Responses received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Response must clearly show the firm's ability to be responsive without compromising the quality, accuracy or reliability of Consona/KNOVA software and without causing programmatic hardship.

 

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