Title: eSphere Software Maintenance and Technical Support

THIS IS A SOLE/SINGLE SOURCE, NON-COMPETITIVE NOTICE. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This sole / single source, non-competitive notice is prepared in accordance with FAR Part 13. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This announcement constitutes the only notice; proposals are not being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The resultant acquisition will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-49 (effective January 24, 2011).

The Period of Performance is one twelve (12) month base year with four (4) twelve month option years.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is 511210 and the associated small business size standard is $25.0 Million.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA) on behalf of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source non competitive basis, due to the proprietary nature of the software to Esprit Health, LLC, 3800 Lake Shore Drive 14A, Chicago, IL 60613-3301, eSphere software maintenance and technical support. The coverage includes software maintenance and technical support via telephone "hot lines" and the interned based "Customer Care on the Web", a "Customer Only" access point for on-line resources. Esprit Health's: Customer Care on the Web" service area is designed especially for Esprit Health customers and contains a wealth of information about using and supporting eSphere.

• Telephone Support: Customers can initiate contact with Esprit Health Technical Support utilizing the Esprit Health "hot lines". The "hot lines" are monitored, and response time may range from immediate to within eight hours depending on the day of week/hour of day and current activity (volume of calls).

• Access via Web Mail: Another mechanism for clients to contact Esprit support is via electronic mail. Esprit Health reviews and responds to every email inquiry within 24 hours.

Esprit health will provide program releases including software ease of improvements, new reports, user requested enhancements, and documentation updates as available.

The Sole Source determination was based upon the proprietary nature of the eSphere Software developed by Esprit Health LLC.

Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit a response. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2011-096-CRS, may be submitted in writing to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Drive, RLKG Bldg 2, Room 6150B, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, Attention: Caitlin Savina. Emails will also be accepted at [email protected].