Award Notice of Thermo Calc Software Licenses and Maintenance Support

Procurement of Thermo Calc software licenses, upgrades, and maintenance support via a new Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. This requirement was for continued maintenance and support of Thermo-Calc brand name software. This purchase is software maintenance and support as well as database upgrades. Thermo-Calc software is used to make thermodynamic and phase diagram calculations which allows prediction and understand materials properties.

Requirement was posted as a Total (100%) small business set-aside on Digital Market Place (CHESS). In accordance with AFARS 9-4. Computer Hardward, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) a. CHESS is the mandatory source for all purchases of commercial-off-the-shelf software, desktops, notebook computers, video teleconferencing equipment, and other commercial Information Technology (IT) equipment ( e.g., routers, servers, printers, peripherals, regardless of dollar value).

CHESS is the mandatory source for all Army IT purchases, except for the Air National Guard, which is exempt from the CHESS requirement and must purchase IT through AFADVANTAGE/GSA-2GIT to retain IT compatibility. Per AFARS 5108.7403, before procuring commercial software outside of the CHESS contracts, the contracting officer or contract ordering official CH must ensure that the requiring activity obtains a waiver.

Any IT hardware or software purchase made outside of CHESS requires a Statement of Non-availability (SoNA). See AFARS 5139.101-90(a) and AR 25-1. b. All desktops and notebooks must be purchased during one of the Consolidated Buy ordering periods that occur three times annually (Oct/Jan, Feb/May, and Jun/Sep). Consolidated Buy exception memos are prepared by the requiring activity and are approved by an O6/GS-15 (or equivalent) within the requiring activity and must remain a part of the transaction document file.

An exception memo example is available at CHESS Exception Reguest. c. IT hardware or software purchases require an Army Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-6 approved Information Technology Approval System (ITAS) Memorandum. CHs must include the ITAS Approval Memorandum in the transaction file along with all other supporting documentation. Supporting documentation must include documentation submitted with the ITAS approval request such as a CHESS SoNA. The CHESS website provides information concerning ITAS approvals.

CHs may also consult their local command for guidance. The ITAS Approval website is located at h:ttgs:/lcP-robe.armY..mil/entemrise-P-ortal/web/itas/home. d. Any IT hardware or software purchase made outside of CHESS requires a SoNA. A SoNA is a notice that a particular product is not currently available through a CHESS contract. It is not a waiver to purchase, nor does it authorize use on the Army network. For detailed instructions on SoNA requirements and how to obtain a SoNA, see CHESS SONA.