70 -- 70 AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING FIRMWARE), SOFTWARE, SUPPLIES & SUPPORT=20

Notice Date

September 18, 2001

Contracting Office

Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

ZIP Code

21207-5279

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-3312-01-2063

Response Due

September 21, 2001

Point of Contact

Kathy Fain, Contract Specialist, Phone 410-965-4853, Fax 410-965-9560, Email kathryn.fain@ssa.gov -- Wayne Mcdonald, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659480, Fax 4109659560, Email wayne.mcdonald@ssa.gov

Description

The Social Security Administration intends to negotiate solely with IBM, 9201 Arboretum Parkway, Richmond, VA 23236, under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) ?Soliciting from a Single Source? for proof of concept using IBM?s WebSphere Translation Server. The WebSphere Translation Server will soon be installed in the SSA?s laboratory environment (Electronic Technology Center) server at SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, and the proof of concept will take place on site. This procurement is part of SSA?s Foreign Language Translation Project, the goal of which is to test the effectiveness and practicality of machine intelligence software that is designed to translate English to Spanish and Spanish to English. The Government is currently in the process of acquiring the IBM Websphere Translation Server software. However, ancillary technical services are also needed in order to stage realistic tests of the full operational capability of the software. The proof of concept will involve examining the software for its suitability to several agency business applications, including but not limited to the following: a) document translation with a view to processes in which ?gist? rather than exact translation would be acceptable; b) electronic message translation for e-mail; and c) agency website translation. Interested user components will devise client service ?scenarios? to represent their specific requirements and to establish performance criteria for accuracy, speed and ease of use. Success or failing results of these tests will determine whether pilot testing will proceed and whether other foreign language translation by machine intelligence will be similarly tried. The period of performance is 90 days from date of award. The Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), description, and quantity are as follows: CLIN 0001 IBM WebSphere Language Translation Server Proof of Concept Technical Services (Software Integration and Lexicon Development), one (1) job. IBM is the manufacturer of the software and holds proprietary rights to this software. No other vendor of proof of concept for this software is known to the Government. The Government anticipates the award of a firm-fixed price purchase order. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill this requirement. A solicitation is not available. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed order 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. If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact Kathy Fain at the telephone number identified above. =20

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/SSA/DCFIAM/OAG/Reference-Number-3312-01-2063 /listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010920/70SOL014.HTM (D-261 SN50X982)