Patent & Trademark Office, Information Technology Contracts Office, Box 14, Washington, DC 20231

D -- ACQUISITION OF CHEMICAL ABSTRACT SERVICES' MESSENGER SOFTWARE LICENSE AND SUPPORT SOL 52-PBPT-7-00003 DUE 030597 POC James H. Murphy, Contracting Officer, PH:703-305-4176, FAX 703-308-5042 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a continuing requirement for Chemical Abstract Services'(CAS) Messenger Software License and associated maintenance and enhancement support. Messenger is a proprietary product of Chemical Abstract Service. Since 1986, the CAS Messenger software has provided the foundation for the USPTO's text search component of the Automated Patent System (APS). The text search component of APS allows examiners, classifiers, and public users to search and retrieve patent text information and provides a customized user search interface and access to the CAS Messenger software. Because the CAS Messenger software is an integral part of the Automated Patent System and because failure to provide maintenance/enhancement support of the CAS Messenger would severely impact the PTO's ability to provide quality services to it's customers, the PTO intends to acquire the CAS Messenger License and the necessary support to maintain and enhance the PTO's text search system. The period of performance will be three years with an expected start date of October 1, 1997. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solict and negotiate with only one source under authority FAR 6.302. Since Messenger is a proprietary product, CAS is deemed the only responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements for the CAS Messenger License or for the continued support. Failure to award this contract to CAS would eliminate the APS text search capability at the PTO and would adversely impact patent processing as well as patent search capability for the PTO's customers. Concerns which believe they have the ability to furnish the specified Messenger software license or support are requested to give written notification within 15 calendar days from the date of this synopsis. This is NOT a formal solicitation, however, concerns that respond must furnish detailed information describing their capabilities to deliver the above services to: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Information Technology Contracts Office, Box 14, Washington, DC 20231. Questions may be directed to James Murphy at 703-305-4176, FAX 703-308-5042. (0044)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0045 19970218\D-0002.SOL)