U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

D -- INFORMIX SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES SOL 43-AANW-7-08127 POC William L. Voitk, Contracting Officer (301) 713-0839 ext 185 The U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA intends to negotiate on a noncompetitive basis with Virtualogic of Bethesda, Maryland to acquire consultation services in Informix. The National Weather Service (NWS) is in the process of deploying the cornerstone system of its modernization effort known as Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). Under the original AWIPS development phase contract, the AWIPS contractor developed a data management system, deployed in Builds 1 and 2, that was based on a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) RDBMS provided by Informix. Subsequently, applications software developed by the Government, also relying on the Informix RDBMS product, was inserted into Builds 1 and 2 in a stovepipe fashion (i.e., not integrated with the contractor's data mangement system). Near term AWIPS software upgrades will add more NWS applications utilizing Informix in this stovepipe implementation. A key programmatic decision has been made by NWS subsequent to the implementation and field useof Builds 1 and 2: Build 3 will include a major software component developed by the Government. The resulting architecture includes major stovepiped systems such as AWIPS contractor infrastructure code and Government code and obviates, to a large extent, the contractor provided software design for Builds 1 and 2. Integration testing of Build 3 indicates opportunities for improvements in how Informix is implemented. The Government's limited experience with the Informix RDBMS product is inhibiting progress in exploring such improvements in a timely fashion. The purpose of this task is to acquire consultant services in Informix. The Government requires a vendor with considerable knowledge and experience with the Informix product, particularly version 7.20 which is utilized in AWIPS. The Government also requires a vendor that has experience with tuning Informix based designs to improve performance and to correct inapproriate uses of the product. This is a short term effort of about three months to recommend improvements to the Build 3 implementation. AWIPS is scheduled to install this upgrade by November. Vendors who believe they can satisfy the Government's requirements are invited to submit an affirmative response. To be considered an affirmative response, vendors must submit written data and documentation which demonstrates a knowledge of and close familiarity with the AWIPS program and Informix based designs. Any prospective offeror must demonstrate cognizance of the existing data base design so that continued development efforts can be immediately achieved without transition delays while maintaining continuity in service support. All responsible sources must submit a written narrative statement of capability including detailed technical information and other technical literature sufficient to permit agency analysis in order to determine a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. Such responses are to be submitted to the above address no later than 15 days after the date of this notice. No solicitation document exists; therefore, a request for such document will not be considered. Award will be made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. See Note 22. (0225)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0030 19970815\D-0002.SOL)