Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United States
Vaadin Platinum Support
Agency:
Department of Commerce
Official Address:
601 East 12th Street, Room 1756 Kansas City MO 64106
Zip Code:
64106
Contact:
Shelley Smith, Contracting Officer , Phone 816-426-2066, Email shelley.smith@noaa.gov
Link:
Date Posted:
14/07/2017
Classification:
D
Contract Description:
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Vaadin, Inc., 1551 McCarthy Blvd, Suite 202, Milpitas, CA 95035 for Vaadin Platinum Support which includes web, telephone and e-mail based support and 80 hours of special support hours for the Vaadin Development Framework for the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL.
Sole Source Justification
Traditional java applications are deployed as standalone programs (similar to MS-Word) or applet-based programs that would be similar to running MS-Word in the browser. Both of these
deployment technologies require each client to have a program installed on their workstation called a java plugin. The installation and maintenance of all these individual installations creates a high demand on the local IT services. Also, the very installation of these java plugins increases the possibility of malware due to the increase of java-based malware (). The threat of java-based malware is so high along with other maintenance issues, that two of the major browser vendors, Google-Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, have already dropped support for java-plugins (). The new browser in Windows 10 (Edge) does not support java plugins either.
By using Vaadin to deploy java-script-based client applications, the clients do not need to have a java-plugin installed. It uses the native java-script support in their browsers; the maintenance for their computers in reduced, and their computer-security risk is reduced.
Based on the current conditions in the browser market and the constant updates to client java installations because of ongoing security vulnerabilities, it is very possible that in the future there will almost no support to run java-based programs on client computers without major problems (). Therefore, it is in AOMLтАЩs and the GovernmentтАЩs interest to migrate their web-based applications to technology that does not require the use of java-plugins.
The development staff at AOML has been using java to develop client software for almost 20 years. The style of software development were primarily graphical-based program based on swing ((Java)) technology. AOML has built up knowledge using this style of programming and its related technologies. Modern web-based programming has migrated to several platforms, with java-script based programming being one of the leaders (). The learning curve from java to java-script is quite high and requires a completely different set of programming tools.
AOML needs to deploy modern applications without the signification investment in the re-training it would require. The Vaadin framework allows the developers at AOML to develop the application using java on deploy using existing server-based technology. The framework will automatically deploy the application to the clients as a java-script application without the need to write the application directly in java-script. This is the unique feature that Vaadin offers.
Without Vaadin support, continued development would be impacted negatively. For example, AOML developers would be hindered in their ability to solve new and unknown problems in a timely manner. A task that could be solved in a few hours or days working with Vaadin support could turn into weeks of work to resolve the same issue. If there is a bug in the software, being a support customer gives AOML the ability to ask for a bug fix. In addition, the developers at AOML may be unable to solve certain problems at all and this could result in indefinite downtime of the application for our users.
Using this application (previously developed in java as swing / applet application) and now converted to use the Vaadin framework, AOML has automated the ability to internally track and manage their procurement actions and related documents. For example, for each bankcard purchase, there is a requirement that all cardholders obtain management and funds approval prior to executing their purchase. Many departments handle this requirement in various ways such as email, paper forms, etc. AOML uses this internal management system to electronically route these approvals to all the various stakeholders. This has enabled the management and staff to manage this ongoing process in a more effective manner and demonstrate that the proper mandatory internal controls are being adhered to.
Sources Sought
This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the required support may submit substantiating documentation in writing within five days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.smith@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
DOC, Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at or by telephone at (800)333-0505.
Response Date:
072417
Sol Number:
NRMAD000-17-01065
