Notice of Intent to Sole Source Polyplexus Incubator Licenses

In accordance with FAR 5.203(a), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is publicizing its intention to award a commercial firm-fixed-price FAR 13.5 purchase order on a non-competitive basis with Aixxia, LLC of McLean, VA for (9) Polyplexus Incubator Licenses to support the ARPA-H March Ahead Challenge.

The authority permitting other than full and open competition is FAR Subpart 13.5, 41 U.S.C. 1901. The North American Industry Classification System code for this procurement is 513210 “Software Publishers.”  The justification is as follows.  ARPA-H requires a solution to support its March Ahead Challenge.  The challenge is a collaborative science event to promote ARPA-H, its mission and objectives, and provide actionable evidence-based data ARPA-H may use as to help develop its eight Program Offices. The Polyplexus platform has been identified as the only solution able to support the challenge. 

Specifically, ARPA-H contemplates obtaining (8) standard and (1) customized Polyplexus Incubator Licenses.  A proprietary solution, the licenses are uniquely capable of meeting ARPA-H’s immediate need. While other sources provide elements of the Government’s requirement, no other source can provide the full requirement. Polyplexus was created in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2017, to meet a capability gap, disrupting traditional R&D by providing open access and interactive communication between participants.  The solution combines elements of social network, research database, discussion forum, and true game/play to encourage individual innovation and system-wide learning, reaching and appealing to a wider audience than traditional R&D methods alone. The framework facilitates participants of all backgrounds to freely participate in an open and constructive dialogue. Indeed, Polyplexus allows incubator licensees to build upon a unique existing community of 4,500 global participants interested in engaging in evidence-based constructive dialogue focusing on innovation around an existing body of scientific knowledge.  Most importantly, the contemplated challenge requires the licenses to support a voting mechanic to select the best ideas from a pool of ideas, the ability to support a bracket-style idea competition, and to do so within ARPA-H’s required timeframe.  No other contractor offers this full capability.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, all responses received by closing of this notice will be considered by the Government.  Interested parties may identify their interest and submit information demonstrating their capability to support the requirement. Interested parties must clearly show the firm's ability to be responsive without compromising the quality, accuracy, and reliability of services provided.

Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The point of contact for this procurement is Ryan Daniels at ryan.daniels@arpa-h.gov.  All responses to this notice must be received by 5:30PM ET, February 1, 2023.