GEODES System and Maintenance Support
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Census Bureau (USCB), under the Department of Commerce, has issued a Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity for the continued GEODES System and Maintenance Support. This is a sole-source Task Order to AMAR Health IT for the maintenance and support of the critical Geography Division (GEO) Document E-Archive System (GEODES). The estimated value for this effort is $391,673.26 over a base year and four option years.
Purpose & Rationale
This justification, prepared pursuant to FAR 16.507-6(b)(2), authorizes a sole-source award because AMAR Health IT is deemed the only vendor capable of providing the required unique and highly specialized services. The GEODES system, built on AMAR Health IT's proprietary Knowvation solution, was custom-developed for the Census Bureau's specific needs. Transitioning to a new vendor would necessitate a complete system rebuild, incurring significant costs, risks of delays, downtime, and integration challenges, which could jeopardize mission-critical archival of geographical data, especially for the upcoming 2030 Decennial Census.
Scope of Services
AMAR Health IT will provide essential software and hardware maintenance and support for the GEODES system. These services are crucial for fulfilling the USCB's mission-critical archival of geographical data, which is vital for agency programs and initiatives, including the Decennial Census.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity (Sole Source)
- Proposed Awardee: AMAR Health IT
- Original Contract Vehicle: NITAAC CIO-SP3 Small Business Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) (AMAR Health IT contract # HHSN316201200115W)
- Period of Performance: Base period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, plus four (4) 12-month optional periods.
- Total Estimated Price: $391,673.26
- Place of Performance: Maryland (20746), United States
Eligibility & Response
This is a sole-source justification, not a solicitation for proposals or a request for bids. The agency has determined that only AMAR Health IT is capable of providing these services due to the proprietary nature of the GEODES system and the specialized expertise required.
Agency Notes
The USCB acknowledges that the current order was previously competed and states that it will conduct ongoing market research to identify future competition opportunities and remove barriers. The Contracting Officer anticipates that the costs will be fair and reasonable based on current contracts and market estimates.
Contact Information
- Primary: Bryan Shearer (bryan.allan.shearer@census.gov)
- Secondary: Pithy Ty Sar (pithy.t.sar@census.gov)