Opportunity
SAM #05fb3df7177243f0a275dd48ad10e7b4
Sole Source Notice for Cadence Pointwise CFD Fidelity Software and Add Ons for AFRL RJD
Buyer
AFRL/RVK
Posted
August 28, 2026
Respond By
September 12, 2026
Identifier
05fb3df7177243f0a275dd48ad10e7b4
NAICS
541512, 511210, 541519
This notice announces AFRL's intent to procure specialized CFD software and support from Cadence Design Systems Inc. - Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), RVK office at Kirtland AFB - Requirement: Three perpetual licenses of Cadence Pointwise CFD Fidelity Software and Add Ons - Includes annual maintenance and support services (up to one year) - Sole Source: Cadence Design Systems Inc. is the OEM and sole developer of Pointwise - Purpose: Advanced mesh generation for aerodynamic and fluid dynamic simulations - Technical Requirements: - Software must be compatible with AFRL's simulation ecosystem - Unique scripting and control features required - No alternatives: No other vendors or OEMs can meet the requirements; not available via GWACs or DoD ESAs - Commercial Opportunity: Only Cadence can fulfill this procurement; no competition anticipated - Delivery and quantities: Exact schedule and quantities to be finalized - Contract covers both software licenses and annual support
Description
This requirement is for Cadence Pointwise Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Fidelity Software & Add Ons for AFRL RJD.
This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under RFO Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and RFO Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for informational purposes only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. No contract will be awarded based on offers received in response to this notice.
The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519 with a size standard of $34M. AFRL requires 3 perpetual licenses of Cadence Pointwise software to support CFD analysis. This software is essential for generating high-quality computational grids required for accurate aerodynamic and fluid dynamic simulations. The products to be acquired under this contract consist of Cadence Pointwise Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Fidelity Software & specialized Add Ons. In addition, this contract will provide maintenance and support in periods not to exceed one year. The exact quantities and delivery times are not known in advance.
Market research has shown that Cadence Pointwise is a leading software for CFD mesh generation with unique features and scripting capabilities that are integral to the user's current and future work. While other tools exist, none offer the same level of control and compatibility with the agency's established simulation ecosystem. Cadence is the sole developer and provider of Pointwise software. The specialized software is not directly available through a pre-existing Government-wide contract or a DoD Enterprise Software Agreement.
The Government intends to negotiate a sole-source contract for the purchase of the software licenses and maintenance described above. The identified sole-source provider/producer of these systems is as follows:
CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS INC. Building 5 2655, Seely Avenue San Jose, California 95134, United States
The Government believes that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government, that is not expected to be recovered through competition, and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Air Force’s requirements including duplicative acquisition planning, coordination, and evaluation, as well as costs related to training, installation, software development, engineering, maintenance, and support, that is not expected to be recovered through competition.
This is a notice of proposed contract action and NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent on or before 12 September 2026 by 9:00 a.m. MT by email to jayce.irby@us.af.mil and catalina.griego@spaceforce.mil.
Responses to this notice must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any responses to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements. Only responses received by this date will be considered.
Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 30 September 2026.
A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.