1.5.1_JEFO Brand Name Below SAT_Redacted.pdf

Justification for Brand Name Exception to Fair Opportunity Exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and up to the SAT pursuant to FAR 16.505(a)(4)

JEFO No.

JEFO No.: 24-263

Date: 8/30/2024 PR Number: WX06436Y2024T

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and anticipated cost:

The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Fire Administration (USFA), prepared this justification for an exception to fair opportunity.

The objective of this requirement is the acquisition of hosting and implementation services for Blackboard Learn SaaS to support the USFA distance learning program through the National Fire Academy (NFA) online platform. The salient characteristics are:

Provide collaborative learning environment with tools for students and instructors including chat, group tools, discussion forums, student to student interaction, file sharing, assignment drop boxes, blogs, wikis, rubrics, quizzes/test, and multimedia feedback from instructors.

Provide ability to administer assessments with multiple question formats, (single answer, multiple answer, True/False, short answer, essay, projects, portfolios) flexible grading, and inline feedback.

Provide a system configured for responsive design and mobile capabilities when available that focuses on learning.

Provide content authoring/publishing tools including WYSIWYG content editor, course content templates, robust multimedia integration capabilities, reusability of content objects (modules), and inclusive accessibility features during content development.

Provide tools to track student progress, such as completion of course materials, assessment scores, and proficiency levels, enabling instructors and administrators to monitor student and class performance.

Provide ongoing maintenance and technical support for the application and database 24/7.

This includes providing client system administrators with customer support services for system configurations, troubleshooting, and reporting of system issues.

Provide the ability to run ad hoc reports and create new custom reports analyzing effectiveness of content, student/instructor engagement, learning outcomes, and overall courses success.

The anticipated cost is $191,680.00.

2. Statutory Exception and rationale for brand name. Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies required at the level of quality required because the supplies are unique or highly specialized pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) and is an item peculiar to one manufacturer:

FEMA intends to procure a brand name specification for Blackboard Learn SaaS in accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i). The exception is based on FAR

Justification for Brand Name Exception to Fair Opportunity Exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and up to the SAT pursuant to FAR 16.505(a)(4)

JEFO No.

16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), only one source is capable of providing the services mentioned above because Blackbard Learn SaaS is highly specialized and is a brand name item peculiar to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The brand name must be used because FEMA network architecture, maintenance platforms, and configuration systems require the use of this product to ensure interoperability with other FEMA systems. The Blackboard Learn SaaS must be configured in accordance with FEMA OCIO system architecture and security requirements. The use of other training service platforms could result in interoperability, compatibility, and interface issues as well as potential security failures. FEMA/USFA conducted market research on the following training platforms:

1) SAP NS2 Cloud Intelligence Enterprise

2) Blackboard Learn SaaS

3) Power Train Government Learning Enclave

4) Totara Talent Development Government Cloud Platform

5) Cornerstone Unified Talent Management Suite

6) Google Workspace (High)

7) SkillSoft Percipio

The results of the market research indicates other companies’ similar products lacks the particular feature(s) required and do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the needs of FEMA. Specifically none of the other products were able to interconnect and function with current FEMA network architecture and security protocols. Performance provides student enrollment into classes, secure multifactor authentication, single sign on, and transfer of course grade and completion through existing 2-way data feeds. The system must also comply with Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2, National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication (NIST SP) 800-53, and DHS Sensitive Systems Policy 4300A including Section 3.18 Cloud Services. Procuring an alternate product other than Blackboard Learn SaaS will require complete platform re-customization and security review.

3. FEMA intends to post this requirement on, SAM.gov pursuant to FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D).

Contracting Officer