BNJ_-_IDEA_(redacted).pdf

Solicitation/Brand Name Justification Department of Education - Federal Student Aid

IDEA software License and Maintenance Renewal

U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Federal Student Aid (FSA) are in need of IDEA Data Analysis (IDEA) software. IDEA is a data analysis tool currently used by the Department of Education’s OIG Audit staff and FSA Program Compliance’s Financial Institution Oversight Group to automate certain auditing reviewing functions. IDEA aids users extend their auditing capabilities, detect fraud, and meet documentation standards. It allows users to quickly import, join, analyze, sample, and extract data from almost any source, including reports printed to a file such as PDFs. Through IDEA, data can be transferred into one format for easy analysis and comparison. In addition, with unlimited file size capabilities, IDEA can quickly access and analyze large volumes of data.

FSA Program Compliance’s Financial Institution Oversight Group specifically utilizes IDEA to manage and analyze very large files downloaded from NSLDS as well as files submitted by large Lenders, Servicers, and Guaranty Agencies. IDEA is required to read and extract from existing IDEA data files. IDEA files are often too large for Excel, so IDEA files are typically extracted and then exported to Excel as needed. IDEA software is critical to both OIG and FSA. IDEA software and its related maintenance allow both offices to work more efficiently and effectively. This software is also used to conduct on-site reviews of institutions and their management of Federal funds.

The IDEA software has been used by FSA at least since 2010. It would not be financially and technically prudent to use FSA and OIG resources to replace, install, and test new software, in addition to re-training users to become technically competent with the new software.

Replacing the product may also introduce unwarranted risks due to incompatibility and other unforeseen issues, including user error due to unfamiliarity with the new system.

The period of performance is 9/30/2015 to 9/29/2016 with two (2) option years.

Based on the above, it is determined that IDEA Data Analysis software maintenance is essential to the Government’s requirements and it is in the best interest of the Government to purchase.

____Signed Copy in the File______ ___9/22/2015_______ April West Date Contracting Officer Federal Student Aid US Department of Education