2. ASQ CQI-CQIA SOW and Sole Source FY26 -09-02-26.pdf

Quality Continuous Improvement Mike Mudry (PROCESS IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST) 9/02/2026 UNICOR Recycling Distro Route 901 & Interstate 81 Minersville, PA 17954

SCOPE OF WORK FOR AMERICAN SOCIETY OF QUALITY

UNICOR has been partnered with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) since 2017, offering employees the Quality 101 – CQIA Certification Program and the CQIA Exam. UNICOR entered into a 3-year agreement in FY23. This FY begins a new agreement.

The Quality 101 course will boost UNICORs ability to meet its needs for quality knowledge and competency by increasing employee expertise in the practices and principles of quality improvement. These quality tools will empower skilled employees to accomplish change and manage improvement across the organization. As part of the agreement, the Quality 101 course can be provided for an unlimited number of employees at every factory, increasing the quality knowledge base of its core workforce.

The ASQ Excellence membership provides access to multiple quality tools across multiple disciplines and skill levels.

These resources are available to Quality Managers across UNICOR. The annual membership also provides $100 discounts for certification exams and training opportunities.

A Certified Quality Improvement Associate will have a basic knowledge of quality tools and their uses and will be involved in quality improvement projects. These UNICOR employees will not necessarily come from a traditional quality area. The ASQ certification is a formal recognition that the individual has demonstrated proficiency in the Quality Improvement Associate Body of Knowledge.

A Certified Quality Inspector is the most closely involved person with day-to-day activities intended to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations. These front-line inspectors work with the shop floor, production, service, and delivery personnel. The ASQ certification is a formal recognition that the individual has demonstrated proficiency in the Quality Inspector Body of Knowledge.

1. CQI Licensing Material Oct1, 26- Sep30 2027 Priced at $7,000

2. CQI Exam Includes:

• (100) Exams at $360 ea Priced at $36,000

3. Certified Quality Inspector – (100) CQI Handbook - H1639

Priced at 9,450.00

4. Shipping 1,050.00- for (100) CQI handbooks to (30) locations

5. CQIA Exam Includes:

• 350 Exams at $334EA Priced at $116,900

6. CQI Handbook, 4th Edition Includes:

• 10 Handbooks at $66.60EA Priced at $660.00

7. Shipping $70.00 for(2) new location to initiate CQIA at new sites.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

M. Mudry

UNICOR Process Improvement Specialist

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

Authority Cited: FAR 6.103-1 (DEVIATION): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting agency.

UNICOR, Central Office 1st St NW Washington, DC 20534-0004

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) was founded in 1946 and, since then, it has been at the forefront of the quality movement. It is the preeminent certification body for Quality Engineers and associated Management roles.

UNICOR partnered with ASQ in 2017, offering employees the Quality 101 – CQIA Certification Program.

The Quality 101 course is only available directly from ASQ and prepares participants to take ASQ’s Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) & Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) certification exam. ASQ created and owns the rights to the course and is the only entity that offers the internationally recognized certification. Moreover, ASQ has made special dispensation for UNICOR to allow the course to be taught through inmate instructors as well as providing a paper-formatted test instead of the normal web-based testing.

In FY 2026, UNICOR concluded a one year Licensing fee Agreement with ASQ to enable UNICOR’s continued participation in the Quality 101 Course. This will begin a new Licensing Agreement. The annual membership fee to ASQ needs to be renewed for discounted exam pricing. Additionally, funding is required for up to 350 CQIA exam participants, 100 CQI exams in FY27.

3. A description of the supplies or services required that meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated dollar amount).

The American Society for Quality requires an annual membership fee of $6000. As part of the negotiated Licensing Agreement, $16,500 is needed for this FY. In addition, $116,900 is needed to provide the CQIA exam for 350 UNICOR employees at $334 per exam; $666.00 is needed to purchase (10) extra CQIA books $66.60 ea. to establish

(2) new testing sites plus an addition $70.00 for shipping and handling for those books to location.); $7,000 is needed to provide additional licensing in offer in the CQI program to UNICOR employees; $36,000 is needed to provide the CQI exam for 100 UNICOR employees priced at $360.00 ea.; $9450 is needed to purchase 100 CQI Handbooks $94.50 ea.- these are needed to prepare and take the CQI exam. Also, $1050 is needed to cover the shipping expenses for the CQI handbooks to 30 locations.

In return, ASQ will provide, for all participating UNICOR factories, Q101- Course instructor material with instructor notes, student course material essential for CQIA exam preparation, course updates to UNICOR upon availability, the CQIA exam in paper format for all participants, provide access to printable course completion certificates, and certification to successful participants of the internationally recognized Quality Improvement Associate Exam.

4. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited.

The statutory authority for this requirement is found at 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a) (1). When supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source. The application which permits use of the cited statutory authority are stated at FAR Part 6.302-1 (b)(1)(i), Unique supplies or services available from only one source or only one supplier with unique capabilities.

The American Society for Quality is the sole source; they own the rights and are the certifying body for Quality Improvement Associate. As the sole owner of the certification and course material, ASQ is the only organization that can provide the training material to prepare for the certification exam. ASQ is also the only organization that can provide the internationally recognized Quality Improvement Associate certification. ASQ is the only organization that can provide the certification exam in paper-based format for inmate participation.

5. A description of effects made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practical including whether a CBD notice was, or will be, publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

UNICOR has been in partnership with ASQ since 2017 and has been determined to be the sole source for CQIA course materials, books, and exams, requiring no solicitation from other sources.

6. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The total estimated cost is $212,353.50 for the ASQ membership fees and Licensing Agreement fee, previously negotiated in 2022, an estimated 310 exam participants, and 65 Handbooks. The Contract Specialist and Chief of Quality have deemed pricing to be fair and reasonable.

7. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

UNICOR has been in partnership with ASQ since 2017 and has certified hundreds of employees as Quality Improvement Associates. With ASQ being the sole entity providing the certification, a history of partnership with ASQ, and successful completion of CQIA exams, no market survey was conducted.

8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

None

9. A listing of sources, if any, that expressed in writing, an interest in the acquisition

None

10. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services are required.

At the present time, full and open competition is not recommended for this requisition. ASQ is the only organization that provides the internationally recognized Certified Quality Improvement Associate Course and Exam.

11. Contracting Officer Certification that the identification is accurate and complete to the best of the

Contracting Officer’s knowledge and belief.

I hereby certify that this request for Justification and Approval of other than Full and Open Competition is made in good faith, the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I would not be making this request if it were feasible to fully complete this requirement. I further certify that this request is not the result of lack of advance planning or a desire to spend funds while those funds are still unavailable.

M.MUDRY Process Improvement Specialist _____________________ 09/02/2026 Date

A. MITCHELL, Contracting Officer _______________________________________________________ Approve/Disapprove & Date