22Q0023_SYN_JNA_RDCT_210422.pdf

FAR Part 13.5 Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 AND 3.104 - CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

Rationale: Based on market research into this niche market (below), only one web-based aptitude assessment currently meets DoDEA’s requirements—the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT7 and CogAT8). It is the only assessment that meets all the characteristics listed in the Description of Supplies and Services (above). CogAT7 and CogAT8 are sold by one vendor, Riverside Assessments, LLC; there are no resellers.

DoDEA has imposed no barriers to competition aside from meeting all the requirements set forth in the six characteristics listed above. However, the market for these assessments is small, and no other assessment possesses the required characteristics, as verified in the Market Research (below). Therefore, the Contracting

Officer has made the determination to issue a sole source solicitation to Riverside Assessments, LLC—the only entity that can provide the required educational services.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: As stated above, DoDEA has done extensive market research. DoDEA will publicize a note as required by FAR Subpart 5.2.

7. Fair and Reasonable Determination: The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable based on the information provided herein.

8. Market Research

Incumbent: Riverside Assessments, LLC (dba Riverside Insights), Itasca, IL. Clint Hubbard, Account Executive, 804-869-2418, clint.hubbard@riversideinsights.com - Not a small business, per SAM.gov - NAICS code 611710

(Educational Support Services) - CAGE code 8C9L8

From internet research and professional experience, the following companies were identified as providing assessments used by K-12 school systems but do not provide an assessment that can meet the requirements set forth in the PWS:

1) , Government Business POC - Not a small business, per SAM.gov - NAICS code 511130 - CAGE code - Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, Raven’s

Progressive Matrices, and Matrix Analogies Test discussed below.

2) purchased and its screening assessment – The company does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because it does not market web-based versions of any screening assessments.

3) Austin, TX., Government Business POC - Small business, per SAM.gov for

NAICS codes 511130 and 511210 - CAGE code 1W313 - Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and

Middle School Students (SAGES-3) is used to identify students who are gifted and/or talented in general intellectual ability and academic aptitude and was normed with data collected from 2015-2017. does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because DoDEA requires one test. This assessment does not screen students over the age of 14.

4) , West Hollywood, CA. , VP Sales. Not a small business, per SAM.gov - CAGE code – Its battery of aptitude tests is for businesses to evaluate prospective employees—not students.

Besides CogAT, the National Association for Gifted Children recommends four assessments. The reasons they do not meet DoDEA’s requirements are listed below:

▪ (grades K-12): This screening test for K-12 students assesses their verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative ability and provides information that enhances insights gained from traditional achievement tests. It does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because it does not measure mathematics or reading ability and because it was last normed in 2003.

▪ (grades 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, college): This test was designed to measure mental ability important for success in academic work and similar endeavors outside the classroom. It does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because it does not include a K-2 test, has not been normed in the past ten years, is not available online, and is no longer published.

▪ : In educational settings, the matrices are unaffected by linguistic and ethnic background and can be used as a good predictor of success in education for children and adults.

The test was developed for research purposes and especially benefits students with linguistic difficulties such as those with Asperger syndrome. This test does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because it does not provide instructional information based on student test results.

▪ : The test measures cultural literacy and reasoning ability for students aged 5-17.

This screening test does not meet DoDEA’s requirement because DoDEA requires a test that measures the cognitive ability of students aged 5-18. This test is also out of print. Note: The Naglieri NonVerbal

Ability Test, which replaced it, also does not meet DoDEA’s requirements because it is a nonverbal assessment of general ability only.

A Sources Sought Request for Information (RFI) was posted in SAM.gov on March 28th, 2022, with a response date of April 5th, 2022. No response date extensions were requested. The RFI was issued under two NAICS, 511210 (Software Publishers) and 611710 (Education Support Services). Three vendors responded to the RFI with capability statements, but none provided evidence they could provide the required aptitude assessments.

Below is an evaluation summary of the capability statements:

1) Vendor did not provide an aptitude assessment, nor any of the requirements listed in the RFI. The capability statement indicates the vendor provides ELA instructional materials.

2) The vendor did not provide any information on aptitude assessments, nor any of the requirements listed in the RFI.

3) The vendor did not provide any specific information on aptitude assessments, nor any of the requirements listed in the RFI. Their examples include companies that used them to create websites. Although there is one paragraph response (Education Web-based Aptitude

Assessments, p. 2) that used the words from the RFP to support their website development, this has nothing to do with an aptitude assessment.

A Review of Government and/or commercial databases for relevant information. Summary: Search

Parameters: NAICS codes 511210 (Software Publishers) and 611710 (Education Support Services) and the keywords: aptitude test and ability test. Note: Since DoDEA requires a totally online test, the NAICS code used for the current contract—#511130 (Book Publishers)—is not apt.

1) Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)

▪ Under #511210, there were no matches for were found for aptitude test but for ability test there were four matches: .

None of these companies provides ability or aptitude testing for K-12 education.

▪ Under #611710, there was one match under aptitude test—Human Resources Research Organization.

Its contract is with the Federal Acquisition Service, which serves businesses and government, not K-12 education. For ability test there were no matches.

2) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

▪ Under #511210, there was one match for aptitude test— which is a test preparation business serving professionals and service members—not K-12 students. Under ability test were no matches.

▪ Under #611710 there were two matches for aptitude test— .

Under ability test were two matches— , LLC and LLC. The former does vocational analysis and related tests for vocational centers—not K-12 education. is discussed above.

9. Other Supporting Facts: None

10. Interested Sources: Riverside Assessments, LLC

11. Effort to Remove Barriers to Increase Competition: DoDEA subject-matter experts continually monitor the gifted education aptitude test market. DoDEA will perform market research prior to each option exercise to determine whether new sources may result in competition. If a new aptitude assessment that meets DoDEA’s requirements comes on the market, DoDEA will ensure that full and open competition occurs.

DoDEA Gifted Education Aptitude Assessment

CERTIFICATION

Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance and which forms a basis for this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Digital Signature/Date: Signed Copy in Contract file

Contracting Officer’s Representation

COORDINATION

Competition Advocate (required > $700,000)

Digital Signature/Date: _Signed Copy in Contract file

, Competition Advocate

APPROVAL

Approval is granted subject to the availability of funds and provided that the products/services described herein have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Contracting Officer: I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and hereby determine the anticipated costs to the Government for this requirement will be fair and reasonable.

Digital Signature/Date: _Signed Copy in Contract file

, Contracting Officer, Procurement

FAR Part 13.5 Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition