25QE035_Attch9_JARedacted_030425.pdf

FAR Part 6 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

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(BRAND NAME)

Adobe® Certified Professionals (ACP)

Test Vouchers and Related Support

1. Agency/Contracting Activity

Department of Defense Education Activity, Procurement Division

2. Description of Action

A firm fixed price contract is planned with a total estimated value of . The period of performance/estimated delivery date is for a 5-year period base period and 1 Option Year. FY25 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available for the in the estimated amount of .

3. Description of Supplies and Services

DoDEA requires industry-accepted certifications to ensure students demonstrate proficiency in Adobe and IT products. The

Adobe® Certified Professional (ACP) certification validates skills in Creative Cloud apps and digital media. Students earn certification by passing a 50-minute exam integrated with an Adobe app, delivered exclusively through Certiport, which partnered with Adobe to establish the ACP program. To maintain our 40 high schools as authorized Certiport testing centers, DoDEA needs an Adobe® Certified dealer to provide Certiport ACP test vouchers for Photoshop and Premiere Pro certifications. These certifications will be managed by DoDEA HQ staff in Alexandria, VA..

4. Authority:

This procurement requires the use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions (FAR 11.104) to meet specific performance requirements. The justification is made under FAR 6.302-1(c) and DFARS 206.302-1(c)(2) to ensure that the brand name specification is essential and not unduly restrictive of competition.

5. Demonstration of Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of Acquisition Requiring the Authority Cited:

Background: DoDEA Career and Technology Education (CTE) Information Technology courses must equip students with essential skills for transitioning from school to industry. This includes offering professional-level, industry-standard certification exams like the ACP provided through Certiport. DoDEA uses products, teacher training, and curriculum materials to meet CTE standards and needs to re-compete the expiring contract for Certiport ACP vouchers.

Rationale: DoDEA students require industry-standard certifications to be competitive in the marketplace. Certiport is the exclusive provider of ACP vouchers, but a variety of third-party vendors offer Certiport services and support. Market research shows many companies can provide these brand-name certification vouchers. See Potential Sources, below.

Justification: The use of a brand name acquisition is necessary due to the exclusive arrangement between Adobe® and

Certiport. The ACP certification is an industry standard, with Certiport as the sole provider. Other certification programs do not align with DoDEA's curriculum and training resources. The ACP certification meets curriculum standards and provides essential industry recognition, making Certiport ACP vouchers crucial for the integrity and effectiveness of the

CTE program.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition

As stated above, DoDEA has done extensive market research and will publicize a notification as required by FAR Subpart

5.2. However, only a small number of vendors can provide the required ACP vouchers.

7. Fair and Reasonable Determination

The contracting officer has determined the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable as the procurement will be set aside for small businesses, ensuring that multiple vendors have the opportunity to compete. This competition is expected to drive fair and reasonable pricing. A Fair and Reasonable Determination will be made prior to award.

8. Market Research

1) Incumbent: Accelerated Partners, LLC; Kissimmee, FL. Mohanchand Raghbeer, POC, mraghbeer@aletheiasolutions.com.

Small business, per SAM.gov for NAICS code 611710 (Educational Support Services). CAGE code 856M8.

2) Knowlogy Corporation, Vienna, VA. Rob Stewart, Sales Representative, 703-532-1001 Rob.Stewart@knowlogy.com

Small business, per SAM.gov for multiple NAICS codes including 611710. CAGE code 08WA7.

3) ThinkB!G, LLC; Columbia, MD. Christine Abunassar, CEO, christine@thinkbiglearnsmart.com, 301-362-2250. Small business, per SAM.gov for multiple NAICS codes including 611710. CAGE code 32MB9.

4) BrainBuffet Solutions, Inc., Orlando, FL. Luis Blanco, luis@brainbuffet.com, 787-223-6093. Small business, per

SAM.gov. CAGE code 98AA7.

▪ GraceTech Solutions, Not registered on SAM.gov. Sent email asking them for a POC to whom DoDEA will direct market research questions and the message for the need to register on SAM.gov, 19 Sep—no response as of 10 Oct.

▪ NCS Pearson, Inc’, Minneapolis, MN. Not a small business, per SAM.gov for multiple NAICS codes including 611710.

CAGE code 1P624.

Search parameters to review the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS):

The current contract’s NAICS code, 611710 (Educational Support Services, and the keywords, Adobe voucher and Adobe

Certified Professional, were used.

FPDS: Under Adobe voucher were two matches: DoDEA’s contract with Accelerated Partners, LLC (incumbent) and a Forest Service contract with NCS Pearson, Inc. (2016). Under Adobe Certified Professional were no matches.

DSBS: No matches for either keyword.

9. Other Supporting Facts

DoDEA has been purchasing industry certification vouchers on a brand name basis since at least 2014.

10. Interested Sources:

All small businesses that market the ACP vouchers and are registered on SAM.gov are potential sources.

11. Effort to Remove Barriers to Increase Competition

If a comparable competitor to Certiport enters the marketplace, DoDEA will determine if this requirement can be competed as a small business set-aside or a full and open competition.

Adobe® Certified Professionals (ACP)

Test Vouchers and Related Support

CERTIFICATION

Technical Certification: I certify 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.

Signature:

COORDINATION

Legal Review

Based on the foregoing, this Justification is legally sufficient.

Signature:

Competition Advocate (required > $700,000)

Signature: _ ___

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 (required): I certify that the facts and representations included in this Justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. If limiting sources, be sure that the rationale above identifies one of the five circumstances shown in

FAR 16.505(b) (2) (1).

Signature: __ ___