26QE053_JNA_Redacted_041526.pdf

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 & FAR 3.104.

CUI - Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 & FAR 3.104.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR EDUCATION ACTIVITY

DETERMINATION For SINGLE SOURCE - FAR 6.103 (≤SAT)

AP® US History Instructional Resources

1. Contracting Agency

Department of War Education Activity

2. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet the Need

DoWEA requires 100% digital instructional resources for our AP® US History program serving approximately 1,100 students and 46 teachers each year. Twelve above-school-level subject-matter specialists also will require teacher resources. DoWEA expects to award one contract. The solution must provide:

▪ Comprehensive APUSH digital instructional materials aligned with College Board standards, including textbooks, lesson plans, assessments, and supplemental resources.

▪ Teacher resources for planning, instruction, and differentiation to meet diverse learner needs.

▪ Download capability for all resources to allow printing for internal use only, such as:

o Worksheets for classroom activities.

o Printed textbook content for students with Individualized Education Programs or other accessibility needs.

3. Description of Action

A firm fixed price bridge contract is planned with a total estimated value of . The period of performance is a 12-month period only. This 12‑month bridge is the shortest practicable period that allows DoWEA to complete essential acquisition steps while avoiding mid‑year instructional disruption. FY26 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available for the base period with an estimated amount of .

4. Authority

10 U.S.C. 3204(a), as implemented in FAR 6.103(a)

5. Market Research

Incumbent for the FY2016 and current FY2021 contracts: Cengage Learning Inc., 10650 Toebben Drive, Independence, KY

41051-5100. Ashlyn Little, Regional Sales Manager, ashlyn.little@cengage.com, 610-551-0531. Not a small business per

SAM.gov for NAICS codes 513130 (Book Publishers) and 513120 (Periodical Publishers). CAGE code 2T373, UEI:

NYNNE5XCZ467.

None of these companies can meet the requirement in time for school year

2026-27 due to the instructional and technical migration requirements; but they will be eligible for full and open competition in FY27.

▪ Savvas Learning Company LLC, Paramus, NJ. Barbara Puegner, Federal Sales Representative, 763-234-3966 barbara.puegner@savvas.com. Not a small business, per SAM.gov for NAICS codes 513130 and 611710 (Educational

Support Services). CAGE code 8C0W1, UEI: TVH8ZS2HBLB4.

▪ McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY. DJ West, VP, Professional Services, dj.west@mheducation.com, 248-207-

9886. Not a small business for NAICS codes 513130 and 513166 (All Other Publishers), per SAM.gov. CAGE code

6XSZ0, UEI: C2NDCQHE4XM4.

▪ HMH Education Company (formerly known as Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt), Traci Vermillion, Account Executive, 317-603-9796, traci.vermillion@hmhco.com. Not a small business for NAICS codes 513130, 611710, and 611430

(Professional and Management Development Training), per SAM.gov. CAGE code 29524, UEI: JAGKLFTC7PJ3.

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

The FY16 and current FY21 contracts used NAICS code, 511130 (Book Publishers), which has been changed to 513130. Also

513210 (Software Publishers) could be used as well. The keywords, AP US History and APUSH, were used for the search.

FPDS: Under 513130 and 513210 for AP US History and APUSH, there were no matches.

DSBS: Under 513130 and 513210 for AP US History and APUSH, there were no matches.

6. Rationale for Single Source or Brand Name

DoWEA requires a one-year bridge contract for the AP® US History (APUSH) instructional resources to ensure continuity of instruction for approximately 1,100 students, 46 teachers, and 12 above-school-level specialists, for the following reasons:

Time Constraints Due to Government Shutdown

The recent extended government shutdown interrupted key acquisition activities at pivotal points in the planning cycle, compressing the remaining timeline leading up to the required award date (on or about June 10). As a result, several interdependent steps that normally occur in a deliberate sequence must now be completed within a significantly reduced window, including:

1) Conducting required field conferences with APUSH teachers and above-school-level educators

2) Performing comprehensive market research.

3) Developing the performance work statement, independent government cost estimate, and source selection criteria.

4) Preparing and posting the full solicitation on SAM.gov.

5) Convening a technical evaluation board with teacher representatives that include at least one teacher from a

DoWEA district whose school year ends in May.

6) Completing award analysis and related administrative processes.

7) Providing professional learning for teachers to transition to new instructional resources if the incumbent fails to win the competition.

Because these activities must align with both the academic calendar and the APUSH instructional cycle, the remaining schedule no longer supports the completion of a full and open competition before the start of SY 2026–27.

Continuity of Instruction

A bridge contract is essential to maintain uninterrupted access to APUSH instructional resources, ensuring students and teachers are prepared for the national APUSH examination. Disruption at this critical juncture would negatively impact student achievement and DoWEA’s ability to meet its educational mission.

Alignment with Future Competition

The bridge contract aligns with DoWEA’s planned FY2027 US History instructional resource recompetition, allowing sufficient time for full acquisition planning and competitive procedures.

Conclusion

Based on the rationale, the Contracting Officer has made the determination to issue a sole source solicitation to Cengage

Learning, Inc. as the only practicable source within the available time that can provide the required resources without disruption to ongoing instruction and learning.

AP® US History Instructional Resources

DETERMINATON

I certify that the facts and representations included in this determination are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source reasonably available and the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. Approval is granted subject to the availability of funds and provided that the products/services described herein have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

BRIDGE CONTRACT APPROVAL

Chief, Procurement Division I have reviewed the subject rationale for the bridge contract in accordance with DoWEA PPM

25-01, dated December 19, 2024, and approve of its execution and release.