26QE054_JNA-final_042726.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 OR BRAND NAME - FAR 13 (≤SAT)

Membership in a National Organization Focused on Improving K-12 Digital Learning

1. Contracting Agency

Department of War Education Activity

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

DoWEA requires membership in a national organization, whose members are state leaders focused on K-12 digital learning.

DoWEA expects its membership to include the benefits, privileges and responsibilities that other state educational agencies (SEA) receive. DoWEA expects to receive the same benefits and privileges and pricing as other similar sized organizations.

3. Description of Action

A firm fixed price contract is planned with a total estimated value of $47,500. The period of performance is a 1-year base period and 4 option years. FY26 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available for the first 12-month period in the estimated amount of $9,500.

4. Authority

10 U.S.C. 3204 (a) (1) - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

(FAR 6.301-1)

5. Market Research

Gemini Enterprise generated the first six organizations listed below whose primary focus is on either K-12 educational technology leadership or K-12 digital learning leadership. The last two organizations resulted from research using the Federal Procurement Data System. Only SETDA, however, meets DoWEA’s requirements in this area:

SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association), P.O. Box 10, Glen Burnie, MD 21060-0010. Tera Daniels, Director of Operations, tdaniels@setda.org, 202-715-6636 x701 Non-profit organization, per SAM.gov, for NAICS codes 813920 (Professional Organizations) & 611710 (Educational Support Services). CAGE code 4WTC4. UEI: QAKDSNWZZAF3.

According to its website, SETDA is …the principal association representing US state and territorial educational technology directors and digital learning leaders. Its core focus is state-level policy and the sharing of best practices among states to influence entire educational systems. SETDA works from the state level to the district level, influencing the rules and frameworks districts operate within. Through a broad array of programs and advocacy, SETDA builds member capacity and engages partners to empower the K-12 education community in leveraging technology for learning, teaching, and school operations.

In addition to our SETDA membership, DoWEA holds memberships in CoSN and ISTE.

Based on the explanations below, none of these organizations 3-7 (below) meet our requirements:

1) Consortium for School Networking (CoSN): Targets IT leaders—not state-level educational technology leaders. Empowers district leaders with the resources, community, and professional development needed to manage and lead technology initiatives within their specific school districts. DoWEA’s CoSN membership complements but does not supplant our work with SETDA in educational technology and digital learning.

2) International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): Focuses on its standards and professional learning for educators, technology coaches, library media specialists, and school/district leaders—not state-level technology leaders. DoWEA’s membership is primarily for our school-level and above-school level educational technologists (ETs). Our membership complements but does not supplant our SETDA work in educational technology and digital learning.

3) Digital Promise (which merged with Digital Promise Global in 2019): Targets school district leaders, researchers, and technology developers—not state-level technology leaders. Focuses on piloting and studying new technologies and learning methods directly with a network of innovative school districts.

4) Future Ready Schools: Provides a free implementation and planning tool so districts can adopt a specific framework and resources to achieve personalized, digital learning. Targets district and school leadership teams—not state-level technology leaders.

5) Institute for Education Innovation (IEI): Targets primarily K-12 district leaders and edtech companies—not state-level technology leaders. Facilitates connections and partnerships focused on relationship-building and problem-solving via summits and workshops.

6) Successful Practices Network (SPN): Targets school and district leaders, instructional coaches and teachers—not state-level technology leaders. Focuses on the pedagogical and practical implementation side of school improvement, including but not limited to technology at the school and district level

7) Oregon Educational Technology Consortium: Targets K-12 schools, districts, and higher education institutions within Oregon and the Pacific Northwest—not state-level technology leaders throughout the United States. Leverages the collective buying power of its members to secure lower prices on technology and provides tech support, professional development, and networking opportunities within its specific region.

Search parameters to review the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS): The current contract’s NAICS code is 611710 (Educational Support Services). The keywords, educational technology leaders, digital learning leaders, educational technology, and digital learning were used for the search.

FPDS: Under educational technology leaders and digital learning leaders were no matches. Under digital learning were SETDA and Paragon Tec, Inc. Per its website, the latter cannot meet DoWEA’s requirements because it is a …primary contractor or subcontractor for a variety of projects/contracts [offering] high-value services and products to federal, state, and local government organizations as well as private industry.

Organization Capable of Meeting DoWEA’s Requirement

Digital Promise Global No. See Potential Sources (above).

Oregon Educational Technology Consortium No. See Potential Sources (above).

Metropolitan Educational Technology Association No. Tech solution provider for school districts and other public entities.

A P Ventures, LLC No. Advances innovation in hydrogen and decarbonization.

SRI International No. R&D institute helping government and commercial clients deal with technology challenges.

DSBS: Under educational technology leaders and digital learning leaders were no matches. Under educational technology were the following 14 matches:

Organization Capable of Meeting DoWEA’s Requirement Hillstock & Associates, LLC No. Consulting services for federal and local governments.

BrainQuake, Inc. No. Markets resources aimed at middle school math outcomes & attitudes.

WorldKind, LLC No. Supports learning and development projects around the world.

Digital Responsibility, LLC No. Parent and educator training in digital citizenship.

Education Services, LLC No. Training programs for business and government clients.

Curriculum Global Learn, LLC No. Does training in instructional design, e-learning, Articulate 360, etc.

CodeCraft Works, LLC No. Markets computer training and related services.

Organization Capable of Meeting DoWEA’s Requirement Mindful Objects, LLC No. Specializes in hands-on robotics and coding programs.

The Bolat Group, LLC No. Markets strategic planning and management services.

The Lab Drawer, LLC No. Markets STEAM solutions to schools, corporations, etc.

Promethean, Inc. No. Markets “classroom solutions to empower education”.

VSorts, Inc. No. Markets an Ai-driven management platform.

LearnNet, Inc. No. Focuses on brain science, habituation, and technology.

SpearTech Learning Solutions, LLC No. Training for government, military, and corporate clients.

Under digital learning were the following six matches:

Organization Capable of Meeting DoWEA’s Requirement

Law of Athlete, LLC No. Athlete development company—personalized training, workshops, etc.

C7 Enterprises, LLC No. No website found. Appears to be or was a company with 1-5 employees.

Life School Publishing, LLC No. Markets accredited online health, wellness, and other related courses.

Capers Consulting, LLC No. Specializes in Ai consulting and organizational transformation.

BlueStreak Education, Inc. No. Markets math fluency program and intervention solutions.

K2Thal, LLC No. Markets a language-focused learning program.

6. Rationale for Single Source

A sole source award to SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) is justified because the Government requires the unique services and benefits provided by membership in this organization. No other national organization has SETDA’s scope of membership and clearly defined mission. More specifically, SETDA is comprised of US state and territorial educational technology leaders, who focus on improving K-12 digital education and advocate for changes in federal policy that improve K-12 digital education/learning. Market research confirms that SETDA is the only entity that can provide this membership. Therefore, the Contracting Officer has made the determination to issue a sole source solicitation to SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) as the only authorized seller of the required membership.

Membership in a National Organization Focused on Improving K-12 Digital Learning

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.

Alim Koroma, Contracting Officer