70-S0150-26-CP372_Sole Source Request and Determination Form - Pearson Assessments.pdf.PDF

This is a Sole Source Request and Determination Form submitted by the State of New Mexico for Pearson Assessments related to a procurement for wide-ranging professional, educational, clinical, comprehensive, and standardized assessment tools. The request seeks to establish or continue access to Pearson's comprehensive assessment product suite, which includes validated instruments used across educational, clinical, and professional settings. The determination form documents the justification for a sole source procurement approach rather than competitive bidding, indicating that Pearson's specific assessment tools and licensing agreements are deemed necessary to meet the state's requirements.

The sole source determination is based on the unique nature of Pearson's proprietary assessment instruments and the state's established reliance on these specific products for educational and clinical evaluation purposes. The procurement authorizes direct negotiation with Pearson Assessments without competitive solicitation, streamlining the acquisition process while ensuring continuity of access to standardized assessment tools that support the state's educational and clinical operations. This approach reflects the specialized and proprietary nature of assessment tools, where switching costs and the need for validated, nationally recognized instruments justify the sole source methodology.