A02.14 SSJ under the SAT 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) - Attn Mgmt Trng - SAM.gov.docx

CUI

SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM FOR ACTIONS UNDER THE SAT

IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

1. Contracting Activity: The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity (HECSA)

2. Description of Action: Approval is requested for a new Sole Source contract, not to exceed $XX,XXX.XX. US Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) overhead funds will be used to support this training.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: Maura Thomas is the proprietary owner of the Empowered Productivity™ which provides a unique training on empowered productivity, a proprietary workflow methodology that is based in continuous improvement principles, which teaches professionals how to regain control over the details of life and work, and how to apply this same methodology to productivity software and tools in order to achieve greater results. This training is provided exclusively by Maura Thomas, who also created it. The training includes two half-day and one full-day on-site sessions, for up to 55 participants, including small group breakouts, large group discussion, hands on implementation, and interactive presentations. This contract also includes an optional task for virtual small group coaching that would be 90-minute sessions per week for eight weeks. The in-person training would occur in Davis, CA the week of 12 February 2024, with optional virtual coaching sessions following. The Period of Performance will be 80 days from time of the first day of training.

4. Authority Cited: 10 U.S.C. 2304(C)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(C)(1) as implemented in FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Maura Thomas is the proprietary owner of the Empowered Productivity™ material and training and the only person who can present this material. HEC has purchased Maura’s books and her training in the past and found it effective. After her initial training, new practices were implemented that significantly improved time management and team practices. This new contract will build upon training previously provided as well as introduce new HEC staff to the Empowered Productivity™ workflow.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: There are numerous time management trainings available. However, Maura Thomas puts a unique twist on understanding and implementing the more relevant skill of “attention management” over “time management” and has a trademarked training approach. This approach teaches how to efficiently handle all manner of commitments, communication, and information in the workplace, as well as bridge the gap between behavior and technology, to make the best use of the software and electronic tools available. In addition, the Empowered Productivity™ method is the only productivity training approach HEC has found that closely aligns with our recently adopted DevOps software development process, utilizing many of the same concepts and directly applicable to our typical software development workflow.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: HEC was initially interested in time management training to enhance organizational productivity. Through extensive internet searches, we discovered Maura Thomas’s website and found her unique approach to improving productivity to be the best match for HEC staff needs, given their experience with DevOps software development methods. Her philosophy is that time management is not the underlying issue to address; instead it is managing your attention, given the extensive number of distractions we all deal with every day. This corresponds to the DevOps software development approach for how to optimally engage in work tasks, and is easily understandable by HEC staff. Her approach is unique among all the productivity trainings that were found. Extensive internet searches did not unveil any training material that was similar to Maura Thomas’s Empowered Productivity™, and the material cannot be taught by any other vendor due to the trademarked content.

HEC had similar training by Maura Thomas in FY21 and found her training valuable. While there are many time management training vendors, Maura’s training is unique and meets HEC’s needs by:

a) Helps to understand and implement the more relevant skill of “attention management” over “time management”.

b) Teaches how to effectively handle all manner of commitments, communication, and information.

c) Helps to understand how to bridge gap between behavior and technology, to make the best use of the software and electronic tools available.

d) Teaches a comprehensive, proprietary workflow management system to make consistent and lasting progress on significant results This system aligns very closely with HEC’s DevOps software development workflow and is a force multiplier for HEC staff productivity.

e) HEC staff will learn how to spend as little time as possible being reactive, and as much time as possible being proactive.

f) HEC staff will learn to recognize the best use of time at any moment and can therefore take immediate and appropriate action.

8. Market Research: There were extensive internet searches for time management and productivity training. Over 10 different vendors were reviewed and evaluated against the Empowered Productivity™ training package. None of the competitors were able to provide the same attention management techniques or training material.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express interest.

10. Other Facts:

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable, based on comparison to an Independent Government Cost Estimate. Per FAR 15.403-1(b)(3), certified cost and pricing data is not required.

David A. Kaplan Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487

12. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

David A. Kaplan Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487

Approval Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve award of a firm fixed-price contract in the amount of $XX,XXX.XX to Maura Thomas (Empowered Productivity) on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and property herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

David A. Kaplan Procuring Contracting Officer Phone: 703-428-8487

Prepared by:

Susannah Chung Contract Specialist Phone: 703-428-xxxx

CUI

(Source Selection information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104-4)