A16_Redacted_JOFOC_-_MITTW_-_Final_20221025_104117_(1)_1.docx

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $10,000 ($2,000/$2500 for Construction/Services)

AND UP TO $250,000

(See FAR 13.106-1)

Date: _June 10, 2022_modified October 24, 2022

PR Number: _0040598484_

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost):

The National Park Service (NPS) has a need for a full-service training facility capable of meeting a number of complex requirements. The Making IT and Telecom Work (MITTW) training is specifically tailored for meeting the training needs of the Information Technology workforce. In many cases this includes the GS-221O job series, but can also include the GS-0391 and GS- 0855 job series' as well. In smaller parks where the same individual performs multiple functions, other non-technical job series' may be trainees as well. The requirements the training facility must meet include the following:

a.) Individual lodging accommodations for at least 200 trainees plus approximately 40-50 instructors and support staff b:) Adequate and securely managed parking space for up to 400 vehicles due to the expected large number of day only attendees.

c.) Conference room space for up to 200 trainees.

d.) At least 10 breakout meeting rooms capable of accommodating between 25 and 35 individuals. Each meeting room should be adequately equipped with a conference table and the necessary number of chairs.

e.) Onsite technical support to trouble shoot issues including but not limited to overhead projectors, large screens, local area network access, wifi, IT connections in both meeting room and conference room spaces, printers, and any other peripheral devices necessary to conduct the training.

f.) A means for posting training announcements and schedule information (e.g. bulletin boards, etc.)

g.) A location in close enough proximity to a national airport that shuttle service can be available for attendees.

h.) A near airport location close to where significant NPS presence so as to keep trainee travel costs as low as possible.

i.) On location provision for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each attendee, plus an afternoon snack service all at the training facility.

j.) Flexible meal, lodging, and day use only pricing mechanisms so that the government only pays for the services each of its attendees actually use. (NOTE: In addition to approximately 200-250 overnight attendees, approximately 90-100 day use only attendees may or may not consume any meals at the training facility).

Last updated I 0/24/2022

Also desired but necessarily a requirement of the procurement include:

k.) A semi-private or wholly private gym workout area An informal social gathering area available in evenings after the training concludes Anticipated Costs of the training were originally developed in June 2022 based on April pricing. While the training is needed in November 2022, the pricing information provided as follows is still considered the best cost estimate for the items noted. Additional costs including on site IT support, day use fees, etc. are not factored into the numbers below. A new Independent Government Estimate (IGE) will provide updated figures:

4/14/22 Conference Package - [Redacted] for the day 3 CEU training spaces for 25-35 people each, set classroom to include: 1 projector per room; 24- hour space hold; Screen in each room 4/15-17, 2022 Conference Package - [Redacted] General Session room for 200-250 participants set theater style with 1 projector, screen, podium with microphone, 2 easels with pads and markers • 7 breakout rooms for 25-35 people each, set classroom to include Projector and Screen in each room; 24-hour space hold; 2 easels with flip chart pads and markers, per room; 1 projector, screen, podium with microphone, 2 easels with pads and markers 4/18, 2022 Conference Package – [Redacted] for the day General Session room for 200-250 participants set theater style Your Conference Package includes a dedicated planning manager to support pre/onsite and post training conference wrap-up support.

Total: [Redacted]

2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

_X_ Only one responsible source. 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates, and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance dates are not met.

Other Explain:

While multiple "lodging" or "conference center" facilities exist near several major national airports, there are surprisingly few that can meet all 1 O of the government's requirements listed under paragraph #1. Our market research indicates that only facilities that are specifically tailored for on-site multi-day training and lodging have the capacity needed to provide all the government's requirements. Even at this, several facilities specifically built for training do not meet all 10 requirements. For example, the JW Turnberry Marriott resort, is a facility specifically designed for training, but its Miami, Florida location puts it too far away from a major NPS presence to be a cost-effective option for NPS travelers. Similarly, the Omni Homestead Resort in northern Virginia, meets many of the on-site requirements including proximity to a significant NPS presence. However, its location being 200 miles from the nearest national airport makes it an impractical and unworkable choice for the day use only attendees. Our Last updated I0/24/2022 market research indicated that most other facilities didn't specifically exist to provide training although they have at times done so. For example, the Lansdowne resort in Leesburg, Virginia., could not make 250 individual lodging rooms available and could not offer bulk pricing which left the lodging prices alone way beyond what the available budget for MITTW training could afford. Some specifically designed training facilities, such as the National Conservation and Training Center (NCTC) have provided MITTW training support in the past. But NCTC has no availability during the weeks when training is needed.

In all our market research we found only one responsive facility specifically set up for training that meets all 1O of the government's requirements and has availability on the dates needed. This is the National Conference Center (formerly the Xerox International Center for Training and Management Development) located in Leesburg, Virginia. In being the only vendor that can be responsive to all ten of the government's requirements, a sole source procurement to the National Conference Center is justified.

2. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest:

A training facility is quite different than a conference facility, or a "hotel and conference center" facility. In early website reviews of the latter categories of vendors, ii became quite clear that unless the venue was set up specifically to be a training center facility, it could not meet all ten of tlJe government's requirements for a training course of this size, of this duration, and of this need for a strong on-site vendor presence. Facilities designed and set up specifically for training are a very much smaller subset of the available facilities. Once available training facilities were identified, market research consisted of vendor website reviews, parking lot map views, or mileage mapping to major national airports. Based on all the information obtained from maps and vendor web searches it was not deemed necessary to contact any vendors who weren't specifically training centers because it was clear that no one with available space could meet the government's ten requirements

As for the specific training centers contacted, most had Federal government connections. To evaluate facility availability for the times needed, we reached out to:

1. The National Conference Center, Leesburg VA

2. BLM National Training Center - Phoenix, AZ

3. National Advanced Fire & Resource Institute (NAFRI), Tuscon, AZ

4. Wildland Fire Training & Conference Center (WFTC) Sacramento, CA and

5. National Conservation Training Center US Fish & Wildlife Service, Shepherdstown, WV

BLM was interested but then communication ceased. No further talks about rental took place. NAFRI and WFTC were not sure if they can reserve space for NPS as their own training needs have priority. We would have to wait until the last minute to see if the timeslot becomes available. This would be completely unworkable for an event that needs a commitment to accommodate up to 250 overnight guests and approximately 400 total attendees.

The MIITW 2019 training conference took place at the NCTC. In 2020 and 2021, the events were held virtually in accordance with Covid-19 protocols. Attempts to have the 2022 training at

Last updated I 0/24/2022 the NCTC were unsuccessful as NCTC does not the space for the time slots requested (Nov 14- 18, 2022 (first choice); Nov 28-Dec 2, 2022 (second choice).

At the end of all the market research, it was clear that only one vendor, the National Conference Center was able to meet all 10 of the government's training requirements and also is able to commit to having the needed space available during the time periods when the government needed it. Full and open competition has no expectation to yield different results than what our market research has provided. This Justification, however, will be posted on SAM.GOV for public viewing and any additional information received as a result will be considered prior to award.

4. If this is a determination for sole source, the contracting officer certifies:

a. Only one source is available, or urgent and compelling circumstances exist.

b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).

(Signatuc;?zZ«J} qp-ee._J,?.ate)

October 25, 2022_

)(Signature)

Digitally signed by CASEY WINTERS(Date) Date: 2022.10.25 14:19:13 -06'00'

Type or Print Name:

Contracting Officer

Over $25,000:(if applicable)

JONATHAN

(Signature)CURRENT

Digitally signed by JONATHAN CURRENT Date: 2022.10.26 06:25:40 -06_'00'

(Date) _

Warranted Individual 1 Level Above Contracting Officer

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