Amplifire JA_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

2. Description of Action: The proposed brand name action is for a new sole-sourced firm-fixed price contract with Knowledge Factor, Inc., 4775 Walnut Street, Suite 210, Boulder, Colorado 80301 for the procurement of the brand name Amplifire adaptive e-learning software platform for the VA Board of Appeals Professional Development Division (PDD). PDD is responsible for training new attorneys and supporting other departments that include additional staff at the Board. PDD plans to use Amplifire as an eLearning platform which supports the standards for accessibility and security set forth in VA Directives for training and education. This effort includes online-only learner and author training licenses, course development and technical support.

3. Description of Supplies or Services: VA Board of Appeals Professional Development Division has a requirement for Amplifire 500 learner licenses, 20 author and training licenses and 90 professional development modules with course deployment support services. An optional task for up to 1,300 additional Learner licenses and 15 professional development modules during the base period and all subsequent options, if awarded. Amplifire will supply the Board with authoring access and training, (for the creation of course content), technical support and learner licenses, (for student access), and professional services (creating original content). This requirement includes a 12-month base period and two (2), 12-month option periods for Amplifire Learner licenses, and professional development modules. The total duration of the contract will not exceed 36 months inclusive of options. The total estimated value of the proposed action is $ inclusive of the option periods and optional tasks.

4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 entitled, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above:

Amplifire software is a unique educational platform because it is the first scalable tool that corrects learners' misinformation, uncertainty and struggle which ultimately leads to costly errors and poor performance. The active learning platform is grounded in neurobiology and cognitive research, where a Science Board and lead researchers from around the country, apply evidence-based research and results to practical learning for knowledge absorption, retention and improved outcomes. Amplifire has pre-built courses with the ability to have content reviewed by subject matter experts and has built in analytics software to deliver results to various levels of staff leadership, supervisors, educators, etc. These results display trends and opportunities for additional hands-on education to specific units and/or disciplines, as well as the opportunity to identify a performance improvement project within the hospital. The software is also able to display improved learning of staff over time and delivers a solution based on its patented algorithms, built from insights in the brain sciences, rapidly detect and correct the knowledge gaps, cognitive biases and confidently held misinformation in the clinical workforce that leads directly to adverse incidents and patient harm. The platform intelligently adapts to this previously invisible knowledge variation and struggle to learn among clinicians until each achieves mastery. The platform reports on workforce proficiency in an easily understood graphical format. These particular dashboards and analytics capabilities are powerful for leadership and education staff to make pivotal decisions and changes within the organization, beyond other standard education reporting software.

Amplifire is the only software that uses adaptive learning algorithms to personalize learner experiences. PDD requires an adaptive platform in order to support Human Capital Management (HCM) Initiative 3.1.6: Leverage Mind Booster technology to help learners retain more of what they learn. As an adaptive learning tool, the software modifies content and pace based on user performance. Amplifire will reintroduce knowledge checks in different formats when a learner answers questions incorrectly. It will also provide assessment feedback based on the s selection. These adjustments occur in real time, adjusting as the user progresses through a course.

Waiting for other vendors to develop a similar commercially available product/service that accomplishes these processes, in an attempt to yield competition, vendors or products commercially available that can satisfy PDDs need for an adaptive learning software.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet

Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Contract Opportunities in accordance with FAR 5.201.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future actions to be completed.

8. Market Research: The Government used market research from a previous requirement, which resulted in the award of Contract 36C10B24C0008, to Knowledge Factor, INC. The market research report and award decision document for the previous acquisition were both finalized within the last 12 months. As such, information in these documents were reviewed to determine the state of the marketplace. The award decision document stated that three vendors were solicited: Knowledge Factor, Inc., Pearson North America, and Aleks. However, only Knowledge Factor, Inc. responded.

As such, the contract was awarded to Knowledge Factor, Inc., and they provided Amplifire as the solution.

Further, in October 2023, VA conducted further market research by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) on the Contract Opportunity web page, SAM.gov. A copy of the draft Product Description was provided with the RFI. In response to the RFI, four responses were received for non-Amplifier alternatives: inclusive of Awak3ning Cyber (A3|C), Denamita, Matrixyz LLC (Matrixyz) and SRR International, Inc (SRR). VA technical subject matter experts reviewed the information provided by A3C and determined A3C did not identify any commercial off the shelf products with the capability to deliver educational content with the use of adaptive methodologies in learning as defined in the draft PD. The second company, Denamita, an IT infrastructure and maintenance company, also did not provide any examples of software which supports creation or delivery of asynchronous, eLearning curriculum as defined in the draft PD.

The third company, Matrixyz, proposed its eLearning software, Magister. Matrixyz explained Magister is made to order with an estimated turnaround time of six months.

As stated in their RFI response, Matrixyz are not currently using Magister which utilize adaptive learning technologies for any existing VA contracts. Accordingly, VA determined Matrixyz is unable to fulfill the technical requirements of providing an adaptive eLearning in the timeframe required. The fourth company, SRR, did not specifically state they would provide learner licenses to access the content created with their software. SRR did not discuss how its solution can provide an adaptive learning environment which adjusts to participant performance in real time. As discussed in paragraph five above, MS requires adaptive learning algorithms to personalize learner experiences. As such, the software needed will modify content and pace based on user performance. Adaptive learning will reintroduce knowledge checks in different formats when a learner answers questions incorrectly. It will also provide assessment feedback time, adjusting as the user progresses through a course. Adaptive learning emphasizes mastery, requiring participants demonstrate competence and understanding before progressing to the next topic. On November 17, 2023, VA contacted A3C, Denamita, Matrixyz and SRR, and have been received.

that only Amplifire software product can meet all of the Gov

9. Other Facts: None

10. Technical and Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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 the Independent Government Cost Estimate and Price Analysis. Additionally, price discounts will be sought.

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