AppleApps-J and A-02Sep DRAFT.docx

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

DETERMINATION For

SINGLE SOURCE OR BRAND NAME SOURCE SOLICITATION - FAR 13 (≤SAT)

Assistive Technology Apps for Nonverbal Students or Students with Limited Oral and Written Communication Skills

1. Contracting Agency Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

2. Description of Supplies and Services DoDEA requires assistive technology for nonverbal students or students with limited oral and written communication skills. The two Apple apps that meet the varied needs of such students are LAMP™ Words for Life (LAMP™) and Proloquo2Go apps. Both are operated through DoDEA’s Internetwork Operating System (iOS) dedicated for this purpose.

LAMP™, a communication app with motor planning, provides a proven therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning. It is designed to meet the communication needs of children with autism. As a full English vocabulary augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) language app, it is structured to enable early success and allow client vocabulary and communication skills to grow in a way that does not require re-learning along the way. Because it is a pre-programmed vocabulary program, it does not require extensive customization. Its six main design principles are as follows:

· Joint engagement with the student taking the lead.

· Consistent and unique motor patterns are the way the vocabulary words are programmed which allow for fast, natural, and fluent communication.

· Single words are taught so individuals can build their own sentences word by word.

· Auditory signals occur when a button is pressed triggering the device to speak the word. This feedback helps the learner understand how sounds and words are connected to motor movements—a critical component of natural language development.

· Natural consequences occur when a client presses a button on the device and the communication partner reacts accordingly.

· Combining PRC Unity® language system with LAMP™ principles and strategies.

Proloquo2Go promotes the growth of communication skills and language development through research-based vocabularies. It is used by students with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. Proloquo2Go includes the following seven key design features:

· Research-based vocabulary with three levels

· 23 pre-programmed grid sizes

· Core words located consistently throughout the vocabulary for motor planning

· Quick and easy customization

· Many accessibility features for users with fine-motor and visual impairment

· Customizable grammar support for verbs, nouns, pronouns and adjectives

· Over 60 natural-sounding free text-to-speech voices, including children’s voices

3. Description of Action A firm-fixed-price contract with a total estimated value of $65,220.00. The period of performance is a base year and four option years. FY21 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available for the base year in the estimated amount of $19,180.00.

DoDEA has been using the LAMP™ and the Proloquo2Go apps via DoDEA’s dedicated iOS for over five years. The current contract, HE1254-18-P-3002, is a small business set-aside for Apple authorized government resellers that expires in January 2021 and must be re-competed.

Apple did not respond to our request for an updated list of authorized resellers; therefore, the market research from the previous contract was updated. Each business listed below was found on the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and emailed to verify the information below:

1) Incumbent: MAC Business Solutions, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD. Jose Perales, Business Development Manager, 301-591-8712 - jose@mbsdirect.com - Woman-owned, Asian-American, disadvantaged, small business, per DSBS. CAGE code 1EDV3 - GSA contract number: 47QTCA20D0093

2) New Tech Solutions, Inc., Fremont, CA. Rajesh Patel, Sales, rajesh@ntsca.com - 510-353-4070 x307 - Asian-American, disadvantaged, small business, per DSBS. CAGE code 1QN24 - GS-35F-0791N

3) Countertrade Products, Inc., Arvada, CO. Arno Bergstrom, Sales, abergstrom@countertrade.com 303-424-9512 - Woman-owned small business, small disadvantaged business, per DSBS. CAGE code 0J699 - GSF-35-F-0650K

4) GovSmart, Inc., Charlottesville, VA. Brent Lillard, Sales, 434-326-0660 - brent@govsmart.com – Asian-American, disadvantaged small business, per DSBS. CAGE code 5WFZ8 - GS-35F-192AA

5) Paragon Micro, Inc., Lake Zurich, IL. Aaron Strain, Federal Sales, astrain@paragonmicro.com - 512-240-6031. Small business, per DSBS - CAGE code 4ZHT8 - GS-35F-0316X

6) Govplace, Reston, VA. Maria Cruz Santiago, Sales, ccruz@govplace.com - 571-409-1978 - Small business, per DSBS - CAGE code 1G9R3 - GS-35F-0179X.

· Trofholz Technologies, Inc., Rocklin, CA. Kelly Keyser, Sales, Kelly.Keyser@trofholz.com - 916-788-8927 - Woman-owned service-disabled veteran, small disadvantaged, per DSBS. CAGE code 3CLN9 - GS-07F-0562X –Sent email on August 20, telling them to add the required NAICS code if interested in competing for this contract—no reply.

The NAICS code for the current contract is #334614 (Software and Other Prerecorded Compact Disc, Tape, and Record Reproducing). The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) for that code and the keywords, Proloquo2go and LAMP, yielded:

DSBS: Under LAMP were two entries—DV Solutions, LLC (Benton, AR) and DTC Computer Supplies Corp. (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)—neither of which is an Apple authorized government reseller. Under Proloquo2go were no matches.

FPDS: Under both keywords was one entry, the incumbent, MAC Business Solutions, Inc.

6. Rationale for Single Source Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Contracting Officer, approve this justification for the proposed contract action pursuant to the authority cited above because only an authorized Apple resellers can market the LAMP™ and Prologquo2go apps. Market research indicates other companies’ products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet, the agency's needs.

DoDEA has a dedicated server for Apple apps for iOS devices and cannot accommodate apps that do not meet those server requirements. Hence, DoDEA cannot use apps from GooglePlay, Touchchat, Spectronics, etc., which use Android. Two Apple apps were discovered during market research: LAMP™ and Proloquo2Go.

LAMP™ is the only communication app on the market with motor planning and the seven characteristics listed below, all of which DoDEA requires. Similarly, Proloquo2Go is the only symbol-supported app on the market with the seven characteristics listed below, all of which DoDEA requires:

1) Full English vocabulary augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) language app with hundreds of pre-programmed vocabulary words.

2) Joint engagement with the student taking the lead.

3) Consistent and unique motor patterns are the way the vocabulary words are programmed which allow for fast, natural, and fluent communication.

4) Single words are taught so individuals can build their own sentences word by word rather than by a whole phrase.

5) Auditory signals on the device occur when a button is pressed triggering the device to speak the word. This feedback helps the learner understand how sounds and words are connected to motor movements—critical for natural language development.

6) Natural consequences occur when an individual presses a button and the communication partner reacts accordingly.

7) Combining PRC Unity® language system with LAMP™ principles and strategies.

Based on the rationale above, the Contracting Office has made the determination to issue a brand-name sole source solicitation as a small business set-aside for Apple authorized government resellers for the required apps.

Assistive Technology Apps for Nonverbal Students or Students with Limited Oral and Written Communication Skills

Technical Certification: I certify the supporting data under my cognizance and which forms a basis for this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Digital Signature

Jaclyn Haynes, Contracting Officer’s Representative

DETERMINATION

Contracting Officer: 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.

Digital Signature

Alim Koroma, Contracting Officer \

FAR 13 Determination At or Below SAT Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 - For Official Use Only