Attachment 2 Sole Source Memorandum.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

502D AIR BASE WING

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO

MEMORANDUM: SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SUBJECT: SCN Worldwide LLC DBA / Scantron Corporation

1. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs

The contractor shall deliver a standardized enterprise assessment modernization package consisting of the following proprietary hardware, software and customized training.

- Hardware (8 Units) Scantron In4Es Dual Selfscore Scanners (iNSIGHT 4es series).

These units must feature dual capabilities: mechanical OMR sensing to process legacy forms, and high resolution digital image capture for electronic archiving.

- Workstation Software (8 Licenses): Remark Classic OMR Software (version 7x) workstation licesnses, featuring recurring software assurance and technical support.

- Specialist Software (2 Licenses): Remark Scan applications to manage customized template scoring, form parsing, and workstation integration.

- Professional Engineering Services (1 Package): Proprietary template calibration and custom programming for three (3) active military assessment forms:

1. AIMS TRADOC Form 560 (1986 & Three-band versions)

2. Scantron Form NO. 19641 (Standard Blue Form)

3. AETC Form 1200 (Version 20070401)

- Training and Sustainment Support: Integrated virtual training for METC testing administrators, a 1 year central exchange hardware warranty, and comprehensive technical support to assist the local J6 brand in securing a non-classified internet protocol router network authority to operate.

2. Justification for Restricting Competition

It was determined that Scantron Corporation is the sole manufacture and provider for all Scantron equipment, no other manufacturer or provider is capable of meeting this requirement. METC currently maintains a substantial, three-year physical stockpile of proprietary, pre-printed Tri-Service bubble sheets (AIMS TRADOC Form 560, Scantron Form 19641, and AETC Form 1200). These specialized sheets are engineered with precise mechanical timing marks and proprietary layouts that can only be decoded by Scantron's patented optical sensors. Introducing a non-Scantron hardware platform would invalidate this extensive physical inventory, resulting in a total loss of prior government investments. The iNSIGHT 4es hybrid scanners are the only units capable of reading these exact legacy forms while concurrently capturing high-resolution digital page images.

In accordance with RFO 6.103-1(c)(2),the government would be duplicating cost and efforts if other than Scantron products are purchased and the three existing testing forms were no longer valid. The government owns a three year supply of these testing forms.

These forms cannot be quickly replaced without causing damage to the mission as they were specifically created for the student testing for the METC program.

3. Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition

Until it is determined another brand can meet the METC requirement needs without compromising their mission and testing processes, the government will have to continue procuring Scantron equipment and services directly from Scantron Corporation and their authorized seller.

EMILY DECK SANDERS

Contracting Officer, PKDC