ATTACHMENT A BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION_MHS EQ 360.pdf

ATTACHMENT A

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION

for

Multi-Health Systems (MHS) Leadership Emotional Quotient (EQ) 360 and Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0) Reports

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick 5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

2. Description of Action: This proposed action is for a firm-fixed-price contract to be awarded according to FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures for the procurement of brand name EQ 360 and EQ-i 2.0 Assessments and Reports.

3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) Contracting Professional School (CPS) requires EQ 360 and EQ-i 2.0 Assessments for students in the Senior Acquisition Leadership Training (SALT) Program. The content in the required EQ 360 and EQ-i 2.0 Assessments must be consistent with the EQ-i 2.0 Model which has been used since the SALT Program’s inception. The SALT Program instruction and material was built using the EQ-i 2.0 Model, including a team building class activity where students spin a physical EQ-i 2.0 wheel and answer questions directly related to the EQ composite area the spinner lands on. A physical display of the EQ-i 2.0 Model is also used in the classroom during the SALT program in-person sessions. The MHS Leadership 360 and EQ-i 2.0 Reports are based on the EQ-i 2.0 Model. CPS has determined MHS Inc. offers the best product to complement our certified facilitator’s coaching effort and the program overall. The MHS assessment is comprised of 133 statements related to emotional intelligence skills and includes both individual and coach reports. The historical SALT student EQ 360 Reports will be compared to the future SALT student EQ 360 reports resulting from this requirement.

The required brand name products are MHS Leadership EQ 360 Report and MHS EQ-i

2.0 Report and have the following specifications:

Product/ Brand Name: Multi-Health Systems (MHS) Features Specifications

Leadership EQ 360 Report

Completely aligned with the EQ-i 2.0 self-assessment providing a seamless user experience

One-page summary of results Each summary is interpreted from two different perspectives

Administration Time 20 to 30 minutes per assessment

The Contractor shall send the assessment link electronically to each SALT student, collect responses, run reports in MHS, and provide the reports to each SALT student.

The total estimated value of the proposed action is ____________.

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION for MHS EQ 360 Assessments and Reports

4. Statutory Authority: Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b), the circumstances of this contract action deem only one source/particular brand-name item is reasonably available; simplified acquisition procedures will be used in accordance with 41 U.S.C.1901.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: Based on the market research described in Section 8 of this justification, it was determined the specific brand name is necessary to meet the Government’s need. The Government requires EQ 360 assessments and reports based on the scientifically validated EQ-i 2.0 Model which includes 15 competencies that are highly correlated with inspirational leadership, innovative work cultures, highly effective teams, and engaged and committed talent.

The SALT Program material relies heavily on the EQ-i 2.0 Model, including a team building class activity where students spin the EQ-i 2.0 wheel and answer questions directly related to the EQ composite area the spinner lands on. A display of the EQ-i 2.0 Model is also used in the classroom during the SALT program in-person sessions.

While other products may measure similar EQ areas, the MHS EQ 360 assessment is the only EQ 360 assessment that is based on the EQ-i 2.0 Model and measures Self- Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management.

The EQ-i 2.0 has over 25 years of research and experience behind it. The MHS Leadership EQ 360 contains 133 statements related to emotional intelligence skills and takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. Also, unlike other products, the MHS assessment includes reports from both the perspective of the individual and the coach.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted and shows there are multiple providers of this brand-name item including one Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business (SDVOSB); it is not limited to a specific seller/reseller. This brand name justification will be posted with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6).

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to perform market research to determine if there are any changes in the marketplace that will enable future actions to provide maximum competition.

8. Market Research: The Government’s technical expert completed careful market research of various products and brands of EQ 360 and EQ-i 2.0 Reports to determine if there are any others that meet the needs identified. During market research the technical expert looked at other 360 assessments including the Campbell Leadership Index, Leadership Circle Profile 360, Wiley 360, and DiSC 360, none of which aligned to the EQ-i 2.0 model focusing on Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management. Further market research was conducted by the Government’s technical expert and Contracting Officer to determine what sources were capable of providing the brand name item; several sources were found, including more than two small businesses. Therefore, there is a reasonable expectation that competition exists among sellers/resellers of this brand name item.

9. Other Facts: None

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION for MHS EQ 360 Assessments and Reports

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 and Contracting Officer Certification:

The awarded price for this contract action will be fair and reasonable and the price reasonableness determination will be included in the contract file determination in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a) and (b). This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and this certification serves as approval in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b).