B - Redacted Sole Source Memo.doc

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This is a sole source justification. Contracting activity is NSWC-PCD, Code 024, 110 Vernon Ave., Panama City, FL, 32407.

Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order to Florida State University (FSU) Panama City for tuition covering NSWC PCD personnel in their effort to attain a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering.

A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Base Year plus four (4) Option Years for tuition to FSU Panama City for up to twenty-one (21) NSWC PCD employees in the Systems Engineering Master’s program.

This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total estimated value of $1,027,642 if all options are exercised. The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements. This purchase will be funded with FY20 Overhead funds.

Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, FAR 6.302-1.

A Cooperative Agreement between Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and Florida State University was established to improve education in the scientific, mathematics, and engineering disciplines to help meet the long-term national defense needs of the NSWC PCD. Specifically, this Cooperative Agreement was a partnership effort to establish an accredited Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSE) program at Florida State University's Panama City campus that would be highly applicable to advanced work in Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division mission areas, as well as that of the Naval Research & Development Establishment in general. The program is intended to enhance technical competency, catalyze, and nurture long¬ term research and development activities between the parties.

FSU has the only accredited MSSE program in the vicinity. This allows students to attend classes in person and learn hands-on. If NSWC PCD were to have to go elsewhere for this program, TDY cost would have to be paid as well as out-of-state tuition increasing the cost substantially.

As such, the government does not expect significant savings through competition and it is more advantageous to the Government to award on a sole source basis to FSU Panama City for the required educational services.

A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, FSU Panama City is the only source that can meet the Government’s needs. This requirement will be synopsized in the government point of entry beta.sam.gov because it is estimated greater than $25,000.00.

Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

As stated in paragraph 4 above, FSU Panama City is the only source that can meet this requirement.