B8 Redacted SSJ CLIN 0002.pdf

Subj: SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION MEMORANDUM FOR INSPIRE 2.0 TRAINING

1. 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.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This action will award a firm fixed price order to Leading Authorities, Inc. for INSPIRE 2.0 training: The Way Forward: Master Life’s Toughest Battles and Discovering Your Purpose.

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

INSPIRE 2.0 Training: The Way Forward: Master Life’s Toughest Battles and Discovering Your Purpose, delivery to be 30 August 2023.

This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures. The Government's minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements.

4. 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.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) will be conducting INSPIRE 2.0, an Event Hosted by ED&I Office on 30 August 2023 and requires the services of Keynote Speakers and training facilitator for the event. This purchase is not suitable for full and open competition for the following reasons. Sergeant Dakota Meyer brings his real-world perspective on the importance of teamwork in successful organization as well as battling adversity and staying motived despite hardship. As a highly decorated service member of the United States Marine Corps, a veteran, and recipient of the military’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor Meyer provides a prospective and leadership lesson that cannot be met by another provider. He is a New York Times best-selling author of the book, Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War. Meyer earned his medal for his actions during the Battle of Ganjigal, which was part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is the first living Marine to have received the medal since 1973 and one of the youngest. He is humble and propelled by a respect for his fallen comrades, Meyer insists that he is not a hero, and that any Marine would do the same thing. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speaker's bureau for lectures, he addresses inspiration, motivation, courage, leadership, believing in yourself, doing what is right, and what happened that day in Afghanistan.

Meyer is a successful entrepreneur who also currently serves in the Individual Ready Reserve of the US Marine Corps Reserve.

In September 2009, three US Marines, a US Navy corpsman, and Afghan soldiers went missing in Afghanistan after being ambushed by 50 insurgents. Defying orders, Meyer went into the “killing zone” to help. Through five successive missions over the course of six hours, he helped save the lives of many American and Afghan troops. Meyer also found the bodies of the four missing men, and, with the help of friendly Afghan soldiers, moved the bodies to a safer area where they could be extracted. Meyer suffered shrapnel wounds to his arm and, in a testament to his heroism, did not expect to survive the battle. “I wasn’t really thinking I could die; it was just a matter of when,” he said. “I never thought I was going to come out [but] that’s what Marines do.”

This Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion Event will enable members of the NSWC PCD community to become stronger leaders, more inclusive, and forward thinking in order to foster workplace environments that are more conducive to the mission and supporting the warfighter.

In Summary, Leading Authorities, Inc. is the only company that has the real world experience that can deliver the required training during this event.

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 the Leading Authroties, Inc.

for the training listed in Paragraph 3.

5. 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.

6. 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, Leading Authorities, Inc. is the only source that can meet the Government’s needs.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

8. 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, Leading Authorities, Inc. is the only source that can meet this requirement.