CUI_Knox JA 2023_10_15 Feb 23_Redacted.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE//FEDCON

Control No: MICC 2023-10 analysis of civilian credentials and their relatedness to Army MOSs, AOCs, ASIs, and SQIs. They designed and developed the COOL website, database, and associated application and retain all data rights associated with the code and application. The continued use of SOLID as the sole contractor will ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data and prevent a loss of historical data. SOLID is providing an enterprise solution with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), U.S. Air Force (USAF), and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) sharing credentialing information via a shared database within the application.

SOLID's work in this area represents the only systematic research that has been conducted on issues related to credentialing of Service members with professional associations and government agencies.

SOLID is widely known in the credentialing industry as an expert in the application of civilian credentialing to military education and training. As such, SOLID principals are frequently approached to provide expertise in this area by national credentialing bodies and credentialing stakeholders, including the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The connections SOLID has established facilitates interaction with important credentialing and government decision makers.

a. Background: SOLID developed the original underlying database for the Army’s COOL website approximately 20 years ago. The database now supports the Army, USN, USMC, USAF, and USCG COOL websites and each of the other Services’ contracts are with SOLID. SOLID provides support for the Services’ COOL websites in the form of updating and maintenance, credentialing agency information, credentialing requirements, and MOS relatedness to credentials information. SOLID is a key stakeholder tying the analysis, underlying database, and cross-collaboration between Services, Agencies, and industry partners to the Services’ COOL websites. SOLID is the only known source with the requisite knowledge, experience, and technical data that can meet the Army’s COOL Program requirements at this time. As of 21 December 2016, the Army Human Resources Command (now ACCESS, ArmyU) and Navy Credentials Program Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate and leverage resources available to both Soldiers and Sailors to facilitate credentialing.

b. Alternatives:

1) Replace current contractor: The Army currently has an existing COOL website to synchronize the data and match civilian certification and license requirements to Army military occupational specialties (MOSs). The scope includes research and analysis as well as soldier counseling on credentialing opportunities.

Though other contractors may have research and analysis and counseling experience, they are not authorized rights to edit/modify the database/source code supporting

COOL. Confirmation was obtained from SOLID that they hold proprietary rights and there are no authorized users outside of SOLID.

2) Procure new software and database for COOL updates. To entertain development of a replacement source to support COOL would have broad range impact in time and money. Based on requiring activity expertise, it takes 18-24 months to develop and implement a new website for the Government. Website interfaces, Government IT regulations and other Government contracts would all have to be taken into consideration. At least one other Government contract is in place (with the Navy) for services on the existing website and utilizing the shared database (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard).

c. Impact: While the current COOL requirement has a website maintenance component, it also has a requirement for personnel to perform the research and analysis to compare civilian credentialing with MOSs and skills training (section 1.6.7.3 and 1.4 of the PWS) and render soldier counseling. It is a key part of the requirement (PWS part 5) that whatever contractor performs the work can provide services to ensure the website is fully functional and maintained appropriately ensuring that the research, analysis, and information disseminated on Army COOL remains accurate, current, and informative to Soldiers. Finally, the Army would have to obtain buy-in to pursue alternatives from the sister military service agencies or violate exiting MOUs.

d. Failure to utilize sole source will result in excessive lapse in services to Soldiers leading to mission failure of mandated legislation. If another contractor is awarded the contract, the rights to the codes and application will need to be purchased from SOLID or new code and application developed to maintain current services. Additionally, if other services continue to use SOLID or different contractors from the Army, duplication of efforts across agencies will occur with loss of this enterprise solution and overall increased costs to the Government.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research determined alternate sources would require a minimum of 18-24 months to develop an underlying database like SOLID's and the "Interested Sources", discussed below, do not possess the full capacity to meet the Government's needs. In addition, if another vendor were found, the development would add cost to the program and would in essence put the Army COOL program on hold until an alternate source has established an underlying database that meets the same standard as SOLID. SOLID's underlying database is established and 100% compatible with Army's.

a. Effective competition: Competition is not anticipated as SOLID retains exclusive rights to the underlying code and there are no contractors currently authorized to edit/modify the source code.

b. Subcontracting Competition: SOLID is a small business concern and is not required to present a subcontracting plan for consideration. The onus remains with

USMC and MILGEARS for OSD. Information provided support they could design a new website and do maintenance; however, the Government’s requirement is not for a new website. The contracting officer received confirmation from the contractor that they do not have rights to edit/modify the database/source code that supports COOL. Since the code is proprietary to SOLID, the contractor is not deemed capable of supporting the requirement.

Capability/Experience: The relevant experience of the contractor includes recruiting, hiring, credentialing, and personnel placement for the Medical Education & Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston under two separate actions. The contractor experience could be relevant to the research and analysis of MOS against credentialing opportunities as well as counseling soldiers. The contracting officer received confirmation from the contractor that they do not have rights to edit/modify the database/source code that supports COOL. Since the code is proprietary to SOLID, the contractor is not deemed capable of supporting the requirement.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History:

1) Contract No.: W9124D-18-C-0009 Period of Performance: 8 May 2018 - 7 May 2019 plus four option years.

Last option year ends 7 May 2023 Competitive Status: Sole source Authority: FAR 6.302-1

2) Contract No.: W9124D-13-P-0213 Period of Performance: 8 May 2013 - 7 May 2014 plus four option years.

Last option year ended 7 May 2018

3) Contract No.: W911S0-08-C-0004

Period of Performance: 8 May 2008 - 7 May 2009 plus four option years.

Last option year ended 7 May 2013 Competitive Status: Competed as 100% Small Business Set-aside

Competition obtained. No record available to determine method of solicitation or if a brand name justification was included

4) Contract No.: N00189-10-P-Z284

Period of Performance: 1 Mar 2010 - 30 Sep 2010

b. Memorandum of Agreement with Navy, Subject: Joint Collaboration on the

ACCESS, ArmyU and Navy Center for Information Dominance Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) System for Soldiers and Sailors, effective date 20 March 2006.

c. Memorandum of Understanding between the Human Resources Command (HRC) and the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) for Continued Joint Collaboration on the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) Websites for Soldiers and Sailors, effective date 20 December 2016.

d. Other facts: Without prior approval by the other Services, neither ACCESS, ArmyU, or the Navy's Credentials Program Office will make significant modifications to the structure of the shared portion of the COOL database.