A4L_JOFOC.pdf

This document contains proprietary or procurement sensitive information related to the conduct of a federal agency procurement and shall not be disclosed to any person other than a person authorized by the Contracting Officer to receive such information.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Chief Financial Officer Contracts and Acquisitions Management

JUSTIFICATION FOR

OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. IDENTIFICATION:

Agency: U. S. Department of Education Contracting Activity: Contracts and Acquisitions Management

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED:

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has an ongoing requirement to be able to formally collaborate with a global community of educational policymakers, marketplace product and service providers and the customers they serve to address real world learning information management needs and challenges. In the past, USED has filled this need through participation in the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) Association, which recently changed its name to the “Access 4 Learning” (A4L) Community. The A4L Community is a unique, non-profit collaboration composed of over 3,200 schools, districts, local authorities, states, US and International Ministries of Education, software vendors and consultants who collectively address all aspects of learning information management and access to support learning. The A4L Community’s major technical tool is its “Powered by SIF” Specifications which, in part, is an implementation of USED’s Common Education Data Standards (CEDS). Therefore, it is essential that USED, as the primary supporter and technical developer of the CEDS, has an active voice in the A4L community through acquiring an annual membership.

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY'S NEEDS:

Project title: Access 4 Learning Consortium Membership Description of supplies or services: This procurement will provide a Consortium

Membership in the Access 4 Learning (A4L) Community for all USED offices:

Institute of Education Sciences Office for Civil Rights Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of the Chief Information Officer Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development Office of Educational Technology

This document contains proprietary or procurement sensitive information related to the conduct of a federal agency procurement and shall not be disclosed to any person other than a person authorized by the Contracting Officer to

Office of Innovation and Improvement Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Federal Student Aid Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Office of Postsecondary Education

Membership amount: $90,000 per year.

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION: check one

6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements __X__ 6.302-2, unusual and compelling urgency ____ 6.302-3, industrial mobilization; engineering; developmental, or research capability; or expert services ____ 6.302-4, International agreement ____ 6.302-5, authorized or required by Statute ____ 6.302-6, national security ____ 6.302-7, Public interest ____

5. CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE

ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED:

A4L Community is the only provider of membership to this collaborative body.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE OFFERS ARE SOLICITED

FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS PRACTICABLE:

N/A. Only A4L can provide the membership.

7. DETERMINATION BY CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED

COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE:

Membership in the Community is at a firm-fixed price below the simplified acquisition level.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET SURVEY AND RESULTS, OR STATEMENT WHY

MARKET SURVEY WAS NOT CONDUCTED:

A4L is the only provider of this membership.

This document contains proprietary or procurement sensitive information related to the conduct of a federal agency procurement and shall not be disclosed to any person other than a person authorized by the Contracting Officer to

9. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION:

None.

10. SOURCES, IF ANY, WHICH HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION IN WRITING:

11. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS, IF ANY, TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME BARRIERS

TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES:

12. CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) CERTIFICATION THAT THE JUSTIFICATION IS

ACCURATE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF THE CO'S KNOWLEDGE AND

BELIEF, AND THIS PROCUREMENT IS NOT A RESULT OF A LACK OF

PLANNING OR EXPIRATION OF FUNDS:

I hereby recommend that this justification be approved and that the Department proceed with the procurement and award of this requirement. I certify that this justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

This document contains proprietary or procurement sensitive information related to the conduct of a federal agency procurement and shall not be disclosed to any person other than a person authorized by the Contracting Officer to