ELT JA20-012 Approved Redacted.pdf

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS COMMAND

3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000

IN REPLY REFER TO:

MCICOM-JA20-012

27 July 2020

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity:

The Contracting Activity is the Marine Corps Installation Command (MCICOM) HQ Contracting located in Arlington, VA. The Requiring Agency is Training and Education Command (TECOM), G-3 Operations, located in Quantico, VA.

2. Description of Action Being Approved:

The action being approved is the issuance of a solicitation on a limited sources basis, limiting the competition to only universities (public or private). The resultant contract will be a firm-fixed-priced effort for a study of gender-integrated recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRD).

3. Description of Supplies/Services:

The objective of the study is to determine alternatives, if any, to the Marine Corps’ approaches to gender-integrated recruit training. Currently, the Marine Corps uses two models at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina; the older, defacto integrated training wherein a female series (three platoons of female recruits) trains alongside a male company (six to eight platoons of male recruits), and the more recently developed model wherein a company of recruits has one female platoon and five male platoons. The focus of this study is to provide objective, data-driven recommendations for policy change to the current training models for Marine Corps recruits. The Marine Corps is committed to gender-integrated training to the greatest extent possible in accordance with relevant statutes. A specified task for the Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC) in the Marine Corps Force Integration Implementation Plan (MCFIIP) is to: “Develop a study plan that encompasses the entry-level training (ELT) transformation process, to include but not limited to, the extent and effectiveness of gender-combined recruit training and possible options to increase gender-integrated training during boot camp.” The end product of this effort supports the accomplishment of this task. At the end of this study, the university will be required to deliver a final report and recommendations and publish the report in a peer-reviewed journal. The total estimated value of this procurement is $2,018,074.56, which includes a one-year base period of performance and a six-month option period. This contract will be funded with FY20 Operations and Maintenance, Marine Corps (O&M, MC) funds for the base period and planned FY21 O&M MC funds for the option period. A breakdown of the estimated costs follows:

Category Base Period Option Period Total Labor (Firm Fixed Price) $1,236,729.60 $631,344.96 $1,868,074.56 Travel (Reimbursable) $100,000.00 $50,000.00 $150,000.00 Totals: $1,336,729.60 $681,344.96 $2,018,074.56

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Limiting Sources:

FAR subpart 13.5 procedures in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901.

5. Demonstration and Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Authority:

The Government is limiting the sources that can compete on this effort to universities only (public or private).

The Marine Corps requires an unbiased, non-Department of Defense (DoD) review of the Marine Corps’ current approaches to gender-integrated recruit training. Full and Open competition that would allow for-profit companies and DoD affiliated organizations to compete was considered, however, the Marine Corps determined that study results from potentially biased sources would have a greater chance of generating results that support existing policies. To inspire and foster the public’s confidence in the Marine Corps training methods into the future, the Marine Corps seeks impartial, peer-reviewed study results from non- DoD, academic, independent sources that can make recommendations regarding effective training methods.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit the Requirement from Other Sources:

This requirement will be synopsized and posted to the GPE in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2 to ensure maximum competition from available universities. In accordance with FAR Subpart 13.501(a)(1)(iv), this limited sources justification will be posted with the solicitation.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost / Best Value Determination:

Market research indicates multiple universities intend to submit proposals if the Government issues a solicitation for these services. Based upon this, the Government anticipates adequate price competition will exist and provide the basis to determine proposed pricing as fair and reasonable.

8. Market Research including Listing of Sources who expressed interest, in writing, in this acquisition:

Market Research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10 between November and December 2019 and again between May to July 2020. A total of two Market Surveys were issued to ascertain the availability of universities interested and capable of supporting this requirement. Market Survey MR20-003 was posted to beta.SAM.gov on 5 November 2019 with a closing date of 15 November 2019. Responses were requested from public universities only. The market survey contained a draft-type PWS and requested universities to provide a capability statement demonstrating their organization’s capabilities, experience, and history with regards to the tasks outlined; feedback on anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code; a rough order of magnitude (ROM); and recommendations on contract vehicles available to procure theses services. By the closing date and time, the Government did not receive any responses.

However, multiple universities researchers expressed interest in conducting this study afterwards with the requirement generator.

Therefore, a second Market Survey, MR20-011, was posted to beta.sam.gov on 19 June 2020 with a closing date of 2 July 2020. Again the Government requested responses from public universities only. The Market Survey mirrored the original, however was revised with updates to the draft PWS. A total of five (5) responses were received in writing from public universities: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland at College Park, University of Pittsburg, and University of Rhode Island.

The repsonses were reviewed by Richard Rutter and Capt Matthew Harris at TECOM G-3, who found that at least two (2) sources are capable of performing this requirement, and the others may be with additional information provided in the solicitation to assist in narrowing the scope of the requirement. Additional information pertaining to the market research and assessment of the responses received to the Market Surveys, in the Market Research Report.

9. Actions the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome Any Barriers to Competition Before Any Subsequent Acquisition for the Supplies or Services Required.

There is not anticipated to be a follow on requirement to this one at this time. However, if there is a follow-on requirement, the Government would conduct further market research to determine whether the follow-on requirement would require limiting the sources to universities again (for the reasons explained in paragraph 5 above) or if competition could open up to all sources.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

Technical/Requirements Certification

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: ____________ Richard Rutter TECOM G3 Support Branch

Review For Legal Sufficiency

Date: ____________ Graeme Henderson, Associate Counsel Office of Counsel for the Commandant

Contracting Officer Certification

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: ____________ Jessica Harker Contracting Officer

Competition Advocate Approval

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 and 40 U.S.C. 501. (10 USC 2304(c))

Date: ____________ Tiffany Wulfsohn Deputy Director, HQ MCICOM Contracts

Digitally signed by

RUTTER.RICHARD.GORDON.JR.1090

096504 'Date: 2020.07.27 08:29:25 -04'00 7/27/2020

HENDERSON.GRA

EME.S.1173805647

Digitally signed by

HENDERSON.GRAEME.S.117380564

Date: 2020.07.27 15:31:14 -04'00' 27 Jul 20

HARKER.JESSIC

A.L.1183938920

Digitally signed by

HARKER.JESSICA.L.1183938920

Date: 2020.07.27 16:16:48 -04'00' 7/27/20

Digitally signed by

WULFSOHN.TIFFANY.K.1298805

Date: 2020.08.03 08:07:24 -04'00' 8/3/20

2020-8-01 Gender Integrated ELT JA20-012 Final Signature Page