JA_Sole_Source_-_FIRO-B_redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

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I. Contracting Activity.

42nd Contracting Squadron, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112 - Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (PR #

F2XHC87068AW01)

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

This justification is being issued to allow for the award of a new firm-fixed price "sole source" Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to CPP, Inc. The requirement is for the purchase of Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B) psychometric assessments.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

Under the contemplated contract, CPP, Inc. will provide FIRO-B psychometric assessments for the Barnes Center in support of the Chiefs Leadership Course (CLC) curriculum. The estimated total value of this procurement is $ for a base year and four, one (1) year options. The total estimated value for each year is $ . The base year will begin 31 March 2017 and continue for twelve months through 30 March 2018, with four consecutive twelve month option years. If all options are exercised, the contract will expire on 30 March 2022. This effort will be funded using 3400 appropriation.

CLIN Description of Requirement Quantity Unit Unit Total Price Price

0001 FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organizations, 1,110 EA with FIRO-B Profile; Part #: 231000

0002 Yearly site subscription 1 EA

1001 FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organizations, 1,110 EA with FIRO-B Profile; Part #: 231000

1002 Yearly site subscription 1 EA

2001 FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organizations, 1,110 EA with FIRO-B Profile; Part #: 231000

2002 Yearly site subscription 1 EA

3001 FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organizations, 1,110 EA with FIRO-B Profile; Part #: 231000

3002 Yearly site subscription 1 EA

4001 FIRO-B Interpretive Report for Organizations, 1,110 EA with FIRO-B Profile; Part #: 231000

4002 Yearly site subscription 1 EA

IV. Statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition.

This acquisition is being issued under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for certain Commercial Items at 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

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V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

The FIRO-B psychometric assessment tool is unique in that it uses Goleman's Summary of Emotional Intelligence (EI) as the reference to instruct leadership in the CLC flight rooms. As stated in CPP's letter dated February 16, 2017, "CPP is, by contract with the copyright owners, the sole and exclusive publisher of [FIRO-B]" (see Attachment 1). To validate CPP's claim of sole provider, a query was made via Google search which validated that CPP is the copyright holder of FIRO-B electronic assessment (see Attachment 2). CPP's letter also claims that electronic versions of FIRO-B can only be obtained through CPP's online assessment delivery platform (i.e. SkillsOne.com). This information was also validated via a Google search (see Attachment 3). There are other tools used to highlight areas affiliated with EI, but FIRO-B is the key assessment that identifies one's need for inclusion, control and need for affection. The CLC curriculum is centered on creating a strategic leader, who is engaged and understands how their own desires for Expressed Control, Wanted Control and Need for Control can affect the balance in relationships. FIRO-B is the only known psychometric assessment tool that meets this requirement. Other psychometric assessment tools such as the Meyers-Briggs and E-Disc do not delve into these areas, rather they center on conflict resolution, communication styles and leadership style the student demonstrates.

FIRO-B has been embedded in the CLC's academic curriculum for three years. To replace FIRO-B with another psychometric assessment tool would require considerable resources from curriculum modification to faculty training. To maintain the current level of proficiency, CLC must continue using the FIRO-B brand psychometric assessment tool. This would also require a significant rewrite not only with this assessment but with other companion programs such as E-Disc, which is also used in conjunction with the FIRO-B assessment tool. Each assessment contains its own unique focus areas used in the assessment of personalities. No one psychometric assessment tool covers all required areas needed to conduct a thorough assessment. FIRO-B is the only known tool that includes the areas of affection referenced above that is key in determining an individual's interpersonal orientation critical in building the Air Force's enlisted strategic leaders.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

An intent to sole source letter was posted on FBO from 17-24 March 2017 to identify if there are any other offerors capable of providing this requirement. As of today, 22 Mar 2017, no responses have been received. Any responses received on or before 24 Mar 2017 will be reviewed/considered.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Customer representative familiar with the requirement will perform a technical evaluation of the quote to ensure it meets the Government's needs. The Contracting Officer will ensure the contract represents a fair and reasonable price to the Government based on comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid for the same or similar item and a comparison with published market prices.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

A Sources Sought notice was posted to FBO, GSA and sent to three vendors (CPP, Rewire Leadership Institute and Discover Your Personality) via e-mail. CPP and Discover Your Personality both responded to the email stating that they can meet this requirement. Two responses (Deloitte and Silver Woods Associates) were received from the FBO Sources Sought of which only Silver Woods stated that they can fulfill this requirement. Zero responses were received from the GSA Sources Sought.

Further market research revealed that CPP, Inc is the only firm capable of providing the supplies as no other companies are authorized to sell the product.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None

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X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition.

CPP, Inc. is the sole provider of FIRO-B Psychometric Assessments.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

There are no known actions that can be taken by the Government to foster full and open competition for future acquisitions until the Barnes Center develops their own assessment tool or performs a rewrite to current curriculum.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.