REDACTED_Brain_HQ_JandA.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE

18 Jun 2019 SOURCE SELECTION SENSITIVE Page 1 of 4

NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Funding level for this acquisition: >SAT and < $700K > $700K and < $13.5M

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIEC

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: / FA8604-19-P-5055

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): BrainHQ

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other Contracting

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304a, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION (AFFARS 5306.304(a))

Date

12 Sep 2019

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

Signature

APPROVAL (AFFARS 5306.304(a) )

Date

13 Sep 2019

Contracting Officer

Signature

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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I. Contracting Activity.

This justification and approval to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition supports requirements generated for the DoD Libraries Consortium. The contracting activity for this requirement is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Specialized Contracting Section (AFLCMC/PZIEC).

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

The DoD Library Consortium cooperatively acquires materials that are made available to military members and their families, civilian employees, and retirees across the various branches of service. The proposed effort covered by this individual J&A is for a 12-month subscription, with one 12-month option, to the BrainHQ database. The DoD Library Consortium has a requirement for an online cognitive durability program that uses games and exercises to restore neuroplasticity, improve memory, and increase brain speed. This program tracks the mental fitness of the user and improves the resiliency of the mind through cognitive training. Ultimately, this program increases the likelihood of success in educational pursuits by training the mind to absorb information. This program will be made available to libraries of various military branches across the DoD and can be accessed through computers and mobile devices. This sole source requirement will be acquired from the following organization:

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

The proposed effort covered by this individual Justification and Approval is for a 12-month subscription with one 12-month option to BrainHQ. This program provides a peer-reviewed database that tracks the mental fitness of the user and improves the resiliency of the mind through cognitive training. Ultimately, this program increases the likelihood of success in educational pursuits by training the mind to absorb information. This program will be made available to libraries of various military branches across the DoD and can be accessed through computers and mobile devices.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

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 Brain HQ Program is unique because it has been peer-reviewed by prestigious institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins, and was shown to be effective in increasing cognitive acuity and has the potential to assist with traumatic brain injury. Without this sole source acquisition, the Air Force Library's mission to assist Airmen with increasing their mental fitness will not be met.

has exclusive legal copyright to BrainHQ and is a "must order direct" company through their sales partner, . The publisher does not market their web products through any other distributors so they are not available from any other source. The proposed sole source is the only known source for this requirement.

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

Market research confirms that Brain HQ is the only known source that can satisfy the Government's requirements.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market in an attempt to find other vendors capable of satisfying the government's requirement. The library uses publishers' advertisements, professional conferences, vendor demonstrations, customer suggestions and new publication reviews in conducting its surveys.

An intent to award sole source notice was posted on Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) from 16 August 2019 through 21 August 2019 and no qualified responses that could meet this requirement were received. The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

An intent to award on a sole source basis notice was posted on Federal Business Opportunity Net and no qualified responses that could meet the requirement were received. The proposed sole source is the only known source able to satisfy the Government's requirements.

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

In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a), the Contracting Officer shall determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable. The basis of this determination is anticipated to be based on FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii), FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vii). This has been previously procured by AFLCMC/PZI for DoD Libraries and the price shall be verified against price lists, catalogs, or advertisements and by comparison to prices previously paid. Additionally, previous and current subscriptions/contracts with other customers that are similar in size will be requested from

. to justify the fair and reasonableness of proposed prices.

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

As described in Section VI above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties.

Moreover, the AFSVA/SVPL surveyed the market in order to determine if competition was obtainable. The library reviewed advertisements, new publications, and available conferences to ensure the course of action for a sole source acquisition was the most appropriate moving forward.

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

None.

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

The proposed sole source is the only known source that responded and it was determined that can satisfy the government's requirements.

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.

AFSVA/SVPL will keep an open dialog with the users/patrons and evaluate statistics to determine the necessity to use this resource to supplement its collection of research databases. AFSVA/SVPL will continue to survey the market for

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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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.