Fair Opportunity Exception Justification To Post.pdf

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list)

November 2018 Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) Page 1 of 3

Is this a brand-name justification? Yes No Please provide the product title and description. [ FAR16.505(a)(4)(i) ]

Brand-Name Product Title: Blackboard Learn

Brand-Name Product Description: Blackboard is an application for online teaching, learning, community building, and k l d h i

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

Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force HQ ACC Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) 129 Andrews Street, Ste 110 Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA 23665

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F2QF030125AW01

Program Name (and Program Element, if applicable): ACC A2 Blackboard Purchase

Estimated Cost/Price of the Order (including options): $336,630.63

Type Program (see AFFARS 5302.101 for definitions): PEO Program Other Contracting

Type of D etermination: Individual Class Expires: [ click and select ]

Click here for instructions to complete the boxes below.

(1) Contracting Activity:

Department of the Air Force HQ ACC Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) 129 Andrews Street, Ste 110 Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA 23665

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This is a new order. The award is an order under NASA SEWP V contract number NNG15SD19B order number FA489020F0040.

This justification is for an Exception to Fair Opportunity to procure Blackboard educational technology. The intent is to award a contract for five years. The base year will include training and implementation and the option years will include any required licensing. The contract must also include helpdesk support through the option years. This will be a firm fixed price order with the following CLINS.

0001: Software program implementation and software support 1001: Option One, software license with helpdesk support 2001: Option Two, software license with helpdesk support 3001: Option Three, software license with helpdesk support 4001: Option Four, software license with helpdesk support

(3) Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agency's needs:

The total estimated price of the total contract value is $336,630.63 which includes the following items:

-Learning Professional SAAS Plus 1-500 Users 12 Months

-Collaborate Departmental - 500K Minute Cap, Storage Limit of 500 GB, Storage Hours 1750

-Learn Administration and Teaching Readiness Flex One Time Fee

-Pro Launch Workshop One Time Fee

November 2018 Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) Page 2 of 3

Four years support for:

-Learning Professional SAAS Plus 1-500 Users 12 Months

-Collaborate Departmental - 500K Minute Cap, Storage Limit of 500 GB, Storage Hours 1750

(4) Justification for restricting consideration to a brand-name item:

The above referenced brand name items will be issued IAW FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) exception. In this instance, it would not be reasonable to procure another learning system as the Air Force and DoD are already using the Blackboard system. Furthermore, this requirement developed out of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in travel restrictions and the cancellation of in-residence training classes, negatively impacting mission readiness. Purchasing the Blackboard system will allow for training to resume and continue going forward. The Blackboard system has been used for several years by the Defense Acquisition University, and most colleges also use the system in some application. Furthermore, the Air Force uses this system at the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and 16 AF. Subsequently, there are subject matter experts (SMEs) available to assist ACC/A2 developers in getting the curriculum built and delivered as soon as possible. Duly instituted, continued use beyond the current pandemic, will also result in significant financial savings to the command and to the Air Force.

The justification for an exception to fair opportunity will be posted IAW FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D) within 14 days of placing the order.

(5) Contracting Officer's determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

As noted above, the award will be issued from the NASA SEWP contracting vehicle. As this is a brand name requirement, pricing between any quotes that are received will be negligible because pricing is set by Blackboard Inc. but can be sold through authorized re-sellers. However, pricing can be compared to like and similar items available commercially to ensure that the contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price. There are also other DoD orders for Blackboard that can be reviewed to be sure that the prices offered are in line with what the DoD has purchased in the past.

(6) Other facts supporting the justification:

N/A

(7) Actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to decreasing the use of brand-name items before any subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services:

As technology changes and newer learning systems are implemented, there may be alternatives that the Air Force can consider for any future requirements. However, currently millions of military personnel are using the Blackboard system, so implementing a new system to effectively support this many people would be unreasonable to consider at this time for this requirement.

(8) Program Manager's certification that supporting data is accurate and complete:

As evidenced by my signature below, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

(9) Contracting Officer's certification that the justification is accurate and complete:

As evidenced by my signature below, I certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

November 2018 Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) Page 3 of 3

(10) Approving Official's determination that FAR16.505(a)(4)(i) applies to the order:

As evidenced by my signature below, I hereby determine that the use of brand-name restriction applies.

Date

13 May 2020

Program Manager [ Name ] [ Office Symbol / Phone Number ]

Signature

Date

14 May 2020

Contracting Officer Steven Pillo

ACC AMIC/PKAB (757) 225-7699

Signature

PILLO.STEVEN.F.1161

145595

Digitally signed by

PILLO.STEVEN.F.1161145595

Date: 2020.05.14 07:07:56 -04'00'