Robotics-JA-07Jun13_(3).doc

SOLE SOURCE/BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION, FAR 6.302-1(c)

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Robotics Engineering Curriculum Buy

1.

Contracting Agency: Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1400 2.

Authority Cited: FAR 13.501(a), a sole source acquisition under the authority of the test program for commercial items (section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996).

3.

Description of Supplies and/or Services: DoDEA requires an up-to-date curriculum materials for the high school Robotics Engineering course that is part of a systemwide Career and Technology Education program. To fulfill this requirement, DoDEA must utilize Lego® MINDSTORMS® NXT and Pitsco TETRIX® products, all of which are proprietary.

4.

Description of Action: To satisfy this requirement, the award of a Firm Fixed-Price Requirement Type Contract is anticipated to Pitsco, Inc. The total estimated cost of this requirement is $2,787,000 in Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds for the base and five 12-month option years ($78,000 in the base year, FY13).

5. Reason for Authority Cited: DoDEA offers Robotics Engineering instruction in various classes and venues from grades 1-12. For grade 1-8 programs the Lego® and Pitsco TETRIX® products are the only ones available for robotics engineering programs. In addition, DoDEA students participate in national competitions at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels in which Lego® products are required to be used.

At the high school level, DoDEA adopted a Robotics Engineering course in the 2011-12 school year using Lego® MINDSTORMS® NXT and Pitsco TETRIX® products. DoDEA selected teachers to develop the course for all high schools systemwide. These task group members selected kits, software, and resources based on their developed scope and sequence and course competencies. DoDEA has adopted the program systemwide.

DoDEA conducted a brand-name competition for the high school Robotics Engineering products in 2010. Only one company responded to DoDEA’s solicitation, Pitsco, Inc. The curriculum was designed around the use of those Lego® MINDSTORMS® NXT and Pitsco TETRIX® products. As such, these products are integral to DoDEA’s Robotics Engineering curriculum, and no other products will satisfy DoDEA’s requirements. Pitsco, Inc. is the only vendor. These products cannot be purchased through other vendors.

6.

Effort to Obtain Competition: Significant market research was conducted throughout the life of the previous contract (HE1254-10-D-0024) that showed there is no other vendor that can provide Lego® MINDSTORMS® NXT and Pitsco TETRIX® educational products to meet DoDEA’s Robotics Engineering program; however, DoDEA will continue to pursue all potential products for future requirement.

7.

Action to Increase Competition: DoDEA subject matter experts monitor new developments continually for the organization. As requirements change and new alternatives for meeting them enter the marketplace, all interested parties will be given the opportunity to compete.

8.

Market Research: In addition to the efforts described in Paragraph 6, additional research was conducted prior to the issuance of this solicitation, which included internet research and calls to vendors. At the present time, only Pitsco, Inc. can provide the Lego® MINDSTORMS® NXT and Pitsco TETRIX® products to meet DoDEA’s requirements.

9.

Interested Sources: To date no other interested sources have expressed an interest in this requirement. Pitsco, Inc., the current contract holder, is the only interested source. This requirement shall be synopsized in Federal Business Opportunities

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07 Jun 13