SSJ-_Kirkpatrick.pdf

Sole Source Justification (SSJ)

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items for procurements exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (>$150,000) pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.5, including Brand Name

SSJ No.: FY16-0031 -1-

SSJ No.: FY16-0031

Date: November 20, 2015 PR Number: HCT160002

Pursuant to the requirements under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items at 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.501 and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Contracting, intends to procure brand name specific training on the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model and associated certifications.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

USCIS intends to solicit for Kirkpatrick New World Evaluation Model training and associated certification, for USCIS training professionals, from authorized open market contractors using Commercial procedures for the continued procurement of services for Training Evaluation Certifications. Pursuant to FAR 13.501 this brand name specification must be used because the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model is a unique and highly specialized type of training evaluation model; There is only one responsible source that can provide this Specific Training Evaluation Model to USCIS evaluators and this source is peculiar to one manufacturer - Kirkpatrick. Only Kirkpatrick and its authorized trainers can provide this training as the evaluation methods and materials are proprietary to Kirkpatrick.

OPM has adopted the Kirkpatrick model in their government wide guidance for evaluating training programs (as published in their training evaluation guide). DHS and USCIS have chosen to use the Kirkpatrick model to align with OPM guidance. The use of this specific model is documented in USCIS’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for Training. USCIS has numerous training professionals currently certified and using the Kirkpatrick model to evaluate USCIS training programs and continuation is critical to the assessment of internal training programs.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is to provide evaluation training for USCIS at a total cost of approximately .

SSJ No.: FY16-0031 -2-

Min (1 to 2 classes)

Max (up to 4 Classes)

Base Op Yr 1 Op Yr 2 Op Yr 3 Op Yr 4

Total

4. Identification of the authority.

This action is being taken under the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C. 1901.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

Since the training materials are proprietary to Kirkpatrick, only Kirkpatrick and its authorized trainers can provide this specific evaluation training,

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

Pursuant to FAR 5.102(a)(6), USCIS intends to make this justification publically available with the solicitation.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer is anticipating that the cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison of the proposed price with market research prices and pricing found reasonable on previous purchases.

8. Description of market research.

Market research was conducted and there are vendors that are authorized to provide the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model. Kirkpatrick can also provide this directly.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification.

These services were previously provided under order no. HSSCCG-13-F-00059, which was awarded to Kirkpatrick in 2013 and was valued at approx. . The new

SSJ No.: FY16-0031 -3-contract will include the continued training of all USCIS training professionals as well as certifying these trainers in Bronze and Silver Level Certifications.

10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

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

When the Kirkpatrick methodology is phased out the Government may seek additional competition in future acquisitions for similar type of evaluation training certifications.

12. DHS intends to post the requirement pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iv) and 6.305(c).

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

Technical Representative/COR

Date

14. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval

Contracting Officer Date