J A_W9124D-16-Q-5562_MILLERS_ANALOGY.pdf

Knox-2016-9

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(Actions NTE $650K for other than Simplified Acquisition Procedures)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), Fort Knox, KY

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-on Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Cost

Funds: OMA Other Funds:

Name of Proposed Contractor(s):

NCS Pearson, Inc.

Street Address: 5601 Green Valley Dr. Ste 220 City, State, Zip: Minneapolis, MN 55437-1186 Phone: 800-627-7271

3. Description of Services or Supplies:

The total estimated value of the proposed action is $310,000.00.

Purchase 6,200 Millers Analogy Test (MAT) tests for the US Army Cadet Command (USACC), Fort Knox, KY to administer to Senior Reserve Officer Training Cadets (SROTC) during the Cadet Leader Course (CLS) portion of the Cadet Summer Training (CST). The MAT is a high-level mental ability test requiring the solution of problems states as analogies. It is designed to reflect candidate’s analytical thinking, an ability that is critical for success which is used for candidates applying to any of the hundreds of graduate programs that accept MAT scores for admission. Testing will be conducted during the period beginning June 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016.

4. Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C 2304 (c) 91) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 6.302-1:

“Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements.”.

Actions other than simplified acquisition procedures (select one):

FAR 6.302-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 10 USC 2304(c)(1)

FAR 6.302-2: Unusual and compelling urgency, 10 USC 2304(c)(2)

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FAR 6.302-5: Authorized or Required by Statute, 10 USC 2304(c)(5)

Other: __

5. Reasons for Authority Cited: The U.S. Army Cadet Command Fort Knox, KY has a yearly requirement to assess candidates’ analytical thinking; an ability that is critical for success and for applying to any of the hundreds of graduate programs. Excluded from this assessment are the math and writing skills.

Year-after-year, the MAT test have been the tool used to assess the candidates. The MAT test is a multiple choice question, analogies. The test rely heavily on what might be called specific knowledge and it does not test math or writing skills. This test takes 1 hour to complete and cost $ per test.

A review of other tests that support this requirement revealed the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test. The GRE consists of three sections: verbal and quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The verbal reasoning section is multiple choice and measure the ability to understand what is read; the quantitative reasoning is also a multiple choice and measure the ability to reason mathematically; and the analytical writing section consists of essay assignment. This test takes over 3 hours to complete and cost $ per test.

Though both GRE and MAT meet the Cadet Command’s requirement, the MAT test is the ideal choice. The additional math and writing test offered by the GRE is not required by the Cadet Command. Moreover, the GRE’s math and writing essays drive the test’s cost to $ and time to take the test over three hours. Therefore, the MAT is the suitable product and the only real alternative. Pursuant to the provisions of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), NCS Pearson, Inc. is the only source that can provide the MAT test.

a. Alternatives:

(1) Alternative 1. Replace the MAT with the GRE General Test (GRE) exam.

Many graduate programs, especially those involving the social sciences and humanities, accept scores for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) as an alternative to GRE General Test scores. Market research indicates the estimate of the GRE is $ per individual. This is not a cost effective solution.

(2) Alternative II. Not provide the MAT to the SROTC cadets. The Cadet Leader Course (CLS) is a 30-day summer training event focused on solving complex problems at the company level. Cadets will arrive at CLC with a baseline of military skill sets, and will have developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities during the academic years. Not providing the MAT as a portion of the CLC does not support the mission. Therefore, this alternative is not considered a viable option.

b. Justification: The only other test that cover the disciplines covered in the MAT, is the GRE test. The additional math and writing covered by the GRE will result in longer test

-3-time and higher cost. Therefore, the only real choice is the MAT. NCS Pearson, Inc. is the sole publisher and distributor of the MAT test.

c. Impact: The U.S. Army Cadet Command (USACC) is responsible for (1) educating, training, and commissioning college students to be officers and leaders of characters in the Total Army; (2) To instill values of citizenship, national and community service, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment in high school students.

Primarily, the Army Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (SROTC) program is a college scholarship program leading to a commission in the US Army. The overall mission of the Army SROTC program is to produce commissioned officers in the quality, quantity, and academic disciplines necessary to meet Active Army and Reserve Component requirements. It would be a negative impact to the overall mission of the Army SROTC program if USACC were no longer able to offer and administer the MAT test to SROTC during the CLC portion of the CST.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: The nature of this acquisition precludes attempts to increase competition.

7. Market Research: Cost of the MAT, as provided by the sole proprietor is $ per test.

8. INTERESTED SOURCES: There are no known interested sources.

9. Procurement History: This is an annually administered test. Each year, MAT tests are procured in quantity commensurate with the number of cadets

Purchase order or contract number: W9124D15D0031 Was action competed? Yes No Unique Source (FAR 6.302-1(b)(1) (i))

10. Additional Information to support the justification. No additional information submitted.

11. Technical / Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in this abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By:

Position Title (Division Chief of higher):

Email address:

Typed Name: _______________ _ Date: ___________________

Signature: ___________________

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12. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on comparison of the MAT test price of $ per test to the GRE test of $

13. Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and have no small business concerns.

Local Small Business Specialist

Typed Name: ____________________ Date:_______________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________

I have reviewed this justification and find it legally sufficient.

Legal Counsel

Typed name: ________________________ Date:______________________

SIGNATURE:________________________

14. Contracting Officer’s Approval: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

SIGNATURE: _______________________ Date: _____________________ Karen E. Keys Contracting Officer US Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Ft Knox, KY