JA Rev 002_Final Revisions.pdf

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION – SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104

IN REPLY REFER TO:

220.1 J&A Number: 20216

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITON

SOLE SOURCE

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

Requiring Activity: Office of Admissions United States Naval Academy (USNA) 52 King George St.

Annapolis MD, 21401

Contracting Activity: NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk

1968 Gilbert Street Norfolk, Virginia 23511-3392

Requisition Number: N0016120RC06818

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION BEING APPROVED:

Award of a contract on a sole source basis to Hobsons Inc. for Naviance Network and Database, a web-based college planning and engagement platform. The sole source must be Hobsons Inc. (CAGE:

04CC9). Authority to act expires on September 30, 2021.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

The proposed acquisition is for Naviance Network and Database, a web- based system that integrates high school students', parents', and guidance counselors' college planning, searches, and application processes into one cohesive database. The web-based planning tools allow USNA to specifically send target messages to students by state, ethnicity, year in high school, and GPA. Additionally, the web-based tools allow USNA advertising space on college-bound discussion boards as well as allowing the discussion boards to integrate to other college planning tools. Naviance allows USNA to have an enhanced presence on college search websites to include profiles, photo tours, videos and links to the USNA Admissions website, application and online tours. The required delivery date is September 30, 2020 and the expiration date is September 30, 2021.

Estimated Dollar Value

Item Description Unit of Issue Unit Price Total Price

Naviance Network & Database 1 $299,000.00 $299,000.00

Total $299,000.00

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVSUP FLEET LOGISTICS CENTER NORFOLK

1968 GILBERT STREET SUITE 600

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23511-3392

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING SOLE SOURCE.

41 USC 1901(e)(2) - the property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency.

5. RATIONALE JUSTIFYING USE OF CITED STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

This authority applies to the proposed procurement based off the market research applied to this procurement. Market research showed that Hobsons Inc. is the only vendor/manufacturer that can supply a college planning and engagement platform that meets all specifications set forth in the performance work statement. USNA currently connects to high school students through the Naviance platform under previous contract N0018919P0648. The USNA is now seeking the National Enterprise Partnership, a new tier which allows the USNA to access interested students in all 50 states. This new tier would give the USNA a 40% increase in their reach, and unlocks access to over 2 million additional students who are users of Naviance. The USNA must use Navience due to every prospective high schools in all 50 states currently using Navience.

Navience by Hobsons is the only platform that integrates students', parents', and guidance counselors' college planning, search, and application processes into one cohesive database; provide access to an online tool that allows the USNA to specifically send target messages to students by state, ethnicity, year in high school, and GPA; allow the USNA advertising space on college bound discussion boards on the Web and allow the discussion boards to integrate to other college planning tools; and allow the USNA to have an enhanced presence on college search websites to include profiles, photo tours, videos and links to the USNA Admissions website, application and online tours.

Naviance is a closed network that reaches over 6 million students (mainly domestically but also internationally). Naviance has a 30% market share across the country.

Partnering with Hobsons is the only way to access students within Naviance. Naviance the only online tool that allows institutions to specifically send target messages to students by state, ethnicity, year in high school, and GPA. Only Hobsons can grant institutions this direct access to all 6 million students utilizing Naviance. Naviance combines Hobsons' 30+ years of experience in recruiting hard-to-reach students with its access to more than 2,000 schools.

6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO SOLICIT OFFERS FROM AS MANY OFFERORS AS

PRACTICABLE.

The technical POCs at USNA and the contract specialist sought out similar vendors who could possibly supply a web-based college planning and engagement platform. Hobsons is the only vendor that can supply the specific criteria listed in section 5. The USNA must use Navience due to every prospective high schools in all 50 states currently using Navience; therefore, the USNA can only connect with prospective high schools that use Navience.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COST.

The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. ACTIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO FUTURE COMPETITION.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAVSUP FLCN has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAVSUP FLCN will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

9. CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT

Name/Title: Joseph Frech/ Contracting Specialist Phone: (757) 443-1976 Email: joseph.frech@navy.mil