JA Trailblazers Mentoring Programs 2.13.24 (1).docx

FACTS SUPPORTING A REQUEST TO ENTER INTO AN ACQUISITION USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION – SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION (UNDER $250,000)

Introduction: Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), the following data is furnished to the Contracting Officer to support the requisitioning office’s request that the items/services identified on the above-mentioned Requisition be obtained using other than full and open competition. The requisitioning office understands that a contract may not be awarded on a sole source/brand name only basis unless the Contracting Officer approves Other than Full and Open Competition.

1. Identification of the Agency: HHS/NIH/ODEO/OWMP/ Workforce Development Branch

2. Nature and or/Description of Action Being Approved.

The Office of the Director/Executive Office OWMP the Workforce Development Branch is responsible for developing customized training options for a broad range of administrative positions in the OD. A key component of WDB’s services is to offer development programs that create a pipeline of leaders and high performing employees that are groomed to become future leaders in the OD. Trailblazers/Envision Beyond would provide tailored training for participants who will complete the New Supervisor Mentor Program and the Administrative Career Enhancement Program. WDB would like to include a training seminar to approximately 30 OD staff, called in “Enhancing Communications and Collaboration with DiSC & DiSC Agile EQ Integration.” The assessments and trainings will help OD staff explore and understand individual communication styles using DiSC and also identify personal communication preferences that will help navigate change, build resilience, and foster an agile mindset within their current and future positions. The services include communication style assessments, interactive exercises, and communication skill-building activities using the DiSC concepts that they can apply to job-related scenarios.

3. Description of the supplies and services required to meet the Agency’s needs.

The Office of the Director’s (OD) employees have demanding and complex workloads which requires them to build professional working relationships with colleagues that are positioned in 13 organizations with numerous sub-offices that have distinct missions that also service 27 Institutes and Centers. The optimal way to navigate across an intricate organization like the OD is to offer tools for high performing employees to network and effectively communicate. The ability to learn how to recognize various communications styles, within themselves and others will create improved interactions with staff and colleagues. The DiSC & DiSC Agile EQ Integration in mentoring programs, will support creating awareness within multiple levels in the organization.

4. Proposed Contractor’s unique qualifications.

a. Replacement parts:

b. Equipment upgrade/repair:

c. Proprietary data:

The Office of the Director Executive Office (ODEO), Workforce Development Branch is requesting the usage of sole source contracting procedures for an upcoming training workshop for OD mentoring programing that service federal staff. ODEO/WDB would like to use Trailblazers/Envision Beyond to conduct and facilitate the training workshop as well as to administer the communication focused training and DiSC, assessment to its federal staff. Trailblazers/Envision Beyond, minority/woman-owned certified businesses, offer custom learning solutions that focus upon improving personal and organizational performance. Since 2013, the ODEO has been in partnership with Trailblazers/Envision Beyond to provide federal staff with customized professional development opportunities. This vendor will build upon their knowledge from previous DiSC assessments analysis and reports, which they administered, to use as the building blocks for the upcoming workshop. The DiSC assessment reports are critical to the success of this workshop as it used to facilitate discussions on learning styles, communication styles, behavior-types, and personality-types. Trailblazers/Envision Beyond have the copyrights to this proprietary data, which is essential for the training workshop.

d. Urgency:

The Workforce Development Branch operates on strict deadlines as programming for the calendar year is required to be confirmed a minimum of 6 months in advanced to ensure mentoring participants are able to allot time needed to commit to the program’s requirements. The target audience for these programs are high performing employees within the range of GS-14 to GS-7. This is the first time the Workforce Development team is embarking upon integrating a paid training into the mentoring program’s content. We are looking to expedite the process to meet our commitment for the two cohorts currently scheduled to start in February and March of 2024. In order to ensure WDB can include these trainings in time for the current program calendar, we are requesting that Trailblazers/Envision Beyond offer DiSC assessments and supplemental training. Trailblazers/Envision Beyond were selected because they currently work with various offices within OD in 2023. Therefore, they are familiar with working with NIH’s procurement process and they also have institutional knowledge our Administrative staff, which is beneficial when working with current and emerging leaders.

e. Brand Name only:

5. Additional Supporting Facts.

I hereby certify that the supporting data above forms the basis for this justification, is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Certification by Requirements\Technical Personnel:

I concur and approve this justification for other than full and open competition.

Contracting Officer Date