VEILS_JA_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVSUP FLEET LOGISTICS CENTER NORFOLK

CONTRACTING DEPARTMENT, PHILADELPHIA OFFICE

700 ROBBINS AVENUE, BLDG 25

PHILADELPHIA! PA 19111-5083

N REPLY REFER TO

J&A#: 18-001

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. ifiENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:

Requiring Activity: United States Naval Academy, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, 112 Cooper Road, Annapolis, MD 21402

Contracting ActMtv: NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (NFLC) Norfolk Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office, 700 Robbins Avenue, Building 2B, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5083.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED:

The U.S. Naval Academy Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership Depariment has a sole source requirement that is to be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract for the purchase of Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulation (VEILS®) involving “interactive behavior modification processes” from the manufacturer World Institute of Leadership and Learning, Ltd. (dba. WILL Interactive) (CAGE: 1QY92, DUNS: 836229229) as described in paragraph (3).

3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

The proposed sole source acquisition is to purchase a Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulation (VEILS®) and associated end product that will be delivered on computer CD disks, and the contract will include terms that will allow the USNA to distribute the disks at no additional cost. WILL Interactive supplies all equipment used in scripting, filming, coding and programming and development will consist of the following:

•Project Task 1 - Attend and Report on Post Award Meeting (Within ten (10) calendar days after contract award

(ACA))

•Project Task 2 - Conduct Resçarch (Within thirty (30) calendar days ACA)

•Project Task 3 - Develop and Deliver Learning Objectives and Simulation Design (No later than forty-five (45) calendar days ACA)

•Project Task 4 - Write and Deliver Simulation Scripts (No later than seventy-five (75 calendar days ACA)

•Project TaskS - Deliver Draft Virtual Experience Immersivç Learning Simulation (No later than 120 calendar days

ACA)

•Project Task 6 - Deliver Final Draft Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulation (No later than 150 calendar days ACA)

The VEILS® program will be used by the US Naval Academy to help instill critical thinking skills and ethical decision making processes into US Naval Academy Midshipmen. Delivery of the VEILS® ptogram is estimated within 4-6 months after award of contract.

The estimated value of the requirement is Gift funds will be used for the procurement.

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

41 Usc 190 l(e)(2) - a sole source acquisition under the authority of the test program for certain commercial items, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

5. RATIONALE JUSTIFYING USE OF CITED STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

This sole source requirement for the Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulation (VEILS®) from the manufacturer World Institute of Leadership and Learning, Ltd. (dba. WILL Interactive) is essential to the Government’s requirements and market research indicates that other companies’ products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the needs of the US Naval Academy classroom and research needs. Also, the US Naval Academy already has VEILS products in place for US Naval Academy Midshipmen.

VEILS® are the only known inimersive learning simulations that have been shown in independent evaluation studies to actually improve the real-life attitudes and performance of young adults in high-stress environments and situations. WILL Interactive is the only producer of VEILS® and holds the trade secret proprietary process for VEILS® development. The Requiring Activity’s extensive and ongoing market research over ten+ years has not found any similar products from other manufacturers, and even if they were to find a similar product, there is a high likelihood that it would infringe on WILL’s intellectual property (IP). Sole sourcing this requirement to WILL helps the Government fulfill an important need and avoid being a party to any possible JP infringement.

Since the current existing program is proprietary and patented by WILL Interactive; WILL Interactive is the only manufacturer of the Virtual Experience Immersive Learning Simulation (VEILS®) program that meets all of the US Naval Academy’s requirements.

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

PRACTICABLE:

The requiring activity was contacted by the Contract Specialist and there were discussions about other potential contractors that might provide this service; the USNA advised there are no other sources. The Contracting Office posted a sources-sought synopsis to the Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO); however no additional sources have the capability of completing the requirement. One vendor can provide scripted crisis management simulations but not the VEILS products that the US Naval Academy needs. The company’s experience lies in creating immersive simulation or testing environments that involve ‘live actors playing roles according to previously crafted scripts, in days long exercises that mimic the settings of private sector business enviromnents, as for instance hospitals or öonslruction companies. These are used to evaluate crisis management skills either for new hires or for existing personnel. These are not filmed simulations, involving live players acting roles, and it looks like a vast majority of the company’s experience deals with non-military clients. These “immersion” tests are much more similar to war gaming exercises for large groups and utilize video elements as only a small part of the exercise.

These “Immersions” are not interactive films, and not well suited for incorporation in classroom use or as half’hour elements in Capstone seminar settings which is USNA’s need. WILL Interactive is unique in providing products that are tailored to just these enviromnents. The results, as indicated in paragraph (5) show that no other products are compatible with the US Naval Academy’s required classroom and research needs.

In accordance with FAR 5.201, a combined synopsis/solicitation will be posted to the GPE:

http://xvww.neco.navy.mil/.

7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COST:

In accordance with FAR 13.5, The Contracting Officer at the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office will determine that the price negotiated for this acquisition is fair and reasonable.

8. ACTIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO FUTURE COMPETITJON:

Based on the reasons set forth in Paragraph (5), NAVSUP FLC, Philadelphia Office ifiture requirements will be handled on a case by case basis. At this time no other sources have expressed interest in this acquisition, however, if other potential sources emerge, NAVSUP FLC, Philadelphia Office will assess whether competition for thture requirements is feasible.

9. CONTRACTING POJNT OF CONTACT:

The point of contact at NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (NFLC) Norfolk Contracting Department, Philadelphia is Karen Morris (Contract Specialist) (215) 697-9612, karen.morrisi~:navv.mil.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATiON

I certiI~’ that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in tljis Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical and Requirements Cognizance:

lbje /~cm ~/~•?93-I&36 /Dkc’// j D~ Signature — Nanle (Printed) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTifICATION

I certi~’ that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the J&A/LSJ value is between $ 150K and $650K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the J&A/LSJ, ,M;/,’//0 ZTV 0Z’S-~97-c~.p, 2C Signaftre Name (Printed) Phone No. Date