Sole Source Justification_redacted_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source Justification Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine that the following product(s) / service(s) are available from only one source, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

Product(s) / Service(s):

2. This acquisition is restricted to the following source:

Company:

Company Address:

Company Point of Contact (phone number and e-mail):

3. Total Estimated Cost:

4. Required by Date:

5. Justification (check applicable, and provide additional information in the sections below):

Urgent and compelling need exists, following fair opportunity procedures would result in unacceptable delays (explain serious injury, financial or other, to the Government the delay would result in).

Specific Characteristics of the Item or Service

5.1 Urgent and Compelling Need (explain serious injury, financial or other, to the Government if delayed):

SmartCatalog – Catalog Hosting, Maintenance and Support – Annual Fee Curriculum Management Module – License and Hosting Reinstatement Fee Four Optional Years requested

Watermark Insights

71 W. 23rd Street New York, NY 10010

Evan Garbison 646-518-7537 egarbison@watermarkinsights.com

01/18/2020

5.2 Specific Characteristics of the Unique or Highly Specialized Item or Service:

6. Check all applicable statements:

The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, function) with existing systems presently installed. The new product(s) / service(s) must coordinate, connect, or interface with existing systems.

A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment.

Since 2016, NPS has used a suite of software modules called SmartCatalog for production and publishing of our academic catalog and workflow management of curriculum modifications. These systems directly support accreditation requirements. The SmartCatalog product was procured competitively in 2016 through GSA. In order to continue SmartCatalog hosting and maintenance and support, as well as hosting and use of the Curriculum Management Module under SmartCatalog, NPS must renew their subscription with the manufacturer. The previous manufacturer was purchased by Watermark Insights, and the items must now be purchase through Open Market procedures, not available through GSA. There are no resellers of these products/subscriptions, making Watermark Insights the Sole Source.

6.1 Compatibility Statement:

6.2 Copyright / Proprietary Data / Licensing Agreement Statement:

Only Watermark Insights offers SmartCatalog – Catalog Hosting, Maintenance and Support and Curriculum Management Module – License and Hosting. No authorized resellers exist.

7. Brand Name (if applicable, detail why the procurement is restricted to a specific brand name manufacturer):

8. Additional information supporting a sole source acquisition:

While there are other catalog development softwares and curriculum management tools available, NPS has invested a substantial amount of effort and financial investment in the current software, SmartCatalog. To switch softwares would be both cost and time prohibitive and a waste of government resources. Should the SmartCatalog suite no longer meet the needs of NPS, other softwares can be looked at. Should the vendor allow for resellers of their product, NPS can then allow for this requirement to be competed as a Brand Name requirement allowing for more competition.