FAR_8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B)_Only_One_Source_Skillsoft_FINAL.docx

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), "Only One Source is Capable of Providing the Supplies or Services Required…"

National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001

SkillSoft Training and eBook Subscriptions

Technical or Requirements Personnel Certification:

I hereby certify that this limited source justification for only one source is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I would not be making this request if it were feasible to fully compete this requirement. I further certify this request is not the result of a desire to expend funds while those funds are still available.

Chief, Organizational Development Branch

Senior Procurement Executive Concurrence:

I have reviewed this justification and conclude that it is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Director, Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer

Contracting Officer Concurrence:

I have reviewed this justification and conclude that it is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer

General Counsel Concurrence:

I have reviewed this justification and conclude that it is legally sufficient

Legal Counsel

NARA Competition Advocate Approval:

I have reviewed this justification and hereby certify that it is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. In accordance with FAR 8.405-6(d) and NARA 501, I approve this justification.

NARA Competition Advocate

I. IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGENCY AND THE CONTRACTING ACTIVITY, AND SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION OF THE DOCUMENT AS A "LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION."

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II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) intends to award a firm-fixed price delivery order on a limited source basis for SkillSoft Corporation (SkillSoft) staff professional development library, compliance and safety training materials, and eBooks 24x7 subscriptions under GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 70, General Purpose Commercial Information Technology Equipment, Software, and Services; Special Item Number (SIN) 132 32, Term Software License.

III. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS (INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED VALUE).

NARA has a requirement for online compliance training and professional development content subscriptions. These online resources must integrate with NARA’s Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. (CSOD) Learning Management System (LMS) to display content; launch content without additional authentication; and track progress and completion for all NARA users.

The content subscription must include a library of a least 3,000 course titles covering the following topics: business skills, IT and desktop tool skills, leadership, safety and health, and government. The content subscription must include at least 300 audio book titles on business skills and leadership. The content subscription must include at least 2,000 electronic book titles covering the following topics: business skills; IT and desktop tool skills; leadership; safety and health; and government management. Additionally, the library of leadership resources must be customizable to meet NARA’s specific leadership development needs.

The period of performance will be June 14, 2017 through June 15, 2018. The total estimated value of this order is $180,000.

IV. THE AUTHORITY AND SUPPORTING RATIONAL (SEE 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) AND, IF APPLICABLE, A DEMONSTRATION OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED SUPPLY OR SERVICE.

41 U.S.C. 4104 – Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and Title 40 U.S.C. 501 - Services for Executive Agencies as implemented by FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), " Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized".

NARA has, through its market research, examined offerings from 11 online training and professional development content providers. Of those 11, seven (7) are listed on the CSOD website, http://marketplace.csod.com/#/content as tools which, integrate natively with CSOD LMS. NARA has found that only Skillsoft meets all of NARA’s requirements. Of all the content providers reviewed, only Skillsoft has the combination of videos, books, and course content spanning the topic areas required to meet the training needs of NARA’s staff. Skillsoft has a unique offering with the combination of a seamless integration and completion tracking with the CSOD LMS and a broad library of books and courseware topics. In NARA’s market research, only Skillsoft offers the Government compliance library and a safety library in addition to a significant volume of videos and books. No other content subscription provider in NARA’s market research offers audio books. Audio books are a necessary alternative resource for NARA staff with limited access to desktop computers. A vast majority of NARA’s personnel in the records centers have limited access to computers.

V. A DETERMINATION BY THE ORDERING ACTIVITY CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ORDER REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE CONSISTENT WITH FAR 8.404(d).

For this requirement, competition is limited to only Skillsoft as the only source authorized to provide its content subscriptions. These items are listed at firm-fixed prices under the Skillsoft GSA Schedule and in accordance with FAR 8.404(d) the pricing has already been determined fair and reasonable by GSA. NARA will seek further discounts.

VI. A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMONG SCHEDULE HOLDERS AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED.

NARA’s Learning and Development Division (HL) conducted an extensive market research of the marketplace. This research was narrowed to focus on content providers whose products integrate with our current LMS product, Cornerstone OnDemand. The following is a summary of NARA’s market research findings:

· Skillsoft – Met all requirements

· J.J. Keller and Associates – Limited to safety topics. No books library.

· Korn Ferry – Limited to leadership topics. No books library.

· Big Think – Limited to business topics. No safety or compliance. No books library.

· Cegos – Limited to 200 courses. Limited topics. No books library.

· WeComply – Limited to compliance. No books library.

· HRSG – Limited to technical competencies. No courseware, books, or videos.

· Speexx – Limited to communication and business skills topics. No books library.

VII. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE JUSTIFICATION.

N/A

VIII. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS THAT LED TO THE RESTRICTED CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES IS MADE.

NARA is open to competitive products, provided that the products meet content, topic, and integration requirements, and offer an equivalent or better value for the price. Learning and Development (HL) in the Office of Human Capital regularly monitors the market for emergent tools and mergers that could increase value or compete with Skillsoft on price, function, and value. As of today, no other providers currently meet or appear on the horizon that may meet the combination of requirements. Each year, the agency will reassess the content subscription requirements and take actions to conduct market research for additional options that could meet those requirements. NARA may consider adding supplemental content subscriptions in the future.

IX. THE ORDERING ACTIVITY’S CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION THAT THE JUSTIFICATION IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER'S KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

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X. EVIDENCE THAT ANY SUPPORTING DATA THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TECHNICAL OR REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL (E.G., VERIFYING THE GOVERNMENT'S MINIMUM NEEDS OR REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER RATIONALE FOR LIMITED SOURCES) AND WHICH FORM A BASIS FOR THE JUSTIFICATION HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE BY THE TECHNICAL OR REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL.

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