NNSY Outward Mindset_FSS LSJ (Above SAT)_010826-KO.pdf

LSJ Ser # FY26-16

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION – SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104

LIMITED SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR FSS ORDER (above SAT)

RFQ #: N4215826QN002

1. IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY.

This is a Limited Source Justification. The requiring activity is Norfolk Naval Shipyard

(NNSY); the contracting activity is NNSY Code 400 Contracts Department.

2. NATURE/DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT ACTION.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule Program. This is a Limited Source Justification (LSJ) for a new order. NNSY intends to award a Firm Fixed

Price (FFP) Task Order on a sole source basis to the Arbinger Institute under its General Services

Administration (GSA) Human Capital and Training Solutions (HCATS) Schedule Contract

#47QREB19D0011 to acquire Outward Mindset Training services for a base year and four one-year option periods.

3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SUPPLIES/SERVICES.

The proposed order will provide Outward Mindset training that goes beyond behavior change and focuses on the mindset that influences behavior change. This will include on-site instructor-led services and all related course material.

As discussed in Section 6 of this document, market research did not result in any other vendor authorized or approved to deliver the Outward Mindset curriculum except for Arbinger Institute, further supporting the sole source determination. The total estimated value of this acquisition is

$5,746,395.78 (inclusive of all options). The Period of Performance schedule and the

Independent Government Estimate (IGE) are summarized in the table below.

Independent

Government

Estimate (IGE)

Year Period of Performance Description Est. Price

Base Year 3/2/26 - 3/1/27 Training / Material / Travel $ 872,803.26

Option Year 1 3/2/27 - 3/1/28 Training / Material / Travel $ 1,083,020.56

Option Year 2 3/2/28 - 3/1/29 Training / Material / Travel $ 1,083,020.56

Option Year 3 3/2/29 - 3/1/30 Training / Material / Travel $ 1,083,020.56

Option Year 4 3/2/30 - 3/1/31 Training / Material / Travel $ 1,083,020.56

52.217-8 3/2/31 - 9/1/31 Training / Material / Travel $ 541,510.28

Total Acquisition $ 5,746,395.78

Operations and Maintenance, Navy (O&M, N) funds will be used throughout the performance of this contract. Code 600 has reserved funding for $872,803.26 for this fiscal year (FY26) with the intent to provide the remaining funds of $1,083,020.56 each year from fiscal year FY27-FY30 along with the option to extend services under FAR 52.217-8 from 3/2/31 – 9/1/31in the amount of $541,510.28. The Government's minimum needs have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF THE JUSTIFICATION RATIONALE AND/OR

DEMONSTRATION OF CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS.

The statutory authority which permits restricting consideration of schedule contractors to fewer than that required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2 is 41 USC 4106(c), as implemented by

FAR 8.405-6.

NNSY intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Task Order on a sole‑source basis to the

Arbinger Institute pursuant to FAR 8.405‑6(a)(1)(i)(B), as only one source is capable of providing the required training and ensuring consistent implementation across shipyard commands. This training series supports a corporate initiative and requires uniform delivery to maintain alignment across the enterprise.

The Arbinger Institute’s training materials enable shipyard commands to build and reinforce self‑awareness, accountability, and collaboration through their proprietary programs: Outward

Leadership (OL), Outward Performance (OP), and Developing and Implementing an Outward

Mindset (DIOM). These programs, along with all associated participant workbooks and digital materials, are trademarked and copyrighted intellectual property of the Arbinger Institute. As such, the training and related materials cannot be delivered or replicated by any other company or organization.

5. DETERMINATION OF THE BEST VALUE.

GSA has determined that the prices of fixed‑price services under schedule contracts are fair and reasonable for the purpose of establishing the schedule. Therefore, ordering activities are generally not required to make a separate fair and reasonable price determination for individual orders. However, in accordance with FAR 8.404(d) (DEVIATION), the Contracting Officer will determine, using the procedures outlined in FAR 15.404‑1, that the prices are fair and reasonable and will document this determination at a level of detail appropriate to the complexity and circumstances of each order. Additionally, if the value of the order exceeds the maximum order threshold, NNSY will seek further discounts from the schedule holder in accordance with FAR

8.405‑1(d).

6. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH.

NNSY did conduct market research among schedule holders for this new requirement. A Request for Information (RFI) released with GSA on 10/16/25. The finds are summarized below:

Although other vendors may offer training similar in concept to Arbinger’s Outward Mindset

Training, Arbinger’s program is proprietary and based on copyrighted materials. No other vendor is authorized or approved to deliver the Outward Mindset curriculum.

The results of the RFI further confirmed that there are no alternative sources capable of providing this training in a manner that ensures consistent implementation across shipyard commands. Because this effort supports a corporate initiative across the enterprise, maintaining uniformity in delivery and content is essential, and only Arbinger can meet that requirement.

Additionally, the Contract Specialist reviewed previous contracts and market research conducted for similar training requirements and identified two other shipyard commands, Pearl Harbor

Naval Shipyard & IMF (Contract Number N3225320F0066) and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

(Contract Numbers N3904024F0009 and N3904022F0017). Both commands also concluded that the Arbinger Institute was the sole source capable of providing the required training and provided supporting justification confirming sole‑source vendor availability.

7. ANY OTHER SUPPORTING FACTS.

This procurement uses a GSA Schedule and will be solicited and awarded in accordance with

FAR Subpart 8.4. The Arbinger Company owns all proprietary rights and copyrights to all required Outward Mindset training principles and materials. Any unauthorized use, reuse, copying, reproduction, recording, transmittal, modifications, or revisions of any such materials or principles of the scheduled training is prohibited.

Services Requirements Review Board (SRRB) convened on 11/4/25. Approval was received

11/12/25.

8. ACTIONS TAKEN TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO COMPETITION.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 6, the contracting officer has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NNSY will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

9. APPROVING OFFICIAL DETERMINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCE

APPLICABILITY.

In accordance with the requirement at FAR 8.405-6(c)(2)(xi), the undersigned approving official for this justification hereby determines the circumstance cited above at #4, Authority and supporting rationale, applies to this acquisition.

10. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

Dushani Starks Date

Contracting Officer

11. OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL CONCURRENCE.

Concur

Ryan James Date

Office of General Counsel

12. CONCURRENCE AND APPROVAL FOR JUSTIFICATIONS >$700K.

Competition Advocate:

Approve

Ed Stolle Date

NNSY Competition Advocate