P03 - J_A (Redacted).pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR A LIMITED SOURCE AWARD UNDER A FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics Strategic Acquisition Center–Frederick 5202 Presidents Court – Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

2. Description of Action:

The proposed sole source contract is for a firm fixed price (FFP) effort for the procurement of the American Society for Training And Development, Incorporated (ATD) Instructional Design Certification Program for VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) instructors and curriculum developers.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

The proposed action is to provide a unique assessment-based certificate offering that covers the latest techniques in Instructional Design. This contract is to provide ATD Instructional Design Certificate training so that the participant can:

Gain a strong foundation in needs assessment and analysis process, ensure training initiatives are effective, impactful, and aligned with organization goals and expectations;

Develop engaging instructional events that account for human memory and learning processes;

Learn how to determine which tools and instructional formats will deliver the best learning outcomes;

Collect data from subject matter experts (SMEs) and other stakeholders, and identify the competencies and tasks that will enable the achievement of business goals;

Create both participant and facilitator guides with supporting materials to maximize learning and support on-the-job performance.

The estimated total contract value is $30,895.72. The period of performance (PoP) is one

(1) 7-month base period and zero (0) option periods.

4. Statutory Authority:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), only one source is capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required because the services are unique and highly specialized.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above:

ATD successfully performs similar requirements for VAAA. ATD’s Instructional Design Certificate program follows the key knowledge and actions defined by research that successful instructional designers must have to meet business needs.

Each ATD Education course is derived from ATD research and backed by a model, best practices, and content with real-world applicability for optimal learning transfer to drive bottom-line results. ATD Instructional Design Certificate Program focuses on three levels of analysis—organizational, performance, and performer—to develop strong, successful training programs. With input from ATD’s Competency Study, the VAAA workforce will gain the following competencies aligned with the Instructional Designer Area of Expertise:

The proficiency to use data collection for training needs assessment, identifying underlying (real-world) issues;

Fundamental comprehension and competency to successfully implement both the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) and Review, Overview, Presentation, Exercise, Summary (ROPES) models;

The capability to apply guidelines to the use of visuals, text, and audio in instructional materials to support learning objectives;

Aptitude to write learning objectives and create course materials that align performance and organizational needs; and

The ability to recognize and adapt learning methods to fill performer learning gaps.

The ATD Instructional Delivery program is practical and grounded in the real world, not just academic theory. The sole source contractor, ATD, engages hands-on managers/instructors in developing talent. Hands on managers/instructors are the best partners in workforce development. Hands on managers perform work using methods that accelerate learning for team members. ATD’s Instructional Design certificate program:

Certifies talent development professionals based on the ATD Competency Model. This is a unique assessment -based program that has expert facilitators working closely with programs to help with all aspects of training delivery. Founded in theory and focused on practice and application, this certification program will prove VA Acquisition Academy is competent, properly trained, and equipped to carry out instruction to VA and other government agencies; and

Provides instruction across the entire spectrum of training to include training analysis, development of learning objectives, understanding adult learning principles, training evaluation, and hands-on experience. This total spectrum of training is unique to the ATD Instructional Design certification program, which no other vendor provides.

By requiring VA Acquisition workforce to hold credentials, the VA shows their concern for and help to increase the quality of the services they provide. ATD Instructional Design Certification program will ensure the vision of VA Acquisition will be the government training academy of choice.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis to determine any future acquisition strategy.

8. Market Research:

In accordance with VAAR 810, the Vendor Information Page (VIP) database was queried and results are shown in the attachment below (See Attachment 1). To consider the “Rule of Two” and determine if any Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) are capable of providing the required training services, the Contracting Officer searched for NAICS “611430” with keywords “ATD Instructional Design”. Based on the information obtained from VIP, the Government identified zero (0) potential SDVOSBs or VOSBs. The services are not readily available on an existing purchasing vehicle (such as a GWAC, Internal IDIQ, GSA FSS, etc.)

Additional market research was conducted and ATD has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. They are registered and certified in the System for Award Management as a large business. According to previous market research conducted for a similar a requirement (ATD Master Instructor Certification), ATD and four (4) other groups with experience in training certification were identified by the VAAA SME. These other potential sources included Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Veterans Benefits Administration-Employee Development training, and Defense Acquisition University (DAU). Each of the four possible sources were researched via their website as well as contacted by telephone to determine their ability to deliver the services needed for this instructor certification training. Details of the website reviews and conversations from past market research are documented in the Contract File.

The marketing comparison chart clearly demonstrated that ATD was the only local professional training vendor that provided onsite Master Trainer Certification (a similar requirement). This is a highly desired certification that is recognized throughout the training industry and will increase the reputation and credibility of the VAAA instructors. Neither the DAU instructor training nor VBA instructor training programs provide that standard of recognition Certificate Program.

In conversation and research with ATD, ATD sent over a preliminary proposal for the requested VA Acquisition Academy requirements. Proposal attached below. Maintaining this standard of quality training certifications offered to the instructors at VAAA it is in the best interest of the Government to award a sole-source task order to ATD for the ATD Instructional Design.

The required services are readily available on an existing purchasing vehicle – GSA MAS contract GS-00F-188GA.

The Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) was reviewed and FAPIIS shows no reports for ATD that would indicate defective pricing, instances of contractor fault or recipient not-qualified, terminations for cause, default or material failure to comply, or non-responsibility of the contractor.

9. Other Facts:

ATD Instructional Design Certification will provide a training industry certification that is recognized throughout the community and will increase the credibility of VAAA instructors. ATD’s Instructional Design Certification program will prove VA Acquisition Academy is competent, properly trained, and equipped to deliver instruction to VA, other government agencies, and commercial companies.