P03 JA FAR Part 13 _Kirkpatrick Training_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL ACQUISITION

REGULATION (FAR) 13.5

(1) Identification of the agency and contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification Under Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items in Accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 13.5.”

This sole source justification under simplified procedures for certain commercial items is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC), on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Human Resources & Administration/Office of Security Preparedness (HRA/OSP), Human Capital Services Center (HCSC).

(2) The nature and/or description of the action being approved, i.e., sole source under procedures for certain commercial items in accordance with FAR 13.5.

The proposed action is a sole source using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a new five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to deliver Kirkpatrick evaluation training. The BPA and all orders will be firm fixed price (FFP). Orders will not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; the total BPA will not exceed $7.5M (threshold for using Simplified Procedures for Commercial Services (FAR 13.500(a)).

(3) A description of the supplies and/or services required, including the delivery schedule and/or the period of performance (inclusive of all option periods), and the estimated dollar value of the acquisition.

Human Capital Services Center (HCSC) has a requirement for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Kirkpatrick training for Department learning and development program managers to learn the correct methodology and apply it to an actual VA leadership and development programs to maximize program effectiveness.

The following Kirkpatrick evaluation training is required:

Course Modality Certification Kirkpatrick Four Levels® Evaluation

Training Program – Bronze Level In-Person Kirkpatrick Certified

Professional – Bronze Level credential

Kirkpatrick Four Levels® Evaluation Training Program – Bronze Level Virtual

Kirkpatrick Certified Professional – Bronze Level credential

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Kirkpatrick Four Levels® Evaluation Training Program – Silver Level In-Person

Kirkpatrick Certified Professional – Silver Level credential

Kirkpatrick Four Levels® Evaluation Training Program – Silver Level Virtual

Kirkpatrick Certified Professional – Silver Level credential

Workshop Modality Certification Igniting the Inner Fire: Kirkpatrick Levels 3 & 4 In-Person Course completion

Igniting the Inner Fire: Kirkpatrick Levels 3 & 4 Virtual Course completion

Training on Trial Workshop In-Person Course completion Training on Trial Workshop Virtual Course completion

All instructors must have a Certification as a Kirkpatrick Facilitator or Kirkpatrick Consultant. The contractor must be able to issue the Bronze Level and Silver Level Credentials (to include digital certificate and badge) to all participants.

HCSC estimates training 33 program managers in the first year with an estimate 28 program managers each following year. Further, since HCSC is an enterprise center program within the Office of Human Resources and Administration (HRA), supporting various program offices throughout VA, HCSC has need for this BPA to provide Kirkpatrick evaluation training on an enterprise level (VA-wide). The BPA period of performance will be a five-year ordering period; total estimated dollar value over the life of the BPA, based on HCSC’s estimated quantities, is $1,145,455.74.

(4) The statutory authority permitting sole source.

This acquisition is conducted under the procedures of FAR subpart 13.5, used in accordance with the authority of 41 U.S.C § 1901, which authorizes the use of Part 13 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. Acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition procedures are exempt from the competition requirements listed in FAR Part 6 (FAR 13.501(a)(1)); instead, Contracting Officers are required to promote competition to the maximum extent practicable (FAR 13.104). This justification documents in writing the need for this sole source acquisition as required by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(i).

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

(5) A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority.

HCSC is an organization within HRA/OSP that supports the strategic goals of VA by providing an enterprise-wide approach to talent management, including recruitment, retention, development, and training. HCSC supports this initiative through overseeing the integration of talent management programs and processes designed to equip and prepare current and emerging leaders to fulfill VA’s strategic goals. HCSC assists Administrations and Staff Offices in preparing current leaders and emerging leaders by providing developmental opportunities to support them throughout their tenure with VA.

In order to ensure HCSC Leadership Development programs provide effective training, these programs must be evaluated at multiple levels using multiple factors. The Kirkpatrick Model is the industry standard for evaluating training and development programs. It has been used for over 60 years by learning and development professionals around the world in all sectors, such as government, military, corporate, consulting, services, and humanitarian.

Furthermore, the Kirkpatrick Model is the training evaluation model endorsed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for all federal agencies, including VA, and is the cornerstone of learning evaluation in HCSC. The Kirkpatrick Model is used evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions and adjust course curricula to improve performance. HCSC has been using the Kirkpatrick Model to evaluate its training since FY21 and the continued use of the model is consistent with HRA’s approved business plan. Changing to a different evaluation model would not only require a revised business plan, but also require significant changes to the evaluation plans for each training program within HCSC and cause delays in program schedules, limit the organization's ability to meet its agreed upon Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and further limit HCSC's ability to respond to feedback from its customers.

HCSC program managers must be proficient in implementing the Kirkpatrick Evaluation model throughout their programs. Only Kirkpatrick training and associated certifications will meet the need to build HCSC program managers proficiency levels to perform their duties.

Kirkpatrick Partners LLC confirmed via email on July 24, 2024 that it is the only source that can provide Kirkpatrick training and certifications in the United States (US). The company has affiliates around the globe that are certified to offer training of the certificate programs outside the US but does not partner or team with any other companies within the US to delivery their training.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

(12) 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 an exception to fair opportunity) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel.

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature:

Supervisory Program Manager Human Capital Services Center Office of Human Resources & Administration/Office of Security Preparedness

(13) Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature:

Lindi Sylvester Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center

Approval

In my role as Contracting Activity Competition Advocate, based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve this acquisition on an “other than full and open competition” basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited in paragraph four above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. As this action does not exceed $15M, the certification below required by FAR 13.501(a)(2)(ii) serves as approval.

Signature:

Efrain J. Fernandez Director of Contracts, Acquisition Services 1-3 Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition (SAC-Frederick) Strategic Acquisition Center