P03-JA FAR Part 8 VAAA LFO - Acquisition workforce training - MCI_Final and Signed_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

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity , and specific identification of the document as a "Limited-Sources Justification."

This justification is executed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Strategic Acquisition Center—Frederick (SAC-F), on behalf of the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA), Frederick, MD.

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

VA intends to negotiate a sole-source task order with Management Concepts, INC. for Acquisition Workforce Training currently being provided under Contract: GS-02F-0010J Agreement: VA791-16-A-0007 Order: 36C10X21N0102. The current order has a Period of Performance (PoP) ending September 30, 2022. This acquisition was conducted under the authority of the General Administration Services (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule, specifically the Multiple-Award Schedule (MAS) contracts.

(3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

The task order provides commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) acquisition training courses for the Contacting Professional School (CPS) located at 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD 21703. The target audience for the courses provided under the task order is the Federal Government’s civilian acquisition workforce, including managerial, non-managerial, and entry-level candidates. Students attending the training will be primarily Department of Veterans Affairs employees but may also be from other Government agencies who have elected to coordinate their training needs with the

VAAA.

COTS training courses require the contractor to provide all course materials, instructors, and delivery of the training. COTS courses include FAC-C and Leasing certification courses, electives, and continuous learning courses (CLCs). These courses may be scheduled face-to-face courses or virtual instructor-led courses.

The task order will have a three (3) month base period with one (1) three (3) month option period. The anticipated PoP for the base year is September 30, 2022 - December 29, 2022, with an ultimate PoP of April 5, 2023. The estimated value of this requirement $357,491.00.

(4) The authority and supporting rationale (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.

The statutory authority permitting an exception to fair opportunity is 41 U.S.C.

§ 4106(c)(3) as implemented by FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(C). In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order which was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order was not issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.

The Request for Quote that resulted in the award of Task Order 36C10X21N0102 against Contract GS-02F-0010J Agreement VA791-16-A-0007 was sent via email to all vendors on the Contracting Professional School (CPS) Blank Purchase Agreement

(BPA) (BMRA, AMCI, MC).

On September 6, 2016, VA awarded a multiple award BPA to Atlantic Management Center, INC. (AMCI), Management Concepts, INC.(MCI), and Business Management Research Associates (BMRA) for acquisition workforce training under FSS contract GS- 02F-0222S. The BPA had a five-year ordering period that expired September 30, 2021.

During the ordering period, VAAA placed competitive task orders against the BPA on an annual basis with the most recent order expiring September 30, 2022.

VA is currently in the process of re-competing the multiple award BPA through the FSS and is anticipating an award during quarter two (Q2) of fiscal year 2023 (FY23). VAAA has a continued need for courses offered under task order 36C10X21N0102 at the start of FY23. The training courses under this task order are offered to VA employees to train VA’s acquisition professionals in required FAC-C courses and offers continuing education opportunities that are required for maintain a FAC-C certification. VAAA schedules these courses on an annual basis. The FY 23 schedule has already been released in Cornerstone OnDemand (CSOD) and VA staff have begun registering for courses.

For approximately the past 12 months the incumbent contractor, Management Concepts, Inc (MCI), has provided satisfactory support under the current task order and is familiar with the current policies and practices implemented at VAAA. It is in the best interest of the Government to continue this work as a logical follow on contract in order to maintain continuity and quality of this effort. If a new contractor were to be contracted to perform this work, there would be considerable lead time required to be acclimated to the VAAA policies and procedures and to develop effective communications with critical stakeholders. This transition would cause significant impact to the already develop course schedule and VAAA activities including possible cancellation of training classes needing for required certification and continuous learning as well as risk of qualified instructors not being available to instruct classes.

(5) A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

Negotiating with the existing contractor allows for the most efficient use of resources.

Consistent with FAR 8.404(d), the Contracting Officer will ensure that proposed rates conform with schedule rates and will pursue additional discounts. This order will represent the best value and result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government’s needs.

(6) A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted and indicated that very few vendors are capable of fulfilling the requirement alone so, a multiple award solicitation is the most advantageous way of procuring these services. Considering the stringent timeframe and the need for continuity of services it is most efficient to award a logical follow on for the course offerings required while the larger vehicle is being negotiated.

In accordance with FAR 5.301 and 8.405-6(a)(2), this action will be synopsized at award on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) (SAM.gov) and the justification will be made publicly available.

(7) Any other facts supporting the justification.

None.

(8) 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.

No barriers to future competition are anticipated. A competitive contract vehicle is anticipated to be awarded quarter two (Q2) of fiscal year 2023 (FY23) and future acquisitions will be awarded on a competitive basis.