RCCA-22-00199 SSJ HireVue FE 22Jun2022.pdf

Sole Source Justification (SSJ) Pursuant to FAR Subpart FAR 13.501(a)(2)(i)

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SSJ No.: FY22-00114

Date: _June 2, 2022 PR Number: RCCA-22- 00199

Pursuant to the requirements under the authority of Simplified Acquisition 41 U.S.C.§ 1901 Simplified Acquisition procedures authority as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(2)(i). and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “sole source justification.”

The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Acquisition Division (CISAAD), intends to award a sole source contract on behalf of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for cloud video interviewing capabilities.

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

DHS intends to award a sole source contract to HireVue,10876 South River Front Pkwy #500, South Jordan, UT 84095 using commercial procedures without seeking competition for a cloud video interviewing solution that has a FEDRAMP ATO and assessment capabilities.

This action is begin taken pursuant to FAR 13. HireVue is the only company that has cloud-based video interviewing solution services with FedRAMP certification required to support the agency’s recruiting needs.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The requirement is to provide cloud video interviewing capability, develop behavior-based questions and/or skills assessments tool and implementation and training recruitment. The addition of behavior-based questions and /or skills assessments will allow candidates to showcase their technical knowledge and key differentiators. The tool must be stored in the cloud for bandwidth reasons.

Period Total Base Year $93,150.00 Option Year $187,335.00 $280,485.00

4. Identification of the authority.

The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations intends to procure a sole source justification for HireVue in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii). The exception is based on FAR 13.501 only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies required at the level of quality required because the supplies are unique or highly specialized.

http://uscode.house.gov/

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5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

HireVue is the only cloud video interviewing solution that has a FedRAMP Certification (May 2019). They currently serve several other Federal Agencies and are a proven methodology and solution. It is available via OPM/USAHire, as well. This tool is also intended to be used for the Cyber Talent Management System.

Almost half the positions in the organization require Cyber and IT technical skills and employing this methodology allows CISA to passively measure job-specific knowledge and technical skills such as programming, languages, excel skills, and other job specific customized skills.

The solution is optimal to appeal to the diverse needs of candidates, as well. It offers multiple methods to administer the interview – audio, video, and type. There are also two options for the skills assessments: game-based assessment and video-based assessments. CISA has a goal to increase the diversity of candidates. The result of using a tool with the different methods is a highly valid, bias-mitigated assessment specific to work roles.

The assessments give insight into:

Video-Based Assessments – Ability to work in teams, problem solving skills, communication skills, adaptability, willingness to learn, conscientiousness, responsibility, drive for results and initiative-taking, personal stability/stress tolerance, and overall job aptitude.

Game-Based Assessments – Problem solving skills, memory, attention, mental agility, visuospatial reasoning skills, numeracy, leadership, perseverance, and overall job aptitude.

Overall, there are no other cloud solutions with an ATO and the ability to conduct assessments.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

DHS intends to post this requirement on Beta.sam.gov pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii).

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The contracting officer determined that the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable based on the Independent Governent Cost Estimate (IGCE) and commercial pricelist.

8. Description of market research.

Market research was completed in April 2022. CISA reviewed available video interviewing platforms. The results showed several cloud-based video interviewing solution services (HireVue, SparkHire, Capterra) that are available in the commercial marketplace, which provide all currently https://www.gsaadvantage.gov/advantage/s/search.do?q=0:2hirevue&db=0&searchType=0

P a g e 3 | 4 certified systems, as well as, systems currently in the process of attaining certification. However, in reviewing the FedRAMP marketplace website, CISA found HireVue is the only solution that is currently (GSA) FedRAMP certified (May 2019 approval). FedRAMP certification validates that the required security controls used by the vendor conform to government best practices to include management of the infrastructure. FedRAMP is a unique government program that is at the epicenter of cloud technology, cybersecurity, and risk management. FedRAMP provides a standardized framework to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. This framework uses a “do once, use many times” approach that saves an estimated 30-40% of government authorization costs, by reducing both time and staff required to conduct Agency security assessments. The FedRAMP certification allows CISA to inherit the security controls because they have already been tested/validated during the FedRAMP certification process and allows CISA to inherit those security controls for use when processing the ATO. However, CISA will continue to perform market research on an annual basis to determine if the other interviewing platforms receive FedRAMP certification as this may allow a competitive award in the future.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification.

This tool is designed to identify top technical talent and its assessments are the key differentiator for success. This methodology is time-efficient and when combined with interviewing, CISA OCHCO increases the likelihood of providing top quality candidates to hiring managers with little investment of effort and time, while accurately and objectively evaluating them on a wide range of job competencies. This solution decreases the overall time to hire by collapsing steps (active recruitment, multiple interviews, and assessment) into a unified experience. This methodology gives the recruiters and hiring managers the data they need regarding the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses to make the best possible hiring decisions, reducing time and energy spent on the process overall and on the wrong candidates.

10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for supplies or services required. (Include a statement of actions taken or will be taken to increase competition for future acquisitions of the same item/service).

CISA will continue to monitor the market and review whether the other available interviewing platforms receive FedRAMP certification as this may allow for competition in the future.

12. DHS intends to post the requirement pursuant to FAR 13.501(a)(1)(iii) and 6.305(a).

13. Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification. I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

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Remond Ragin Date

Contracting Officer’s Representative

14. Contracting Officer Certification and Approval

In accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(2)(i), the contracting officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the ordering activity contracting officer’s knowledge and belief will serve as approval.

Darin Andrew Jones Contracting Officer

Date

HireVue is the only cloud video interviewing solution that has a FedRAMP Certification (May 2019). They currently serve several other Federal Agencies and are a proven methodology and solution. It is available via OPM/USAHire, as well. This tool is...