Redacted JA.pdf

Control No.:Gordon-2020-10 Contractor: PearsonVue Program: CCoE Signal SchoolCredentialing

Version – March 2017 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items – Sole Source Justification and Approval

1. Contracting Activity: Mission and Installation Contracting Command Ft Gordon GA

2. Description of Action: The Cyber Center of Excellence, Signal School requests a Firm Fixed price contract with PearsonVue. The Government projects award for September 2020 and fiscal year 2020, and Operations and Maintenance, Army funds will be used.

X An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i)(B).

(Insert approval authority title) approved an acquisition plan in accordance with DFARS 207.103(d)(i)(B) on (insert date).

The required acquisition plan in accordance with DFARS 207.103(d)(i)(B) is currently awaiting (insert approval authority title) approval.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: This requirement is for the procurement of commercial test vouchers for the CCoE Signal School. These vouchers are used for IT certification for the following MOS 255A, 255N, 250, 26A&B, 25S and 25Q as well as Functional Courses (CCNA, Security+,CISSP). Total amount for this requirement is $ .

2. Period of Performance for the base year is 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021.

Include quantities of supplies or provide the period of performance for services.

For Actions without Options:

Period of Performance1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021

Total Value: $ .

4. Authority Cited: Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, 41 U.S.C. 1901 (or 41 U.S.C. 1903 for Special Emergency Procurement) as implemented by FAR Subpart 13.5:

Program: CCoE Signal SchoolCredentialing

Unusual and compelling urgency Exclusive licensing agreements Industrial mobilization

X Other: Only one responsible source

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

a. The CCoE Signal School has a requirement to provide professional certifications for

Signal Soldiers and Leaders who engineer, operate, and maintain Army networks. This requirement will provide support for the Credentialing program which trains and certifies the Army workforce in technical aspects of current and emerging Cyber requirements and practices. The required training will increase the Cyber education and awareness level of the Army workforce, increasing their ability to maintain the security of the Army’s networks and systems worldwide. Without the capabilities provided through this training and testing program, Army IT systems would be increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks due to the lack of trained personnel to operate, maintain, and manage them.

Pearson VUE partnered with the Department of Defense more than a decade ago to build a network of on-base testing centers that deliver high-stakes, professional certification exams to the US military community. Pearson VUE provides a suite of exam development and certification program services in addition to providing support for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and customized program solutions.

Pearson VUE is the exclusive provider of certification testing for 450 testing organizations. Additionally, Pearson VUE is the sole provider to offer learning products and test vouchers, via its Digital Learning Applications and Media (DLAM) platform, designed to assist individuals to prepare for various certification exams. The vendor provided a Sole Source letter.

If this request is not approved then the CCoE Signal School will not be able to provide professional certifications for Signal Soldiers completing Cyber training thereby reducing the mission readiness of the soldiers in the field.

b. Alternatives.

1. Do not procure the identified training requirements. This alternative is unacceptable because the Signal School requires the training materials and resources as part of efforts to meet the CCoE’s core mission. The CCoE is the U.S. Army's proponent for Cyberspace Operations, Electronic Warfare (EW), and Signal/Communications Networks and Information Services, and is responsible for developing related doctrine, organizational, training, materiel, leadership education, personnel, and facility (DOTMLPF) solutions. The CCoE's mission is the training, leadership education, and development of highly skilled Cyber, EW, and Signal professionals supporting operations at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

Program: CCoE Signal SchoolCredentialing

2. The use of in-house personnel/expertise to create internally developed content was explored, but this alternative was ultimately rejected due to the developer hours required for technical training. of Brandon-Hall listed the average time to design Instructor-Led Training at 34:1 and 3rd party courseware at 345:1. With the current cadre assignment cycle of 156 weeks to the organization, training would never be completed.

Failure to procure the materials will result in mission failure for the continued training of students, and cancellation of further courses until other options become available.

This delay will further prevent global Army cyberspace operations, and unduly provide a strategic advantage to adversaries.

c. Requirements.

1) The Government’s minimum requirements for vouchers are used for IT certifications for the following MOS, 255A, 255N, 25D, 26A&B, 25S and 25Q, as well as Function Courses (CCNA, Security+,CISSP).

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Contracting Officer will publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 in an effort to obtain competition. Pearson VUE is the exclusive provider of learning products and test vouchers, via its Digital Learning Applications and Media (DLAM) platform, designed to assist individuals to prepare for various certification exams. The vendor provided a Sole Source letter.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Contracting Officer will publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 in an effort to obtain and increase competition. Pearson VUE is the exclusive provider of learning products and test vouchers, via its Digital Learning Applications and Media (DLAM) platform, designed to assist individuals to prepare for various certification exams. The vendor provided a sole source letter

8. Market Research: In accordance with AFARS 5110.002, market research was performed that was meaningful, complete, and current. Market research was conducted via internet searches, written and telephonic inquiries on 09 March 2020. Market research revealed that, while there are several other vendors that offer similar products, none fully supports the identified training requirements.

9. Interested Sources To date, no other sources have written to express interest in the acquisition.

In the event that alternate sources express an interest in the procurement they will be provided a copy of the RFP and their offers considered if submitted in an appropriate and timely manner.