Redacted JA.pdf

CUI//SP-PROCURE

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVALS FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Credit Recommendation Services

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Contracting and Procurement Office (CPO) proposes to conduct a sole source acquisition utilizing simplified acquisition procedures for the Security Training (ST) Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE). This document is a sole source justification in accordance with FAR 13.501(a).

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved. (i.e., sole source, limited competition, establishment of a new source, etc.)

The purpose of this document is to obtain necessary approvals for a sole source acquisition in accordance with FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii) and FAR 13.501(a)(2). Competition is limited to only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The procurement strategy is to issue a Request for Quote in accordance with FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The contemplated contract type is firm-fixed-price. This is a non-competitive follow-on to a previous award for the same service supported by a justification for other than full and open competition.

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

Contractor support services are required to provide college and/or university equivalent transfer credit recommendations for individuals with successful Security Training Directorate (ST) course completion. This allows CDSE to accomplish its mission of increasing the professionalization of the security community. The estimated cost of this requirement is over a period of four and a half years (one six-month base period and four 12-month option periods).

Current services are being provided, on a sole source basis, by the American Council on Education (ACE) under contract HS002120P0007.

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

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

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ACE is uniquely qualified to provide these services to CDSE based upon the following:

a. They are the only major higher education association that represents all types of US accredited, degree-granting, public and private institutions. ACE has extensive experience and member organization that offer security training and education programs similar to those offered by CDSE. They are the only vendor that can evaluate CDSE’s courses and provide college credit course recommendations that our students can then seamlessly transfer to college and universities throughout the country

As mentioned above, a RFI was posted to SAM.gov and only one response was received and upon review of the response, the interested vendor did not possess any of the capabilities needed to be able to satisfy this requirement.

5. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers were solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable. Include whether or not a SAM.gov announcement was made and what response, if any, was received, or include the exception under FAR 5.202 if not synopsizing. Describe whether any additional or similar requirements are anticipated in the future.

A RFI and the Performance Work Statement (PWS) was posted to SAM.gov on July 25, 2024, responses were requested by August 1, 2024, and the post remained active for 15 days following the response date. Only one response was received but it did not follow the instructions contained in the RFI and did not offer any useful information for the Government to ascertain what capabilities the vendor could offer that would satisfy the requirement.

6. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will determine that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on market research and comparison to an independent Government estimate in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a). By signing the justification, the Contracting Officer is making a determination that the price to the Government is expected to be fair and reasonable.

7. A description of the market research conducted (FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted through Internet searches of agencies which provide similar services and a RFI and PWS was posted on SAM.gov. Only one response to the RFI was received and upon review, the vendor did not provide any information to support whether or not they possessed the capabilities to support the requirement.

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Market research also revealed that while the other agencies which provide similar services, such as , they do not provide the services needed for this requirement.

8. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

There are no other vendors at this time which can fulfill this requirement. A sole source acquisition is in the best interest of the Government. ST provides security education and training to the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. Government personnel, employees of U.S. Government contractors, and when sponsored by authorized DoD Components, employees of foreign governments. ST offers Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) Certification for security professionals; professional leadership courses for senior leaders in DoD security community; a variety of newly developed instructor-led security courses and e-Learning courses; a virtual training environment; career development consultation; job aids and resources. As part of STs continuing effort to increase the professionalism of the security community, it is essential that individuals who successfully complete certain courses also have the benefit of receiving credit recommendations that may be acceptable as college credit equivalents at certain colleges and universities. Failure to provide this opportunity to our students would negatively impact the initiative these students take to advance their security careers which is a vital benefit to national security.

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

A RFI and the PWS was posted to SAM.gov on July 25, 2024, responses were requested by August 1, 2024. Only one response was received by however they did not follow the instructions contained in the RFI and did not provide a capabilities statement. Further, a review of their website also did not provide any insight or information to ascertain whether or not the vendor possessed the capabilities to satisfy this requirement.

10. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required, if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

In future acquisitions, the Government will continue to perform ongoing market research and inform industry through use of special notices, synopses, and source sought notices, in an effort to promote competition. The Government will also re-examine requirements to ensure they are not overly restrictive.

IAW DFARS PGI 206.303-2, the results of the RFI are included as an attachment. IAW DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70), a copy of the previous justification for HS002120P0007 is included as an attachment.