Redacted Simplified Acquisition Sole Source Justification - W911QX23P0154.pdf

CUI

Control No: [REDACTED]

Contractor: Transformation Strategies, Inc.

Supply/Service: Pillar and Campaign Leadership Strategy Services

Justification Review Document

For Sole Source - FAR Part 13.501*

(*Format follows FAR 6.303-2, but modified to reflect FAR subpart

13.5 procedures)

Programs/Equipment: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requests a service contract for training sessions for the Pillar and Campaign Leadership Strategy at ARL facilities nationwide.

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(Sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial products and commercial services.)

Amount: Total Value: $700,035.00

Prepared by: [REDACTED]

[REDACTED]

Contracting Officer: Phillip Amador DSN: [REDACTED] Contracting Officer Date: 07/21/2023 Email: philip.j.amador.civ@army.mil

Technical: [REDACTED]

Requirements: [REDACTED]

Controlled by: US Army Controlled by: ACC-APG

CUI Category: General Procurement & Acquisition Distribution/Dissemination Control: FEDCON

POC: [REDACTED]

Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Program Manager:

X Program Manager

FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR

OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: United States (U.S.) Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Adelphi Contracting Division (CCAP-SCA), 2800 Powder Mill Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783

2. Description of Action: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requests a follow-on firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for training sessions for the Pillar and Campaign Leadership Strategy with Transformation Strategies, Inc., located at 5200 Baltimore Ave, #200, Hyattsville, MD 20781 (CAGE Code: 3KGC1). Projected award is 30 September 2023 and fiscal year 2022 Research, Development Test and Evaluation (RDTE) funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort.

_X_ An acquisition plan is not required because this procurement either does not meet the threshold at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 207.103(d)(i), or is an R&D acquisition and does not meet the definition of services in 10 U.S.C. 2330(c)(2).

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires training sessions which involve planning, designing, and strategic consulting services which support the organizational alignment and cultural changes necessary to enable ARL to efficiently achieve the Army’s Modernization Priorities.

These consulting services will provide the ARL with recommendations for plans, designs, and strategies to effectively integrate the Army’s Modernization Priorities across various organizational teams to enhance broader organization with Senior Leadership.

Additionally, ARL requires executive coaching session services for recommendations to key leaders that are responsible for team effectiveness for ARL leaders at monthly Director meetings that are held off-site.

Period of Performance:

Base Year: 28 September 2023 to 27 September 2024: [REDACTED] Option Year One: 28 September 2024 to 27 September 2025: [REDACTED] Option Year Two: 28 September 2023 to 27 September 2026: [REDACTED]

Total Value: $700,035.00

4. Authority Cited: 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(Sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial products and commercial services.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: This sole-source requirement is justified by 41 U.S.C.

1901(e)(2), implemented by FAR 13.501(a) -- Sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial products and commercial services. ARL has a requirement for training sessions for the Pillar and Campaign Leadership Development Strategy which were most recently provided under contract W911QX-18-F-0060. This requirement is necessary to comply with the requirements set forth under the “2018 Army Modernization Strategy” to re-direct mission focus on future investments required by Section 1061 of H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA FY 18) (Public Law 115-91). The Chief of the Staff for the Army has established six (6) modernization priorities under the “2018 Army Modernization Strategy” that also focus on developing six (6) interdisciplinary teams known as Cross Functional Teams (CFT). Each of the CFTs (Long Range Precision Fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift, Network C3, Air Missile Defense, and Soldier Lethality, with two (2) additional CFTs being established for Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Synthetic Training Environment (STE)) will be led by an Army General Officer with ARL supporting each from a fundamental and basic research perspective. ARL’s strategy to meet the Army Modernization Enterprise (AME) priorities and direction consists of (4) Strategic Pillars (People First, Business Acumen, Technical Strategy, and Open Campus) which are associated with eight (8) Technical Campaigns (Extramural Basic Research, Computational Sciences, Materials Research, Sciences-for Maneuver, Information Sciences, Sciences-for-Lethality and Protection, Human Sciences, and Assessment and Analysis) which in turn create research plans centered around ARL’s Essential Research Programs (ERP) which align to the AME priorities. This effort will support the Strategic Pillars and the Technical Campaigns ability to strategically develop the ERP technical programs which directly support the CFTs under ARLs Open Campus Business Model [REDACTED].

These services were originally performed under orders W911QX-16-F-0012, W911QX- 17-F-0018 and W911QX-18-F-0060 by Transformation Strategies Inc. (TSI) which provided ARL with management consulting services for ARL’s Pillar and Campaign Leadership Development which followed the “Army’s Fiscal Years 2016 through 2022 Budget Objectives and Priority Capability Areas” and the Army’s Science and Technology (S/T) program initiatives. However, since completion of those contracts the Army’s AME has been realigned resulting in the Army Futures Command (AFC). Due to the development of this command, ARL is seeking to incorporate a new and improved AME strategy which aligns with the aforementioned six (6) modernization priorities. ARL does not have the management expertise to facilitate transitioning ARL’s corporate mission strategy to the new AME strategy and requires continued management consulting services for ARL’s Pillar and Campaign Leadership Development Strategy.

This requires a contractor that has expertise in (1) management/organizational and business improvement services and (2) experience with ARL’s existing AME. TSI has the unique capability of having worked with all leaders at ARL from Executives to Branch Chiefs (and most teams within the Directorates) in the process of evolving to the current strategy over a period of seven (7) years, providing strategic guidance and facilitation support for the ARL reorganization planning process and now leadership development, capacity building, facilitation and executive coaching for the reorganization implementation designed to build the cross-disciplinary research culture designed to deliver transformational overmatch for the Army of 2040.

Market Research determined that TSI is the only source has both expertise’s required by ARL that can further develop the AME priorities required by the NDAA FY 18as provided above. Results from Section 7 below describes the Government’s Market Research efforts which determined that TSI remains the only vendor that has demonstrated to have the unique capabilities necessary to satisfy ARL’s requirements for this effort. TSI has the required management and consulting service expertise, they are familiar with the AME and the S/T program. Their knowledge and understanding of the Army S/T program is critical for the development of an effective change model and is imperative to their ability to support the future direction of ARL’s mission focus.

As a Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL), ARL exemplifies the unique characteristics and as part of the AME. Selection of an inexperienced vendor will result in delays in the execution of the AME and failure to redevelop the Army S/T environment would mean a loss of confidence in ARL’s capability to provide essential knowledge products to the Army’s new Command, AFC. TSI possesses an understanding of the AME and the Army S/T enterprise and has first-hand experience and possesses the ability to support the Strategic Pillar & Campaign effort efficiently and effectively.

There are no alternatives to obtaining these requisite services and this effort cannot be performed in house. If not procured from TSI there is the potential to irreparably damage ARL’s ability to transform the organization to meet Warfighter priorities in support of AFC and the AME. The change in business management skillsets to another vendor necessitates direct support in ARL’s ability to discover, innovate and transition technology to the Warfighter. Without a vendor that has an in-depth understanding of the Army modernization effort, Army S/T (including STRLs) and the Open Campus ecosystem, ARL is at risk of not effectively and efficiently laying out and executing the reshaping strategy for the pillars that will enable ARL as the Army’s Corporate Laboratory to focus on foundational research that informs concept development for the

AME.

As the AFC matures and the Army’s AME and S/T program become more established, the Government expects that more vendors will be able to gain the detailed and in-depth knowledge required to permit competition for any future procurements. Although the AME and S/T Program details are currently available for distribution to the public, only TSI has been identified as having any experience with providing the required services to implement the strategies required by the NDAA FY 18. Furthermore, as ARL continues to develop Pillar and Campaign Leadership Strategies through the services provided under this effort, it will allow ARL to further develop and prepare a more complete technical data package for a competitive procurement. In addition, market research will be continually performed for any future requirements to survey the market’s capabilities and identify any other vendors who are reasonably expected to submit offers that are competitive in terms of market price, quality, and delivery. Should the market research determine that competition is possible, ARL will provide the associated technical data packages in order to solicit competitive proposals. The Technical data packages TDP’s or Reports provide feedback to ARL Senior Leaders that help to frame condition based discussion(s) for the change management process and the cultural health of the organization. This data will be used to collectively chart the direction for the next set of sessions, break outs or individual coaching. These reports also provide TSI’s perspective on the progress of the technical effort from a change management perspective to help Senior leaders more effectively steer the effort to align with the AME priorities. These reports also serve an organizational and cultural data point that are then integrated with technical data points that will ultimately lead to a connected, cumulative, and converged AME and S/T effort. TDP will be produced under this effort and are Government owned per the terms of the contract, including:

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

a. The Contracting Officer shall publish the notices required by FAR 5.201 and any bids or proposals received shall be considered. An Intent to Sole Source Synopsis was posted on SAM.gov under W911QX23Q0158 on 07 31 2023 and closed on 08 15 2023.

No interested party expressed interest in response to the Synopsis.

b. Because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not applicable. Any known sources that can provide the requirement will be sought for competitive interest.

However, because this is a sole source action, effective competition is not applicable.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: ARL will continue to pursue web searches and hold discussions among Government counterparts, researchers, and academia to help identify other sources that can provide the training sessions and understand the AME and the Army S/T enterprise along with firsthand experience and possesses the ability to support the Strategic Pillar & Campaign effort efficiently and effectively. Moving forward, ARL will continue to use TSI until a potential alternative source is identified. If ARL determines that another vendor has expertise in management/organizational and business improvement services and experience with the existing AME, ARL will explore the possibility of competition for future requirements.

8. Market Research: Market Research was also performed for the prior contract W911QX18F0060 to identify potential sources with the capability to satisfy ARL’s requirements. A total of 14 interested vendors (including TSI) had responded with a description of their capabilities and their relevant past performance efforts. However, it was determined that their past performance demonstrated experience primarily external to the DoD and did not demonstrate anything relevant to the Army, its modernization priorities/AME or the S/T program. Based on the aforementioned market research results, it is determined that TSI remains the only vendor at this time capable of satisfying ARL’s requirement given their unique knowledge and expertise of the Army, the AME, and the S/T Program. Market Research will be continually performed to survey the market’s capabilities and identify any other vendors who are reasonably expected to submit offers that are competitive in terms of market price, quality and delivery.

9. Interested Sources: An Intent to Sole Source Synopsis was posted to SAM.gov under W911QX23Q0158 on July 31st, 2023. There were no interested vendors who responded to the posting.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History Contract: W911QX-18-F-0060 Contractor: Transformation Strategies, Inc.

Award Date: 26 September 2018 Period of Performance: 28 September 2018 – 27 September 2023 Dollar Value: $671,956 Competitive Status: Limited Sources Authority: 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized

b. Procurement History Contract: W911QX-17-F-0018 Contractor: Transformation Strategies, Inc.

Award Date: 29 September 2017 Period of Performance: 29 September 2017 – 30 September 2018 Dollar Value: $149,270.32 Competitive Status: Limited Sources Authority: 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or

c. Procurement History Contract: W911QX-16-F-0012 Contractor: Transformation Strategies, Inc.

Award Date: 30 June 2016 Period of Performance: 30 June 2016 – 30 September 2017 Dollar Value: $148,653.23 Competitive Status: Limited Sources Authority: 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signer’s Title: Social Scientist/COR

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signer’s Title: Chief of Staff

13. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated cost or price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable.

This determination will be made using the following:

__ Cost analysis _X_ Price analysis __ Should-cost

_X_ IGE

__ Audit:

__ Other:

As a part of this basis, certified cost or pricing data:

__ will be required.

_X_ will not be required and the following exception applies (FAR 15.403):

__ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on adequate price competition.

__ Prices that will be agreed upon are based on prices set by law or regulation.

_X_ A commercial item is being acquired.

__ A waiver has been granted by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) in accordance with DFARS PGI 215.403-1.

__ The contract action is a modification to a contract or subcontract for commercial item(s).

_X_ The estimated cost of the contract action is less than the threshold for certified cost or pricing data.

Contracting Officer (KO)

14. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement of training sessions for the Pillar and Campaign Leadership Strategy at ARL facilities nationwide, for an estimate of $700,035.00 and for a period of performance from 30 September 2023 to 29 September 2026, on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2), subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

(End of Justification)

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