SASS. J.A.FINAL_Redacted.pdf

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

Student Administration Scheduling System (SASS) services support. This procurement is to assure the continuation of meeting mission critical centralized training needs via FLETC SASS. SASS is FLETC’s training management system and is critical to the training mission.

The key functions of SASS include a scheduling system to automate scheduling training programs, a student registration and management system and testing and evaluation functions. There are three operating instances of SASS: Production (Glynco, GA), and a DR/COOP and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) (Artesia, NM.) that require support.

A major deviation from previous contracts is evolving SASS from a new feature development and operations and maintenance, to primarily operations and maintenance.

When and if new feature/function developments are required and approved, those efforts will be negotiated and contracted separately with the addition of a new Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).

The estimated value of this procurement is approximately

4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304 implemented by FAR Subpart 6.302-1 entitled “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

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

Over the past 15 years, FLETC has invested over developing, growing and supporting the government-owned Student Administration Scheduling System (SASS). In May 2021, FLETC determined SASS will continue supporting FLETC’s mission-critical training processes through FY 2026. The vendor selected will support SASS operations and maintenance, perform required updates and resolve all relevant backlog issues.

FLETC has evolved SASS from 14 custom designed features/functions to 26 unique features/functions. In addition, we’ve trained hundreds of users to operate SASS to deliver FLETC’s critical training needs that support FLETC’s four (4) training delivery points and 95+ Participating Organizations (POs) that rely on FLETC to provide consolidated Law Enforcement training. Additionally, SASS has been designed to meet the security requirements necessary for a DHS CFO Designated Financial System and has met the requirements for an Authority to Operate (ATO).

The incumbent, Leidos, Inc., initially developed SASS in 2006 as Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and has been developing and supporting SASS since inception. Leidos project management and technical resources have remained static over the last 15 years resulting in vast subject matter expertise. Extensive market research concluded Leidos the only responsible source. No other vendor will satisfy FLETC’s requirements of maintaining SASS in its current state without a significant disruption of the critical services provided by ~1500 users supporting the four FLETC training delivery sites. These users would be required to learn and operate a new system while simultaneously supporting FLETC by providing the current quality Law Enforcement training product.

FLETC will leverage the benefit of the existing Training Management System infrastructure that meets and/or exceeds the requirements of a DHS CFO Designated Financial System, and the vast Leidos vendor experience to assure the best value to the government. In addition, FLETC will mitigate significant delays and duplication of costs another vendor will require to replicate the depth of experienced resources, technical knowledge and established customer relationships of the incumbent vendor, as well as the significant learning curve of the average 1500 users.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited from as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable.

FLETC conducted a detailed market research effort to verify the ability of industry to provide the services currently provided with SASS. Based on a senior management review the Integrated Project Team (IPT) was tasked with determining the viability that a cost-effective solution could be found. The IPT issued a Request for Information (RFI) and received responses from twenty-eight (28) potential vendors. After a review of the respondents, FLETC selected the top three (3) vendors, and invited them to participate in a vendor demonstration which would allow them to review their services, means and methods of meeting FLETC’s requirements. Following the vendor demonstration, FLETC concluded that none of the vendors currently could provide all the requirements FLETC requires which would create significant disruptions of time, schedule, and budget. While many of the systems were robust, none of the available systems in the marketplace could provide the all in one solution that FLETC has in the current training management system. As a result, the incumbent vendor is considered the “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

(a) If an announcement has already been made in FedBizOpps, provide the date of publication.

N/A

(b) If an announcement is being planned for posting in FedBizOpps, provide the estimated date of publication.

N/A

(c) If an announcement will not be published, identify the applicable exception under FAR

5.202.

FAR 5.202(a)(6)

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable.

The Contracting Officer will review prices against prior performance and standard labor rates to ensure that the prices are fair and reasonable.

8. Description of Market Research.

Extensive market research was conducted from April 27, 2020 to March 23, 2021. The market research included two Requests for Information (RFI) and a Virtual Industry Day, complete with interviews and a follow up discussion from the pool of respondents. The first RFI only had 1 company to respond, which was the incumbent Leidos Inc. in order to increase distribution to as many sources as possible a second RFI was issued and sent to the Small Business Administration, to Federal Business Opportunities website, and to General Services Administration eBuy portal. The scope for the RFI was to determine whether the current market could either support the daily operations and maintenance, as well as potential upgrades; or to determine whether another system in the marketplace was available which could provide all of the system functions and requirements necessary to meet the training management needs of the FLETC. In total, the second RFI resulted in 28 complete responses, from the responses it was determined that FLETC would engage with six (6) of the vendors in a 25-minute question and answer interview session. From the six (6) companies that interviewed, FLETC determined three (3) potential companies whom, based on their responses from the second RFI, might be capable of providing a training management system that would meet the needs of the FLETC.

FLETC invited the three (3) companies to participate in a two-hour demonstration of the company’s software solution. After the conclusion of the demonstrations the Integrated Project Team (IPT) conducted an after-action meeting discussing the capabilities of the three

(3) systems reviewed. Based on the meeting it was determined that while the three (3) companies reviewed met some of FLETC’s requirements none of them met all the needs of our current training management system. A memorandum was provided to senior management fully describing the RFI process and the results. Based on the review from management, it was determined that FLETC would continue with the government owned system that is currently in place, and would sole-source to Leidos Inc.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

Due to the proprietary nature of SASS and the complex nature of the customized development, configuration and integration within the FLETC boundary, Leidos, Inc. is the required service vendor to maintain uninterrupted support for the FLETC SASS.

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.

Market research was conducted using a variety of methods: Vendor demonstrations, white papers, industry research and a review of compatibility and services reports.

12. I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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.

APPROVAL: