Signed Sole Source - Palo Alto LivePlan Software.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Using Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items (FAR 13.5)

1. Agency and Contracting Activity

This justification is prepared by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Financial

Operations & Acquisition Management, Acquisition Operations Division, in collaboration with the Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD).

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved

The Government anticipates the award of a sole source order for software that provides current and comprehensive business planning identified on Solicitation: 47QACA25Q0186. The anticipated contract type is sole source. This acquisition is restricted to the following brand source: Palo Alto Live Plan.

3. Description of Supplies or Services

This requirement consists of software that provides current and comprehensive business planning. Palo

Alto are the producers of LivePlan software. Live Plan is software that provides current and comprehensive business planning. This software is used by SBA’s nationwide network of 31 Veterans

Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) to assist and provide technical business assistance to veteran owned small businesses. Palo Alto does not have resellers. Software is purchased directly from them. Contract type is sole source.

Required delivery date: 8/21/2025

4. Statutory Authority

This justification is made under the authority of FAR 13.501(a) and 41 U.S.C. 1901, which permits the use of simplified procedures for commercial items when the value exceeds the Simplified Acquisition

Threshold (SAT).

5. Justification – Unique Qualifications of the Contractor

Specific characteristics of the requirement limit the availability to a brand name source. Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, for the following reasons:

Only One Source is Capable: A critical need for OVBD nationwide network is to have access to the most current and comprehensive analysis of different industries to help centers in their work with veteran clients to begin and grow their business. These studies focus on detailed supply chain information, trends, market trends, revenue data; operating strengths and weaknesses; analysis of external drivers including technologies and regulations; competitive landscape and major players and industry profit and cost benchmarks. Palo Alto’s LivePlan product has the right research and data features helpful to these small businesses.

Palo Alto LivePlan software has the ability to have a combination of services in one place, including: the ability to create a one-page pitch and pitch deck, a full lender ready business plan and forecast, up to 10

Docusign Envelope ID: 34E02A10-D62C-4142-95A9-0F7FDA84E318 forecast scenarios, a full export ready business plan using the international trade template, industry benchmark data provided by Vertical IQ, and AI enhanced monthly review reports when users connect their accounting data (Xero or QBO) to name a few unique features. The software is uniquely powerful and educational so that entrepreneurs at all levels of skill and experience can be served by it through app education, instructions, examples, and videos. Palo Alto is uniquely positioned in the market with over

550 example plans available within LivePlan and can serve the VBOCs in a single engagement.

Palo Alto Software is the sole provider and direct seller of the LivePlan software product. The software is proprietary and not available through authorized resellers. Its unique capabilities include detailed business plan development tools, industry-specific financial projections, real-time market data and benchmarking, and unlimited login access per license, tailored to the VBOC delivery model.

Renewal through any other source is not possible due to exclusive distribution. Lack of continuity in these licenses would impair the VBOCs’ ability to serve veteran entrepreneurs effectively.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers/quotes are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

This acquisition is for a recompete of an existing requirement. Palo Alto are the producers of LivePlan software. LivePlan is software that provides current and comprehensive business planning. Previous market research for similar software platforms resulted in the decision to go with Palo Alto’s LivePlan product. Palo Alto does not have resellers as such; software is purchased directly from them.

Market research determined that no other vendor could provide the necessary features under acceptable licensing conditions. In accordance with FAR 5.203(b) and FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii), a Notice of Intent to

Sole Source will be published in SAM.gov for seven (7) calendar days to provide public notice while supporting the target award date of August 21, 2025. A file memo justifying the reduced posting period will be retained.

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

The Contracting Officer determines the anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable based on internet research, historical documents, and IGE.

8. Description of Market Research.

In the decision leading up to choosing Palo Alto’s LivePlan product, several companies were contacted for non-committal demos of their products either through website demos or virtual meetings and going over features and capabilities. Some of the available platforms were more lead generating software such as Inbox Insight or sales development such as Cience. Some software companies were not keen on the idea of VBOCs using the software for our veteran-owned small businesses and wanting to sell their software to all who used the capabilities of the software per login. Palo Alto was very accommodating to the services provided by VBOCs to the niche market of veterans and veteran small business owners and allows unlimited VBOC staff logins.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of sole source.

Palo Alto provides annual licenses set up under each Site License LivePlan account with unlimited logins to the Premium version, as such, there is no need for veterans to pay per log in. Using other software would disrupt veteran small business owner’s ability to obtain research, business plan, and market research information for their business preparation.

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

None. No vendors expressed interest in providing equivalent functionality under acceptable license terms.

11. A statement of any actions the agency will take to remove or overcome any future barriers to competition.

Continuing to look at demos and capabilities of other software platforms and ensuring costs is not prohibitive.

12. Certification

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

Jerry S. Godwin, SBA Program Office Official

Office of Veterans Business Development

Cristina Colón-Más

GSA, Contracting Officer

Al Muñoz

GSA, Leading Contracts Operations