Single Sole Source Determination.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

DETERMINATION

For

SINGLE SOURCE OR BRAND NAME SOURCE SOLICITATION - FAR 13 (≤SAT)

Membership in a National Organization For State Directors of Special Education

1. Contracting Agency: Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

2. Description of Supplies and Services

DoDEA, which performs the functions of both a state educational agency (SEA) and a local educational agency (LEA), requires membership in the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). This organization focuses on improving educational services and outcomes for children and youth with disabilities throughout the United States, the Department of Defense, the federal territories and the Freely Associated States of Palau, American Samoa, Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands.

Background: DoDEA students transfer to and from school systems throughout the United States;

therefore, it is imperative that DoDEA continue its membership in NASDSE in order to be a part of the national conversation on special education and to better provide services for students with disabilities and the educators who serve them.

NASDSE's members include the State directors of special education or other persons designated by their State education agency who have specific responsibility for directing, coordinating or supervising programs and services regarding the education of students with disabilities. The members thus include the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and other jurisdictions designated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). NASDSE also offers affiliate memberships to all interested persons.

NASDSE is governed by an eight-member, elected board of directors, consisting of the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Past President and four members-at-large. Board members are elected at the annual conference and business meeting. The Board provides guidance and direction on NASDSE activities in accordance with policy decisions made by the membership at the annual conference and business meeting. With member input, the Board develops position statements on issues of national significance.

NASDSE accomplishes its mission by establishing and maintaining relationships with those individuals and groups responsible for the development of policies, educational and other programs serving individuals with disabilities, and those responsible for special education implementation at the school, local district, state and national levels. NASDSE also promotes leadership development through collaborative relationship.

3. Description of Action A firm fixed price contract is planned with a total estimated value of $20,970.00. The period of performance is a five-year base period. FY20 Operating and Maintenance (O&M) funds are available for the base year in the estimated amount of $4,194.00.

4. Authority

FAR 13 Determination At or Below SAT Source Selection Information - See FAR 2.101 AND 3.104 - For Official Use Only

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)

5. Market Research

NASDSE: National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc., Alexandria, VA. , John Eisenberg, Executive Director, john.eisenberg@nasdse.org and Nancy Tucker, Executive Secretary, nancy.tucker@nasdse.org - 703-519-3800 –Not a small business, per the Dynamic Small Business Search - CAGE #1BGN9 Prior to issuance of this solicitation, market research was conducted. It confirmed that NASDSE—as was determined in 2012 when HE1254-12-P-0024 was awarded to NASDSE—was still the only organization of its kind in the United States and the only one that could meet DoDEA’s requirements.

The other entities found through professional experience and open internet research were as follows:

National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASTE) is a national organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to those preparing for or teaching in the field of special education. It was founded to promote the profession of special education teachers and to provide a national forum for their ideas. The focus of this organization is on teachers’ issues, not state issues.

Membership in NASTE would not meet DoDEA’s requirements.

National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) supports a comprehensive program of education research designed to expand knowledge and understanding of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and those at risk of disabilities. Although it is a national organization, its focus does not meet DoDEA’s requirements.

National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools (NCSECS) advocates for students with diverse learning needs to ensure that they are interested in attending charter schools. Although it is a national organization, its focus does not meet DoDEA’s requirements.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) advocates high quality education for children and youth with exceptionalities. It is also known as a key source for information, resources and professional development for special educators. Although it is a national organization, its focus does not meet DoDEA’s requirement.

Using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) for NAICS #519190 (All Other Information Services) and the keywords, membership and special education, yielded the following results. Note: This NAICS code was used in the previous NASDE contract, HE1254-12-p-0024.

DSBS: Under membership there were two results. Techsolnz, LLC, an IT company in Tinton Falls, NJ and Corporate Subscription Management Services, LLC, a software-as-a-service company in Montvale, NJ.

Neither one meets DoDEA’s requirements. Under special education there were no results.

FPDS: Under membership there were 354 listings; however, none can meet DoDEA’s requirements. This assertion is supported by the fact that the keyword special education only referenced DoDEA’s contract with NASDE.

6. Rationale for Single Source Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as the Contracting Officer, approve this justification for the proposed contract action pursuant to the authority cited above because membership in NASDSE is essential to the Government's requirements and because market research indicates that membership in other special education-focused organizations cannot meet the agency's needs. NASDSE is the only

FAR 13 Determination At or Below SAT source that can meet DoDEA’s needs for membership in an organization that provides a national platform for state directors of special education and the only organization of its kind in the United States.

FAR 13 Determination At or Below SAT