sole_source_JA_20230614_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 9

I. Contracting Activity.

10th Contracting Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, justification for other than full and open competition.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

The Government contemplates award of a firm-fixed-price contract to EAB Global INC, for 360 degree Virtual Tour services.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) requires a web-based virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree spherical photography and videography capability that includes the continued design, production updates, and hosting of interactive 360-degree walking tours that enable interaction at multiple interest points and independent 360-degree video vignettes. Below is a list of the most critical requirements of the capability:

1. Host on an external server web-based, high resolution 360-degree tours of USAFA that allows a user to explore the campus virtually by visually stimulating walking through various physical locations indoors and outdoors at eye-level.

2. Maintain hosting capability and ensure web-based accessibility to the industry standard 99% uptime and will coordinate and obtain approval from the COR prior to performing site maintenance that may result in downtime or inoperability.

3. Ensure content is accessible, fully functional, and adapted in standard mobile and web browsers to include Google Chrome, Google Android, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Samsung Internet, and Opera.

4. Ensure content is accessible, fully functional, and adapted for display on computers, smartphones, tablets, televisions, head-mounted virtual reality displays and 360-degree planetarium dome.

5. Capture and provide detailed visitor traffic analytics to include demographics, geographic location, behavior, duration, end-to-end user experience tracking, trigger and hotspot engagement, devices and browsers used to access the content, and conversion rates. Analytics are to be available on demand, or a report is to be provided to USAFA/CM monthly.

6. Ensure specific locations within the tours have a distinct URL and the capability to be shared and integrated across web-based platforms and marketing channels, including email, social media, and websites.

7. Apply up to four (4) updates to the interactive tours per month, including modifying and injecting Government produced photography, videography, audio, and copy.

8. Provide all equipment, supplies and services to ensure all content and the platform complies with Title 10 United States Code, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This compliance must include the following: browser support, operating systems, screen resolutions including responsiveness for mobile, assistive technologies, text sizing, and whether the video will be open or closed-captioned.

9. Capture 360-degree photography and videography on location, edit, stitch, and layer interactive elements together to create an overall Interactive Tour and Map for USAFA.

10. Position and map seventy-five (75) photos and videos using positional media, hotspots and triggers to

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 9 initiate targeted interactions.

11. Film off-site against a green screen an actor in the role of a cadet delivering narration of all locations within the interactive tours. The actor will then be layered on top of the interactive tours at the corresponding locations to automatically display with the ability to mute.

12. Create two independent 360-degree video vignettes of scenes across USAFA to be integrated into the interactive tours and other marketing channels to include websites, social media, and 360-degree planetarium dome. The vignettes will range from one to three minutes in length.

13. Integrate video vignettes within the Interactive Tours that can be activated through the use of positional media, hotspots and triggers.

14. Deliver video vignettes in 360-degree compatible file formats accessible and optimized for computers, mobile devices, web-based platforms to include websites, social media, and 360-degree planetarium dome.

15. Provide up to seven hours advising how to utilize and increase engagement within the interactive tours and maximize a web-based virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree spherical photography and videography capability.

16. Hosting should continue by June 30, 2023.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The Government requires highly specialized design, production, and hosting of immersive 360-degree walking tours with the features identified in Section III of this justification. The Campus Tour marketplace is relatively new and highly dependent on recent technology changes such as positional media, hotspots, and triggers;

analytics; 360-degree photography; virtual reality headset compatibility; etc. Market research found potential vendors can offer one or more of the individual components that make up a virtual tour, such as 360-photography, tour software, etc. However, YouVisit (since acquired by EAB Global INC), as the incumbent and creator of the USAFA virtual tour platform and mobile application, utilized its proprietary technology platform in developing USAFA's virtual tour solution, meaning a substantial duplication of cost to the Government would be realized if another contractor were to be awarded the follow-on contract.

YouVisit was awarded the original contract for USAFA's virtual tour in FY18 under contract number FA7000-18-C-0013. In developing the solution, YouVisit relied on its existing platform to provide a robust and complete solution to the Air Force. YouVisit LLC was acquired by EAB Global LLC during performance of the current contract effort. The existing platform utilized by EAB Global was determined to be the only feasible solution that would satisfy both the Government need and timeline due to the closing of the Cadet Chapel in September 2018. YouVisit, now EAB Global, created USAFA's immersive virtual tour experience by leveraging their proprietary technology already integrated into their own platform.

For DoD, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. EAB Global has numerous proprietary elements protected by existing U.S. patents incorporated into the existing virtual tour. The first example is the use of inquiry optimization, where EAB Global's software utilizes algorithms to intelligently display calls to action to viewers to provide additional insight and information. Users can visit different university websites, gather additional information, or plan a visit all from within the virtual tour. EAB Global's proprietary performance insights are also integrated into the USAFA virtual tour. These insights are reporting capabilities that enable real-time return on investment (ROI) calculations and provide end-to-end tracking of the user journey. This capability tracks the time viewers spend at each tour stop, the number of overall visits, the number of tours stops each viewer makes per session, how

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 9 long each visitor spends on the website, etc. This capability provides USAFA with powerful analytics to make critical university decisions.

Additional proprietary information includes EAB Global's ability to embed interactive hotspots within the tour stops to layer content within the 360 videos that creates a robust viewing experience in addition to the specific way they are able to overlay vignettes into the virtual tour to incorporate a real-life actor into the stops where viewers are able to see a 360 visual of an individual speaking or interacting with the tour stop.

EAB Global has also completed additional tasks under contract number FA7000-18-C-0013, which are not proprietary, but would nonetheless require another vendor to re-complete or modify, such as embedding links to the virtual tour stops throughout the USAFA website, developing and maintaining a mobile application to be used in conjunction with the virtual tour, and the utilization of adaptive focus to deliver 360 content in up to five times the standard 360 photography.

In summation of all the above factors, awarding USAFA's follow-on virtual tour contract to any other vendor would lead to a significant duplication of cost and effort for the Government. The utilization of proprietary technology would mean no other vendor would be able to recreate the virtual tour experience in the same manner that EAB Global has established. This would either lead to a miss-matched solution as updates occur, mixing EAB Global's videos with another vendors, or would require a complete recreation of the whole virtual tour experience to include re-shooting all tour stops, redoing the website integration, and modifying the mobile application. Significant time would need to be allocated to develop, test, and implement another contractor's solution.

Additionally, USAFA's Cadet Chapel is one of the most visited stops both on the virtual tour and by USAFA visitors in general. The Chapel is currently under construction and will be closed until FY2027, so an updated 360 video would not be able to be retaken by a new contractor until that time. This is considered an unacceptable impact by USAFA/CM leadership. Due to the significant duplication of cost that would not be expected to be recovered through competition and the significant time it would take to re-create the virtual tour experience, awarding the follow-on contract to another vendor other than EAB Global would not be feasible nor in the Government's best interest.

Having pioneered virtual walking tour technology, EAB Global is an expert in this emerging field and can continue to accomplish all requirements in-house. They have previously delivered comparable services on the original USAFA virtual tour contract as well as to the United States Army, United States Military Academy at West Point and United States Coast Guard Academy, making them uniquely aware of federal regulations, security protocol, 508 compliance, technology challenges and audiences.

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

A sources sought was posted with a closing date of 12 April 2023. A total of seven vendors responded to the sources sought. The only vendor capable of providing continuous service by the 1 July 2023 is the incumbent contractor, EAB Global. Two other vendors mentioned capability to meet the requirement. However, these two vendors would need a minimum of three months to provide a minimum viable product. This down time coupled with the substantial duplication of costs associated with re-shooting material and recreating a 360-degree environment would not be recovered through competition.

A Request for Information was sent to EAB Global via email asking if EAB Global has any partnering companies or subsidiaries in the same space who are eligible to utilize EAB Global's proprietary technology and who can also fulfill USAFA's requirements from a services perspective relative to the Performance Work

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 5 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 5 of 9

Statement (PWS). EAB Global supplied a written response on 23 Feb 2023 confirming that there are no partnering companies with EAB Global eligible to utilize EAB Global's proprietary technology.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

Prior to making award, the Contracting Officer will determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable IAW FAR 15.404-1, proposal analysis techniques.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

This service was not available through the required sources of supply and service under FAR Part 8 (GSA Advantage, AbilityOne, Acquisition Gateway, etc.). There are no environmental or certification considerations relevant to this requirement. There are not enterprise solutions available that can be leveraged.

Additional market research was not conducted due to the proprietary technology built into the existing solution as discussed above in Section IV. For DoD, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. EAB Global has numerous proprietary elements protected by existing U.S. patents incorporated into the existing virtual tour and awarding to another contractor would ultimately result in a substantial duplication of cost for the Government.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

There are no other facts that are not already contained in this document to support other than full and open competition.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

Seven vendors responded to the Sources Sought posted on SAM.gov.

Of these vendors, only two responded with answers to the questions that were asked in the sources sought.

Avatar Partners stated that they could potentially fill the need according to the PWS but would take up to three months to reach full operational capability from the contract award date. Cove Creek Productions indicated a five-month timeframe from capture of content to go-live date. The three-month and five-month downtimes would be unacceptable in meeting USAFA's need.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

In the DoD's best interest to reduce duplication of costs there will be no way in the future to recoup the funds that have already been used to develop the current system. A new contractor would need to build the new system leading to duplication of cost. To avoid the unacceptable delays in meeting agency needs, future procurements will be started sooner to allow for a transition period for a potential new vendor.

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

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 6 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 6 of 9 knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 8 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 8 of 9

Contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or concerns related to the amount of funds available (e.g., funds will expire) (10 U.S.C. 3204)

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

(FAR 6.303-2(b)(6))

Describe all efforts taken (or to be to be taken) to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable under the circumstances. Although Market Research is covered in Section VIII, the information in Section VI should correlate with the Market Research described in Section VI. The following issues should be addressed in this paragraph:

Sources Sought Synopsis (used as part of market research). If a sources sought synopsis was issued, state the date the synopsis was issued and a brief description of its content. If any responses were received, describe in detail the results of the screening process and the rationale for determining the unacceptability of any synopsis respondents. Reference FAR 13.105, Synopsis and Posting Requirements.

Other Actions. In this paragraph, discuss any other actions taken or planned to facilitate competition for this acquisition. The discussion should include actions tried or considered even if the actions were unsuccessful. If the efforts were unsuccessful, so state and describe why.

Qualifying Country Sources. If qualifying country sources have expressed interest, but are to be excluded, provide supporting rationale.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7))

Include a statement by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable and provide the basis for this determination. The steps that will be taken to ensure the final contract price will be fair and reasonable are also described here. Describe the extent of cost or price analysis anticipated including the requirements for certified cost or pricing data, technical evaluations, and audits.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8))

Generally, some form of market research should be conducted. Discuss any market research conducted pursuant to FAR Part 10 and describe results of that research. Market research is any effort undertaken to determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist and to determine if commercial items or non-developmental items are either available or can be modified so that they will satisfy the agency's needs. Market research should be focused not only on identifying alternate sources, but also on alternate equipment or substitutes that might fulfill the Government needs with only minor modification.

Regardless of the approach used, the results should provide a high level of confidence that no other qualified sources exist.

When other exceptions from the requirement to obtain full and open competition are relied upon, the market research might be limited to an examination of the acquisition history and experience with the marketplace under previous acquisitions for the same or similar items.

If no market research was conducted, so state and provide the rationale.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)(i))

Provide any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, including an explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, statements of objectives, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed, are not being developed, are not being used, or are not available.

X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10))

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 9 of 9March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 9 of 9

If a sources sought synopsis was done and all interested sources are included in Section VI, it is acceptable to state, “See Section VI above.”

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(11))

Describe any actions taken or to be taken to foster competition for future acquisitions of the supplies or services being acquired.

Describe potential actions that could be taken to remove the barriers to competition that have been identified in the justification and include a milestone schedule, where available, for accomplishing these actions. For example, if a follow-on competitive acquisition is planned, so state and provide the planned award date, or state that the Government will attempt to acquire rights in technical data and computer software sufficient to compete follow-on acquisitions as a priced option in the contract action that is the subject of this Justification, or (if applicable) state how the Government intends to challenge nonconforming markings on technical data and computer software delivered to it under previous contracts so those markings can be removed in order that the technical data and computer software may be used in support of a follow-on competitive acquisition, or describe plans to qualify additional sources.

Address efforts to ensure competition for future spare parts and maintenance in support of systems or equipment covered by the justification, even when these acquisitions will be accomplished by other organizations. Include a discussion on available breakout data.

If no actions are planned, so state and provide reasons. If approval is sought for more than one year, explain why a sole source effort is required for the planned time duration.

For a non-competitive follow-on acquisition to a previous award for the same supply or service supported by a Justification citing the same authority, include a discussion of the actions planned to overcome barriers to competition established in the previous justification, the status of those actions, and the results of those actions. The approval authority shall determine whether the planned actions were completed. If the planned actions were not completed, the justification for the follow-on acquisition shall be approved by the approval authority one-level above the approval authority for the previous justification (see FAR 13.501(a)(2)). If the previous justification was approved by the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE), the approval remains at the SPE level.

[DFARS 213.501(a) and DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(ii)]

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12))

As evidenced by his/her signature, the contracting officer has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel. (FAR 6.303-2(c))

As evidenced by their signatures, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.