Sole Source Justification_Dscout Under SAT_06182026_FE.pdf

Version 2.0

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Sensitive in accordance with 32 CFR 2002 Controlled by: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, [Elvis Taylor]

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

EDOFSA-26-000635

1. Agency and contracting activity. Federal Student Aid (FSA), Acquisition Directorate, Enterprise Support Contracts Group (ESG) and Technology Directorate (TD)

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

It is the intention of the United States Department of Education Federal Student Aid’s (FSA) Acquisition Directorate to award a firm-fixed price, sole source purchase order to Dscout for support and services. Dscout is a userability testing tool that allows UX Research teams to conduct remote testing, user interviews, and design studies/surveys.

Maintenance support services are as follows:

Product Quantity Access Fee 1 Flex Seats 6

Acticity Credits

Level 1 Support Package

Incentive Budget Amount

$15,000

Period of Performance Cost

06/24/2026 through 06/23/2027 $57,200.00

3. Discuss the contract type planned and provide the total estimated value, including all options.

The planned contract type is Firm Fixed Price (FFP), valued at $57,200.00

4. Identification of the single source to be solicited. Dscout 222 North La Salle Street, Suite 650 Chicage Il, 60601

5. Supporting rationale. Only one source is reasonably available as detailed below:

(EDOFSA-26-000635)

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

□ Compatibility to existing systems or equipment - The required supplies or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems or equipment and the source is uniquely qualified to meet the requirement.

□ Exclusive Licensing Agreement/Restrictive Rights/Authorized Reseller - The source has one or more of the following: an established exclusive licensing agreement, proprietary data, limited rights in data, patent rights, OEM required certifications or OEM authorized reseller, copyrights or secret processes with regard to the supplies or services required.

□ Urgency – The nature of the requirement has been deemed urgent due to unusual and compelling circumstances. Following competitive procedures would result in unacceptable delays resulting in serious injury to the Government.

X Other - Only one source is capable

Market research was conducted with technical experts thoroughly evaluating the market availability for Usability Testing solutions and platforms. Government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) and Best-in-Class (BIC) contracts were also reviewed to include any Usability testing tools currently used throughout the government in the research analysis and evaluations being performed.

DScout was thoroughly evaluated and identified as the only solution capable of meeting or exceeding all of FSA’s functionality requirements. Similar Usability testing tools such as Maze and User Testing were evaluated against FSA’s requirements but the DScout competitors fell short on 508 compliancy, Teams integrations with ability to autodownload, diary study needs, and compensation/incentives for recruiters.

Further research showed key differentiators in Dscout's large, integrated participant pool combined with robust screening capabilities, which enabled rapid recruitment of participants who meet specific, often niche, criteria required for FSA’s research studies.

Additional Market Research was done under other available government vehicles to procure DScout. However, DScout does not provide products or services under any government vehicle, nor do they work with any partners or resellers.

6. Determination

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Elvis Taylor, Contracting Officer Date