Sources Sought Notice Learning Management Systeml.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155

Sources Sought Announcement Notice

Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU)

Learning Management System (LMS) Modernization Regional Center Personnel Activity Management System MS)

Request for Information

Reference No. HQ003425SS01911

The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Acquisition Directorate (AD) is conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced and interested vendors to provide support services to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s Defense Security Cooperation University.

Introduction: WHS/AD is seeking information on behalf of DSCA for potential sources to provide Learning Management System Modernization.

This Sources Sought Notice is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal; it does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. This notice neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) to the ultimate acquisition approach. No contract will be awarded from this announcement.

No reimbursement will be made for any cost associated with providing information in response to this announcement. At this time no solicitation exists. Therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Responses in any form are not offers.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be issued. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings. No phone solicitations or email with regards to the status of the Request for Quote (RFQ) will be accepted prior to its release. Information and materials submitted in response to this notice WILL NOT be returned. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.

As a result of this notice, the Government MAY issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). There is no solicitation available at this time. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice, or the Government’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process, or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Background: The Department of Defense (DoD), Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Acquisition Directorate (AD) is issuing this notice to locate experienced, qualified vendors to provide critical support to Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

In accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 5105.65, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) directs, administers, and provides guidance to the DoD Components and DoD representatives to U.S.

missions, for the execution of DoD Security Cooperation programs. The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) is a Directorate of DSCA and was established under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year 2017. The act included provisions to enhance the training and professional development of personnel involved in security cooperation activities, leading to the creation of DSCU. The University aims to provide education and training to improve the effectiveness of U.S. security cooperation efforts globally. Specifically, Public Law 114-328 under Section 1250, states Department of Defense Security Cooperation workforce development, requires DSCA to establish a program to "oversee the development and management of a professional workforce supporting security cooperation programs and activities of the DoD.”

Moreover, the University strengthens relationships with international Partner Nations by working hand-in-hand to provide teaching, training, and institutional capacity building. The Directorate brings together DSCA’s research, analysis, and lessons learned capabilities, which expand the intellectual foundations of Security Cooperation.

Furthermore, DSCU is classified as a team of teams which includes multiple entities; DSCU’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG), Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS), and School of Security Cooperation Studies (SSCS).

DSCU’s geographically dispersed, cross-functional team of scholars, practitioners, and support staff work in concert to plan, develop, and deliver Security Cooperation education, training, and advising in support of the National Defense Strategy and America’s allies and partners. This support encompasses a current technical training environment where Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is the primary hosting organization, and multiple separate partner organizations operate on a single Cornerstone On Demand (CSOD), Learning Management System (LMS) tenant. Moreover, the current DSCU CSOD learning management system has grown exponentially over the last three (3) years with regards to its technical requirements, size, scope, and scalability. The current learning management system capability necessitates the following levels of support:

• The LMS shall support at least 4,000 average concurrent users

• The LMS shall be scalable to support up to 6,000 peak concurrent users

• The LMS shall support at least 400,000 active user accounts

• The LMS shall be scalable to support at least 1,000,000 or more total user accounts

(ref. DSCU Learning Management System Requirements - Version 1 Updated July 30, 2024)

In its current state, DSCU’s learning management system is a DoD hosted and provided service by DAU, in a DoD IL2 commercial cloud space platform that offers a one-stop-shop student experience, allowing domestic students to access course information, register for courses, complete courses, and access to e-learning services provided by the Government and an outside commercial vendor. This involves an active task order contract with CSOD that falls under the larger DAU Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

Objective: The objective of this acquisition is acquire LMS Modernization to the DSCU of the DSCA.

Scope: DSCA is seeking information from experienced commercial vendors and government service providers, to procure a modernized learning management solution with a desired set of integrated capabilities that improve the future state of DSCU service offerings. Specifically, these include the following desired needs and requirements (at a minimum):

• Consistent Branding, Customization, and Personalization - Facilitate capability that allows DSCU to customize and control branding across all aspects of the learning environment and within the authentication process. This would include establishment of custom URLs, logos, and personalization of the learning experience based upon preferences and needs.

• Cybersecurity and Privacy - Ensure Cloud-based LMS Software as a Service (SaaS) capability combined with a DoD Impact Level (IL) 4 / FedRAMP Impact Level High security requirement. Provide secure access to course materials and protects user data, that includes compliance with DoD educational privacy regulations.

• Efficient Profile Updates: The LMS solution should ensure that profile updates propagate quickly and reliably (real or near real-time), preventing issues where users must restart the process due to delays or system reversion.

• Simplified Tenant Portal Permissions: The solution should simplify tenant portal permissions, making it easier for content creators to navigate and reducing the risk of confusion and reporting errors.

• Simplified Course Registration: The system should streamline course registration by incorporating student workforce code and allowing for self-selected organization definitions in user profiles.

• Course / Student Management - Facilitate DSCU enrollment and management of users, courses. including students, instructors, and administrators, often with role-based access controls.

• Content Delivery - Facilitate the distribution of DSCU course materials to students, enabling access to lectures, readings, and other resources online.

• Technical Support and Administrative – Provide DSCU with a 24/7 Helpdesk capability with a dedicated support team that is available around the clock, every day of the week, to answer questions and assist trainees with any issues they encounter during their training program, regardless of the time zone or day.

Establish a ticketing system for managing support requests, allowing for tracking and prioritization of technical issues.

• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – Provide a list of readily available APIs with other immersive online learning platforms such as Skillsoft Percipio.

• Progress Tracking, Accurate Reporting and Analytics - Provide features for tracking student workforce progress and performance, including dashboards and analytics for both students and instructors. Also, provide reporting tools to DSCU that analyze course effectiveness, student engagement, and learning outcomes.

• Communication / Collaboration Tools – Offer DSCU with messaging systems that facilitate dialogue between students and instructors. Support group work and collaboration through tools like discussion boards, wikis, and shared documents.

• Human Capital – Offer improved LMS capabilities that provide increased control over learning content, enhanced training capabilities, improved tracking, and workflows for SF182s that include up to date IDP information.

Security Clearance: Secret

Anticipated Period of Performance: One (1) 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods.

Place of Performance: TBA

Anticipated Contract Type(s): Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

NAICS: TBD. Vendors can propose recommended NAICS.

Submission Details: Interested firms having the capabilities necessary to provide the specified services may submit capability statements covering experience, staffing and technical capabilities. The capabilities’ statement should address the license outlined within the scope section above and for each provide information to demonstrate how the firm’s experience and recent past performance (last 3 years) is relevant to the technical areas listed including the dollar value, period of performance, size and scope of the firm’s prior contracts.

All interested firms having the experience, skills and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements are requested to provide capability statements not to exceed seven pages in “Times New Roman” 10-pitch font on 8.5 x 11 paper that include the following information:

1) Company name, address, point of contact name, telephone, email address, and web page.

2) CAGE Code and DUNS Number.

3) Business size status (business size/socio-economic category must be submitted to be used).

4) Vendor acknowledgement and capability to provide personnel that will need to successfully pass a

National Agency Check.

5) Documentation that addresses the desired needs and requirements detailed above.

6) A description of Corporate Experience & Past Performance Information for similar contracts and/or projects accomplished within the last 3 years. The description must include where, when, and for whom each similar contract and/or project was performed and a brief description of each contract and/or project, including the size, scope, dollar value, and period of performance. This information must demonstrate how the firm’s recent Corporate Experience and Past Performance (last 3 years) is relevant to DSCA’s Learning Management System requirement.

Submission Instructions: The response to this notice is limited to seven (7) single sided pages including all attachments, charts, etc. (single spaced, 10-point font minimum excluding charts and graphics) and should also include current business size status, and any applicable Federal Supply Schedule(s). This indication should be clearly marked on the first page of the response, as well as the eligible business concern’s name, point of contact, address, and cage code.

All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to the ‘WHS NCR AD Mailbox DSCA Group’ repository inbox at:

WHS NCR AD Mailbox DSCA Group: whs.ncr.ad.mbx.dsca-group@mail.mil;

Kim Robinson-Leach (KO) at kim.m.robinson-leach.civ@mail.mil

Lamont Joy (CS) at darrell.l.joy2@mail.mil

The Subject Line should state the following: “Sources Sought Response – DSCA Learning Management System:

HQ003425SS01911.” Facsimile responses will not be accepted.

To facilitate a timely and comprehensive review of all submitted responses, firms must respond using the format requested in this Notice. Any deviation from this format may lead to the rejection of the response.

Capability Statements must be submitted no later than 5:00pm (ET), Monday, January 06, 2024. Capability statements will not be returned. No telephone requests will be honored.

Proprietary information and trade secrets shall NOT be submitted as part of a response. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is submitted, as it is clearly stated this type of information shall NOT be submitted.

mailto:whs.ncr.ad.mbx.dsca-group@mail.mil