SSJ ERO OJT 02-18-20_Redacted.pdf

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

Sole Source Justification (SSJ)

For Simplified Acquisitions Above the Micro-purchase threshold and up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR 13.106, including Brand Name

J&A-20-0024

Page 1 of 3 January 2020

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) requirements for training of Federal Trainings for ICE’s law enforcement staff field training program.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

(a) Type of action: Firm Fixed Price

(b)

(c) Brief Description: ERO is seeking three courses providing training for three cohorts of future ERO instructors in ICE’s upcoming Problem Based Learning (BPL) training curriculum. These three courses will effectively teach ICE ERO personnel to host PBL training courses in the future for ERO field officers.

Additionally, ICE will require continued limited support from the vendor relating to curriculum development and honing the ERO Coach Training Program.

Alternation LLC 6073 Youngfield Street, Arvada, CO 80004-3958

(203) 710-1978

3. A description of supplies/services required to meet the agency’s need, including the estimated total value (base and all options).

Task Duration Conduct three comprehensive Instructor Development Course sessions in problem-based learning, including

Iteration 1 Instructor Development Course Iteration 2 Instructor Development Course Iteration 3 Instructor Development Course

Estimated 12 months

10 days in Dallas

For Simplified Acquisitions Above the Micro-purchase threshold and up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR 13.106, including Brand Name

J&A-20-0024

Page 2 of 3 January 2020

4. Sole Source Justification Rationale in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) and (ii).

(Check one and explain below):

☒ Only one source reasonably available.

☐ Urgent and compelling circumstances exists.

☐ Exclusive licensing agreement exists.

☐ Brand name. If the brand name requirement applies to a portion of the procurement, please identify that portion.

☐ Industrial Mobilization ☐ Other. Explain:

Rationale:

Alternation LLC has over 20 years’ experience in creating, developing, and implementing problem-based learning (PBL) training within public safety agencies, the U.S. Department of Justice, and police agencies around the world, including specific expertise in PBL as the original developers and instructors of the national PTO program for the U.S. Department of Justice from 2001 to 2006 and authors of the first-ever redevelopment of the police Field Training Officer program into a PBL-oriented Police Training Officer (PTO) program. Their work also includes development and delivery of updated instructor programs in PBL for the U.S. Department of Justice. They have taught that program, and others like it such as problem-solving and problem-oriented policing, extensively across the world.

This vendor is recognized as a preeminent expert in PBL, emotional intelligence training, and public safety programming. Principals expertise includes experience as professional educators, criminologists, lawyers, and former police officers, and are published in peer reviewed academic publications in problem-based learning, emotional intelligence, criminal justice, and problem-solving. Alternation is a principal member of the Police Society for Problem Based Learning (PSPBL), a not for profit organization created by law enforcement professionals for the purpose of improving the quality of law enforcement training. PSPBL supports Problem Based Learning in police training through development of Law Enforcement Trainer courses, mentoring and consulting, and through providing a library of resources for its members. This gives ERO access to a network of not-for-profit resources for the entire lifecycle of the prospective training program.

ICE ERO reviewed the market place for post-academy Problem Based Learning training programs. One company, which uses the same PBL core methodology that ICE requires, however their proposed model does not meet the requirements of the ICE mission as ERO officers do not engage in patrol operations, which is a focal point of their program.

Another consideration was the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCLOE) and their Field Training Officer (FTO) course. Their FTO course uses methodologies and techniques that necessitate peer-to-peer evaluation with a pass/fail outcome. It uses a strictly task-based system of evaluation and documentation. This FTO program is incongruent with ERO’s training goals

For Simplified Acquisitions Above the Micro-purchase threshold and up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

FAR 13.106, including Brand Name

J&A-20-0024

Page 3 of 3 January 2020 of officer coaching and mentoring.

Other vendors rely too heavily on the outdated San Jose Task Based Model of on-the-job training or they rely too heavily on the Community Policing Model which does not fit ERO’s needs when addressing a National Level Federal Law Enforcement On-The-Job Training Program.

5. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable based on one or more of the price analysis techniques described below in accordance with FAR Part 13.106- 3(a)(2). (Check one and provide short explanation or description of action taken.)

☒ Market Research.

☒ Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases.

☐ Current price List.

☐ Comparison with similar items in a related industry.

☒ Comparison to IGCE.

☐ Contracting Officer’s personal knowledge.

☐ Other. Explain:

6. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval.

I hereby determine that the circumstances described herein exist and that the information is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge:

Contracting Officer 02/18/2020________________

Date