JA_-redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13 Not Exceeding $250K

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC)-West Point

2. Description of Action:

Nature: New Requirement Follow-On Requirement Mod to Existing Purchase Order/Contract Number

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time and Materials

Funds: OMA Other Funds: ________

3. Description of Supplies/Services: The total estimated dollar value of the proposed action is $120,000. This is for a base plus two option years. Each of the three years is estimated at $40,000.00 per year. The base period of performance is 9/14/19 through 9/13/20, with two option years. The United States Military Academy (USMA) Office of the Dean would like to procure unlimited, on demand, surveys and statistical reports for use in benchmarking USMA against current norms and practices at other Tier 1 Universities for one set annual price. The scope of these comparisons must encompass a broad range of topics in the field of higher education. In addition, numerous reports must be generated on an as requested basis.

4. Authority:

Action using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

FAR 13.106-1(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g. urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.)

5. Reason for Authority Cited: Hanover's membership model provides USMA with customized research at limited expense. In this model, USMA pays one annual contribution that grants unlimited access to Hanover's custom research services and resources. This unique business model enables USMA to allocate a single annual disbursement for these services. This model is also more cost-effective when compared to alternatives such as using traditional research or consulting firms. Hanover effectively increases our research capacity. Another important distinction is the breadth of Hanover's research arm. They provide the ability to commission both primary and secondary research projects including but not limited to: Surveys, benchmarking, best practices research, comparative analysis and data analysis. All projects are queued and completed on a timely basis to meet the needs of any deadlines. This breadth is also reflected in the range of projects Hanover completes for other members, which are often redacted and syndicated to other members who might find them relevant. Essentially, Hanover provides USMA senior-level administrators with access to an adjunct research and planning team that can help with the data-driven decision making that can be critical for achieving internal goals. Currently, no other firms in existence provide unlimited custom projects at a fixed cost.

Hanover Research Council (Hanover) has been providing benchmarking in higher education for the United States Military Academy (USMA) since 2010. Hanover utilizes the subscriber’s (USMA’s) peer University list in order to produce a detailed benchmarking report on the topic requested. Hanover actively contacts and gathers information on the specific topic from the subject matter experts at all peer institutions.

After gathering the required information, Hanover analyzes and packages the information, so that it can be used as supporting documentation for multiple purposes.

The primary need for such information for USMA is in order to benchmark USMA’s key “university” processes and procedures to ensure that USMA continues to compare favorably to its peer institutions and continues to be aligned with Tier I institutions of higher education.

Hanover has maintained a library of prior research reports that can be accessed by the subscribing institution (USMA), thus eliminating downtime and avoiding duplication of Hanover’s research time on a topic that was addressed in prior research efforts. Over the years that USMA has worked with Hanover, it has received numerous reports on topics, such as “Benchmarking Administrative Support to Faculty,” “Diversity Policy Benchmarking,” “Setting Faculty Salaries,” and “Diversity Goals in Higher Education.”

If this justification is not approved, then USMA would not have access to essential benchmarking reports (past and future) that integrate into USMA’s accreditation and assessment efforts across the Academy. This would result in mission failure.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: A sources sought synopsis, W911SD19R0145, was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website (FBO.gov) from 05/31/19 through 06/04/19. A Notice of Intent to award a sole source will also be posted to FBO.gov at least 3 days prior to award. Any timely response will be considered.

7. Market Research: Five responses from interested vendors were received to the notice. Four of the vendors do not have a database of past research that is accessible to USMA. The one who does is Hanover, our contract provider for the past nine years.

Company and

POC

CAGE

L B

S

W O

E D

W O

H U

B Z o n e

D

V O

(a

Capability/Experience

1 The Conscious Press

89MJ3 Y Y Does not have database

2 Bloomsburie 75CA5 Y Y Y Y Does not have database

3 txtlabinc none Not cerified as any SBA business yet; Does not have database

4 Hanover 00234 Y Can provide database and reports.

5 RMC Research 1S1S1 Y Does not have database

8. Procurement History:

Contract number, awarded Contractor: W911SD10P0468, Hanover Description of requirement: Report Database and Reports Method of procurement: Competed Contract type: FFP Period of performance: Five year Total awarded amount: $177,500.00 Number of option periods: 4 Number of Offerors: 1

Contract number, awarded Contractor: W911SD15P0376, Hanover Description of requirement: Report Database and Reports Method of procurement: sole source, FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), under SAT and only one vendor can provide Contract type: FFP Period of performance: 1 year Total awarded amount: $36,500.00 Number of option periods: 0 Number of Offerors: 1

Contract number, awarded Contractor: W911SD16P0307, Hanover Description of requirement: Report Database and Reports Method of procurement: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), under SAT and only one vendor can provide Contract type: FFP Period of performance: three year Total awarded amount: $115,815.00 Number of option periods: 2 Number of Offerors: 1

9. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination: As Contracting Officer, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable. One or more of the price analysis techniques listed in FAR 13.106- 3(a)(2) will be used.

10. Contracting Officer’s Approval:

I hereby certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the foregoing, I approve this sole source justification subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services and supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition

Lori A. Gambill Contracting Officer