J A_W9124D-16-Q-5561_Collegiate_Learning_Assessment.pdf

Knox-2016-10

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JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(Actions NTE $650K for other than Simplified Acquisition Procedures)

1. Agency/Contracting Activity: Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), Fort Knox, KY

2. Description of Action:

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

Pricing: Firm-Fixed Price Time & Materials Cost

Funds: OMA Other Funds:

Name of Proposed Contractor(s): Council for Aid to Education, Inc.

Street Address: 215 Lexington Avenue, 16th Floor

City, State, Zip: New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212-661-5800

3. Description of Services or Supplies:

The total estimated value of the proposed action is $ 231,000.00

Procure 6,600 College Learning Assessment (CLA) tests. CLA is a tool used to evaluate critical thinking skills of college students. CLA measures critical thinking, problem solving, scientific and quantitative reasoning, writing, and the ability to critique and make arguments which are necessary skills for officers. CLA provides student-levels metrics for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of cadets in the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corp (SROTC). Council for Aid to Education, Inc. is the sole source vendor and proprietor of the CLA testing. Cost per test is $ each for 6,600 SROTC Cadets for a total of . Requirement type contract (RTC) for the period June 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016.

4. Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.

2304 (c) (1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 6.302-1: “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements.”.

Actions other than simplified acquisition procedures (select one):

FAR 6.302-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 10 USC 2304(c)(1)

FAR 6.302-2: Unusual and compelling urgency, 10 USC 2304(c)(2)

FAR 6.302-5: Authorized or Required by Statute, 10 USC 2304(c)(5)

Other:

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5. Reasons for Authority Cited: Pursuant to the provisions of FAR 6.302-1 (a) (2) (iii), Council for Aid to Education, Inc. is the only source that can provide the CLA test. Council for Aid to Education distributes the CLA directly to the subscribers and does not offer this product for resale.

a. Alternatives: Forgo access to the CLA test.

b. Justification: Council for Aid to Education is the sole proprietor of the CLA.

c. Impact: Failure to procure access to this test will affect the order of merit list in which ROTC Cadets are ranked for commissioning. Administration of this test assists Cadet Command in evaluating the “total person” concept as the CLA measures the collective and cumulative result of a 4-6 year undergraduate education by using analytical reasoning, evaluation, problem solving, writing effectiveness and writing mechanics.

6. Actions to Increase Competition: The nature of this acquisition precludes attempts to increase competition. Council for Aid to Education distributes the CLA directly to subscribers and does not offer this product for resale. Market research has shown that there are currently no equivalent tests available in the commercial market place. A notice of intent to sole source this requirement to Council for Aid to Education will be synopsized on the Federal Business opportunities website www.fbo.gov.

7. Market Research: Cost of the CLA, as provided by the sole proprietor is per test.

Market research shows no equivalent tests available in the commercial market that measure institutional achievements in student learning in four key general education core skills: critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication.

8. Interested Sources: There are no known interested sources.

9. Procurement History: This is an annually administered test. Each year, CLA tests are procured in quantity commensurate with the number of cadets.

Purchase order or contract number: W9124D-15-D-0029 Was action competed? Yes No

Unique Source (FAR 6.302-1(b)(1) (i))

10. Additional Information to support the justification. No additional information submitted.

11. Technical / Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in this abbreviated J&A is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Submitted By:

Position Title (Division Chief of higher):

Email address: l

Typed Name: Date:

Signature:

http://www.fbo.gov/

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12. 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.

13. Reviews: I have reviewed this justification and have no small business concerns.

Local Small Business Specialist

Typed Name: Date:

SIGNATURE:

I have reviewed this justification and find it legally sufficient.

Legal Counsel

Typed name: _ Date:

SIGNATURE:

14. 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.

SIGNATURE: Date:

Karen E. Keys Contracting Officer US Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Ft Knox, KY