WFG10033 - JOFOC - UNSIGNED COPY - SCS.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

P rsuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Part 6.302-1 (a)(l ), 6.302-1 (a) (2), and the Bl reau of Prisons Acquisition Policy, Subpart, 6.304(a), the Federal Bureau of Prisons has determined the use of Other Than Full and Open Competitive procedures is justified for this pr curement action in accordance with FAR Subpart 6.3.3-2 (Content).

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Agency:

Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Yazoo City) Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194

Nature and/or Description of Action Being Taken:

FCC Yazoo City's Education Department has a requirement for Various Educational and Technical Occupations Books, Practice Books, Licensing Exam Books, and Principles and Applications Books for inmate student for their Vocational Technology (VT) Program under the First Step Act Programing. Cengage Learning Inc. is the sole source supplier and/or publisher of these products. These books, textbooks, licensing exam books, and principles and applications books are tailored to the content that FCC Yazoo City's Education Department will be teaching. Cengage Learning Inc. 's products are specially designed for teaching and testing purposes to prepare inmates on how to become productive, working class citizens after being released when returning to the community to find jobs. It has been determined that this type of procurement is available from only, one responsible source. Cengage Leaming Inc. is the only authorized, approved source for this requirement.

Description of supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs:

Various Educational and Technical Occupations Books, Practice Books, Licensing Exam Books, and Principles and Applications Books for inmate student for their Vocational Technology (VT) Program under the First Step Act Programing. - Total Amount $24,106.08

This sole source provider has the Educational and Technical Occupations Books, Practice Books, Licensing Exam Books, and Principles and Applications Books designed to test and prepare inmates on how to become productive, working class citizens after being released when returning to the community to find jobs.

Statutory Authority permitting other than full and open competition:

41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) OR 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No s.

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Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

Determination that the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The Supervisory of Education (SOE) has determined that Cengage Learning Inc. is the only responsible source that can meet the needs of the agency and provide inmates with the competency to test and become productive, working class citizens after being released from prison. Cengage Leaming Inc. is the sole source provider and supplier of these various books, textbooks, licensing exams books, and principles and applications.

Cengage Leaming Inc. offers the required testing for achievement, aptitude, and other measures. It is in the best interest of the government to procure this requirement from Cengage Learning Inc. In an effort to maintain the integrity of the VT curriculum and preclude the institution from experiencing unauthorized and non-responsible vendors, it is determined that Cengage Learning Inc. is the only responsible source that can satisfy the agency's requirement, provide approved products and services within the agency's local geographical area, and accommodate the needs of the institution/complex in a timely and reasonable manner.

Efforts made to solicit from as many potential sources as practical, including whether a notice was or will be publicized:

A search was conducted on GSA Schedule E-Library and the internet. However, Cengage Learning Inc. is the only sole source supplier for the required various books, textbooks, licensing exams books, and principles and applications that will be utilized in the Education department at FCC Yazoo City. Other vendor products did not meet the requirements and/or approval of the Education Department.

Contracting Officer Determination that the cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The contracting officer determined that the anticipated cost to the government is fair and reasonable. The price being offered by the vendor is considered to be fair and reasonable, because it coincides with the prevailing rates offered in the open market/community.

Description of the Market Research Conducted:

A market survey was not conducted.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

This procurement for various books, textbooks, licensing exams books, and principles and applications are needed to test and provide inmates with the competency to become productive, working class citizens after being released when returning to the community to find jobs.

10 List of sources expressing in writing interest in the acquisition:

None

11 Action taken, if any, to remove or overcome any barriers to competition:

The Contracting Officer has determined that this type of procurement is rare and limited due to Cengage Leaming Inc. being the only, responsible sole source provider to provide access to the purchasing of the approved books, textbooks, licensing exams books, and principles and applications that will be utilized in the Education department at FCC Yazoo City. Market research will continue to be conducted to ascertain the availability of other sources for competition for future acquisitions.

Certifications and approvals:

I certify that the above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Requested by:

Kecha S. Goston, Contract Specialist Date