AF11--School at Work | NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Justification and Approval Notice

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Notice of Intent to Sole Source

This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source the following requirement. Reference #: 36C24521Q0790

School at Work (SAW) is a six month Building a Career Ladder in Healthcare career development system.

Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT). Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization). This is not a request for proposals. This notice does not represent a commitment by the government to pay for costs incurred from the preparation and/or submission of data in response to this notice.

Written responses to this Notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Information received in response to this Notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive requirement.

PURPOSE and SCOPE OF WORK:

School at Work (SAW) is a six month Building a Career Ladder in Healthcare career development system that is delivered within VA Medical Centers using a combination of instructor-facilitated online and DVD technology and student workbooks (face to face) instruction. SAW is managed by a trained VA site Coach who conducts weekly 2-hour classes. SAW uses adult learning principles to engage participants and provides curriculum written in healthcare context. Since 2005, SAW has been used by over 1100 VA employees at 70 VAMC s. Work will take place at the Perry Point and Baltimore VAMCs.

Period of Performance: 09/20/2021 to 09/19/2026

Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

Catalyst Learning is a Sole-Source Competitor and at this time the only known vendor who provides an all-in-one program that uses the blended learning system of on-line coursework, DVD Classroom Sessions, and participants workbooks.

The uniqueness of the package is due to several factors:

-The Building a Career Ladder in Healthcare curriculum is taught in a healthcare specific context (rather than generic, remedial education subject matter).

-SAW is a technology-enabled approach to training for adults with remedial education needs (rather than the traditional approach of a teacher in the classroom).

-Catalyst Learning prepares a Medical Center employee ( Coach ) to facilitate the SAW program. The Coach s familiarity with and ability to work within the organization go beyond what is typically possible with an external teacher and are important contributors to success.

-SAW is a career development system and combines career planning with education (rather than a standalone training program) and is integrated with the VHA s HPDM Model and PDP format.

-Catalyst Learning s Client Relations team works with the Coach throughout the 6-month period. The Company is outcomes oriented (as opposed to shipping workbooks and walking away) and work with Coaches throughout the period to achieve results.

Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market Research has been conducted and it was found to be a sole source acquisition. Awarded contract 36C24521Q0790 to CATALYST LEARNING COMPANY for 12940.00000000 on 2021-09-01.