Dental Asisstant Testing and Certification

Added: Oct 22, 2013 9:46 am JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL
FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AFMC ESG 773 ESS/PKB
3515 S. General McMullen, Ste 200
San Antonio TX 78226-1865

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

The purpose of this Justification and Approval is to award a firm fixed price contract with Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), for dental assistant certification testing services. The Air Force Dental Service has approved the administration of certification examinations to students in the Dental Assistant Apprentice Course. National certification is an expressed goal for all Air Force dental assistants, the Infection Control (IC) and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) examination are two components of national certification. Upon successful completion, students taking these tests in technical school will earn certificates of competency.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS

The Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) SGD Dental is requesting a follow-on, sole source, firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of DANB certification testing services. The previous sole source, firm-fixed contract, FA7014-08-P-0133 was awarded to Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. The Air Force will need approximately 225 IC and 225 RHS practice exams and certification testing services for Dental Assistant Apprentice Course for selected students each year. The estimated value is XXXXXX per year. The Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) value for a base year contract with four one-year options is XXXXXX

The assigned NAICS Code is 611710, Educational Support Services, with a small business size standard of $14 million.

CLIN/Service Quantity
Unit Price Line Total
0001- IC EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
0002 - RHS EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
1001 - IC EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
1002 - RHS EXAMS  225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
2001 - IC EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
2002 - RHS EXAMS  225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
3001 - IC EXAMS  225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
3002 - RHS EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
4001 - IC EXAMS 225 each XXXXXX XXXXXX
4002 - RHS EXAMS  225 eachXXXXXX XXXXXX
GRAND TOTAL XXXXXX

The appropriation is Defense Health Program, Operations and Maintenance, Air Force 0130.

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This requirement may be excluded from full and open competition requirements under the authority of 10 USC 2304(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE

DANB is the only agency that is recognized by the American Dental Association and the only agency that provides a nationally recognized certification for dental assistants.

VI. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

The proposed action will be synopsized and posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) in accordance with FAR 5.207, noting that pursuant to FAR 5.102(e) the Government only need provide copies of a solicitation issued under other than full and open competition to firms requesting copies that were not initially solicited, but only after advising the requester of the determination to limit the solicitation to a specified firm or firms as authorized. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

A price analysis will be accomplished using available publicly posted pricing to determine price fair and reasonable. Comparison to the publicly posted pricing is indicative of the current market price for these exams and certification. In accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b)(3) and (c)(3), a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data will not be required at conclusion of negotiations.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market research was conducted February 2013 by the AF technical expert, Dental Career Field Manager, CMSgt Carolyn A. Regan. The internet was used to research the American Dental Association website for Dental Assistant certification. The information gathered stated that DANB is the only authorized agency to furnish certification testing services, and there is no alternate certification or standards setting body able to administer certification testing or perform the same function as DANB.

A sources sought synopsis was issued and posted to FBO on 1 Jul 2013 and closed on 1 Aug 2013 at 1100 CST, under synopsis number FA8052-13-R-0009, requesting vendors that are capable of providing national certification for dental assistants that, is recognized and accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA), under NAICS Code 611710 Educational Support Services. No response was received.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Dental Assistant National Board Inc. is the only source approved by the American Dental Association and accepted by the Air Force Dental Service Executive Board to provide credential testing services for certification.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (CAGE Code 56PS3)
444 N. Michigan Ave, Ste 900
Chicago IL 60611-3985

There are no other known sources that are able to satisfy the Government's requirement.

XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

Prior to exercise of an option, this office will view the American Dental Associations website and conduct market research to attempt to locate other sources that may meet the Air Force requirement.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer's signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of her knowledge and belief per FAR 6.303-2(b)(12) .

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL'S CERTIFICATION

As evidence by their signatures on the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete per FAR 6.303-2(c) .