US Forest Service employee training services - sole source notice

Requisition 1015865

NAICS: 611430 – Professional and Management Development

This is not a Request For Quote - this is a notice of the government's intent, under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106(b), to issue a sole source award to vendor Vital Smarts for three (3) “Crucial Conversations” brand-name trainings for US Forest Service employees.

The anticipated Period of Performance is from October 14th through November 18th, 2020.

The Forest Service is not aware of other individual or organization, other than Vital Smarts, licensed and certified to deliver “Crucial Conversations” training.  Vital Smarts created the Crucial Conversations curriculum and book that accompanies the training and therefore trademarked all materials.  The patented two-day course teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics-at all levels of the USFS organization.  However, any individual or organization who believes that it is capable of providing an equivalent service shall e-mail a capability statement to john.wright2@usda.gov no later than 10:00 a.m. Alaska Time on September 17th, 2020.

Respondents are advised that the Government will not provide payment for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government.