Limited Sources J&A for Update to CACO

Upon the basis of the following justification, I as the Contracting Officer, hereby approve issuance of the contractual action described herein based upon the statutory exception(s) to the fair opportunity process pursuant to the authority of Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program (Title 40USC 501, Services for Executive Agencies) and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6 Limited Sources Justification and Approval and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(iii). 1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity The Regional Contracting Office-National Capital Region (RCO-NCR), 2010 Henderson Road, Quantico, Virginia 22134. 2. Nature and Description of Action The action being approved consists of an award of a contract on a sole source basis for an updated dramatic video for the current Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) Training Program in support of Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Casualty Section from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). 3. Description of Supplies/Services The current CACO training program consists of 8 training modules centered around a dramatic video. CACO training is typically provided in a classroom setting with instructor(s) from HQMC Casualty Section (MFPC) providing the training to a number of students ranging from 10-700. The scenario depicted in the current video was particularly effective in engaging targeted audiences and was praised by USMC leadership, trainers, and participants for its realism, sensitivity, and precision in demonstrating the enormous responsibility of performing CACO duty; however, the video scenario is now six years old and needs to be updated to the same precise standards and sensitivity as the current video to effectively engage its target audience and compliment the pre-existing training. The video and corresponding modules were created and designed uniquely and specifically for the United States Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Section in 2008 and modified in 2010. This original product and subsequent modification were both provided to the Marine Corps under service contracts M00264-10-F-0212 and M00264-08-F-0170 respectively by SAIC. The CACO Training Program video has mandated requirements as described in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY06, Section 562, NDAA FY07, Section 566 and DoDI 1300.18 (Department of Defense Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures). In addition to the requirements mandated in NDAA FY06, Section 562, NDAA FY07, Section 566 and DoDI 1300.18, the updated scenario/training program will, at a minimum, include the following: - Marine's death due to a training incident - Dual active duty spouse with complicated marital issues - Requirement of a command investigation due to nature of death - Multiple Notifications - Divorced Parents - Unit Memorial - Subsequent remains - Dealing with children - Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) discussions - CACO coordination - Benefits and Entitlements - Dignified Transfer (DT) at Dover - Unit arrival ceremonies at local airports - CACO Reports - Use of benevolent/philanthropic organizations - Updated grief/trauma awareness - Self-care for CACOs Additionally, the following deliverables will be provided to the government: - Complete CACO Training Program (Dramatic scenario/updated Microsoft PowerPoint presentation) provided in a media format that can be easily transported and displayed from a laptop computer. The Marine Corps must be able to edit all deliverables. - 1,000 copies of the DVD for distribution to Marine Corps units/activities - The training program must be able to be placed and run off of the USMC Casualty Website located at: www.manpower.usmc.mil. The program must meet all requirements of MCEN. - The program must also be downloadable. 4. Identification of Justification Rationale In accordance with (IAW) FAR 8.405-6(b)(2) the update to CACO training is new work which is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order. The original requirement was competed in accordance with Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. Finally, IAW FAR 16.505(b)(2)(iii), the order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency as a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract. The dramatic video is an updated requirement to an existing program that was uniquely and specifically created for the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order. The CACO Training Program in its current form was originally created by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in 2008 under contract M00264-08-F-0170 and was updated in 2010 by SAIC under contract M00264-10-F-0212. The CACO Training Program consists of one dramatic video and eight modules. Additionally, the dramatic video continues with vignettes related to the original scenario which further augment the modules. SAIC developed the original CACO learning modules using its "Evocative Training" methodology which effectively integrates dramatic, documentary and instructional video with effective instructional design. Essential to the approach and to encouraging audiences to engage with often difficult material, is convincing, credible, and impactful dramatic production, using a true-to-life dramatic script that encompasses the critical teaching points necessary for prospective CACOs to be effective when called to perform the duty. The resulting video conveys precise instructional content but in a way that does not detract from the engaging story that sparks audience interest. It should be noted that SAIC's "Evocative Training" approach continues to be employed by other programs within the USMC (suicide prevention, sexual assault prevention, behavioral health) as well as the Army (casualty assistance, suicide prevention), Navy (sexual assault prevention). During the market research phase, no other bidders were able to demonstrate an approach similar to or competitive with SAIC's unique "Evocative Training" approach. SAIC also possesses a wealth of subject matter expertise on the USMC CACO program. The entire SAIC team that worked on the previous USMC CACO video training in 2008 and update in 2010 - project manager, script writer, producer, videographer, instructional designer - are committed to working on the new video. In addition, SAIC has senior managers on staff that has performed CACO duty during their previous careers in the Marines; this expertise is available to the SAIC team free of charge. SAIC also maintains an expansive library of CACO/NOK testimonial videos which, if utilized, would result in a significant cost savings to the Marine Corps. Overall, SAIC provides a continuity of video expertise, CACO subject matter expertise, knowledge of USMC culture and procedures that enables them to provide the precise, sensitive video that the USMC requires. The result will be seamless integration of the new video into the course curriculum. 5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost Pursuant to FAR 8.404(d), by placing an order against a GSA FSS contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the ordering activity has concluded that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government's needs. SAIC's pricing has been determined fair and reasonable based on comparison with competitive published price lists. The procurement was originally competed via GSA e-buy as a Base plus 4 Option Years under solicitation#:M00264-10-T-0104. Option Year 1 was never exercised but all offerors submitted quotes that detail pricing for Option Year 3 which would cover the period of performance for the requested update. SAIC's pricing which utilized their GSA Schedule GS-23F-0052K was found to be fair and reasonable (due to adequate price competition) during the previous competitive procurement against 2 other vendors proposed pricing off their GSA Schedule. SAIC will offer the Government discounts off their GSA pricing. In addition there is enough historical pricing available on the requirement to determine fair and reasonableness. The Contracting Officer will ensure that all pricing is at or below the established GSA pricing and may seek additional discounts before placing an order. Therefore, it is the Contracting Officer's determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that the order represents the best value. 6. Description of Market Research No offer will be solicited from other sources for the reasons described herein. Notices required in FAR Part 5 are not required for FAR 8.4 procurements. Due to the unique and extensive experience by SAIC with the conditions of video production, installation into the current CACO training program and the requirement to remain compatible with existing programs, no other Contractor can reasonably complete the efforts required without extensive duplication of effort and unacceptable delays to the Government. A formal market survey among schedule holders was conducted. A review of the market research and of the contract numbers M00264-10-F-0212 and M00264-08-F-0170 was conducted, which identifies the pricing of CACO Training Program updates. Another Request for Information was posted on April 22, 2014 to see if there are other vendors in the market with the capability to meet specific objectives of the update to the CACO training. Only two responses were received one from the incumbent (SAIC) and another from a new vendor. Although the other vendor had performed satisfactory on other USMC projects there were concerns on their ability to meet the date of October 1st. Due to the nature of the project and their current capabilities there is concern that the learning curve would be too steep to overcome for a requirement of this specificity and short duration. 7. Other Factors Supporting the Justification In addition to its specific USMC CACO expertise, SAIC has produced all U.S. Army Casualty Notification and Assistance training for eight years and is intimately familiar with every aspect of the subject, across the Department of Defense. SAIC has produced specific training programs that directly address the requirements of the updated CACO scenario/training program listed above. Among others, these include: death due to a training incident; command investigation due to nature of death (Line of Duty); escort duty; chaplain duty; issues involving divorced parents; dignified transfer at Dover; grief and bereavement; self-care; DD Form 93; and funeral honors. This wealth of direct expertise will inform SAIC's support to the USMC CACO training course project. Utilizing a second contractor to update this unique and specifically-made, precise product would 1) put undue burden on the government to bring a second contractor up to speed on the specific requirements mandated by law under NDAA FY06 and NDAA FY07, and DoDI 1300.8 to be included in the training or 2) bring more inefficiencies and likely result in overall higher cost to allow a second contractor to familiarize themselves with the specifics and nuances of the original video, as well as the lawful requirements that need to be integrated into the video. As a previous provider of services, SAIC has subject matter experts on staff that previously created and modified the existing product which this contract will update. SAIC has critical knowledge of these specifics and is uniquely versed in the required topics. Services provided shall modify in content and mirror in the quality the services offered under contracts M00264-08-F-0170 and M00264-10-F-0212, previously executed for MFPC. In summary, SAIC represents the only high-quality option for obtaining this service. The combination of precision, sensitivity, and continuity represents best value to the USMC to obtain this critical service. 8. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition As requirements change and new alternatives for meeting them enter the marketplace, all interested parties will be given the opportunity to compete.