R--STOP GAP- Beacon Associates Inc.

Sole Source - VA-798-09-RQ-0088 ISSUE DATE: 04 September 2009POSTED DATE: 04 September 2009FSC CODE: R408 Program Management SupportTITLE: R408--Intent to Sole Source - Professional ServicesSOL: VA-798-09-RQ-0088DUE: 11 September 2009NAICS: 541612POP STATE: Not specifiedAGENCY: VA Center for Acquisition Innovation (CAI); 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD 21703POC: Melissa Maloy, Contract Specialist Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov DESCRIPTION: VA Center for Acquisition Innovations Frederick intends to procure a sole source requirement with Beacon Associates, Inc. 900-A South Main Street, Suite 102 Bel Air, Maryland 21014, to procure the Veteran's Affairs Acquisition Academy's (VAAA) efforts in the design and development of a competency based Federal Acquisition Certification in Program/Project Management (FAC-P/PM) training program. Beacon Associates, Inc has demonstrated the knowledge, ability and currently works with the VAAA under contract number VA791-P-0041. Therefore, they have a unique qualification and shared visions and goals of the academy. Beacon Associates, Inc will endorse continuity of the contract. NAICS Code 541612, Size Standard $7 million applies to this procurement. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quotations. Interested parties who believe they can meet this requirement must submit information about their capabilities no later than 4:00 PM EST, 10 September 2009 to Melissa Maloy, +1 (555) 000-0000; contact@example.gov. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. This award will be made using simplified acquisition procedures. No solicitation will be made available. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVALFOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction, Center for Acquisition Innovation - Frederick, 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, MD 21703. 2. Nature of Action Being Approved: The CAI Frederick intends to negotiate a sole source requirement with Beacon Associates, Inc. 900-A South Main Street, Suite 102 Bel Air, Maryland 21014. This requirement is to procure independent verification and validation services for the Veteran's Affairs Acquisition Academy's (VAAA) efforts in the design and development of a competency based Federal Acquisition Certification in Program/Project Management (FAC-P/PM) training program. The total contract value will be approximately $284,000. 3. Description of Services: The purpose of this effort is for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA Acquisition Academy to enter into a sole source contract with Beacon Associates, Inc. The contractor will assist the VAAA in the design and development in accordance with the following tasks:Task Item 1: FAC-P/PM Training Program Design- In the design phase, the vendor will work with the assigned VAAA project lead to identify learning objectives, assessment instruments, training program structure, specific pedagogical approaches. Identifying, developing and evaluating a set of planned strategies targeted for attaining the training program's goals. Task Item 2: Training Program DevelopmentThe development phase is where instructional designers and developers create and assemble the content assets that were blue-printed in the design phase. In this phase, storyboards are created, content is written and graphics are designed. The vendor will provide independent verification and validation services for content developed by another vendor for the VAAA. 4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." 5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: Beacon Associates, Inc has demonstrated the knowledge, ability and currently works with the VAAA under contract number VA791-P-0041. Therefore, they have a unique qualification and shared visions and goals of the academy. Beacon Associates, Inc will endorse continuity of the contract. 6. Efforts to Solicit Potential Sources: Only one responsible source can perform this unique service for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The critical element regarding this effort is continuity of services and the bridge of the current contract. This will allow us time to re-compete effectively. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: The contracting officer has made a determination that the price is fair and reasonable by comparing commercial price lists and review of previous Government contracts for the same services. 8. Description of the market research conducted: Beacon Associates is the only source that can provide continuity of this service. Also, the current vendor was found to be the lowest price based on the program manager's recent market research. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:This service needs continuity of the contract with a bridge of the current contract. The current vendor was found to be the lowest price based on the program manager's recent market research. This will allow us time to re-compete effectively. 10. Other Interested Sources: There were two other companies found in the market research that will be considered in future competition. 11. Future Competitive Plans: In the near future (approximately December 2009) this acquisition will be re-competed. 12. Contracting Officer certification: I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification forms a basis for this justification are complete and accurate, and meet the minimum needs and scheduled requirements. I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ______________Richard Garrison DateVice-Chancellor Program Management School _____________________________ ______________Burzie Baker DateContracting Officer (049A3)