Description
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIONfor SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $3,000 AND UP TO $150,000 (See FAR 13.106-1) Date: 09/20/2011 PR Number: ___R2722110031___________ 1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost): Est. $50,000 This requirement is for an ongoing maintenance and functionality of a wide range of data, course content, course delivery, server access, program support, and help-desk support for the National Park Service's Office of Learning and Development and other offices and program areas within the NPS. The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University provides these services as a result of a long term collaborative relationship with the NPS under several Cooperative Agreements. During this time the Eppley Institute has performed extensive course development, server development, data management and migrations, research on technical competencies, data-base development, and an advanced capacity in help-desk services needed to assure effective use of these diverse programs. As part of their cooperative partnerships the majority of the content, design, and research results related to coursework have been copyrighted by Eppley and Indiana University, and the NPS uses this wide range of materials in several program areas with their permission to support and maintain the included functions. 2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below): ___XX___ Only one responsible source. Eppley Institute (Eppley) for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University is the only one responsible source for this short term requirement for ongoing maintenance and functionality of a wide range of data, course content, course delivery, server access, program support, and help-desk support for the National Park Service's Office of Learning and Development and other offices and program areas within the NPS. Eppley's unique ability to provide these services is a result of a long term collaborative relationship with the NPS under several Cooperative Agreements and only existing hardware and online content available to be applied immediately to delivering these requirements. In addition to being the only source for this hardware infrastructure and content, past performance has shown that Eppley can establish successful course development, server development, data management and migrations, online links and connectivity, research on technical competencies, data-base development, and an advanced capacity in help-desk services needed to assure effective ongoing use of these diverse programs. As part of their cooperative partnerships the majority of the content, design, and research results related to coursework have been copyrighted by Eppley and Indiana University, and the NPS uses this wide range of materials in several program areas with their permission to support and maintain the included functions. There is a need for this support and training, as without it the NPS will not be able to meet the Department of Interior requirement to address a broad range of needs in training and programmatic support that will impact both NPS employees, park visitors, and the general public. Products and services included in this award will allow NPS uninterrupted support of a broad range of key programs while suitable options are developed for the long-term future. Eppley also has the permission of the Department of Interior learning management system Data Steward to have access for creating and hosting e-courses on DOI Learn. Without this award, the listed elements currently hosted by Eppley will be shut down and no longer available to the NPS audiences/programs they serve. 3. Market Research. Please explain the results or why one was not performed. State whether any other offers were received or anyone expressed interest: Market research was not performed for the reasons stated above and that no other source exists that has the hardware (servers, configurations, internet access protocols), content, and software needed to meet this need. In Eppley Institute is a nationally recognized leader in the area of adult learning, training functions, online coursework best practices, and educational design.4. If this is a determination for sole source, the Contracting Officer certifies: a. Only one source is available, or urgent and compelling circumstances exist. b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).