The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisition Division office intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with eLearning Brothers, LLC for eleven (11) Master Package software license renewals and the procurement of two (2) additional licenses for the National Weather Service (NWS) Training Center (NTC) in Kansas City, MO for the base period of performance of March 30, 2018 - March 29, 2019, plus up to four, one-year option periods.

Justification for Sole Source
NOAA/NWS has a requirement to renew their current eleven (11) eLearning Brothers Master Package license and add two (2) additional licenses to meet the increase in in NTC staff needs. The NWS NTC currently uses this software to develop and maintain training modules for NWS employees. NTC staff uses eLearning Brothers Master Package to create and maintain multiple types of products which support both in class and online class materials for NWS employees. Current projects in use by NTC using these licenses include New Hire Orientation, M&S course material, and DSS Boot Camp among others.

ELearning Brothers, LLC is the sole proprietor and distributer of the Master Package software license. This subscription software provides an all-encompassing solution for most of the photos, illustrations, templates, and pre-made interactions for a variety of eLearning development software including HTML5 based scripts, Articulate, Camtasia, and Captivate. The government does not know of any other subscription service that offers the full range of capabilities presented by eLearning Master Package.

Not renewing and adding the licenses will result in slowed productivity by the NTC and delayed delivery of important training to NWS employees. Additionally, NTC would lose the training documents already stored and use via eLearning Brothers Master Package. Furthermore, it would severely inhibit the ability of NTC to develop online training for the Fiscal Year 2018 and beyond. These software licenses will give the NTC staff collaborative access to this software.

Sources Sought
This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the data service may submit substantiating documentation in writing within five (5) days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.

Bid Protests Not Available