Financial Algebra

The Department Of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), intends to award a base plus five option years, firm-fixed price contract on a noncompetitive basis in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 "Only one or a limited number of responsible sources and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements" to Cengage Learning Inc. 10650 Toebben Drive Independence, KY 41051-5100. The supplies being procured are the instructional materials for a newly mandated DoDEA high school mathematics course, Financial Literacy. The intent of this high school mathematics courses is to prepare students with 21st Century skills while increasing conceptual understanding of specific mathematics topics. The success of implementing the Financial Literacy course relies on the required research-based instructional materials that align to the standards for the course and provide an environment that develops 21st Century skills. The materials must engage students in problem-solving activities connected to relevant, real-world context. The materials must require that students explore concepts and stimulate their imagination and curiosity. The materials must provide activities that require students to engage in collaborative communications and make connections between new mathematical concepts to be learned to what they already know. The materials must include hands-on activities which are aligned to teacher instruction. The materials must require students to take what they have learned and apply it to new situations and contexts. In April 2012, DoDEA issued a solicitation for these materials and received one submission found to be unacceptable. In further market research, DoDEA identified one prospective curriculum resource for the Financial Literacy course. Financial Algebra materials from Cengage Learning Inc. provide a tight match to the math content standards for Financial Literacy and meet the additional requirements in the following ways: a) the activities require students to explore financial problems, use their imagination and curiosity in finding solutions, and communicate in oral and written formats to explain and justify their reasoning; b) the materials introduce students to mathematics and mathematical models used in the field of Finance; c) the materials provide a refresher to algebraic concepts from previous courses and introduce new topics needed for study of higher levels of mathematics. It is imperative that DoDEA secure the instructional materials that align to the standards of the DoDEA mandated Financial Literacy course and go beyond the traditional skills based resources in order to develop the skills and knowledge required for DoDEA students' success in the 21st Century. If these required materials are not purchased, DoDEA will fail in its mission to engage, educate, and empower each student to succeed in a dynamic world. Results of the competitive solicitation and the follow-on market research demonstrated that Cengage Learning Inc. is the only contractor capable of providing this requirement. It is the one responsible source; no other supplier will satisfy the agency requirement. FSC is 7610, NAICS Code is 511130, and Size standard is 500 Employees. The sole source determination is based upon Cengage Learning Inc. being the only source able to compete to provide Financial Literacy instructional materials aligned to DoDEA standards. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. This Notice of Intent is not a request for proposals. Information received from interested parties will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this electronic notice must be received by 3:00 p.m. EST on June 21, 2012. Responses may be submitted by E-mail to Matt Schulz: [email protected]