Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Annual NERC Computer Based Training Platform Subscription

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "Brand Name Only/ Single Source Justification" for Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), citing FAR 12.102(a) for restricting competition. It outlines the need for Computer Based Training (CBT) proprietary to Western Power Pool (WPP) for WAPA SNR's dispatch training needs. WASN Dispatchers require specific NERC Certification, which involves continuing education hours every three years. WPP provides dispatcher-oriented training for various entities, including WAPA SNR, and this training helps operators maintain their certification.

The justification states that Western Power Pool is the only entity providing proprietary CBT specific to the Western Interconnect, Reserve Sharing Group, and Balancing Authority that directly addresses WAPA's dispatch needs. Market research reviewed other CBT programs, but they did not offer WAPA SNR specific content. The document includes a price estimate and identifies Western Power Pool as the recommended source.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the specifications for an annual NERC computer-based training subscription for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), Sierra Nevada Region. It details the requirements for a training platform to provide NERC-approved Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for system operators.

• Background: WAPA requires NERC Certified System Operators for Real-Time desks, AGC, TSO, and TSS. These operators need 140-200 CEH every three years.
• Annual Requirements: Approximately 150-160 CEH annually for 25 employees, including two Training Coordinators. Training must cover NERC-approved topics, WAPA RRTs, policies, and procedures.
• Training Platform Requirements: Must meet NERC Standard PER-005-2, provide CEH, focus on the Western Interconnection, and cater to Balancing Authority (BA) and Reserve Sharing Group (RSG) needs. It must be an Online Computer Based Training (CBT) platform.
• Platform Specifications: The platform should allow subscribers' registered users to access training content and online interactive testing. It should track completed materials. Users cannot access other users' content unless expressly authorized.
• NERC Training Certificate Types and Required Hours: Lists required CEH for Reliability Coordinator Operator (200 CEH), Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator (BIT) (160 CEH), Transmission Operator (TO) (140 CEH), and Balancing and Interchange Operator (BI) (140 CEH).
• User Categories: Training Coordinators (2) have administrative, supervisory, and reporting functions. Students (25 including TCs) can access training materials but have no administrative privileges.
• Eligibility: The platform is for 25 registered users annually, exclusively WAPA employees.

This document defines the technical and functional requirements for a computer-based training platform. Vendors interested in providing this subscription service should review these specifications to understand the scope of work, user management, content delivery, and compliance requirements, particularly regarding NERC standards and CEH tracking.