Pluralsight License

Statement of Work (SOW)

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for acquiring Pluralsight licenses to support Information Technology (IT) training for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (PAIHS). The goal is to invest in professional development for IT staff to foster continuous learning, ensure a skilled workforce, improve business performance, increase employee productivity, achieve cost savings, and enhance collaboration.

• Provide subscription access to the Pluralsight “Everything” License.

• Include all features, content, administrative capabilities, and technical support.

• Content includes full access to Pluralsight Skills and A Cloud Guru (ACG) courses, hands-on labs, sandbox environments, certification practice exams, and interactive coding courses.

• Licenses will be provisioned via a centralized administrative dashboard for Phoenix Area IHS use.

• Provide administrative tools for PAIHS, DIRM to manage licenses, user access, and monitor utilization.

• Ensure user transition and continuity, retaining user history.

• Provide user instructions, documentation, and support materials.

• Offer reporting capabilities for training progress, skill development, and usage metrics.

• Provide access to Pluralsight technical support resources.

• Contract performance shall be for a five (5) year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

• Place of Performance: License to be managed by Phoenix Area Office using Pluralsight Dashboard.

• Access Control: Provided through the Pluralsight Dashboard by DIRM management.

• Authentication: Via IHS email address and user-developed password, separate from IHS D1 network.

• Confidentiality, Security, and Privacy: Pluralsight Dashboard will not store or process PII and PHI.

• Provisioning of Pluralsight "Everything" licenses.

• Continuous access to licensed content and features.

• License management, user access, and reporting tools.

• Administrative tools for PAIHS, DIRM.

• Preservation of existing user accounts and training histories.

• Access to Pluralsight support.

• Designate system administrators.

• Manage license assignments and user access.

• Ensure compliance with Pluralsight Terms of Use and applicable federal security requirements.

Success will be measured by:

• License Scope and Content

• License Provisioning and Availability

• User Management and Administration

• User Transition and Continuity

• Reporting and Analytics

• Technical Support and Documentation

• Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): Timothy Hartley, Timothy.Hartley@ihs.gov, (602) 364-5077.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "Simplified Acquisition Sole Source Justification" for acquiring enterprise-level licenses for the Pluralsight online technical training platform. The Indian Health Service (IHS) requires these licenses to support IT workforce development within the Phoenix Area Office. The platform provides proprietary Skill IQ and Role IQ assessments, analytics for benchmarking, certification-aligned learning paths, and supervisor tracking. The acquisition is intended to cover a five-year ordering period.

This justification outlines the rationale for a sole-source acquisition, citing Pluralsight's unique capabilities in providing proprietary assessment methodologies and maintaining historical user analytics and benchmarking data. The document indicates that market research was conducted, and while multiple vendors can resell Pluralsight licenses under the Buy Indian Act, Pluralsight is the only provider that offers the specific proprietary tools and preserves the established historical competency analytics. The solicitation will be conducted as a "Buy Indian Act" set-aside among eligible Native American-owned small business resellers. Bidders should note that the requirement is brand-name specific due to the need to maintain continuity of existing workforce analytics and avoid duplication of investment and disruption to ongoing training plans.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price schedule for the opportunity, detailing the cost structure for Pluralsight licenses.

• Item No: 1
• Description: Pluralsight Licenses for 5 years.
• QTY Up to 50/yr (ea): 1
• Unit Price: 0.0
• Amount: 0.0

This price schedule outlines the expected pricing for Pluralsight licenses. Bidders should review this to understand the cost components and ensure their proposals align with the specified structure. The current entry shows a unit price and total amount of 0.0, which may indicate a placeholder or a specific contractual arrangement to be clarified.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) that is attached to a contract. It outlines the terms and conditions under which a "Business Associate" will use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) on behalf of the "Covered Entity" (Indian Health Service - IHS).

• Definitions: Defines terms such as Business Associate, Covered Entity, HIPAA Rules, and Master Patient Index (MPI).
• Obligations of Business Associate: Details requirements for safeguarding PHI, reporting unauthorized uses/disclosures and breaches, providing individual access to PHI, accounting for disclosures, and amending PHI.
• Permitted Uses and Disclosures: Specifies how PHI can be used or disclosed, generally for performing functions on behalf of the Covered Entity, with individual authorization, or as required by law.
• Obligations of Covered Entity: Outlines the Covered Entity's responsibilities, including providing privacy notices and notifying the Business Associate of limitations or changes.
• Termination: Defines the term of the agreement and conditions for termination, including obligations upon termination (e.g., returning or destroying PHI).
• Indemnification: Addresses liability for failure to comply with HIPAA Rules.

Vendors who are expected to handle Protected Health Information (PHI) as part of their contract with the IHS must understand and agree to the terms of this Business Associate Agreement. It details the legal and operational requirements for managing sensitive patient data, including strict rules on use, disclosure, safeguarding, and breach reporting. Compliance with this BAA is mandatory for any party handling PHI.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Exemption Letter from the Arizona Department of Revenue granting the Department of Health & Human Services, Phoenix Area Indian Health Service, an exemption from Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax and Use Tax. This exemption is effective starting January 1, 2025, for specific business classifications.

• Lists business codes and corresponding exempt classifications for state and city taxes.
• Specifies Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) and Model City Tax Code (M.C.T.C.) references for each exemption.
• Notes that exemptions do not apply to transient lodging/hotel and are limited by statute.
• Requires vendors to be presented with this letter and a completed Arizona Form 5000HC to substantiate exempt status.
• Appendix A lists all locations claimed to be exempt by the organization.

This document is crucial for potential bidders to understand the tax implications for the Department of Health & Human Services, Phoenix Area Indian Health Service, as a customer. Bidders should note which transactions are exempt and ensure they comply with the requirement of presenting this exemption letter and Form 5000HC to apply the tax exemption. This may affect pricing and invoicing procedures for the awarded contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form" required for solicitations under the Buy Indian Act. It serves as a self-certification for offerors to confirm they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" as defined by HHSAR 326.601.

• Eligibility Criteria: Offerors must meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" at the time of offer, contract award, and throughout the contract performance period.
• Notification Requirement: Contractors must immediately notify the Contracting Officer if they no longer meet eligibility requirements.
• Documentation: Contracting Officers may require documentation of eligibility.
• Registration: Successful offerors must be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM).
• Representation Section: This section requires the offeror to explicitly state whether they represent that their offer does or does not meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership."
• Required Fields: Name of Federally Recognized Tribal Entity, Name of the 51% owner of IEE Firm, Business Name, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number, Certifying Signature, and Print Name.

This form is critical for any bidder intending to participate in opportunities set aside or awarded under the Buy Indian Act. Bidders must accurately complete this form to self-certify their eligibility. Failure to meet the criteria or provide accurate information can lead to disqualification or penalties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a continuation of the SF-1449, providing the Terms and Conditions for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Pluralsight Software Licenses. It outlines administrative data, special contract requirements, incorporated clauses, and additional terms relevant to the BPA.

• Contract Administration Data: Identifies the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), their roles, and contact information. It also includes fields for Contractor Information (Name, Address, UEI, TIN) and specifies that the contractor must maintain active SAM.gov registration.
• Period of Performance: The BPA is effective for five (5) years from the Date of Award or Effective Date.
• Ordering Procedures: Orders will be issued under FAR Part 13, referencing the BPA number and including applicable CLIN(s), quantity, unit price, funding citation, and period of performance. Pricing is firm-fixed-price per license. Electronic delivery is permitted.
• Invoicing and Payment: Invoices must be submitted electronically via the U.S. Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) and comply with FAR 52.212-4(g) requirements.
• Special Contract Requirements: Includes provisions for cultural sensitivity, post-award monitoring (Contractor shall maintain a Quality Control Program), and Information Technology Security (mandatory annual training, new user training, and compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and IHS IT security policies).
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference: Lists FAR and HHSAR clauses that are incorporated by reference, with links provided to access their full text.
• Additional Terms and Conditions: Covers inspection and acceptance by the COR, modification procedures (only by CO in writing), dispute resolution, termination clauses, and an order of precedence for conflicting documents.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the terms and conditions under which orders will be placed for Pluralsight Software Licenses. It details how orders are placed, how pricing is structured, invoicing procedures, performance monitoring, and security requirements. Understanding these terms is essential for preparing a compliant proposal and managing the contract if awarded.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for a single-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to procure Pluralsight licenses for IT workforce training and professional development. The Indian Health Service (IHS), Phoenix Area Office, requires these licenses to support compliance. The BPA will be firm-fixed price, with BPA calls also being firm-fixed price.

• Provision of Pluralsight licenses in accordance with the Statement of Work (SOW).

• Proof of authorization to distribute/resell Pluralsight licenses.

• User onboarding and transition plan.

• Account administration and customer support approach.

• Compliance with applicable Federal privacy and security requirements (HIPAA, Privacy Act, HHS/IHS security policies).

• Contract Type: Single-Award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

• Anticipated BPA Term: Five (5) years from the Date of Award.

• BPA Calls: Firm-fixed price.

• Estimated Quantity: Approximately 25 to 50 licenses annually (no minimum quantity guaranteed).

• Submission Method: Electronic via email to marilyn.duran@ihs.gov.

• Quotation Validity: At least ninety (90) calendar days.

• Evaluation Process: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Evaluation Factors (Acceptable/Unacceptable basis for non-price factors):

  • Technical Capability and Understanding of the SOW
  • Relevant Experience and Past Performance
  • Privacy, Security, and Systems Access

• Price will be evaluated for fairness, reasonableness, completeness, and mathematical accuracy.

• Award will be made to the technically acceptable vendor offering the lowest evaluated total price.

• Set-Aside: This requirement is exclusively set aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE).

• Required Documentation: Vendors must submit a completed and signed Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) Representative Form. Failure to submit this will render the quotation ineligible.

• This notice constitutes the only solicitation issued for this requirement.

• The acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C § 47) and HHSAR Subpart 326.6.

• The Government reserves the right to award without discussions.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Sources Sought Notice for "Pluralsight Software License" under NAICS code 541519 - Other Computer Related Services. It is market research to determine compliance with the Buy Indian Act and to assess the possibility of a set-aside. The notice is not a Request for Quote.

Interested firms must provide specific information including company name, point of contact, FSS/SEWP contract number (if applicable), SAM Unique Entity Identifier, Tax ID, business category (IEE or ISBEE), a capability statement, and manufacturer authorization documentation if applicable. Firms must also complete the IHS Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form to self-certify eligibility. The government will use this information to make an acquisition decision. Attachment 1 is the Statement of Work, and Attachment 2 is the IHS Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for acquiring Pluralsight licenses to support Information Technology (IT) training for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (PAIHS), Department of Information Resource Management (DIRM). The goal is to invest in professional development for IT staff to foster continuous learning, enhance IT capabilities, improve business performance, increase employee productivity, achieve cost savings, and foster collaboration.

• Provide PAIHS, DIRM with access to the Pluralsight "Everything" license, including:

  • Full Content Library (Skills, ACG courses, hands-on labs, sandboxes).
  • Unlimited access to certification practice exams.
  • Interactive Courses with guided feedback.

• Provisioning of thirty (30) Pluralsight "Everything" licenses via a Dashboard for the Phoenix Area Office.

• Provide tools for administrators to manage user access and assign licenses.

• Transition existing users to maintain uninterrupted training history.

• Provide instructions and support for using training resources.

• Offer comprehensive reporting capabilities for training progress and skill development.

• Provide access to Pluralsight's technical support resources.

• Acceptance Criteria:

  • Acquisition of licenses continuing previous efforts without loss of training.
  • Employees have seamless access to training resources.
  • Positive feedback from employees and measurable improvement in IT skills.

• Period of Performance: Base year with four (4) one-year option periods for renewal.

• Place of Performance: Primary delivery at Phoenix Area Office, with services extending to Whiteriver PHS Indian Hospital, Ft. Yuma Health Center, Hopi Health Care Center, Ft. Duchesne PHS Indian Health Center, Phoenix Indian Medical Center, Parker Indian Health Center, and Elko Service Unit.

• Access Control: Managed via Pluralsight Dashboard, separate from IHS D1 network.

• Authentication: Via username (IHS email) and password, separate from IHS D1 network.

• Confidentiality, Security, and Privacy: Pluralsight Dashboard will not store or process PII or PHI.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form" required for the "IAW Buy Indian Act - Sources Sought Pluralsight Software License" opportunity (Solicitation/Sources Sought/RFI #: SS-26-PHX-010). It serves as a self-certification for offerors to confirm they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" as per HHSAR 326.601, in response to this Sources Sought Notice, RFI, or Solicitation.

• Eligibility Criteria: Offerors must self-certify that they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership" throughout the solicitation response, contract award, and the full contract performance period.
• Notification Requirement: Contractors must immediately notify the Contracting Officer if they no longer meet eligibility requirements at any point during the contract performance period.
• Verification: Contracting Officers may require documentation of eligibility before awarding contracts under the Buy Indian Act, and awards are subject to protest if eligibility is questioned.
• Registration: Successful Offerors must be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM).
• Legal Consequences: Submitting false or misleading information is a violation of law, punishable under 18 U.S.C. 1001, and false claims are subject to penalties under 31 U.S.C. 3729-3731 and 18 U.S.C. 287.
• Representation Section: Includes checkboxes for "does" or "does not" meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership."
• Required Fields: Name of Federally Recognized Tribal Entity, Name of the 51% owner of IEE Firm, Business Name, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number, Certifying Signature, and Print Name.

This form is critical for any bidder intending to claim status as an "Indian Economic Enterprise" under the Buy Indian Act. Bidders must accurately complete and submit this form to self-certify their eligibility. Failure to meet these requirements or accurately represent their status can lead to disqualification or legal penalties. It also highlights the need for SAM registration and potential verification of eligibility.