The University has a need for online learning. This is needed because online learning has supplemented and even replaced face-to-face interaction in classrooms and conference rooms. Throughout the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and professional graduate education, students are required to be technologically literate to complete coursework and fulfill class requirements. Many times, students are not familiar with software applications required to complete coursework and the college/department assumes the student understands or will figure it out on their own. Students require a simple and convenient method to fill this gap and learn the skills needed to complete coursework.

University staff also require a convenient and intuitive way to obtain personalized instruction on technology (software/web development, infrastructure training, data science, database management, etc.), business (leadership, management, soft skills, etc.) and creative (art and illustration, animation, CAD, graphic design, web design, etc.) skills to increase functional capabilities and professional development. In addition, limited budgets and time require faculty/staff replace previous travel to conferences or training centers with on-line learning solutions. The end result of this will be professional development and the ability to learn skills needed to complete coursework and be successful in our environment.

The university, on information and belief, has concluded that only one vendor can meet its need or can meet the need economically. That vendor is LinkedIn. The university has provided detailed justification to support its conclusion as shown on the attached Sole Source Justification Form.

Although the university has presented this as a sole source procurement, we are seeking competitive information from firms with the capability of meeting the university's need (even if performed in a manner different from what has been presented) to contact us and provide sufficient information to show the need can be met. If we receive that information, the Chief Procurement Officer will offer a public hearing to consider the matter. Hearing information is described below.

The University has determined that this purchase is only economically available from this source because the site license contract is only available directly from the vendor.