DG11--RADIO COMMUNICATION SERVICE

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 1 of 9 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5 Acquisition Plan Action ID:___36C252-23-AP-3159_______________________ Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 12, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center PR #537-23-3-5176-0290 Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This procurement is for radio communication service to be used primarily by the VA police Department and will have ability to simultaneously communicate will all medical facility departments, area Community Care facilities and area police departments. The service does not require use of repeaters or licenses and uses existing Government provided cell phones elimitating the need for separately dedicated radios. The service has long distance capability and will prioritize communiucation during emergency situations. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center must be able to simultaneously communicate with all medical facility departments, area Community Care facilities and area police departments regardless of distance. VA Police communication may include matters of literal life and death. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition: FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement.  Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:        (X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements        ( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency        ( )  Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services        ( ) International Agreement        ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute        ( ) National Security        ( ) Public Interest Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Market research (including Intent to Sole Source with zero responses) indicates that 911INet is the only provider of radio communication service that does not use repeaters or licenses. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: As technology is a rapidly changing industry, contract will be for base year and two option years so that facility may survey industry for additional sources at that time. Notice of Intent to Sole Source produced a reply from a communications vendor as to why a sole source was being proposed however the vendor did not subsequently respond with a capability statement. Search of FPDS indicated other VAs are procuring service provided by 911INet via sole source procurements. Search of VIP (due to search limitations of VetCert) revealed zero results. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Most cost effective means of communication does not use repeaters and licenses required with use of repeaters; 911INet does not use repeaters and meets or exceeds all other needs of the facility for radio communication. Additionally the service provided by 911INet does not require use of dedicated radio devices but instead uses existing Government provided cell phones thus eliminating the need to purchase dedicated radios. Contracting Officer believes the cost for the service provided by 911INet is fair and reasonable. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Discussion held with COR and Program Manager to understand non-use of repeaters; Google search provided additional information and cost information; Search of FPDS indicated other VAs are procuring service provided by 911INet via sole source procurements; Search of VIP (due to search limitations of VetCert) revealed zero results. Notice of Intent to Sole Source produced a reply from a communications vendor as to why a sole source was being proposed however the vendor did not subsequently respond with a capability statement. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Search of FPDS indicates VAs nationwide are transitioning to using service provided by 911INet; use of same system will allow JB facility to communicate with other VAs. Prohibited communications suppliers are not a factor as system using existing cell phones and cell phone service providers. . Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: As technology is a rapidly changing industry, contract will be for base year and two option years so that facility may survey industry for additional sources at that time. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Name: Heather Mann Date Title: Chief of Police Facility: Jesse Brown VAMC Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP: Contracting Officer or Designee s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Name: Susan Pasholk Date Title: Contracting Officer Facility: GLAC One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition. _____________________________ ________________________ Name: Matthew Zawada Date NCO/PCO 12 Services Team Branch Chief Facility: GLAC