-20229.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: Contracting UID: 36C244-20-AP-2567 2237#: 503-20-3-4225-0060 COVID Radios

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 04, Altoona VA Medical Center.

1. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

The Altoona VAMC Incident Command requires the purchase of additional two-way radios in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the President’s Declaration of a National Emergency.

2. FAR 6.302-2, Urgent and Compelling Need: A National Emergency has been declared by the President of the United States related to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This acquisition is in support of the VA’s mission to care for potential veteran patients impacted by the Coronavirus. The current Covid-19 Pandemic has placed a remarkable strain on the communication network used throughout the hospital campus. There is currently an insufficient number of radios for both the Incident Command Staff and Emergency Management Team for whom it is critically important to remain in communication with VA Police and the County Emergency Management system. These staff must have the ability to constantly communicate with other critical leadership positions, and need to be flexible and timely in their responses. This emergency situation has made communication even more difficult as these staff members are required to be mobile, from attending leadership meetings, providing oversight of the staff, and even serving as screeners for all employees and visitors to the facility. This increased level of screening due to the Covid-19 pandemic has required the tremendous use of human capital, with up to 8 staff members being required at each of the various screening locations. These additional screening staff need to be able to maintain contact with the VA Police Services and Incident command as they are at the front line of response at our facility. The urgent and compelling need is to ensure adequate communication is maintained with VA Incident Command, VA Police, and local EMS services.

3. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Com Pros is the local Motorola authorized vendor for the radios and programming, and has been authorized by Blair County Emergency Management to conduct the necessary channel programming. Market research was not obtained beyond requesting a quote from Com Pros for this requirement. In the future, all attempts will be made to obtain the maximum practicable competition should the situation allow.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

4. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jennifer A. Cutshall, Date Contracting Officer

One Level Above the Contracting Officer:

Shawn E. Smith, Division Chief, NCO4 Division 2 Date https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466