36C10B19C0003-001.pdf

JUSTIFICATION

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Office of Acquisition Operations Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for a firm-fixed-price contract with Atlantic Telecommunications (ATMC) to continue local exchange carrier (LEC) telecommunication voice and data services in the state of North Carolina.

3. Description of Supplies or Services: The proposed action is for LEC telecommunications services at VA facilities located in Supply, North Carolina.

These LEC services include POTS lines, primary rate interfaces and direct inward dialing to include standard regulated tariff fees. The period of performance is a 12 month base period with four 12 month option periods. The total estimated value of this proposed acquisition, inclusive of all options is $66,000.00.

4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 entitled, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The proposed source for this action is Atlantic Telecommunications (ATMC), 640 Whiteville Rd., NW, Shallotte, NC 28459. Based on market research, as described in section 8 of this justification, it has been determined that only ATMC is capable of providing the aforementioned LEC telecommunication voice and data. Due to the type of services that are currently installed, no other vendor can install, test and turn up new services prior to October 1, 2018. Any other vendor would require approximately 60-90 days to provide the aforementioned LEC telecommunication and data services. Specifically any other source would have to conduct site visits at the required locations and conduct extensive reviews of the specific site to gain the knowledge required to begin the process of creating an environment that is needed to provide the aforementioned services to VA. In addition, a new vendor would have to conduct testing to ensure the service is fully compliant with VA’s current environment before it can be implemented. Loss of existing services would result in disruptions of serice of communciations systems and medical systems, the inability to share resources within the Veterans Integrated Service Network, increased maintenance time, increased system blockages, and reduced computer access to patient record databases.

Due to the type of telecommunication voice and data services, to introduce another vendor to install, test and provide new services during the current transitions would provide for an unacceptable high level of rish in regards to performance and schedule. Furthermore, interoperability of the systems, testing and release

LEC Telecommunications Voice and Data Services TAC-19-51707 synchronization would be difficult to achieve and manage. VA local IT departments lack the personnel support to complete multiple transitions. Specifically, any other source would have to conduct site visits at the required locations and conduct extensive reviews of the specific site to gain the knowledge required to begin the process of creating an environment that is needed to provide the aforementioned services to VA. In addition, a new vendor would have to conduct testing to ensure the service is fully compliant with VA’s current environment before it can be implemented. The current LEC telecommunication voice and data services with Horizon will have to be maintained until the current transitions are fully completed.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in section 8 of this justification. This effort did not yield any other vendors that can provide the services that can meet the Government’s requirements In accordance with FAR 5.201, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) Page. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: VA will continue to conduct market research to determine if competition at this location is viable among other LEC services providers.

8. Market Research: Market Research was done in August 2018 by posting a Request For Information (RFI) notice on FBO in order to obtain information. The RFI 36C10B18Q3099 was posted on August 9, 2018 seeking sources that could provide coverage and services for the location listed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) with no interruption to services. The Presolicitation Notice closed on August 13, 2018 with no responses received. Based on this market research it was determined that only ATMC has the ability to provide the aforementioned LEC telecommunication services.

9. Other Facts: None.

LEC Telecommunications Voice and Data Services TAC-19-51707

10. Technical and Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jaisen Keeppanassril Date: _________________________

Telecomm Specialist Signature: ______________________

11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on price analysis via a comparison of the proposal against the Independent Government Cost Estimate and past historical prices paid for the same and/or similar services.

Brett Schwerin Date: _________________________

Contracting Officer Signature: ______________________

12. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. As this contract action does no exceed $700,000.00, the certification below required by FAR 6.303- 2(b)(12) serves as approval.

Brett Schwerin Date: _________________________

Contracting Officer Signature: ______________________