36C10B19C0049-000.docx

Snapshot Web Services Control Number TAC-20-54732 Snapshot Web Services Control Number TAC-20-54732

FedBizOpps Justification and Approval Notice

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* = Required Field FedBizOpps Justification and Approval Notice Rev. March 2010 D Snapshot Technologies license's 07724 36C10B19Q0604 N 518210 Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown NJ 07724 joseph.jones6@va.gov

FAR 6.302-1

36C10B19C0049 $797,049.60 09-09-2019

SNAPSHOT TECHNOLOGIES

16149 WESTWOODS BUSINESS PARK

BALLWIN

MO

63021

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for a firm-fixed-price follow-on contract for renewal of maintenance for the existing SnapWeb software licenses and image production services.

3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The VA Austin Information Technology Center (AITC), requires software maintenance and image production services for the existing SnapWeb software. AITC uses SnapWeb software to load payroll and financial reports viewable by VA users. The software supports the following VA applications: Central Fee (Fee), Financial Management System (FMS) and Personnel Accounting Integrated Data (PAID). The software creates station specific reports for each of 288 VA facilities. The SnapWeb solution is comprised of two components, SnapWeb-Web viewer and SnapNet-SnapWeb manager. SnapWeb-Web viewer is hosted on a server maintained at AITC which allows stations to retrieve reports via the VA Intranet. SnapNet SnapWeb manager is hosted on an AITC server that updates the index database and adds reports to the server. SnapWeb software processes, stores, and transmits data that can be made compliant with all applicable policies governing the transmission and use of the data transmitted by VA, including the Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and applicable VA policies and procedures. The required maintenance renewal provides for software updates, and 24-hour a day, 7-day a week software support. The required maintenance and image production services for the SnapWeb software ensures continued operability and report production. The Contractor shall provide one telephone number and/or a point of contact for VA to contact and opening maintenance service calls. Vendor shall provide secure connection capabilities for the downloading of software updates and/or the uploading of diagnostic information. This proposed action is for services only, no software will be renewed or procured under this action.

4. Statutory Authority: Pursuant to (FAR) 6.302-1(c) and 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 SnapShot Technologies (SST), 16149 Westwoods Business Park, Ballwin, Missouri. SST developed the SnapWeb software and is the only provider of the required software maintenance support and image production services. AITC procured one perpetual software license in 2005, and annual maintenance and image production services are required. Any source, other than SST, would require the SnapWeb proprietary technical data of the SnapWeb software in order to publish software updates and perform remote technical support. Access to this data is also required to ensure all the services provided are properly configured. The Government does not possess this proprietary technical data. In July 2015 and again in July 2019, the Government contacted SST to ascertain if the proprietary technical data of the SnapWeb brand name software was for sale. SST informed the Government that the technical data was not for sale and they do not have any resellers. SST has intimate knowledge of the design and architecture of the SnapWeb software and is the only source with access to the SnapWeb proprietary technical data. The software provides a robust reporting process for VA financial management customers. The SnapWeb software provides a unique solution that is only compatible with the existing architecture and current VA business needs. The Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration currently have access to the software and resultant reports. These financial management customers use the software for viewing of reports data. SnapWeb provides accurate and timely data reporting within each application (Fee, FMS and PAID) and is critical for accountant’s daily operations. If another vendor is selected, additional risk would be incurred as the new contractor would need to first gain a full understanding of the complex applications, including Fee, FMS and PAID, and then develop and integrate a new software solution. Implementing a new software solution would delay critical financial processing research necessary for VA Station-level reporting analysis. Finally, there are constraints which include resource and retraining of over 5,000 users and migration of historical data dating back to 2008. SnapWeb supports the investigation of fraudulent and/or faulty claims. Without the full integration of SnapWeb software, the VA will lose the ability to fully investigate claims and the VA would lose millions of dollars in fraudulent claims.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities Page in accordance with FAR 5.201. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the market place that would enable future actions to be competed.

8. Market Research: Market research in April 2019 through a web search of Immix Group, Inc. (Immix), to determine if they could provide the type of software support needed. Immix was specifically targeted as they are a recognized leader in the public sector for similar technology solutions. Although Immix is capable of providing similar software support, without access to the proprietary technical data Immix is unable to provide the required SnapWeb software support. Additional market research was conducted by the Government’s technical representatives to ascertain the ability of any source other than SST to provide the aforementioned software maintenance and image production services. A Request For Information (RFI) was submitted through the NASA SEWP V portal on April 11, 2019 and closed on April 18, 2019. The research consisted of reviewing service plans and capabilities from other sources. Three vendors responded to the RFI: Immix Technology, METGreen, and Oracle. Only Immix demonstrated knowledge of most of the responsibilities listed in the RFI. However, their services could not provide the functionality or reporting capabilities needed for the FMS and Fee applications. Based on these reviews, the Government's technical experts could not identify any other sources that could provide the aforementioned support without access to the SnapWeb proprietary technical data. In July 2019, the VA technical representatives notified the RFI respondents that they were not technically acceptable.

VA conducted additional market research in July 2019 through a web search of Hootsuite, Inc to determine if they could provide the type of software support needed. Hootsuite was specifically targeted as they are a top-rated provider in the public sector for similar technology solutions. Although Hootsuite is capable of providing similar software support, without access to the proprietary technical data Hootsuite is unable to provide the required SnapWeb software support.

9. Other Facts: None.