P03 BTSOS LSJ FINAL REDACTED.pdf

must not have been previously issued under sole source or limited source procedures. Per Paragraph (2) above, this is a follow-on to competed FSS Task Order 47QTCA18D00CS 36C10D21F0006. The Task Order was competed on GSA MAS 54151S.

For Brand Name only:

FAR 8.405-6(b): Items peculiar to one manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

(5) Describe Why You Determined the Order Represents the Best Value consistent with FAR 8.404(d):

By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the Acquisition Directorate has concluded that the Task Order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government’s needs. The Government has requested price reductions for the subject Task Order in accordance with FAR 8.405-4. When compared to the alternative of having a lapse in services, approval of this limited sources justification positions the Government to avoid delayed services to the Veteran population served by VBA. Performance risk is low, as the contractor’s Quality, Schedule, and Management evaluations on the most recently submitted Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) were “Exceptional.” The Program Office has “High Confidence” that the proposed contractor has the requisite technical qualifications to meet performance objectives.

(6) Describe the Market Research Conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted: Market research has been conducted pursuant to FAR Part 10 and VAAR 810.001-70. Limited Market research was accomplished for the proposed short-term Task Order as it has been identified that the Government requires continuity of services from the current incumbent until a long-term procurement is awarded. Market research included a review of the proposed contractor’s GSA schedule, VetCert Certification and SAM Verification. The Acquisition Directorate is currently in possession of the requirements package for a long-term competitive procurement. Market research has been conducted and it has been identified that competitive procedures among FSS vendors on GSA MAS 54151S is appropriate to satisfy the requirements listed and provide the Government with best value.

(7) Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification: The proposed short-term Task Order must be issued on a limited sources basis to maintain continuity of services while the subject services are being re-procured. The Government would be irreparably harmed if the subject services lapse, causing unnecessary delays to mission requirements for VBA stakeholders. UAT is an integral part of the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) release cycle, and failure to adequately test new functionality in advance of a VBMS release will result in VBMS processing issues, negatively impacting VBA’s capability to file veteran claims and make proper payments. Additionally, the bi-weekly VBMS release cycle does not allow for manual completion of UAT. VBA relies heavily on the automation these services provide in order to meet that bi-weekly cadence. A disruption to services will result in VBA no longer being able to update features and/or functionality in accordance with that cadence.

(8) A Statement of the Actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made: The long-term requirement for these services is currently in re-procurement and is being