S02 Brand Name Justification Signed.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) – Brand Name Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C10D-25-AP-0101

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Mission Support (OMS), Acquisition Directorate, on behalf of the Louisville, Kentucky, Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO), identified as Project Number 327VB3039/28. The Purchase Request (PR) number for this requirement is 3271-000022.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/Services required and the intended use:

This requirement is being procured under the simplified acquisition procedures pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. FAR 13.000 states that FAR Part 13 prescribes policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services, including construction, in which the aggregate amount does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $250,000.00.

The Louisville, Kentucky, VARO requests the installation of a Physical Access Control System (PACS) at the out-based facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and a removal then subsequent replacement of a Panic Alarm System at the out-based facility in Fort Knox, Kentucky. For further details regarding the salient characteristics of the PACS and Panic Alarm System, refer to the Statement of Work.

A new Firm-Fixed-Price Contract will be awarded as described in FAR 16.202.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

(a) 8TB Milestone Video Server

This video system server is responsible for the following effects: (a) communicating with the network cameras and video encoders, (b) recording the retrieved audio and video, and (c) providing access to both live as well as recorded audio and video. The recording server is also responsible for communicating with other Milestone products connected via the Milestone Interconnect technology.

The video system server will be connected to the VA network through a network video recorder (NVR) system giving the capability of the Louisville VARO on the VA network. Software and access control systems must be compatible with the existing Milestone video server at the Louisville VARO for proper monitoring protocol. Other manufacturers’ components may not operate properly or operate at all on the existing Milestone video system server. Therefore, only this manufacturer’s products are acceptable; no substitution products shall be procured or installed.

(b) Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) Alarm System Monitored by Federal Protection Service

(FPS)

In accordance with the Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate, FPS, for the Battle Creek, Michigan, MegaCenter, the installer must abide by the FPS Design and Installation Standards to be considered complete as prescribed through the MegaCenter Alarm Requirements (MAR). Burglar alarm panel devices should be wired normally closed with end of line resistor in series. Each device must be on its own zone. When there are double doors, both contacts are allowable to be on the same zone. Each area/partition needs to have at least one (1) keypad. Each panel must have a Panel Tamper switch installed. Proprietary panels by the above manufacturers are not acceptable as we cannot connect to them. Only certain brand names and model numbers of burglar alarm usage are acceptable for integration with the Battle Creek MegaCenter. To be compatible with the current operating systems, to interface with the existing CCure 9000 server, and to integrate with Milestone video system server, only a DMP Alarm System will be fully functional. Other manufacturers’ components may not operate properly or operate at all with the CCure 9000 server, Milestone video system server, and/or the Battle Creek MegaCenter MAR. Therefore, only a DMP Alarm System is acceptable; no substitution products shall be procured or installed.

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

In accordance with FAR Part 10 and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Part 810, market research has been conducted for this acquisition.

After conducting a nationwide search through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) database administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the applicable NAICS Code of 238210 [Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors], two thousand six hundred fifty-four (2,654) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran- Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) were identified, as of February 13, 2025. However, the VetCert database portal is now static and is no longer being updated as of August 2024. To be eligible for award, a vendor must be listed as SDVOSB certified in the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS).

At this stage of market research, a DSBS, also administered by the SBA, was performed on February 13, 2025 under the applicable NAICS Code of 238210 [Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors] along with a limitation to self-certified SDVOSBs that ascertained three thousand thirty-nine (3,039) business entities. Another DSBS was conducted under the applicable NAICS Code of 238210 [Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors] along with a keyword search of ‘PACS’ as well as a limitation to self-certified SDVOSBs that ascertained two (2) business entities. A final DSBS was conducted under the applicable NAICS Code of 238210 [Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors] along with a keyword search of ‘Alarm’ as well as a limitation to self-certified SDVOSBs that ascertained seventy-two (72) business entities.

Based upon the aforementioned research and information, this requirement will be a total set-aside for SDVOSBs. This overall requirement exceeds the Micro-Purchase Threshold, but not over the SAT, thereby will be set-aside with (a) a reasonable expectation of receipt of offers from two (2) or more responsible SDVOSBs and (b) award will be made at a fair market price (FAR 19.502-2(a)). Under 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) §8127(h) titled ‘Priority for Contracting Preferences’, the preferences in awarding contracts to small business concerns shall be applied by the following order of priority: (1) SDVOSBs, (2) VOSBs, (3) 8[a] and HUBZone firms, and (4) any other small business.

5. 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.

Richard Frymire Date Chief, Support Services Division Louisville VA Regional Office

6. Contracting Officer’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Dirk Kelley Date Contracting Officer

03/04/2025

03/04/2025