36C24123Q0772_1.docx

SUBJECT*

Intent to Sole Source Demers FIRE/EMS Ambulance

GENERAL INFORMATION

BASE NOTICE TYPE

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 1

950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Divianna Mathurin divianna.mathurin@va.gov 914-325-3258

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

1 Va Ctr

Augusta ME

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Modification to a Previous Notice Modification to a Previous Notice

DESCRIPTION

Modification to a Previous Notice

Intent to Sole Source Notice

NOTICE OF THE INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE TO – Autotronics, LLC, 129 Us Route 1 Frenchville, Maine, UNITED STATES. Response Due Date: July 07, 2023, by 10:00AM (EST) NOTICE OF THE INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE SYNOPSIS Network Contract Office 1, Procurement Office East on behalf of The Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus VA Medical Center located at 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330-6796 intends to award a firm-fixed contract with no options to Autotronics, LLC to provide delivery and customization for (1) Demers Type I - MXP170 AMBULANCE .The proposed procurement is for products for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) for this requirement is 336211. All responsible sources that feel they should be considered qualified to provide the above-mentioned products may submit a response to this notice (by the response due date shown above) to Divianna.Mathurin@va.gov. The information provided shall include detailed (and relevant) documentation to allow the government to perform adequate market research and make a proper determination. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-23-AP-3288

1. Contracting Activity: Network Contracting Office 1, Regional Procurement Office East on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, Togus VA Medical Center, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330-6796. Funding 402-23-3-400-0033.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This is a new brand name requirement. The Contracting Activity is seeking to obtain (1) Demers MXP 170 Type I Ambulance manufactured by OEM LB Demers Ambulance USA Inc., 1170 Production Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891. The Demers MXP 170 combines a rugged exterior with top-of-the-line design details and blends versatility with a spacious interior full of unique and exclusive design features, like our dual HVAC ducted diffusion system. This model is loaded with all the design features you’ve come to expect, such as LED-lighted cabinets, adjustable ALS shelves, a sliding hidden walk-through door, and much more. Estimated Total Value of Equipment

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: VISN 1 and VA Maine HCS Strategic plans focus on returning/keeping Veteran care in the VA system and reducing use of community care. In addition, community contracted ambulances are unable to meet the transport needs for Veterans in the catchment area. Many Veterans require tertiary care at VA Boston facilities and local higher level care facilities as well. VISN 1 and VA Maine HCS have hired EMS providers to assist in bridging this gap and ensure prompt and appropriate interfacility transports. Currently two ambulances operate at VA Maine HCS, resulting in the inability to continue operations if one of the two ambulances has maintenance issues. This has created the urgent and compelling need for a third ambulance dedicated to interfacility transport to ensure Veterans receive timely and proper care. The manufacturer will ensure the ambulance contains the following components: Type 1-MXP170 model ambulance built on Ford F-550 chassis. The period of performance will be 3 months to allow customization and delivery of this vehicle, 07/14/2023 – 10/13/2024.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition:

FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement. Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:

(X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements () Unusual and Compelling Urgency () Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services () International Agreement () Authorized or Required by Statute () National Security () Public Interest

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): SB Autotronics, LLC has an outstanding reputation, and the Fire Dept service currently has two ambulances with Stryker Powercot systems. Togus VAMC firefighters are currently familiar with the controls, and the layout of the equipment. Autotronics also has a factory Service Center within 70 miles of the VA Maine Togus Campus, which will provide the benefit of rapid response by a field representative for any maintenance issues. Vendor warranty allows VA Maine HCS FMS personnel to conduct maintenance on vehicle components without voiding warranty on specialty components. Accordingly, Autotronics, LLC is the only firm capable of providing the supplies and services described in Section III above without the Veteran’s Health Administration experiencing unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Extensive market research was conducted by Togus VAMC’s Emergency Medical Service Department on the availability of other ambulances that meet the standards and stated that some ambulances do not offer the Powercot system. A lot of companies stated they had no available demonstration ambulances available for immediate acquisition. GSA lease program manager also stated it would take 24-36 months to acquire a new GSA lease once approved. After the market research was conducted it was concluded that the only viable manufacturer that could meet all the government regulations and government need was the selected.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: There will be no additional work or funding needed in the future following the procurement of this vehicle. No additional configurations are necessary after this initial purchase. By acquiring an Autotronics Ambulance, it not only provides best value for the initial purchase but also lowers the cost of future preventative maintenance and repairs. In addition, purchasing a custom ambulance from any vendor will cost more than this demonstration unit. GSA lease costs with mileage charge is also comparable in price. This new demonstration ambulance presents the lowest cost with the most appropriate timeframe for implementation. It further represents the greatest cost savings over its lifespan compared to the alternative acquisition options.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: The Contracting Activity queried the Governmentwide database of contracts and other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies and other Government and commercial databases that provide information relevant to agency acquisitions including FPDS, VIP, GSA, NAC, SBA DSBS, and SBA CERT. The Contracting Activity performed its first search on SBA Cert search using NAICS “336211” generated 38 total results, however none of the SDVOSB/ VOSB distributors found in the SBA Cert search will not be contracted, as this will be a sole source award to one particular small business vendor not listed, Autotronics, LLC. VetBiz using NAICS 336211 along with keyword “Demers” which produced 0 organizations. GSA search using keyword “Demers” returned 0 schedule contractors. Two searches were conducted on FPDS, the first search was using keyword “Demers MXP 170” which yielded 0 active contract actions. The second FPDS search was using keyword “Autotronics” which yielded 2 contract actions, neither of which was a DEMERS MXP 170 nor emergency type of vehicle. Last search was on NAC using item number “MOD-ALU-14” which yielded 0 active items. Due to the proprietary nature of this emergency vehicle’s configurations and customization, this will be a sole source award to small business Autotronics, LLC.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Emergency Medical Service provider safety is paramount; the Firefighters of the VA Maine Fire Department have already received the required training on the Stryker Powercot system. In addition, the oxygen tank exchange system is identical to the existing ambulances. The ease of adding a new ambulance with similar controls will save time and money. The forward-facing seats with harnesses will improve provider safety as will the intra-ambulance communication system, which includes a camera for viewing the crew compartment from the driving compartment. There is a driver intention light that notifies crew compartment occupants when driver is turning or braking. There is also a manual ride height adjustment which will improve provider safety when utilizing the Powercot system loading and unloading patients. The current ambulances do not have this feature and on uneven terrain do not allows automatically unload patients resulting in hazards to providers and patients.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: SB Autotronics LLC has shown interest in providing this Demers MXP 170 Ambulance to Togus VAMA via email on 05/11/2023.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: No actions are planned.

12. 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.

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 6 of 6