36C24421P0906_2.docx

SUBJECT*

Nurse call upgrade

GENERAL INFORMATION

BASE NOTICE TYPE

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 4 Lebanon VAMC 1700 S Lincoln Ave 17042

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Arlene Albrite arlene.albrite@va.gov

AWARD INFORMATION

LINE ITEM NUMBER

AWARDEE ADDRESS LINE 1*

AWARDEE ADDRESS LINE 2*

AWARDEE ADDRESS LINE 4*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Award Notice Award Notice

DESCRIPTION

*= Required Field Award Notice Award Notice

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

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

Acquisition Plan Action ID: *REDACTED*

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 04, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC), 1111 East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Purchase Request *REDACTED*.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This request is for a new firm fixed price contract to upgrade the existing Jeron 680 (non-plus) “end-of-life” Nurse Call System to the new 790 Nurse Call. Jeron Electronic Systems (hereinafter referred to as Jeron), Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is discontinuing service and repair stock availability. As of January 1, 2022, Jeron will no longer provide support. This upgrade will replace the existing 680 (non-plus) nurse call system in the following patient care areas: 1st floor clinic, 1st floor dental, 2nd floor women’s health, 2nd floor radiology, nuclear med, MRI, ultrasound, physical therapy, cardiac rehab, 3rd floor clinic ophthalmology, laboratory, phlebotomy, respiratory therapy, pulmonary function, 4th floor Cath lab, post anesthesia care unit (PACU), hemodialysis, 5th floor east, 7th floor rehab - substance abuse rehabilitation program (SARP), 8th floor sleep study, audiology and master stations for alarm failure at biomedical dept and boiler room. This upgrade will include all stations in patient rooms and bathrooms on the 680 Jeron nurse call system. The upgrade will also include new patient room stations with integral code blue call button capability; patient bathroom stations will have audio communication with nurse’s master station. Multicolored Prism call lights can be color programmed for purposes of patient’s identification and/or location. They are to be placed outside each bathroom and patient room for visual notification. The contract shall include all necessary equipment, software licenses and labor needed to install devices, program, test, certify and train staff. The Jeron nurse call system is a critical infrastructure in patient-related communication equipment. It is located at each bedside and provides patients the ability to notify nursing staff of needed assistance. The Jeron 790 System upgrade and install is an essential requirement in order for the facility to continue providing our Veteran patients with the highest standard of quality care.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: This procurement is a necessary requirement for supplies and installation of Nurse Call System upgrade of the existing system used in the medical center. As of January 1, 2022, Jeron will no longer provide service and repair stock availability for the Provider 680 models (non-plus) because of “end of life” status. This will not effect the Provider 680+ model. This upgrade of Jeron 790 will provide compatibility with the existing Jeron system that does not need replaced. The approximate estimated value is *REDACTED*. Period of Performance is 07/01/2021 to 09/30/2021. There are no options years to consider.

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): The nurse call/code blue system is a highly specialized, major patient safety system. Jeron Nurse Call Systems and components are currently installed throughout the hospital and are linked to a central system. This requirement is to upgrade and replace the discontinued Jeron Nurse Call 680 (non plus) System to a Jeron 790 System. This equipment must be compatible with the existing Jeron 790 and 680+ that already exists in some locations. Installation by a second vendor would not promote system unity. Operating two independent systems or replacing the system within the same facility would require a duplication of resources, space, and system knowledge. The result would be cost prohibitive to the government and would not be recovered through competition. Furthermore, it would lead to unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirement and impact patient’s care.

Standard Communications, Inc. (SCI), a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and the sole reseller of the Jeron Nurse Call Distributor, is the only source to provide this required upgrade to the existing system to the Department of the Veterans Affairs.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

Other Actions: I called and emailed 3 Sales Representatives from Jeron to discuss clarification on their authorized resellers. The result led to confirmation that SCI is the only authorized reseller for VA Hospitals as of Spring 2021.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The anticipated cost to the Government of *REDACTED* is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(vi) when compared to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). Furthermore, a search of “Nurse Call” on FPDS yielded comparable pricing under contract # *REDACTED* and*REDACTED*.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by searching online sources such as FPDS, GSA eBuy, VIP, Contract Directories, and prior acquisitions.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: *REDACTED*

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: *REDACTED*

SCI also presented an interest. They are the authorized resellers for government healthcare sales through Jeron.

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. If future upgrades are needed, the market will be researched to determine if other companies are available in order to seek competition. This requirement has a three-month period of performance for the installation.

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.

*REDACTED*

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

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

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

End of Document Jeron Nurse Call System Upgrade 36C244-21-AP-2961 Page 6