P03 NCO4 Planate SDVOSB Sole Source VAAR 819.7008.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C24425A0044

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4. Purchase request number 701-25-4-1641-0093.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: Noncompetitive (i.e. “sole source”) award of a new Blanket Purchase Agreement (36C24425A0044) with firm-fixed price structures.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: The Contractor shall perform a wide range of professional acquisition and contract support-related services for Network Contracting Office 4, as stated in the Performance Work Statement and in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), and internal VA policies.

Services include pre-award, award, and post-award support for a variety of procurement actions.

In collaboration with procurement and program staff, provide support contract functions to include:

Market Research and Market Surveys, Acquisition Strategy Support, Specifications and Requirements Documents, Solicitations, Expert assistance in supporting proposal and quote evaluations, including price/cost analysis or technical proposal and quote analysis, and Contract administration support services, including assistance with reviewing contractor performance, developing contract modifications, and investigating reports of contract discrepancies.

The total estimated value of the acquisition will not exceed $5,000,000, with a performance period starting on 09/30/2025 and concluding no later than 09/29/2026.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S.

Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). COs may use the non-competitive (sole source) procedures authorized in VAAR 819.7008 (DEVIATION) or VAAR

819.7009 (DEVIATION) – up to $5,000,000. Check the specific VAAR clause used below:

(X) 819.7008 Sole source awards to a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business; or ( ) 819.7009 Sole source awards to a certified veteran-owned small business

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications and/or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): 38 U.S.C. 8127(c) and VAAR 819.7008 permit the noncompetitive award of a contract to a VIP-listed service-disables veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). The selected SDVOSB has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance and meets eligibility requirements in VAAR

819.7003 (DEVIATION).

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies: The contracting officer’s determination to make a sole source award is a business decision wholly within the discretion of the contracting officer. No sources sought notice was posted, based on the exemption at FAR 5.202(a)(4). Although not required, offers were solicited from two potential SDVOSB sources.

https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar819.asp#8197008 https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar819.asp#8197009 https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar819.asp#8197009 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_Subpart_5_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_5_202

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(1), the anticipated cost to the government is considered fair and reasonable based on competitive quotations. Furthermore, in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii), proposed prices were compared to prices found reasonable on contract 36C24E22A0003. New prices were within 10% of equivalent, competitive, and fair market rate price points in terms of labor hour rates.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Limited market research was conducted because the contracting officer was adequately aware of responsive and responsible SDVOSB firms with relevant past performance to fulfill government needs. Additionally, the vendor met eligibility criteria outlined in VAAR 819.7003(DEVIATION), they are certified in VetCert, and the anticipated action is below the $5M threshold.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: None. Reference the authority under 38 USC 8127(c).

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None.

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: If the government requirement for acquisition support services persists through FY26, NCO4 could efficiently facilitate an open competition to replace this contract.

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.

Benjamin P. Iachini Date Director of Contracting Network Contracting Office 4

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.

Benjamin P. Iachini Date Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office 4 https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAProcurement/VHAPM/VHAPM_Part_806.3.aspx

c. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval: I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and recommend approval (if over $75 million) or approve ($750K to $75 million) for other than full and open competition.

Gerald F. Jacobs Date VHA Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) Regional Procurement Office East