SSJ - VA Altoona WC Van Trans.pdf

AP# 36C244-25-AP-1984 | Wheelchair Van Transportation |Altoona VAMC

Effective Date: 11/15/24 Page 1 of 3

REVISION: 01

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-25-AP-1984

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL

ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C244-25-AP-1984

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 04, Altoona VA Medical Center, 2907

Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602

Funding Document: 503-25-3-825-0011

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

Altoona VAMC is requesting a two-month short-term Sole Source contract to be awarded to L-J-L Trucking, Inc. for Wheelchair Van Transportation to cover any gap in services. The new short-term contract will cover the ordering period of 04/20/2025 through 06/19/2025 and will also incorporate an option to extend for up to 6-months in accordance with FAR 52.217-8.

This bridge contract will help ensure there is proper time to put in place a new competitive long term IDIQ contract., The approximate value of this short-term bridge award is $340,000.00 for two months.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

VA Altoona Healthcare requires a short-term contract for wheelchair van services to transport patients including physically or mentally handicapped individuals in wheelchairs and aged and infirm persons, their attendants, and personal belongings throughout the VA Altoona Healthcare service area. The Contractor agrees to furnish non-emergent, wheelchair van services, 24-hours per day, seven days per week, (to include all federal holidays) for all Bene Travel eligible patients of the VA Altoona Healthcare.

Types of patient transfers could include but are not limited to: in house to community care appointments, appointments to VA Pittsburgh, from patients own residence to appointments within the community or to the main campus or the outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Care provided during transfer of a patient shall be according to the orders of the attending physician.

The Contractor shall have available the appropriate number of vehicles to provide services in a timely manner as outlined by the contract.

Performance shall be in accordance with the requirements contained in this PWS and standards of the Pennsylvania DOH, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and the Joint Commission.

Altoona VAMC Locations are:

James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center – 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd. Altoona Pa 16602

Effective Date: 11/15/24 Page 2 of 3

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-25-AP-1984

Johnstown CBOC – 600 Galleria Drive, Ste 175 Johnstown, PA 15904 State College CBOC – 2581 Clyde Ave, State College, PA 16801 DuBois CBOC – 5690 Shaffer Road DuBois, PA 15801 Huntingdon CBOC – 13903 William Penn Hwy, Mapleton Depot, PA 17052 Indiana CBOC – 1570 Oakland Ave, Indiana, PA 15701

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

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

This requirement must be awarded to the incumbent vendor, L-J-L Trucking, Inc, for continuity of services and as the only reasonable source. L-J-L Trucking has been providing Altoona VAMC the service of Wheelchair Van Transportation Services for the past five years. They have the capability, intimate knowledge of the VA’s procedures, knowledge of our Veterans, training, and experience to supply the required services. To award to a different vendor would increase risk of Veterans missing or being late to their appointments due to the inexperience of the new vendor. There are increases of errors during the process of turning over to a new vendor. This would be a detriment to Veteran care.

The expiring contract is 36C24420D0055 and will expire 04/19/2025.

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

The intent is to award a two-month short term contract and for it to be sole sourced. The current vendor is the only vendor that knows and understands Altoona VAMC’s current requirement. To solicit and award to another vendor, would be detriment to the Veterans Altoona VAMC services. It is in the best interest of the Government to sole source to L-J-L Trucking.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

A determination of price reasonableness IAW FAR 13.106-3 will be conducted prior to award.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Market research was not conducted. This bridge contract will help ensure there is proper time to put in place a new competitive long term IDIQ contract.

Effective Date: 11/15/24 Page 3 of 3

Acquisition ID#: 36C244-25-AP-1984

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

none

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

L-J-L Trucking, Inc 1311 Philadelphia Avenue Northern Cambria, PA 15714 814-948-6170 / 1-888-633-9995

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:

For future requirements, additional market research will be completed to see if market conditions and/or agency needs have changed.

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.

Kathleen B. Miller Date Chief, Health Admin. Service Altoona VAMC

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.

Cynthia Laemmerhirt Date Contracting Officer

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.

William C. Schlobohm Date NCO4 Branch Chief https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAProcurement/VHAPM/VHAPM_Part_806.3.aspx