Redacted SSJ - Nurse Call System Support.pdf

Acq Plan: 36C247-23-AP-2122

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 2 of 3

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): Critical Alert CommonPath is the software needed for the continued maintenance, repair and support of the Nurse Call System as it is currently being utilized. Signal Technologies Inc. is the only authorized vendor that can provide these services. Thus, preventing competition and consideration of other vendors. Be advised that Signal Technologies, Inc. is the sole entity authorized to sell Critical Alert CommonPath nurse call equipment and services to the Veterans Administration, in Georgia. Signal Technologies is also the only company that is trained and certified to install and maintain the proposed upgrade to the current nurse call system. Due to the highly specialized nature of this software being utilized on a major system, alternatives would be costly and could lead to diminished patient care.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Various efforts were made to solicit potential sources as possible. Market researched was conducted utilizing multiple sources to include beta.SAM.gov. An intent to sole source was posted in order to survey and notify the commercial market of the government’s need. In response to the Intent to Sole Source, there were two companies that relayed their interest in the requirement, Nebula Virtual Solutions LLC and Government Marketing & Procurement (GMP) LLC.

Both companies were deemed unacceptable. Nebula offered their ability to provide telephone services but have not been authorized to sell the Critical Alert CommonPath that is needed. GMP offered Vocera Products but not the needed Critical Alert CommonPath needed for this requirement, thus also unacceptable. Both companies were ultimately considered to be unacceptable at this time.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Cost will be compared to similar commercially available items to determine price fair and reasonable, prior to contract 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 conducted as detailed in section 6 above. Research also revealed a large business, Critical Alert, as the sole entity capable of providing the Critical Alert CommonPath that is needed for the Nurse Call system support services. Critical Alert confirmed that they do not sell their products directly and only fulfill their government order through their confirmed small business partnership with Signal Technologies, Inc. Signal Technologies has further confirmed that they are capable of fully fulfilling the requirement.