36C25019R0057-022.docx

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval

For

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Vocera Communication System

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10, 3140 Governor’s Place Blvd, Suite 210, Kettering, OH 45409.

The Requesting Agency is VISN 10, VAMC Medical Center, Engineering Service (138), 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

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

Engineering Service is requesting approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit a Brand Name Only for a handsfree wireless instant voice communication system with anti-microbial protection manufactured by Vocera Communications, for use on Project No. 539-326, Relocate Community Living Center, Phase 4. This project will be awarded as a new Firm-Fixed Price contract. This Justification and Approval (J&A) is submitted pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 2304 (c) (1) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1), which provides that full and open competition need not be obtained where there is “only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.” Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(c) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

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

The subject project involves the construction of a new Community Living Center with 16 new patient rooms. This includes an expansion of the existing handsfree, wireless, instant voice communications platform that allows users to utilize voice recognition for calling hospital staff by role, action team or by name. These devices should be FIPS 140-2 compliant, weigh less than 2 oz. and utilize antimicrobial technology to reduce spread of germs and bacteria. Included in this system is the following: wireless instant voice activated communications “badges”, Application Server, SIP Telephony Gateway, Report Server, Staging Server, Accessories, Training, Testing, integration with Nurse Call and Code Blue systems (via Messenger Middleware) and on site systems administration. The Estimated Value of the Vocera equipment is $29,000. The Estimated Value of the Relocate Community Living Center, Phase 4 Project is $6,157,436.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

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

Vocera Communications develops proprietary intelligent system software and the industry’s only hands‐free, FIPS 140-2 compliant, wearable communications badges. The Vocera system has the unique capability to communicate with individuals as well as groups.

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

Research has shown that in the industry, that VOCERA is the only manufacturer of wireless communication systems which can meet the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2, which is a VA requirement. This solicitation will be publicized via FedBizOpps.

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

Determination of fair and reasonableness of cost will be based upon a complete price analysis and Independent Government Cost Estimate. The anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable. This project will be issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP).

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. The cost for services will be compared with commercially published price lists and catalogs for similar type systems.

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

Through the VA’s National internal idea canvassing project named “Innovative Initiatives” out of 6,500 ideas submitted “Wireless Communications with Handsfree Options” was selected as a top 26 idea and endorsed by the VA as an Innovative Initiative. Following is the public website detailing the award: http://www.ehealth.va.gov/EHEALTH/VHAInnovationInitiative.asp Vocera is the only product available that meets the headline requirements of handsfree wireless communications.

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

See Section VI above.

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:

Solicitations for future requirements must utilize the VOCERA language as well, because VOCERA is the only known manufacturer to meet the VA’s requirements for wireless communications systems. Any additions or alternations to this system in the future must be fully compatible with VOCERA.

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.

Project Engineer, Engineering Service VAMC – Cincinnati, OH

13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304

a. Contracting Officer's Certification: I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 image1.gif