36C25220Q0180-002.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Brand Name Awards IAW FAR 13.106‐1 For

Over Micro‐Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C252‐20‐AP‐0095

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center, NCO‐12 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee, WI 53214‐1476

Department of Veterans Affairs Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center 5000 W. National Ave Milwaukee, WI 53295‐0001

Identify purchase request number: 695‐20‐1‐969‐0013

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a Brand Name Sizewise only requirement for mental health platform beds that need to be anti‐ligature compliant. This procurement is intended for Mental Health Services in order to safely care for patients that are admitted to the Mental Health ward.

Estimated Amount: $X.XX

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one brand, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

Milwaukee leadership and staff at the Mental Health Unit have determined that Sizewise model meets the National Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC), as there are no apparent ligature points, no exposed screws, and no gaps or crevices that could harbor potential infection control concerns. Alternative models have exposed screws as well as crevices and spaces in which dirt, grease, or other debris could become lodged making cleanliness and infection control a concern. This concern potentiates a significant increase in negative patient outcomes.

Mental Health (MH) Unit currently has approximately XX Sizewise mattresses that were purchased for the Unit in 2016 at the cost of $X.XX per mattress. These mattresses were purchased due to the safety‐conscious construction and the elevated sides decreased patients from falling out of their beds, therefore, decreasing injuries related to falls. Alternate models are significantly shorter, which will result in unproper fitting of current mattresses that cannot modified.

Current platform beds are made from wood that show various stages of disrepair due to patient misuse. The porous nature of the wood does not allow for proper cleaning of the platform as there are several small holes where items can be placed within. In order to remove these items, the platforms must be fully removed from the floor to adequately clean the inside of the platform and floor beneath. Furthermore, such gaps within the platform pose a safety concern to both patient and/or staff as potential hazardous items (or contraband) can be concealed.

The solid panel construction of the Sizewise platform has no holes to place items through or down.

All seems are fully enclosed, so no foreign material can be hidden/concealed. Because of the hard‐ plastic construction, the Sizewise model is easily disinfected and its plastic construction will not rot when soiled.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

The appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 339113 (Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing), with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 Employees. The corresponding Federal Supply Code (FSC) is 7195 (Miscellaneous Furniture and Fixtures).

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019 a VIP query showed that there was a combined total of 35 possible Service‐Disabled Veteran‐Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and Veteran‐Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) that could perform the work under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 and Federal Supply Code (FSC) 7195.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for this requirement is Sizewise Rentals, L.L.C. who is considered an other than small business (OTSB) while using NAICS 339113 per SAM reps and certs.

GSA Advantage and NAC search on November 26, 2019 revealed that part number 47060300 (BHB Platform Bed without Restraints) cannot be purchased on a schedule, which would entail open market purchase.

In addition to Milwaukee suppling an IGCE supporting quote, the facility also supplied quotes from three VIP verified SDVOSBs offering the same part number.

Contractor DUNS Size Standard

Contractor A XXXXXXXXX SDVOSB

Contractor B XXXXXXXXX SDVOSB

Contractor C XXXXXXXXX SDVOSB

Per U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), a class waiver is not applicable to a procurement unless the NAICS code, Federal Supply Schedule (FSC), and NAICS code Descriptor currently in effect match the item(s) being procured. As mentioned above, the appropriate NAICS code for this requirement is 339113, and the FSC is 7195. NAICS code Descriptor for this requirement is as follows: Furniture, Hospital, Specialized (E.G., Hospital Beds, Operating Room Furniture), Manufacturing. Therefore, an SBA NMR class waiver does exist, which will allow the Contract Specialist to set‐aside this procurement for SDVOSB.

Market research indicates that this procurement shall be set‐aside for SDVOSBs open market with reasonable expectation that two or more will submit offers, and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the United States IAW SBA NMR class waiver, 38 USC § 8127(d), FAR 19.1405(b), VAAR 819.7005 and FAR 13.106‐1(b).

5. Contracting Officer's Certification:

Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR 13.106‐1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

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Prepared by Carl R. Weber Contract Specialist NCO‐12

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Thomas H. Chesak Contract Officer NCO‐12