BNJA_Rauland_636A8-22-001-signed.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Brand Name Awards IAW RFO 13.101(b) For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C263-26-AP-1638

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23, Network Contracting Office 23 (NCO 23)

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS)

Project #: 636A8-22-001, Renovate 6th Floor Clinical Support

2237 #: 636-26-4-8822-0046

2. Brief description of supplies/services required and intended use/estimated cost:

This NRM construction project has a need for the following brand name item:

• Rauland Responder 5 Nurse Call System.

This is partial requirement for project 636A8-22-001 (Renovate 6th Floor for Clinical support), which will renovate approximately 22,500 square feet of 6th floor in building 1 of

ICVAHCS. This justification only covers portion of acquisition that is name brand within construction documents of acquisition. Project calls for nurse call system to be provided by

Rauland Responder 5. System includes reporting stations, pull stations, dome lights, code blue function, required programming and system updates, and other required components of nurse call system.

Total estimated cost for Rauland 5 Nurse Call System for this project is $30,000.

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

This is a brand name justification in support of FAR 11.105, Items Peculiar to One Manufacturer.

The new system needs to seamlessly connect with the existing Rauland Responder 5 or other previous version of the system to avoid downtime. Replacing the system with a different brand would require purchasing new computers and training staff on a separate system, which is less efficient than a single, unified system. Maintaining a single, standardized system is critical for patient safety and staff efficiency. If staff frequently move between different units, having the same nurse call system reduces the risk of delays and errors during emergencies. The ICVAHCS already has Rauland equipment installed, making a direct upgrade to the Responder 5 system the only feasible option to avoid a full, costly replacement of all existing field devices and head-end equipment.

The specified nurse call system is now standard for ICVAHCS. Sole source intent is to install brand that has local service and support available for ICVAHCS. The medical center has standardized this system to ensure patient safety and security and reduce system maintenance and training costs. In general, addition of new nurse call equipment must be compatible with existing facility nurse call system, which is now Rauland Responder 5.

Rauland was selected by a previous contract bidding process as nurse control system standard for ICVAHCS. Presently installed nurse control system in the facility is Rauland. This is a proprietary system, such that non-Rauland components cannot be added to the system and source changes would be cost-prohibitive. To maintain the function of entire facilities nurse call system, additions to the nurse control system must be Rauland. Standardization of medical center’s nurse control system is an essential part of overall facility security setup.

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

Market research was conducted prior to selecting this manufacturer as facility standard.

This justification is specific to manufacturer, Rauland. This partial requirement is a minor extension of the existing facility nurse call system. Currently, there are no competing vendors whose products or service are fully compatible with ICVAHCS’s existing system. If a competing device is found that meets facility requirements, then it will be deemed acceptable. None to date is known, or shown, to be available.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification:

Purchase is approved in accordance with RFO 13.101(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

CALVIN L. COURTNEY

Contract Specialist Network Contracting Office 23

JENNIFER JOHNSON

Contracting Officer Network Contracting Office 23