C01 - Redacted Limited-Sources Justification - VSAT Bridge II.pdf

Enterprise Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Operations Bridge FORCE Number: VA-20-00052991

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 1701 Directors Blvd Austin, TX 78744

2. Description of Action: The proposed sole source action is for the award of firm fixed price (FFP) task order to provide VA with continuous Enterprise satellite communication services.

3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The Enterprise Satellite Program Office has a requirement for continued Enterprise satellite communication services. Specifically, under this proposed effort, the Contractor shall continue to provide operational support and maintenance for existing VA satellite transponder access, operation, Radio Frequency (RF) chain components, teleport collocation services, hub operation and hub hardware / firmware components, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT), and First Responder Units required to deliver private dedicated Enterprise satellite communication services agency wide.

The current task order is set to expire on May 31, 2020. The period of performance for this effort shall consist of a 1-month base period for continuity of support, a 1-month option period for Agency required time to perform activities ensuring continued continuity of operations, and a 2-month option period for transitional support. The total estimated value of this delivery order is , which is inclusive of all option periods.

4. Authority: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program. The specific authority providing for a limited source award is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), “Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.”

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The proposed effort will be awarded under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GS-35F-0068Y to UltiSat, Inc., 708 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 120, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. No other source, other than UltiSat, is able to meet the Government’s technical and timeliness requirements as documented below.

UltiSat is in a unique position to provide the short-term satellite services required by the VA because as the incumbent contractor, they have been providing satellite communication services since December 1, 2014.

A new competitive contract for these services was originally awarded on September 27, 2019 and was subsequently protested. A bridge contract was put into place starting December 1st, 2019 with a three-month base FFP task order with three one-month option periods while the VSAT contract was resolicited. A new competitive contract for these services was awarded on March 6, 2020. On March 16, 2020, VA received notice that the new award was under protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and VA issued a stop work order on the same day. A second GAO protest was received from a different vendor on March 23, 2020. Though the first protest received on March 16, 2020 has since been withdrawn, the protest received on March 23, 2020 remains. Therefore, GAO has 100 days to make a decision from March 23, 2020.

With the current bridge contract expiring on May 31, 2020, VA requires continued satellite communication services while the new contract awarded on March 6, 2020, is under protest. The base period of performance of this bridge takes into account the 1-month necessary to support the decision time for GAO to render a decision. The 1-month option period takes into account the Agency required time to perform activities necessary to ensure no break in support and ensure continuity of operations.

Additionally, a 2-month option period for transitional support is included in this effort.

Based on the market research described below, and given that the transition time will take at least 60 days for all 229 VSAT units to be transferred from the incumbent to a new contractor, only UltiSat can meet VA’s need and provide the necessary satellite services beginning June 1, 2020, without a lapse in service which is especially critical to support VA’s response to the COVID-19 crisis as these satellite services have previously been modified to expand bandwidth to support COVID-19 actions.

The satellite communication services provide VA with essential communications.

Specifically, VA provides critical services, including information, suicide prevention services, and patient care to Veterans through mobile Vet Centers. VA’s mission to provide Veterans with necessary services, especially in remote locations, would be impacted if a lapse in service occurred. Since these services are essential to providing healthcare and benefit services to Veterans, VA cannot experience a lapse in satellite communication services. VA is also using significantly more satellite terminals than normal during the COVID-19 crisis, and to risk a lapse in service would be an unacceptable risk to VA’s mission to provide services to Veterans and the general public. Therefore, to prevent a lapse in service only Ultisat can provide the necessary satellite communication services in the timeframe required.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements in the time-frame required.

There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities Page in accordance with FAR 5.201. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: No barriers to future competition are anticipated. A competitive contract vehicle is anticipated to be allowed to continue or corrective action taken once GAO renders a decision. Future acquisitions will be awarded on a competitive basis.

8. Market Research: The market research conducted in March of 2019 for the initial award of the Satellite Communication Services under contract 36C10A19C0004 yielded 20 responses including 8 Large Business responses and 12 Small Businesses, 3 were Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), 3 were Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), and 6 were Small Businesses. The second award under contract 36C10A20C0003 was awarded on March 6, 2020 and yielded 9 responses from Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

Based on the responses to the two solicitations, multiple SDVOSBs are capable of providing the satellite services. Additionally, based on the latest market research conducted by the Government’s technical expert on May 11, 2020, with SDVOSB Satellite providers Sterling Heritage Corp and ACOM, it was determined that no other source, other than UltiSat, could transition all 229 VSAT terminals in less than two months. Since the existing bridge contract ends in roughly one month, no other vendor could provide continuous satellite services to VA. Any break in service would result in VA’s inability to utilize Mobile Vet Centers, Mobile Pharmacies, and all First Responders Units for VA. This would also result in the inability to serve Veterans in remote areas or Veterans in an area impacted by a natural disaster.

9. Other Facts: None.