C01 - SSJ_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

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

Acquisition Plan ID: 36C252-21-AP-1663

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 12 Great Lakes Acquisition Center, 115 S.

84th Street, Suite 101, Milwaukee Wisconsin, on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Milo C. Huempfner Health Care Center.

2. Brief Description of Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: This requirement is to provide Contracted Emergency Residential Services (CERS) for veteran beneficiaries of the Milo C. Huempfner Health Care Center who are either homeless or near homelessness. General services provided by the contractor under the CERS program shall include, but not be limited to, on-site supervision, an alcohol and drug free environment, room and board, meal/snack services, health and hygiene products, a functional laundry facility, and access to transportation. Supportive services shall include case management services that incorporate Recovery Model principles and support mental health stabilization. Other services to be provided include enhancement of independent living skills, vocational training, employment services and assistance in obtaining permanent housing.

A recurring need for these services is anticipated and the number of veterans placed into the program each year is dependent on demand. Additionally, the length of stay per veteran is often variable because of human involvement and choice. Due to this unpredictability of when and for how long a veteran will require services, it is not possible for the Government to accurately estimate the number of bed nights of care required.

The required contract period of performance is February 18, 2021 through September 30, 2025.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: New Community Shelter is the only known vendor in the Green Bay, WI area that meets all VA requirements to provide services under the VA CERS Program. New Community Shelter is licensed by the State and has met all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for the operation of this program. New Community Shelter also has sufficient staff in numbers and positions to carry out the policies and responsibilities of the VA CERS program. The New Community Shelter facility conforms to local and state licensing standards for residential “board and care” type occupancies as well as the standards in the general chapters of the latest edition of the Life Safety Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard No. 101.

New Community Shelter staff members involved with the VA CERS program are certified in CPR and First Aid, including use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and trained to integrate Harm Reduction model and principles in care plans.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: In accordance with FAR part 10 and VAAR part 810, market research has been conducted for this acquisition. Market Research was conducted by the COR, Contract Specialist, and the Contracting Officer.

A. VIP: On January 7, 2021, a search of VIP using the NAICS 624229, geographic Wisconsin, and keyword “transitional housing” produced 0 potential vendors to provide services that meet the requirements of the HCHV CERS Program.

The VA’s “Rule of Two” has not been met. The contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more veteran-owned small businesses will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.

B. SBA: On January 7, 2021, a search using NAICS 624229 & geographic Wisconsin produced 0 potential vendors to provide services that meet the requirements of the HCHV CERS Program.

C. GSA: On January 7, 2021, a search of GSA e-library using the NAICS 624229 returned one vendor - United Veterans Beacon House (in New York) with contract GS-02F-062CA expiring August 23, 2025. This organization does not have any presence in Wisconsin, and the FSS Terms and Conditions state that services are provided at the contractor’s facilities.

D. COR research efforts: Commercial sources (non-profits) in the Northeast WI and Fox Valley area were contacted on July 15, 2020 include Pillars Shelter, COTS, Advocap, Newcap Inc., The Haven Shelter, and The House of Hope. Newcap, Inc. responded that it does assist individuals with housing resources but does not offer transitional and/or emergency housing services nor does it have the facilities to provide the services. Advocap, Inc. responded that it does not provide transitional and/or emergency housing services. In further review of their services offered on their website, Advocap focuses on providing resources to assist individuals to obtain permanent housing. Pillars Shelter, COTS, The Haven Shelter, and The House of Hope did not respond to the request for information.

E. Historical Procurement Data: There are a few other entities that provide contracted CERS services for other VISN 12 medical facilities including the Great Lakes Recovery Centers (Upper Michigan), South Side Office of Concern (Peoria, IL), Way Back Inn (Western Cook County), and Hope for Tomorrow (Aurora, IL). The contracts with these facilities are specific to beneficiaries of the VA(s) located closest to them, all of which are a far distance from Green Bay, WI. (200+ miles to Chicago & 175+ miles to Marquette, MI). Additionally, based on experience with this population of veterans, they are unwilling to leave their local area, even for additional support.

F. Intent to Sole Source: An Intent to Sole Source Notice was posted to the Contract Opportunities website on February 2, 2021. The Intent to Sole Source (36C25221Q0400) identified the basic requirements of the Government under the Contracted Emergency Residential Services Program indicated the Government’s intent to establish a contract on a sole source basis. The Notice requested any vendor that believed it could provide the required services to indicate such and to provide support documentation including but not limited to a description of services offered, pictures of facility, insurance certification, and an estimated daily per diem rate. No responses were received from any vendor by the requested date of February 8, 2021, or as of the date of this justification.