HCA Signed NCO 7 DCS-P03-SSJ-VAAR-819.7008-COL WC.pdf

Request for SDVOSB Sole Source Justification IAW VAAR 819.7008

ACQUISITION PLAN ID:36C247-26-AP-1676

VHAPG Part 819.7008/7009 Sole Source Awards to SDVOSB/VOSB Page 1 of 3 Revision: 05 Effective Date: 12/15/2025

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For Other Than Full and Open Competition

Acquisition Plan Action ID:36C247-26-AP-1676

1. Contracting Activity Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 7, located at 325 Folly Beach, Charleston, SC 29401. In support of VISN 7 VA Health Care System at the Columbia Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

The purchase request ID for this requirement is 544-26-2-825-0016.

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

Amerifen Solutions LLC shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to provide wheelchair transportation service for the Columbia VAHCS.

This requirement is a follow-on requirement to contract 36C24720D0039 awarded to Amerifen Solutions LLC. This eight (8) month bridge firm fixed price contract to provide ground wheelchair transportation service to the Columbia VA Medical Center. The new five (5) year IDIQ was under review longer than anticipated as a result of short staffing. The intended awardee of this bridge is Amerifen Solutions LLC to eliminate any break in service. This bridge will allow the awardee to properly transition to providing this service without affecting patient care and well-being. This requirement was submitted with an incorrect Independent Government Estimate (IGE), resulting in an RFQ being published and ultimately protested. The RFQ was then cancelled, and due to the increase in the IGE, all documentation was recreated. A RFP with the correct IG|E was subsequently posted.

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

The Columbia VA Health Care System requires continuous ground wheelchair transportation for the patients of the Columbia VA Medical Center to provide transportation to and from necessary medical appointments. The wheelchair bound patients of the Columbia VAMC require vehicles that provide accessibility functions such as lifts and ramps, as well as safety measures that wheelchair vans are designed to provide. Without a contractor providing this transportation service, these veterans would be lacking in essential care to maintain an appropriate quality of life.

The period of performance for this eight (8) month bridge contract is March 25, 2026, to November 24, 2026. The total estimated value for this period is $1,545,149.52.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by RFO 6.103-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). COs may use the non-competitive (sole source) procedures authorized in VAAR 819.7008 (DEVIATION) or VAAR 819.7009 (DEVIATION)- up to $5,000,000. Check the specific VAAR clause used below:

(X) 819.7008 Sole source awards to a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business;

This service is critical for veterans who require transportation but are wheelchair bound and cannot otherwise be transported to the VA facility.

https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar819.asp#8197008 https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar819.asp#8197009

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

The intended awardee for this eight-month bridge is Amerifen Solution LLC and is the only vendor capable of providing uninterrupted wheelchair transportation services to the patients of the Columbia VA Medical Center. Choosing any other vendor would require a transition period for the new vendor and could result in a service interruption for the veterans at the Columbia VA Medical Center. The current long- term requirement was competed and is awaiting final pre-award approval.

The authority under 819.7008 Sole source awards to a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business, allows sole source awards to SDVOSB/VOSB based on 38 U.S.C. 8127(c) and that the SDVOSB/VOSB concern has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. Additionally, the CO shall ensure the business meets eligibility requirements in

819.7003(DEVIATION).

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by RFO

6.301 and, if not, which exemption under RFO 5.101(b)(1) applies:

No further efforts are needed at this time since the new five-year (5) IDIQ will be awarded before this eight-month (8) bridge service contract ends. No additional resources were requested to keep the service running without interruption. Any vendor awarded this bridge contract, other than the Amerifen Solutions LLC, would need a transition period, and this delay could negatively impact veteran care by causing missed or delayed appointments.

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

The costs for this bridge align with the current line-item pricing. The increase in unit pricing is calculated as a 1% rise from the current rate. This increase remains within the price reasonableness threshold and is deemed fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Market research was limited because the intended awardee is Amerifen Solutions LLC. An SBA Small Business Search (SBS) was performed using NAICS 485991 for this contract. The search identified 22 small businesses, of which only 15 were certified as SDVOSBs/VOSBs that could potentially meet the standards for providing wheelchair transportation services for the Columbia VA Medical Center. This requirement cannot be fulfilled through any existing mandatory contracts or sources.

The CO confirms that Amerifen Solutions LLC has met the eligibility criteria outlined in VAAR

819.7003 (DEVIATION), they are certified in SBA SBS, and the action is below the $5M threshold.

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

None, Under the authority of 819.7008 Sole source awards to a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business, this award will be made to a verified SDVOSB.

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

Amerifen Solutions LLC, 24602 Oconee Dr., Tomball, TX 77375, expressed interest in continuing these critical services until the new award is made. They were contacted by the CO to determine interest in the ability to perform these services under a bridge contract until a new award could be finalized.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-6#FAR_6_301 https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-6#FAR_6_301 https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-5#FAR_5_101

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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:

No actions to promote competition are needed since the new long-term requirement has been solicited and received multiple offers; however, extended delays in the review process have prevented the award from being completed before the current contract’s period of performance ends.

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.

William V. Stinney Assistant Chief, Business Office Columbia VA Medical Center

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Thomas Nicholls Contracting Officer

NCO 7

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over the SAT but not exceeding $900K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

LaToyer N. Furbush Division Chief

NC07

c. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval: I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and recommend approval (if over $90 million) or approve ($900K to $90 million) for other than full and open competition.

Gerald F. Jacobs Executive Director, Regional Procurement Office East https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vhapromanual/SitePages/VHAPM-Part-806.3.aspx