J and A for Survey FE.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

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SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL

ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) 13.5

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics

Strategic Acquisition Center–Frederick 5202 Presidents Court – Suite 103

2. Description of Action:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Homeless Programs Office (HPO) - National

Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV) has a requirement obtain nationally representative research data on low-income Veterans to understand their housing and health needs to inform VA programs and services. This activity proposes to negotiate a non-competitive firm fixed price sole source award with Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC, a large business, under simplified procedures for certain commercial items included in FAR subpart 13.5.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

NCHAV is seeking a Contractor to conduct a quantitative research study with a national representative group of low-income Veterans. Low-income would be defined as living in a household under 300% of the federal poverty level. The focus will be on Veterans at risk of homelessness who are outside the VA system. The survey will collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, income, housing and homeless history, mental health, substance abuse, employment, service use, and various psychosocial and functioning outcomes. The final data file and methodological report will be utilized by the NCHAV Research and Methodology Core, to address and prevent homelessness among Veterans.

The scope includes all services related to sampling, administration, and scoring of the national survey of low-income Veterans. The Contractor will be provided the contents of the survey to distribute and will have access to national panel of potential participants and identify potential participants to screen and collect self -reported information from a sample of 1,000 low-income Veterans, re-surveying the same Veterans annually.

The estimated value for this acquisition is $750,000.00 and period of performance is twelve (12) months with four, twelve (12) month option periods.

4. Authority:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.501(a)(1)(ii) under the authority 41 U.S.C. 1901for simplified procedures for certain commercial items. There is only one

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(1) The justification prepared pursuant to FAR 6.302-5(c)(2)(ii) will be posted on Beta.SAM in accordance with FAR subpart 5.301(d);

(2) The company has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance;

(3) In the estimation of the contracting officer, contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the Government; and

(4) The contracting officer has determined that the use of this authority is in the best interest of the government based upon the fact that Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC has a satisfactory performance history and is the only source with the capability to perform the required services.

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority.

The unique qualifications and/or specialized capabilities or expertise not prevalent in the marketplace of the proposed contractor, Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC include that they are an international company, with lots of experience conducting surveys of Veterans, including the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and have provided data for over 100 published peer-reviewed studies on Veterans. This knowledge is very unique and no other companies have expertise to calculate poststratification weights for the sample based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and geographical region.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The contracting officer has determined that a sole source award to Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC is in the best interest of the government. The contracting officer has determined that the anticipated prices will be fair and reasonable based on the results of the market research conducted for this procurement. Historical pricing was based on previous VA experience conducting similar nationally representative surveys at the Connecticut (West Haven) VA Medical Center, and through NCHAV. This work has been published (e.g., articles: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-019-00975-6 and https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/mental/veteran/military-sexual-trauma-veterans-results-national-health/

A notice will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2.

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-6-competition-requirements#i1119843 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-5-publicizing-contract-actions#i1120562 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-019-00975-6 https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/mental/veteran/military-sexual-trauma-veterans-results-national-health/ https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/mental/veteran/military-sexual-trauma-veterans-results-national-health/

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7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. This determination will be based on a comparison of current contract pricing, past proposal submissions (if available), other information made available, and an Independent Government Cost Estimate.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research conducted within the GSA e-Library yielded results of 3 large vendors Additionally, the Government issued a request for information (RFI) via email to all 194 SDVOSBs on June 21, 2021 with a closing date of June 25, 2021. Four companies responded and none met the requirement as outlined per the Performance Work

Statement (PWS), “data collected has been published in over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles”, and there is no indication that the companies have expertise to calculate poststratification weights for the sample based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and geographical region.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

There is an existing contract in place with WP Cioffi Engineering Management, Inc., however, the company was reviewed and does not meet the qualifications as outlined in the PWS such as, “Data collected has been published in over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles.” Additionally, there is no indication that WP Cioffi Engineering Management, Inc. has expertise to “calculate poststratification weights for the sample based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and geographical region,” which is also required by the PWS.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC 301 Merritt 7 Norwalk, CT 06851-1070

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Toward the expiration of

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12. 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. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition.

13. Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Melissa Maloy Date

Contracting Officer

14. Technical and Requirements Certification:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Erika Barr Date Program Manager