JA for Sole Source (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 Action ID: 36C26322-AP-3707

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23 (NCO23) for

VA Nebraska Western-Iowa Health Care System (VA NWIHCS), Omaha, NE Facilities Management Engineering Department, Purchase Request Number: 636-22-3-5058-0169

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: VA

NWIHCS has an emergent need for running additional condenser loop piping to the existing 450-ton McQuay chiller and its accompanying cooling tower components to allow the chiller to be operational and properly functioning. This work includes but is not limited to a system shutdown, removal of faulty piping/equipment, installation, or reconnection of new piping/equipment, flush and pressure testing of lines, and startup and operations testing. The approximate estimated value for these services is $178,197.04.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Due to the urgent matter of this need, competition for pricing for this requirement is unable to be completed as this issue needs to be corrected immediately with the start of the upcoming cooling season that will require AC across the facility. It has been recently discovered that the Omaha VAMC surgery chiller’s condenser water loop feeding to the cooling tower has been seemlying mis-designed. The net positive suction pressure of the system is insufficient to support the required flow rate needed by the chiller equipment. Since there is insufficient pressure due to lack of enough water volume on the inlets of the centrifugal pumps, the equipment is cavitating and locking out. This means that the HVAC system servicing the critical care areas of the Omaha VAMC is unable to properly function at it design output tonnage. This emergency contract can resolve the cavitation issue with the pumps within a 2-3 week timeframe. If this inlet pressure issue is not correct, additional temporary chiller equipment will have to be mobilized to our campus; however, the likelihood of finding such equipment in today’s market environment is unlikely at best. Furthermore, the rental charges on such temporary equipment would far exceed the expenditures associated with implementing this emergency construction effort to correct the issue with the inlet pressure/water volume restriction on the hospital’s condenser loop.

This work needs to be performed immediately as the insufficient pressure is causing and will continue to cause the chiller to properly function; therefore, a sole source requirement is in the best interest of the Government to be able to make an award to a contractor who can meet the immediate need of services associated with this requirement, and who has the knowledge of the systems involved. Boiler Chiller System (BCS) has indicated that they can meet all of these needs under this urgent and compelling requirement.

A delay in award of a contract could result in serious impairment of the healthcare facilities capabilities or mission performance throughout the facility due to power failures to chiller system.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

This would impact not only Veteran care, but daily operations of the facility. In addition, a delay in award of a contract could result in other financial burdens to the Government with the need of temporary equipment to which may not even be available given the current supply chain shortages.

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

Minimal market research was conducted due to uniqueness of this requirement. As stated previously, immediate action needs to be taken by a contractor with knowledge of the requirement and the chiller systems and have the ability to complete the work quickly.

A VETBIZ search for SDVOSB and VOSB vendors in Nebraska under NAICS 238220— Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors was conducted and resulted in 9 vendors in Nebraska;

however, the possibility of them having the capability to provide the services needed within the immediate time constraints is unlikely due to scheduling, the need to subcontract work, and mobilization to the site.

BCS was contacted and can provide the services required within the timeframe needed.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) and FAR 6.302-2. I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Angie Mabley Date: 4/21/2022 NCO23 Contracting Officer https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466