JA Other Than Full and Open - Oticon__Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition for the VA's procurement of customized hearing aid devices and repair services from Oticon, Inc. The contract will be a single-award firm-fixed price indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period.

The VA requires Oticon hearing aids and repairs to support its national Hearing Aid Program, managed by Denver Logistics Service (DLS). The contract includes seven Oticon product lines (Own, Intent, Real, Opn S, Play PX, CROS, and Xceed). The VA is pursuing sole-source procurement because hearing aid devices and repairs are proprietary to manufacturers, requiring specialized training and technical data. The document notes that five major hearing aid manufacturers, including Oticon, have maintained VA contracts for about 30 years. The industry has shifted from analog to electronic devices with proprietary designs, and the VA will not include over-the-counter (OTC) devices as they don't meet technical requirements. The VA conducted market research and industry engagement, including an Industry Day in June 2023. The program is listed as an OMB Best-in-Class contract vehicle, and interested manufacturers who meet TAA and FDA requirements may be considered for future contract actions.