JA OVER SAT - Chicago Faucets_Redacted.pdf

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Y1DA--Renovate 6S for Inpatient Mental Health - 552-20-101
Solicitation number
36C25026B0023_1
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About this file

This is a Justification and Approval (J&A) document for other than full and open competition procurement by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dayton VA Medical Center, for Cisco network switches.

The procurement seeks to acquire Cisco switches for use in data closets to serve Wireless Access Points as part of Project #552-20-101, which involves renovating the 6S Inpatient Mental Health Building 330. The contracting activity is NCO 10, with Acquisition ID 36C250-26-AP-1363. The justification cites 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as the statutory authority, asserting that Cisco is the only responsible source because Cisco switches utilize proprietary communication protocols designed exclusively for integration with other Cisco products. The document states that switching manufacturers would create network outages that could compromise patient care and data integrity. Only Cisco has expressed written interest in the acquisition. The solicitation will be publicized on www.sam.gov. Fair and reasonableness of cost will be determined through complete price analysis and an Independent Government Cost Estimate, with costs compared against commercially published price lists and catalogs. No formal market research was conducted. The document notes that future acquisitions may utilize "brand name or equal" language if in the government's best interest, but the current requirement must specify Cisco to create an exact copy of the existing system. The justification is certified by Jason Dahal, Energy Manager at Dayton VAMC Engineering, and approved by Jenessa Regan, Contracting Officer at NCO-10, both digitally signed on March 3, 2026.

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Page 1 of 3 VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Revision: 04 Effective Date: 12/15/25 Acquisition ID#: 36C250-26-AP-1363

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C250-26-AP-1363

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO 10, Dayton VA Medical Center 2237: 552-26-2-6964-0006

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

Request approval to use other than full and open competition to solicit on a Brand Name Only to use �CISCO� switches for use in data closets to serve Wireless Access Points referenced in Section 27 21 00 for Project #552-20-101 Renovate 6S Inpatient Mental Health Building 330.

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

As a part of the project Wireless Access Points will incorporate CISCO switches.

CISCO switches are used in all new and existing data closets to serve data outlets.

Other data switches are not compatible.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

(X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will

Satisfy Agency Requirements per 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as implemented by

RFO 6.103-1;

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

Cisco has proprietary communication protocols on their switches, which by their very nature are designed to be used with other Cisco and only other Cisco products.

Because the switches are proprietary, only that manufacturer can create a switch which will operate with the existing switching environment. The reason for proprietary switches is due to the performance risk to the network.

The switch allows computers to talk to other computers and could cause a possible loss of network and therefore loss of data.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as possible (including whether a notice was or will be

Page 2 of 3 VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC

Acquisition ID#: 36C250-26-AP-1363 publicized as required by RFO Part 5 and, if not, which exception under RFO Part 5 applies):

It has been proven that interchanging switch manufacturers in a network will lead to outages. Any outage to the network will impact patient care. Cisco is needed to interface with the current equipment and keep the network up and running smoothly.

This solicitation will be publicized via Contracting Opportunities on www.sam.gov.

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

Determination of fair and reasonableness of cost will be based upon a complete price analysis and Independent Government Cost Estimate.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Market research was not conducted. The cost for services will be compared with commercially published price lists and catalogs for similar products.

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

Data switches play a critical role in patient care. Besides the necessity of keeping the network running, if something were to happen to the equipment, which would also compromise the network, the equipment would be able to be fixed with parts that are kept on-site for the Cisco network. A single source manufacturer of the data network switches keeps the integrity of the network intact and allows for prompt technical support whenever problems occur.

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

Cisco

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:

Solicitations for future requirements will utilize �brand name or equal� language, if it is in the Government�s best interest to do so. The current requirement must solicited using a brand name description because the Government needs to create an exact copy of a system/item that is currently in use.

Page 3 of 3 VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC

Acquisition ID#: 36C250-26-AP-1363

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.

Jason Dahal, Energy Manager Date Dayton VAMC � Engineering

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

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

Jenessa Regan Date Contracting Officer

NCO-10

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .