JA_Rideshare services 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

Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

6.302-5 -- Authorized or required by statute

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC), on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program, VA Boston Healthcare System

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This activity proposes to negotiate a non-competitive firm fixed price award (sole-source) with Architechture Solutions, LLC (a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small

Business). The procurement is for Rideshare scheduling services with rideshare companies (Lift and Uber) for Veterans experiencing homelessness needing reliable and safe transportation. The estimated value of this Firm-Fixed Price contract is $507,500.00 and the period of performance would be a base year with two 6-month option periods or the end of the current COVID-19 Public Health Emergency whichever comes first.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs

(including the estimated value).

The contractor shall provide transportation for Veterans within the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program to support the following efforts within the VA VISN

1 Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program. Transportation may only be used by a Veteran engaged with Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, and Rides may only be requested by identified VA Healthcare for Homeless Veterans staff. Transportation shall be provided to the following:

• Veterans experiencing homelessness to the nearest facility identified by VA staff that is able to provide shelter.

• Veterans attending their housing appointments, so they are not delayed in seeking permanent housing through the VA Hud-Vash program.

• Veterans, who need to meet with any community provider that would be providing critical support to the Veteran (Supportive Services for Veterans

Families (SSVF),Veteran Service Officer (VSO), Homeless Veterans’

Reintegration Program (HVRP) and any other federal, state, or municipal funded program).

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

• Veterans participating in the HCHV Veteran Justice Outreach Program (VJO) ensuring they do not miss any court dates, or essential meetings determined by

VJO staff.

• Vulnerable Veterans who need essential goods such as PPE and food during the

Covid 19 Pandemic, in order to mitigate risks to the Veterans’ and staffs’ health.

• Veterans, who need to get to essential medical appointments but only when no other travel is available to the Veteran or minimizes risk to the Veteran by offering alternative transportation to public transportation.

• Transport Veterans to and from Covid Vaccination appointments.

• Veterans in the HCHV, who need to get to and from job interviews, and provide transportation up to the first four weeks of employment.

• Transportation for the Veterans would be required in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New York and Vermont where Rideshare transportation is available.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.

§ 3304(a)(5) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302- 5 entitled, “Authorized or required by statute”. The applicable statute is Public

Law 109- 461: “Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006” specifically, the “Veterans First Contracting Program” outlined in 38 USC § 8127(c).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

VAAR 819.7007 states explicitly, “A determination that only one SDVOSB can meet the requirement is not required,” and that using this authority, the following must be verified:

(1) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will not exceed $5 million; The estimated value is $507,500.00 and does not exceed $5M.

(2) The justification prepared pursuant to FAR 6.302-5(c)(2)(ii) is posted in accordance with FAR subpart 5.301(d);

This J&A will be posted on FBO.

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-6-competition-requirements#i1119843 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-5-publicizing-contract-actions#i1120562

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

(3) The SDVOSB concern has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance; and Architechture Solutions, LLC is a registered and verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

The contractor has experience working with the VHA on this project since it’s inception. Upon the initial RFI, Architechture Solutions, LLC was the only respondent showing they had the capabilities to simultaneously do a cost analysis of Uber and Lyft, thus choosing the lower cost ride, and schedule multiple rides at any given time in multiple states across the country.

Architechture Solutions LLC was awarded contract 36C10X19P0046 on a competitive basis, as a part of the VHA Innovator’s Network FY19 Spark-Spread-

Seed projects. This vendor is a verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. It is in the Government’s best interest to award a sole source to Architechture Solutions for this requirement in order to maintain continuity of data and service.

The unique service provided by Architechture Solutions LLC. allows the VA to leverage both the Uber and Lyft Ridesharing services, thus saving an average of

$7 per ride. In addition, access to both platforms is essential as some areas cannot be adequately covered by Uber or vice versa, showing that relying on one service would prevent the VA from providing transportation resources to specific geographical regions.

Example: Over the past two years Architechture Solutions LLC provided scheduling services to 13 VA healthcare systems ranging from Massachusetts to

Hawaii. Architechture Solutions LLC has proven capabilities to schedule multiple rides at once for each site having to schedule up to 600 rides per day, while conducting a real time cost comparison, thus saving the VHA cost on the fare.

(4) 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.

(5) The contracting officer has determined that the use of this authority is in the best interest of the government based upon the fact that Architechture Solutions, LLC is a SDVOSB which has the ability to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs quality products and services at a fair and reasonable price and has the necessary working knowledge of the VA systems, programs and policies to provide the needed deliverables within the stringent timeline required.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

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.

IAW VAAR § 819.7007 Sole source awards to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns (b), “The contracting officer’s determination whether to make a sole source award is a business decision wholly within the discretion of the contracting officer. A determination that only one SDVOSB concern is available to meet the requirement is not required.”

A notice will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2.

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 was conducted and Architechture Solutions, LLC. has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. They are registered and certified in VetBiz.gov as a SDVOSB with the NAICS code for this requirement which in accordance with Public Law 109-461 Section 502(c) meets the requirements of this statute to sole source to a SDVOSB. In addition, their current services meet and exceeds government requirements and government reviewed their VIP verification verifying that they are an SDVOSB.

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

In accordance with Public Law 109-461, codified at 38 USC § 8127, in order to increase contracting opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities, contracting officers of the VA are given specific statutory authority to award a contract to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans using procedures other than competitive procedures (i.e. a “sole source” contract). The contracting officer may do so in accordance with VAAR 819.7007.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Architechture Solutions LLC was awarded contract 36C10X19P0046 on a competitive basis, as a part of the VHA Innovator’s Network FY19 Spark-Spread-Seed projects. It was determined to be in the Government’s best interest to award a sole source to

Architechture Solutions for the requirement in order to maintain continuity of data and service, as the requirement was an extension of the previous requirement. As the project was part of the VHA Innovator’s Network (iNET), the purpose of the project was to test and evaluate the concept solution in a local environment. At the completion of this project, should this concept solution be proven effective, market research will be conducted in order to determine if there are other capable vendors who can provide the required services.

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

Name: Architechture Solutions, LLC.

Address: 11325 Random Hills Rd Ste 360, Fairfax, VA 22030--0972

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 this contract, should this concept solution be proven effective, market research will be conducted in order to determine if there are other capable vendors who can provide the required services and consideration will be given as to whether the future acquisition should be competitive.

12. Certifications / Signatures.

Technical Representative Certification:

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

Charles Franklin Date Community Employment Coordinator HCHV VA Boston Healthcare System

Contracting Officer Certification:

3/9/2021

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Pursuant to (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12)), I certify that this justif ication is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Melissa Maloy Date Contracting Officer

Strategic Acquisition Center- Frederick (SAC-F)