JEFO_16.507-6(b)(5)-EPS_PILOT+Wave_0_EXPANSION-1-MONTH-PL109-461.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Enterprise Procurement Office (EPO)

5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

FAR citations provided in this document are in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) language as deviated by the FAR Council and implemented by VA class deviation.

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

I. This justification for an exception to fair opportunity is prepared in accordance with (IAW) the procedures of FAR 16.507-6, executed by the Enterprise Procurement Office (EPO), and on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Admninsitration (VHA), Enterprise Patient Scheduling.

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

A firm-fixed-price task order will be issued on a sole source basis to Agile 4 Vets (Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): GFDKYZ6HZJF1) against its Integrated Healthcare Transformation (IHT) 2.0 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract No.

36C10X25D0017. Sections 502 and 503 of Public Law 109-461, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, as amended (38 U.S.C. 8127- 8128) provide the statutory authority for this task order award.

Agile 4 Vets (A4V) is a Joint Venure (JV); the Managing Partner of A4V is HRS Consulting, Inc. (UEI: PQK6F6BNG6K7) NS the JV Partners OF A4V are Oxford Government Consuting, LLC (UEI: FGD3HLN2YG31) and 4th Sector, LLC (UEI:

XLZCGJLRL6E1). The U.S. Small Business Administration does not certify JVs individually. HRS Consulting, Inc. is certified by the SBA as an SDVOSB with a primary NAICS Code 541611, Oxford Government Consuting, LLC is certified by the SBA as an SDVOSB with a primary NAICS Code 541611, and 4th Sector, LLC is certified by the SBA as an SDVOSB with a primary NAICS Code 541611.

III. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

In December 2025, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) completed the rollout, at all health care systems, of External Provider Scheduling (EPS) as the default tool for community care scheduling. The capability of this tool has been expanded such that the platform also allows for direct VA care scheduling, i.e.

integrated scheduling. EPS’ scheduling consolidation allows all care, whether delivered directly by VA, virtually, or through the community, is treated as VA care.

Enabling transparency into referral status and Community Care eligibility, and full visibility into every eligible care option ensures that the Veteran, not the system, makes the final choice.

The contractor will provide the services required to expand the core scheduling functionality of integrated scheduling of the EPS pilot, ensuring optimal functionality for full-enterprise deployment. The purpose of this contract is to provide ongoing virtual and in-person support and training for the pilot and Wave 0 sites.

The total estimated total value of this requirement is $683,093.20.

IV. The exception permitting the placement of this order on a sole source basis is FAR

16.507-6(b)(5), “a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source.” The statutory authority authorizing the purchase from a specified source is Public Law 109-461: “Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006” specifically, the “Veterans First Contracting Program” outlined in 38 U.S.C.§ 8127(c) which permits a contracting officer to award a contract to a verified SDVOSB using procedures other than competition if:

a. Such concern is determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance of such contract opportunity.

b. The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 134 of title 41) but will not exceed $5,000,000; and

c. In the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.

The proposed action meets all three of the requirements of 38 U.S.C.§ 8127(c).

V. In accordance with the procedures outlined in 38 U.S.C.§ 8127(c), an award shall not be made unless it can be done so at a fair and reasonable price which offers the best value to the Government. The Government may use various price analysis techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price before making any award.

VI. This is a short-term task order awarded on a sole soure basis to ensure the continuity of the deployment of EPS. A Blaket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is currently being competitively awarded to ensure this requirement is sustained over the long term.

VII. The undersigned contracting officer, who is also the approving official IAW

FAR 16.507-6(e)(1):

a. Certifies that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief, and

b. Determines that the circumstances of FAR 16.507-6(b)(5), apply to this order.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: 28AUG2026 Ryan Collins Contracting Officer, Acquisition Serivce 2 Enterprise Procurement Office