Justification-and-Approval-sam.gov.pdf

Attachment C

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS/NIH.

b. Sponsoring organization. CC/The Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge

c. Project Officer Information.

• Project Officer Name. Vivian Blair

• Mailing address. 65 Center Drive Bethesda, MD 20892

• E-mail address. Vivian.blair@nih.gov

• Telephone number. 301-335-7810

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

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives. The purpose of this acquisition is to obtain commercial dry-cleaning services for comforters utilized at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The services are necessary to maintain cleanliness, operational readiness, and guest accommodation standards while preserving the integrity and lifespan of comforters that cannot withstand hospital-grade laundry temperatures.

b. Project background. The Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge provides lodging accommodations for families and support individuals of patients receiving treatment at the NIH Clinical Center. Comforters utilized within the Lodge require specialized dry-cleaning services due to manufacturer care instructions and the inability of the current hospital laundry process to safely clean these items without causing shrinkage, fabric deterioration, or damage.

Tom’s Cleaners is currently providing similar dry-cleaning services to The Children’s Inn at NIH and has demonstrated the capability to perform reliable pickup, dry-cleaning, handling, and return delivery services in support of NIH lodging operations.

The contractor is familiar with NIH campus access procedures, operational requirements, and handling expectations associated with healthcare-related lodging facilities. Continued use of Thomas Breece Dry Cleaning Services will support continuity of operations, minimize service disruptions, and ensure consistent quality and accountability.

Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A) mailto:Vivian.blair@nih.gov

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. NIH Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge Dry Cleaning Services

b. Project description. The purpose of this requirement is to provide uninterrupted dry-cleaning services for comforters utilized at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge.

• The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, transportation, supplies, and facilities necessary to:

• Receive soiled comforters from the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge;

• Transport comforters to the contractor’s facility;

• Dry clean and sanitize comforters in accordance with manufacturer care instructions and industry standards;

• Inspect comforters for cleanliness and damage;

• Package and transport cleaned comforters; and

• Return comforters in sanitary and usable condition.

The contractor shall coordinate pickup and delivery schedules with designated Government personnel and maintain inventory accountability records for all items processed.

The contractor shall provide timely communication regarding any damaged, delayed, or missing items.

c.

• Requirement type.

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify):

• Type of action.

New requirement Follow-on Other (specify):

• Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee):

Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee):

Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, Definite quantity or requirements):

Other (specify):

Completion Form Term form

• Acquisition identification number.

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

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c) (1) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-(X).

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Services

Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 U.S.C. 428a).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

Tom's Cleaners, 211 N Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD 20877

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s).

Tom’s Cleaners is currently providing dry-cleaning services for The Children’s Inn at NIH and has demonstrated the capability to successfully support NIH-affiliated lodging operations requiring specialized handling and timely processing of linens and comforters.

The contractor possesses operational familiarity with NIH campus access requirements, pickup and delivery procedures, and the quality standards necessary to support patient-family lodging facilities.

Tom’s Cleaners has established processes for handling comforters that require specialized cleaning methods and cannot be processed through standard hospital laundry systems due to risk of damage from hospital-grade temperatures.

Use of another contractor at this time would introduce operational risk, delay implementation of services, and require additional onboarding, coordination, and familiarization with NIH-specific access and handling procedures.

Based on current operational knowledge and demonstrated performance supporting The Children’s Inn, Tom’s Cleaners is considered the only responsible source capable of meeting the Government’s immediate operational requirements with minimal disruption and continuity risk.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

Market research was conducted to identify vendors capable of providing commercial dry-cleaning services for comforters used within NIH lodging facilities.

The Government reviewed existing operational support arrangements and determined that Tom’s Cleaners is currently providing similar services to The Children’s Inn at NIH.

The contractor’s existing operational presence, familiarity with NIH procedures, and demonstrated capability to support healthcare-related lodging facilities were considered during market research.

The Government determined that award to Tom’s Cleaners represents the lowest operational risk and best supports continuity of services for the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

An Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) has been developed based on market information, current commercial pricing, and comparable services currently being performed.

The proposed pricing will be reviewed and evaluated by the Contracting Officer to ensure the anticipated price to the Government is fair and reasonable.

Award will only be made if negotiations determine that the final agreed-upon pricing is fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research included review of commercial dry-cleaning providers capable of handling institutional-volume comforter cleaning services and evaluation of vendors currently supporting NIH-affiliated lodging operations.

The Government determined that Tom’s Cleaners currently provides satisfactory dry-cleaning support services to The Children’s Inn at NIH and possesses demonstrated familiarity with NIH operational and access requirements.

Based upon this market research, Tom’s Cleaners is considered the most capable and operationally suitable source for this requirement.

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

Tom’s Cleaners has existing operational experience supporting NIH lodging facilities and has demonstrated satisfactory performance handling similar requirements.

The contractor’s familiarity with NIH operational procedures, pickup and delivery coordination, security access procedures, and quality standards significantly reduces implementation risk and supports uninterrupted operations.

Transitioning to another contractor would require additional onboarding and coordination efforts and could adversely impact room readiness and lodging support services for patient families.

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

No other sources have expressed interest in the acquisition.

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services.

Future acquisitions may include additional market research, publication of sources sought notices, and evaluation of additional commercial dry-cleaning vendors capable of supporting NIH lodging operations.

The Government will continue to assess available commercial capabilities and operational requirements prior to future procurements.

12. Program office certification.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs, schedule requirements and other rationale for other than full and open competition, are accurate and complete.

Official Name & Title Signature Date

Project Officer Vivian Blair, Chief VIVIAN Y. Digitally signed

Y. BLAIR -S

BLAIR -S Date: 2026.05 14:00:39 -04'0 by VIVIAN

Project Officer’s

Immediate Supervisor

Johanne Alerte, Chief JOHANNE C. Digitally signed

JOHANNE C.

ALERTE -S Date: 2026.05.

11:11:41 -04'0 by

ALERTE -S

Head of the Sponsoring

Program Office

13. Contracting Officer Certification.

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Contracting Officer

14. Chief of the Contracting Office and Head of the Contracting Activity signature(s). The Chief of the Contracting Office (CCO), if applicable, and the HCA shall indicate review of, and concurrence with, any J&A over $700,0001 by providing the information required below and signing in the applicable block.

Chief of the

Office

1 This review and concurrence requirement is applicable to the dollar ranges over $700,000 cited in the FAR, specifically: (i) over $700,000 but not exceeding $13.5 million; (ii) over $13.5 million but not exceeding $68 million; and (iii) over $68 million – see FAR 6.304(a)(2) through (4) and 13.501(a)(2)(ii) through (iv). See HHSAR 306.304 and 313.501(a)(1)(iii) for additional information regarding CCO/HCA review of and concurrence with a J&A in these dollar ranges. These dollar ranges are current as of the date of issuance of interim acquisition policy memorandum No. 2008- 03, but are subject to change.

Head of the

Activity

15. Competition Advocate signature. The designated OPDIV Competition

Advocate (CA), upon acceptance of the rationale provided in the J&A, shall complete the information required below and sign in the block provided as the approving official for any J&A over $700,000 but not exceeding $68 million2.

However, if the CA does not meet the requirements of FAR 6.304(a)(3)(ii) for a J&A over $13.5 million, but not exceeding $68 million, an individual other than the CA shall exercise the approval authority.

The signature of the CA, or that of an individual meeting FAR 6.304(a)(3)(ii) requirements for a J&A over $13.5 million, but not exceeding $68 million, shall serve as concurrence on any J&A over $68 million that requires the approval of the HHS SPE.

Competition Advocate

16. HHS Senior Procurement Executive signature. The HHS SPE, upon acceptance of the rationale provided in the J&A, shall complete the information required below and sign in the block provided as the approving official for any J&A over $68 million3.

HHS Senior Procurement

Executive

2 This approval authority is applicable to the following dollar ranges cited in the FAR, specifically:

(i) over $700,000, but not exceeding $13.5 million; and (ii) over $13.5 million, but not exceeding $68 million – see FAR 6.304(a)(2) and (3) and 13.501(a)(2)(ii) and (iii). See HHSAR 306.304(a)(2) and (3) and 313.501(a)(ii) and (iii) for additional information regarding this approval authority, including when the CA does not meet the requirements of FAR 6.304(a)(3)(ii). These dollar ranges are current as of the date of issuance of interim acquisition policy memorandum No.

2008-03, but are subject to change.

3This dollar range is current as of the date of issuance of interim acquisition policy memorandum No. 2008-03, but is subject to change – see FAR 6.304(a)(4) and 13.501(a)(2)(iv). See HHSAR 306.304(a)(4) and 313.501(a)(2)(iv) for additional information regarding SPE approval of a J&A in this dollar range.

Attachment C