LSJ Sole Source - Potomac Wave GS-35F-222DA 36C10X20F0015 P00008_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

Limited Sources Justification for Contract GS-35F-222DA, Task Order 36C10X20F0015, Modification P00008

Limited Sources Justification

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity.

This justification for limited sources is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick (SAC-F), on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL).

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

This is a Limited Sources Justification pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) to obtain continued access to FedDataCheck services from PotomacWave Consulting, Inc. (PotomacWave), 1725 Duke St. #320, Alexandria VA 22314, an Other than Small Business entity, under the existing General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract GS-35F- 222DA, Task Order 36C10X20F0015, which is a firm-fixed priced task order. The proposed action is for a three-month extension of services, for this task order, also to include Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services.

3.

(including the estimated value).

Task order 36C10X20F0015 provides access to FedDataCheck, a service that scans publicly available FPDS-NG data for FAR violations and data inconsistencies. This service contains over 130 data validations that help procurement staff detect data consistency issues and sends email confirmation of potential problems directly to the Contracting Officer to correct potential problems. FedDataCheck also provides a dashboard for VA leadership to monitor overall data quality and improve over time.

FedDataCheck is a data blending tool which verifies data entries into Federal Procurement Data System - Next Generation (FPDS-NG) -wide data and various benchmark standards. FedDataCheck assists with analysis for category management, oversight of Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) acquisition implementation, and to improve data quality prior to the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) application.

The contract total value at present is , and is in the final option period which will end on 12/1/2024. The estimated value for this proposed P00008 modification, to extend services is , with a period of performance duration of three (3) months.

4. The authority and supporting rationale (see 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)) and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed the required supply or service.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

This Limited Sources Justification is pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B). The Government has determined that only PotomacWave can provide the services required at the level of quality required because the services are unique and highly specialized. FedDataCheck is a propriety database and service offered only by PotomacWave.

FedDataCheck is utilized by numerous Federal agencies due to the unique nature of the service. FedDataCheck offers a proprietary crosscheck system of the FPDS-NG system that not only improves the quality of the data, but also reduces human costs involved with department-wide data quality reviews. This system notifies Contracting Officers of any discrepancies in the data entered into the system. This allows ample time to correct any issue that are identified.

database and service that provides data analysis without the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), a FPDS-addition to identifying reporting errors, FedDataCheck services automate the annual validation process required by OFPP which in turn drastically reduces workload department-wide. PotomacWave is the only company that has the expertise to provide the required services and access.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with 8.404(d).

PotomacWave, an Other Than Small Business entity, and responsible source, has successfully performed identical scope and complexity requirements for OAL as the current task order holder

-NG Data Quality Improvement Support Services task order 36C10X20F0015, under GSA contract GS-35F-222DA.

OAL has recent and extensive experience with PotomacWave and its successful support of this critical service. No other identified firm has the extensive knowledge, experience, and understanding of this work modification as demonstrated by PotomacWave.

The current task order mentioned above was awarded to PotomacWave on a sole source basis to PotomacWave on 12/02/2019 under the authority of FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) - Only One Source as proprietary owner of FedDataCheck which is the only database and reporting services that could meet the level of quality and requirements of the VA.

On 11/20/2024 the Contract agreed to extend the services of the task order for an additional 3 months at the current Option Period 4 pricing. This pricing was found fair and reasonable at time of award and verified using the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) as well as

. The IGCE for the current proposed action was also determined using current contract pricing and program expertise. A fair and reasonable price determination will be made prior to award.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Per the FAR (6.302-5) and VAAR (819.7005) regulations, a search was conducted on the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) site using NAICS code 541611. The system generated a total of 8,495 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) registered under this NAICS code. However, the system does not support keyword searches to help narrow down the list for things such as FedDataCheck Services.

Internet searches were utilized to identify other tools to perform the services. The market research revealed that FedDataCheck is the only technology fulfilling a niche Federal market and no other company has the capability to perform data validation of FPDS-NG records anywhere near the extent that the FedDataCheck technology can.

A review of the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) revealed that multiple agencies have issued sole source contracts to PotomacWave Consulting for the necessary services.

PotomacWave has demonstrated its capability to meet the specific needs of these agencies effectively.

The SAM.gov search indicates that no other vendor has been successfully identified to provide the required services. Additionally, among the agencies that issued sole source contracts in recent fiscal years, all posted Justifications and Approvals (J&As) that went unchallenged,

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

The VA has a continued need for the services beyond the 3 months provided with the execution of this modification.

Upon receipt of the follow-on requirement request, the Contracting Office discovered that FAR 52.217-8 was inadvertently omitted from the task order. As such, the clause will also be added with this P0008 modification.

sole-source basis under FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) will be posted to SAM.gov as the initial contract award was not solicited with inclusion of FAR clause 52.217-8.

The Government chose to pursue continued services via extension modification in lieu of a bridge contract because it would result in reduced administrative burden.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(ii). This determination will be based on a comparison of current contract pricing which is the basis of the IGCE.

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.