P03_36C24E25AP0070_JandA Animal HusbandryVANorth Texas_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID:

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Procurement Officer (RPO) – East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Requesting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 17, North Texas Veterans Health Care System

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

The North Texas Veterans Health Care System has a sole source requirement for veterinary animal and administrative Services from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSWMC), an academic affiliate. The intended requirement will be processed in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303 5. The usage of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type order is appropriate for this procurement action.

This contract is for an estimated period of performance of 15 November 2024 to 14 November 2029 with no options.

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

The North Texas Veterans Health Care System requires services for animals housed at UTSWMC and used in connec on, and as an integral part of, the research program for both the VA and the University. The services required include animal care and housing for research animals. The per diem charges include cage, bedding, feed, and animal caretaker me for cleaning cages, feeding, watering, and checking the animals for North Texas Veterans Health Care System using the UTSWMC Animal Resource Center (ARC). Addi onally, services required include quarterly sen nel tes ng along with any addi onal tes ng requested by a Principle Inves gator (PI) such as the DX CBC or by the Veterinary Medical O cer (VMO). Services also include use of UTSWMC Veterinary Technician sta me as requested by a PI or the VMO and supply support such as specialized enrichment, animal procurement, standard research supplies.

The total estimated value for this requirement is

None

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

There are no other potential sources that can meet the specified requirements.

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:

The UTSWMC is a longstanding affiliate to the North Texas Veterans Health Care System. Under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 8153 for research acquisitions, we are entitled to use our affiliates for research purposes.

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.

Name: Tracy Reece Date Title: Contracting Officer Representative Facility: 549 North Texas VAMC

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

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

Renee L Kale Date Contracting Officer Regional Procurement Office East

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Seth Custer Date Division Chief Regional Procurement Office East

TRACY

REECE

Digitally signed by

TRACY REECE

Date: 2024.11.13 07:44:41 -06'00'

11/14/2024

RENEE KALE Digitally signed by RENEE KALE Date: 2024.11.13 10:49:20 -05'00'

SETH CUSTER

Digitally signed by SETH

CUSTER

Date: 2024.11.14 13:49:56 -05'00'