P03 JnA POSTED.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) for

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C252-21-AP-1346

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract 12, Great Lakes Acquisition

Center (GLAC), on behalf of the Tomah VA Medical Center, 500 East Veterans Street, Tomah, WI 54660. This is a justification for Other than Full & Open Competition.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: Justification and approval for a sole source Nursing Services contract for the aforementioned VA facility in response to COVID-19 National Emergency to AB Staffing Solutions, LLC, 2680 South Val Vista Drive, Suite 152, Gilbert, AZ 85295. This procurement for Nursing Services will be conducted 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 6.303-2. The resultant contract will be a fixed (unit) price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract.

3. Description of Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: Due to the COVID-19 National

Emergency, Nursing Services at the above facility is preparing for an increased number of patients and as such is requiring additional Long Term Care Nurses.

The timeframe of the surge is unknown, thus the period of performance will be from the date of award through July 31, 2021. Nursing services are provided 24-hours a day, seven

(7) days a week, including weekends and federal holidays. The estimated value of this procurement is $563,040.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: FAR 18.104 Unusual and

Compelling Urgency and FAR 18.203 Emergency Declaration.

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above: These Nursing Servcies are required to agument existing VA permanent staff in the anticipated surge in patients at the aforementioned medical center, specifically within the next six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RNs are required to complete the credentialing process, obtain appropriate security clearance and badges, and if possible, orient to the facility and floor prior to the surge. Therefore, contract staff must be identified and selected immediately. AB Staffing Solutions has identified qualified Registered Nurses to fulfill the needs above. The Tomah VA Medical Center is one of the VISN 12 facilities identified as overflows for local civilian hospitals as well. Any delay in contract award will have an adverse impact to Veteran, and possibly civilian, patient care due to lack of Registered Nurses.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: As the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold in the United States, staffing firms began reaching out to contracting offices via telephone and email. In anticipation of a need, these vendors were asked to send any potential candidates and pricing.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The anticipated cost of the contract will be considered fair and reasonable based on favorable comparison of pricing to other firms and market research. AB Staffing quoted quoted a regular hourly rate of $170 and overtime/holiday rate of $212.50. A quote was also received from Ghost Rx for a regular hourly rate of $139 and overtime/holiday rate of $180.70. However, it did not have sufficient staffing to meet the VA’s needs.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted: Due to the urgency of the requirement, limited market research was conducted under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), VetBiz (VIP), and internet searches. Based on the offered prices above and internet searches, the pay rates for RN services had increased 60-100+% for the COVID-19 pandemic than they were just two months ago. In light of this information, it was determined that FSS contracts could not be utilized because of the significant increase in hourly rate above the contracted ceiling amounts. A VIP search was conducted using the keyword “Registered Nurse” and locations of Tomah, Wisconsin.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the United States there will be more of a demand for Registed Nurses;

proceeding with an award to lock in these qualified candidates for the Tomah VAMC is of critical importance to ensure the well being of VA patients and staff.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Ghost Rx (SDVOSB) and AB Staffing (Large).

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 services required: Onboarding these RNs will provide some rapid relief for the Tomah VA Medical Center. For any future actions, a Sources Sought Notice will be posted to the Contract Opportunities website.

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.

Angella Pierce Date Nurse Manager Tomah VA Medical Center

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

a. Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Patrice R. Bond Contracting Officer

NCO 12

Angella J. Pierce 1445023

Digitally signed by Angella J.

Pierce 1445023 Date: 2021.03.08 06:41:15 -06'00'

Patrice R Bond 322020

Digitally signed by Patrice R Bond 322020 Date: 2021.03.08 07:47:19 -06'00'

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer: I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Scott Ivy Division Chief NCO 12 Equipment, Medical Sharing, Services & Supply

Ivy, Scott A.

Digitally signed by Ivy, Scott A.

Date: 2021.03.12 10:05:10 -06'00'