P03 LSJ BTSOS FINAL REDACTED.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FAR 8.405-6 – Limited Sources Justification (LSJ) >SAT

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C10D-25-AP-0131

(1) Agency and Contracting Activity: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Mission Support, Acquisition Directorate

(2) Description of Action: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple- Award Schedule Program (41 U.S.C. 152(3) and 40 U.S.C. 501). This request is for a limited sources justification for Business Testing Service and Operational Support (BTSOS). The short-term Task Order is requested from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025. FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, is hereby included in this request.

Name of Proposed Contractor: HLINC Corp.

FSS Contract Number: 47QTCA18D00CS Address: 3033 Wilson Blvd. Ste. 700 City, State, Zip: Arlington, VA 22201-3868 Phone/Email: 704-426-0584

(3) Description of Supplies or Services:

The VBA is seeking continued contractor services to facilitate and support VBA's Testing and Deployment Services (TDS) and Operational Support. Support is in accordance with the Under Secretary of Benefits (USB) the expectations of the USB, OIT is moving towards a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and the Development and Operations (DevOps) process. Testing cycles have gone from four times a year to two-week delivery cycles, with the anticipation of weekly delivery cycles. In order to meet the increased velocity and demand of delivery cycles, the contracted vendor must be able to transition the testing and deployment functionalities from a traditional User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to a Continuous UAT, support of other testing events and projects, in addition to having the ability to quickly pivot as priorities change within VBA. This LSJ is in support of continued services from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025. The total estimated value of the proposed action exclusive of FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, is .

(4) Identify the Authority and Supporting Rationale (see below and if applicable, describe the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(A): An urgent and compelling need exists and following the ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays: The proposed short-term Task Order will be issued on a limited sources basis to maintain continuity of services while the subject services are being re-procured. The Government would be irreparably harmed if the subject services lapse, causing unnecessary delays to mission requirements for VBA stakeholders. UAT is an integral part of the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) release cycle, and failure to adequately test new functionality in advance of a VBMS release will result in VBMS processing issues, negatively impacting VBA’s capability to file veteran claims and make proper payments.

Additionally, the bi-weekly VBMS release cycle does not allow for manual completion of UAT.

VBA relies heavily on the automation these services provide in order to meet that bi-weekly cadence. A disruption to services will result in VBA no longer being able to update features and/or functionality in accordance with that cadence.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(B): Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized;

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(C): In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order must not have been previously issued under sole source or limited source procedures.

For Brand Name only:

FAR 8.405-6(b): Items peculiar to one manufacturer. An item peculiar to one manufacturer can be a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

(5) Describe Why You Determined the Order Represents the Best Value consistent with FAR 8.404(d):

By placing an order against a schedule contract using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the Acquisition Directorate has concluded that the Task Order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the Government’s needs. The Government has requested price reductions for the subject Task Order in accordance with FAR 8.405-4.

When compared to the alternative of having a lapse in services, approval of this limited sources justification positions the Government to avoid delayed services to the Veteran population served by VBA. Performance risk is low, as the contractor’s Quality, Schedule, and Management evaluations on the most recently submitted Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) were “Exceptional.” The Program Office has “High Confidence” that the proposed contractor has the requisite technical qualifications to meet performance objectives.

(6) Describe the Market Research Conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research has been conducted pursuant to FAR Part 10 and VAAR 810.001-70. Limited Market research was accomplished for the proposed short-term Task Order as it has been identified that the Government requires continuity of services from the current incumbent until a long-term procurement is awarded. Market research included a review of the proposed contractor’s GSA schedule, SBA Certification and SAM Verification. The Acquisition Directorate is currently in possession of the requirements package for a long-term competitive procurement. Market research has been conducted and it has been identified that competitive procedures among FSS vendors on GSA MAS 54151S is appropriate to satisfy the requirements listed and provide the Government with best value.

(7) Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification:

The proposed short-term Task Order will be issued on a limited sources basis to maintain continuity of services. The current requirement is being actively solicited. After close of solicitation 36C10D24Q0096 on February 13, 2025, the Government’s requirements changed substantially. It has been determined to be in the best interest of the Government to cancel the solicitation and resolicit after review of the requirement.

(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:

The long-term requirement for these services is currently in re-procurement and is being competed. To overcome barriers in future acquisitions, the agency will work with the program office to ensure advanced acquisition planning is conducted for the subject services.

(9) 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.

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