P03 LSJ VISN CODING 36C244-22-AP-3916-TAC SC REDACTREV_Redacted.pdf

36C244-22-AP-3916 | VISN04 MEDICAL CODING

The work called for in this proposed order is a logical follow-on to the incumbent contractor’s existing FSS order 36C24420F0548, which was competitively awarded resulting from FSS-RFQ 36C24420Q0739 on 08/11/2020. Order 36C24420F0548 includes a one-year base performance period and four one-year option periods that reflected the program office’s best estimate of services required. The order is currently in option period one.

VISN04 requires contracted medical coding services to supplement the in-house capabilities of full-time VA coding staff. Fluctuations in VA staffing levels and medical care provided make accurately estimating actual work required from the contractor difficult, especially given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical center operations.

Fluctuations in staffing and medical care have caused the actual need to significantly exceed the quantities included in order 36C24420F0548. As such, the contracting officer proposes to award a one-year follow-on order to include the increased work in lieu of exercising option period two.

The proposed follow-on order will ensure continuity of these critical services as the incumbent contractor staff is familiar with the VISN04 workflow and has the necessary security clearances and system access to perform the work required. The one-year performance period of the proposed follow-on will allow sufficient time to conduct a competitive procurement for subsequent services required, and to complete the security clearance and access processes if a new contractor wins the award.

(5) Describe Why You Believe the Order Represents the Best Value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) to aid the contracting officer in making this best value determination:

The proposed follow-on is necessary because the government’s need for the required services has significantly exceeded the quantities included in the competitively awarded order. The incumbent contractor’s quote in response to 36C24420Q0739 represented the best value, and the incumbent contractor has performed successfully on the order. Additionally, the incumbent contractor’s capability to ensure continuity of services with onboarded staff possessing the required clearances and system access represents significant value to the government.

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

Because awarding a one-year follow-on order to the incumbent contractor provides the most advantageous means of satisfying the government’s requirement, market research was limited to verifying performance period of the incumbent’s FSS contract, and the incumbent’s current Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business status in the VA Vendor Information Pages (VIP). The performance period of the incumbent’s FSS contract covers the proposed follow-on order, and their SDVOSB certification in VIP is current.