P03_Sole Source Justification 631-22-704_executed.pdf

Request for SDVOSB/VOSB Sole Source Justification Format IAW VAAR 819.7008/9

VHAPG Part 819.7008/7009 Sole Source Awards to SDVOSB/VOSB Page 1 of 3

Revision: 03

Effective Date: 06/15/2024

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A)

For

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-24-AP-5099

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 01, Edward P. Boland VAMC, Central

Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, 421 N Main Street, Leeds, MA 01053

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: This is a new requirement to install conduit, cabling and access points (AP’s) to complete the ongoing EHRM NextGen WiFi project.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: Provide and install conduit, including junction boxes, pull cords, joint sealant and fire stopping, throughout the Medical

Center to support the EHRM NextGen WiFi installation on the Northampton VA campus. Existing conduit paths between floors/IT rooms will not have the capacity for more cable. New conduit paths will need to be created. Install new Cat6A Cables and patch cables and AP’s. New AP’s will be provided by the Government. Cabling shall be connected to APs and run back to wiring closets as specified in the contract documents. Seal and waterproof openings between floors. Firestop any fire wall penetrations.

IGCE: $247,267.23

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). COs may use the non-competitive (sole source) procedures authorized in VAAR 819.7008 (DEVIATION) or VAAR 819.7009 (DEVIATION) up to $5,000,000. Check the specific VAAR clause used below:

( X ) 819.7008 Sole source awards to a certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business;

or

( ) 819.7009 Sole source awards to a certified veteran-owned small business

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications and/or Nature of the Acquisition

Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Authority allows sole source awards to SDVOSB/VOSBs based on 38 U.S.C. 8127(c) given the SDVOSB/VOSB concern has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. Richard Group is a certified SDVOSB in SBA’s VetCert and has no active exclusions. Richard Group has been awarded multiple projects at the Edward P. Boland VAMC, Central Western Massachusetts

Healthcare System with satisfactory or better CPARS ratings. Richard Group has been awarded 631-

21-700 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrade project, which is currently ongoing on campus. Richard’s

Group’s knowledge of the campus has aided in this project, and they have been able to execute on a timely basis. The scope of this project is similar to EHRM, rewiring APs to new IT closets. Awarding this contract to Richard Group will allow for coordination and planning for wiring and IT closet moves throughout the contract.

https://www.va.gov/oal/docs/business/pps/deviationVaar20230216.pdf https://www.va.gov/oal/docs/business/pps/deviationVaar20230216.pdf

VHAPG Part 819.7008/7009 Sole Source Awards to SDVOSB/VOSB Page 2 of 3

Effective Date: 06/15/2024

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR

Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies:

In accordance with VAAR 819.7008(b), “The contracting officer's determination to make a sole source award is a business decision wholly within the discretion of the contracting officer. To ensure that opportunities are available to the broadest number of SDVOSBs, this authority is to be used only when in the best interest of the Government.” It is in the best interest of the government to use other than full and open competition to avoid unnecessary delays and increase costs, as

Richard Group is already mobilized onsite and conducting similar work. Consideration will be used on future projects to ensure that opportunities are available to the broadest number of

SDVOSBs.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and

Reasonable: The anticipated price will be considered fair and reasonable. Richard Group is familiar with the campus and has a history of fair and reasonable pricing on past projects. The final contract price will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b).

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

Market Research Was Not Conducted: In accordance with VAAR 819.7008(b) it is the contracting officer's determination to make a sole source award to a certified SDVOSB when in the best interest of the Government. The contracting officer searched the SBA’s VetCert database to ensure Richard

Group was a certified SDVOSB to be eligible for award under this authority. An intent to sole source is not required for J&As for Sole Source exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: None

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

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:

Authority allows sole source awards to SDVOSB/VOSBs based on 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). In accordance with VAAR 819.7008(b) it is the contracting officer's determination to make a sole source award to a certified SDVOSB when in the best interest of the Government. Utilization of this authority to sole source awards to SDVOSB/VOSBs will be used only sparingly. For all future efforts, the CO will ensure all attempts to solicit competition from SDVOSB/VOSBs are made prior to leveraging this authority.

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.

Kaitlyn Fanning Date

Construction Control Representative https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_Subpart_5_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_5_202

VHAPG Part 819.7008/7009 Sole Source Awards to SDVOSB/VOSB Page 3 of 3

Effective Date: 06/15/2024

Edward P. Boland 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.

Chelsea Rodrigue Date

Contracting Officer

NCO 01

VAMC Central Western Massachusetts https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAProcurement/VHAPM/VHAPM_Part_806.3.aspx