P03 SS JA Pkg 36C256-26-AP-1554 Nursing 3mo Bridge HCA SIGNED-NOLA-Kovarovic.pdf

12/17/2025

Reuben Zepeda

Digitally signed by Reuben Zepeda Date: 2025.12.17 07:56:24 -06'00'

VHAMINBergD2 Typewritten Text 12/18/2025

Attachment 2: Market Research and Acquisition Planning Report Template

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 1 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

Title of Program/Project/Requirement: Sole Source Bridge Nurse Contract 1 January 2026 31 March 2026

PART I

I. Authority.

Market research and acquisition planning are required in accordance with:

FAR 7.102, Acquisition Planning Policy FAR 7.103(u)(1) and (2), Agency-Head Responsibilities FAR 10.001, Market Research Policy VAAR 810.001-70 (Class Deviation), Market Research VAAM M810, Market Research VAAR 813.003-70(c), Policy (Class Deviation) FAR 19.202-2, Locating Small Business Sources and VAAR 819.202 (Class

Deviation) FAR 25, Foreign Acquisition

II. Procurement Information.

A. Procurement History.

A new 5-Year follow-on Contract was ready for award on 10 November 2025. A protest was filed on the award decision on 21 November 2025 on protest file number B-424107.1. The GAO protest halts the acquisition process until a decision is made. Since the current bridge contract number 36C25625D0055 expires on 31 December 2025 there is not enough time to get the new contract in place and have enough time for credentialing. The sole source short-term 3-month contract from 1 January 2026 31 March 2026 will be necessary to avoid a gap in service.

1. Was the requirement previously procured? Yes. The current contractor is

Solvet Services and is a certified SDVOB.

2. Is this a follow-on acquisition? Yes. There are no known changes in the marketplace since previous procurement(s)

3. Is this a bundled requirement, as defined in FAR 2.101? If so, consult FAR

10.001(c). No

4. Are there any applicable Organizational Conflicts of Interest? None Known.

B. Procurement Background.

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119.

Rodney Singleton 504-875-9482 / Marvelle Williams 504-495-7823

Name Title Office Telephone E-mail Address Rodney Singleton

Program Analyst

Nursing Education

504-507- 7565 Rodney.singleton@va.gov

Marvelle Williams

Associate Nurse Executive, Operations

SLVHCS 504-495-

7823 Marvelle.williams@va.gov

Type of acquisition (service). This requirement can be met through performance-based services contracting.

Expected dollar value of requirement including option years: $ , Suggested NAICS code(s) 561320 Time frame in which the market research was conducted: March 2025

III. Initial Requirements o Services or Performance required:

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) in New Orleans, LA has a sole source requirement for Nursing Services to eligible beneficiaries. The contractor shall provide an estimated 25 Registered Nurses (RNs) for Med Surg/CLC/Wound Care, estimated 15 RNs for Dialysis, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Perioperative Care Unit (PCU)/Post Operative Care Unit (PACU), Emergency Department (ED), estimated 4 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) for CLC and Wound Care, estimated 18 Certified nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Med-Surg, ICU, CLC, especially weekend, holiday, evening, and night hours.

Solvet Services, LLC, a certified SDVOSB, is the only firm capable of providing the nurse services described in Section III above in an immediate fashion without the requirements as nurses are already credentialed.

Describe schedule requirements, e.g., performance periods and/or delivery due dates.

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24

1 January 2026 31 March 2026

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 3 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

This will be a short-term sole source requirement for 3 months of service without options. The 52.217-8 will be incorporated for additional time if necessary.

Discuss any cost effectiveness issues associated with the requirements:

N/A.

IV. Participants in Market and Acquisition Planning Research

Describe the involvement of the individual Acquisition Team members and any other participants in the market research effort.

NAME TITLE OFFICE TELEPHONE E-MAIL ADDRESS MARKET

RESEARCH

ROLE

Thomas M.

Kovarovic

Contracting Officer

(CO)

NCO 16 850-226-

Thomas.kovarovic@va.gov CO

V. Market Research Techniques and Sources

A. Market Research Techniques Describe techniques and sources used during market research. The following table may help structure and summarize the techniques used in the market research effort.

Minimal market research was conducted as this action only has a period of performance of three months to prevent a break in service. The main 5-year Contract is ready for award once the GAO makes its decision on the way forward in response to the protest.

Check X

IF USED

SOURCES USED IN MARKET RESEARCH DETAILS OF

RESEARCH/COMMENTS

RESEARCH SOURCES

(INCLUDE REFERENCES TO

ATTACHMENTS TO REPORT)

(e.g., List of Journals and Literature Reviewed included as Attachment 4 to this report)

Acquisition history reviewed

Other recent market research reviewed N/A

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 4 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) (including any information supporting price reasonableness)

Solvet Services is a certified SDVOSB, and their tentative quote was less that the IGCE and less than the current task order that expires 31 December 2025.

Interviewed knowledgeable individuals in industry/Government

Reached out to Jared Sere at Solvet Services and they are willing to continue to provide the services.

Participated/Attended Tradeshows and Industry Conferences

N/A

Professional Journals, Catalog and/or Product Literature reviewed

Participated in Small Business Vendor Outreach Sessions N/A

B. Market Research Sources. In accordance with FAR Part 10 and VAAR Part 810, market research has been conducted for this acquisition. The following additional collaborative Contracting Officer-led techniques were used:

SOURCES REVIEWED

(IAW FAR 8.002, VAAR 808.002, FAR 8.003, FAR 8.004, and

VAAR 808.004-70)

MARKET RESEARCH FOR SUPPLIES

Insert X if Check ed

Details of Research/Com ments (Include N/A if not applicable)

MANDATORY GOVERNMENT SOURCES

IN PRIORITY ORDER

See VAAR 808.002 for further guidance on other mandatory

Government sources

(Include References to

Report Attachments)

1. VA Inventories including the VA supply stock program (41 CFR 101-26.704) and VA excess.

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 5 of 13 Revision: 04

2. Excess from other agencies (See FAR subpart 8.1)

3. Federal Prison Industries (FPI) (See VAAR 808.603 Purchase Priorities)

4. Supplies from Ability One - (AbilityOne Program) (FAR 8.002)

5. Wholesale Supply Sources (GSA website:

https://www.gsaglobalsupply.gsa.gov/advantage/main/start_p age.do?store=FSS)

See VAAR 808.002 for further guidance on other mandatory Government sources

Insert X if Checked

VETERANS FIRST CONTRACTING PROGRAM

(VAAR subpart 819.70)

REFERENCES/SOURCES CHECKED

(IDENTIFYING VetCert CERTIFIED

SDVOSBs/VOSBs)

Details of Research/Comments (Include References to Report Attachments)

U.S. Small Business Administration, Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert)

The Veteran Certification search was conducted on 4 December 2025 and Solvet is a certified SDVOSB under NAICS Code 561320.

VetSearch attached.

System for Award Management (SAM) search for entity records at: SAM.gov | Search

A Feddata check was conducted on 4 December 2025 and Solvet does not have any exclusions, have not been debarred, and are SDVOSB under

NAICS 561320. CRA

Attached.

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 6 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

Check X if Part of Research

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION OF

VA EXISTING CONTRACTS

1. See VA PPM (2016-05)(Revised AUG 2019) - Implementation of the Veterans First Contracting Program (VIEWS 01368239) concerning consideration of existing VA contracts and VA strategic sourcing regarding supplies in FSC Groups 65 and 66.

2. Other VA Existing Contracts (non-mandatory but their potential availability, scope, contract type, etc., should be documented in the market research report)

Check X if Part of Research

CONSIDERATION OF NON-VA EXISTING

CONTRACTS

Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiatives or OMB

Category Management contracts/sources

(Non-Mandatory except where OMB or Agency policy states otherwise)

1. Non-mandatory Federal Supply Schedules

(non-VA) (See FAR 8.004(a)(1) and VAAR 808.004-70, Use of non-mandatory sources by VA (Class Deviation).

Use of Other Sources Commercial sources (includes educational and non-profit institutions) in the open market. This is permissible IAW FAR 8.004 and VAAR 808.004-70.

Check X if Part of Research

Sources for services to consider, as applicable and as required

Details of Research/Comments (Include References to Report Attachments)

MARKET RESEARCH FOR SERVICES

1. Services that are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled (AbilityOne) (See FAR subpart 8.7)

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 7 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

See VAAR 808.002, Priorities for use of mandatory Government sources, paragraph (a)(2) pertaining to Services.

2. Services: Federal Prison Industries (See FAR subpart 8.6) UNICOR Home Page (Except if two or more SDVOSB or VOSB are identified, see

VAAR 808.603)

3. Also see--VA Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) in FSC Group 62I.

4. And see--mandatory sources reviewed, if applicable, for:

4a. Public Utility Services (see FAR part 41);

4b. Printing & Related Supplies (see FAR subpart 8.8);

4c. Leased Motor Vehicles (see FAR subpart 8.11);

N/A

5. Services: Commercial sources (includes educational and non-profit institutions) in the open market.

VETERANS FIRST CONTRACTING PROGRAM

(VAAR subpart 819.70) REFERENCES/SOURCES

CHECKED

Sources Sought Notices: Requests for Information (RFI) SAM.gov | Contract Opportunities entity records at: SAM.gov | Home

OTHER REFERENCES/SOURCES CHECKED

(Other ways to conduct or confirm market research)

Sources Sought Notices: Requests for Information (RFI) SAM.gov | Contract Opportunities

Pre-solicitation and/or Pre-Proposal Conferences

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 8 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

Existing intra-/inter-agency contract vehicles, e.g.

Interagency Contract Directory (ICD) at:

https://www.contractdirectory.gov/contractdirectory entity records at: SAM.gov | Search

SBA Dynamic Small Business Database at: SBA - Dynamic Small Business Search

N/A

Department of Labor (DoL) Service Contract Labor Standards (Service Contract Act (SCA)) and Wage Rate Requirements (Davis-Bacon Act (DBA)) wage determination information online at: SAM.gov | Wage Determinations (SERVICES ONLY)

VI. Identify Product/Services and Sources Able to Meet the Requirement Identify or describe:

o Product/Service, include any brand name product information o Product/Service characteristics and/or capabilities o Company information (e.g., name, POCs, address, telephone number, e-mail address, website) o Company characteristics, past performance, and business size category o If sole source, describe efforts to locate additional sources

Business Category Name of Potential Source(s)/Other POC

Information VetCert certified Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)

-Solvet Services, LLC/UEI WWX8RCMUFVA3/jsere@solvet.com

VetCert certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Economically Disadvantaged Woman- Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

HUBZone Small Business Section 8(a) small business Small/disadvantaged business (SDB) Small business Large Business

VII. Description of the Commercial Marketplace and Prevalent Business Practices

The marketplace for licensed and unlicensed medical staff has become extremely competitive for both temporary and permanent positions. Due to budgetary constraints and current hiring practices, increased overtime coupled with

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 9 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________ exhaustion and burnout has reduced the available workforce. This has driven up

Identify availability of commercial or non-developmental items that satisfy requirements (value or shortcomings of each) and sub-components State Nonmanufacturer Rule (NMR) Findings

(if the acquisition is for manufactured products or other supplies) (See the Nonmanufacturer Rule Decision Tree to assist with this determination): Identify standard/customary terms and conditions and industry business practices that differ from the standard Government practices (include information on payment, freight delivery, acceptance, and warranties) N/A

Discuss if contract financing is applicable. If so, ensure compliance with FAR 32.202-3, Conducting Market Research About Financing Terms N/A

Discuss any regulations unique to the requirement, if known N/A

VIII. Pricing and Market Issues

Identify price sources (e.g., market price, catalog, GSA, etc.), price ranges, and price variations: Solvet Services has a GSA Schedule and the pricing provided is below their ceiling GSA Schedule prices which have already been determined fair and reasonable by a contracting officer.

Describe market trends for product or service, e.g., technical, business, and pricing: Market trends have indicated that pricing have been leveling out, and in many cases, are decreasing since COVID from 2020 2023.

IX. Other Considerations

Identify other considerations gathered from market research, e.g., opportunities for small business participation: Solvet Services is a certified SDVOSB contractor.

Discuss *evaluations and/or qualifying factors, including such issues as past performance, references, product testing or evaluation, customer satisfaction, warranties, and quality problems. *For any "Best Value" procurement, indicate the factors to be used for evaluation. When soliciting quotations or offers, COs are required to notify potential quoters or offerors of the basis on which award will be made (price alone or price and other factors, e.g., past performance and quality).

This will be a sole source direct award.

Describe consideration of green (sustainable products and services) https://sftool.gov/greenprocurement and and Vehicles. Include discussion of energy efficiency standards of market products, if applicable N/A

Discuss consideration to Buy American Statute. Determine if the Buy American, Trade Agreement or an Exception to Buy American apply by using the Buy American Decision Tool Clause and Provision Selection (FAR Part 25). Are there domestic end products available for this acquisition? N/A

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 10 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

Discuss compliance with the VA FITARA Acquisition Compliance SOP N/A

X. Market Analysis Summary

Provide market research conclusions and recommendations commercial item/service, if market research so warrants cannot be satisfied with a commercial item/service Provide supporting documents, as appropriate

XI. DETERMINATION: Based on the market research conducted above, it is in the best interest of the Government to award the sole source requirement to Solvet Services who is a certified SDVOSB Contractor that has nurses credentialed and in place to continue services immediately.

PART II

I. Background. The codes identified below will be used when advertising this requirement, if applicable.

Title: Sole Source Nurses for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) in New Orleans, LA.

Product or Service Code Q401

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 561320

Estimated Contract Value (including options): $2,637,181.80

Procurement History. See information provided in Part I above.

II. Market Research

1. Techniques Used in Conducting Market Research: Contacted Solvet Services and they were willing to continue services for an additional 3 months and they provided pricing for the Registered Nurses that were fair and reasonable.

2. Results of Market Research:

Solvet Services, LLC is a VetCert-certified SDVOSB that is capable of providing the services to ensure that there will be no gap in service while the long-term 5-year

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 11 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________ contract is awarded after the GAO makes its final decision in response to the protest.

Additional sources were not sought at this time because the time involved with credentialing new nurses would cause a potential gap in services as Solvet already has nurses in place and credentialed.

III. Consideration of Small Business Opportunities

All acquisitions for supplies and services with an anticipated value above the micro-purchase up to and including the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT); these thresholds (see FAR 2.101 definitions) are reserved exclusively for small businesses and shall be set aside (FAR 19.502-2(a)). If the anticipated acquisition value exceeds the SAT, the requirement must be set aside for Small Businesses if (1) there is a reasonable expectation of receipt of offers from two or more responsible Small Businesses, and (2) award will be made at a fair market price (FAR 19.502-2(b)).

VAAR 819.7005: Contracting officers shall consider, in the following order of priority, contracting preferences that ensure contracts will be awarded

- To SDVOSBs

- To VOSB, including but not limited to SDVOSBs,

- To small business concerns using the priorities and preferences in VAAR

819.203-70 and VAAR subpart 819.70

Note: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 created parity among small business socioeconomic contracting programs. As a result of this amendment to the Small Business Act, there is no order of precedence among the 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB programs in FAR (see VAAR 819.203).

38 U.S.C. 8127 (i) Priority for Contracting Preferences. Provides that preferences for awarding contracts to small business concerns shall be applied in the following order of priority: (1) SDVSOBs, followed by (2) VOSBs, including SDVOSBs, then (3) 8(a) and HUBZone firms and (4) any other small business. The order of priority was established in 2006 by Public Law 109-461, as per the policy in the Small Business Act at that time. Since then, as a result of legislative amendments to the Small Business Act, the FAR has been amended to create a woman-owned small business set-aside and to provide parity among the various small business socio-economic programs. Therefore, VA has adopted the current parity policy in FAR 19.203 for procurements involving other than SDVOSBs/VOSBs.

Based on above Market Research, identify each Small Business (including its eligibility for specific socioeconomic category status) capable of performing or providing the requirement. Discuss and explain the potential for Small Business participation in this acquisition.

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 12 of 13 Revision: 04

-Solvet Services, LLC/UEI WWX8RCMUFVA3 is a verified SDVOSB contractor that is capable of providing the nursing services at a fair and reasonable price.

IV. Conclusions and Recommendations

A. Query of the Vendor Information Pages (VetCert) Database at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ resulted in:

Total of __1____ small business concerns in each of the individual socio-economic group in NAICS 561320:

SDVOSB 1

VOSB

Identify the number and types of small businesses contacted.

Identify which if any of the small business has the necessary technical capability.

B. Query of the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) tool, resulted in:

Total of ______ small business concerns in each of the individual socio-economic group:

SDVOSB

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) 8(a) HUBZone

SB

Identify the number and types of small businesses contacted.

Identify which if any of the small business has the necessary technical capability.

C. For acquisitions above the SAT, describe considerations for a set-aside or sole source award under the following small business program set-asides:

SDVOSB

VHAPG Part 810.001 Market Research Page 13 of 13 Revision: 04 Effective Date: 10/01/24 Acquisition ID#: __________________

WOSB

8(a) HUBZone

Identify the number and types of small businesses contacted.

Identify which if any of the small business has the necessary technical capability.

D. When a total small business set-aside seems appropriate, describe why a set-aside is not appropriate for:

Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or

WOSB

8(a) HUBZone

This sole source requirement will be awarded to Solvet Services, LLC which is a verified SDVOSB Contractor

IV. PROPOSED PROCUREMENT METHOD

Based upon the market research conducted and the resulting analysis, and after reviewing VetCert database to identify certified and capable SDVOSBs and VOSBs, the data supports setting aside the procurement to Solvet Services, LLC which is a SDVOSB contractor as a sole source contract. This recommendation will be provided in the formal acquisition plan or will stand alone as the sole acquisition strategy document for small business determination for informal acquisition planning. This market research information is not more than 18 months old.

Name: _______________________________ Date: __________________ Contracting Specialist

12/4/2025

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