P03 VEOCC Amendment to JA -HCA Signed REDACTED.pdf

Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center – Frederick (SAC-F)

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

AMENDMENT TO JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO FAR 6.103-2

For the Veterans Experience Office Contact Center Bridge Contract, 36C10X25C0002

This Amendment supplements the original J&A for Other Than Full and Open Competition executed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Strategic Acquisition Center-Frederick (SAC-F), for Bridge Contract No. 36C10X25C0002, dated January 29, 2025, with The Bowen Consulting Group, Inc, a small business.

(1) PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT

The purpose of this amendment is to extend the period of performance of Bridge Contract No.

36C10X25C0002 through August 5, 2026, and for up to six (6) months thereafter, as necessary to complete the competitive acquisition and transition following resolution of the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) pre-award protest, in accordance with FAR 6.103-2(c)(2).

(2) BACKGROUND

The Veterans Experience Office Contact Center (VEOCC) provides critical Tier 1 suicide prevention and crisis intervention services, operating 24/7 to support Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. The original bridge contract was awarded to prevent a lapse in services while a competitive procurement was conducted. On August 27, 2025, VA issued Solicitation No. 36C10X25R0032 as a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside. An agency-level protest was filed on October 26, 2025, and dismissed on December 9, 2025. Subsequently, a COFC protest was filed on December 29, 2025, which precludes award of the follow-on contract. Legal counsel has recommended extending the existing bridge contract to ensure continuity of services during the pendency of the protest.

While circumstances surrounding the follow-on procurement have changed due to the pending COFC protest, the underlying conditions necessitating uninterrupted VEOCC services remain unchanged. The scope of work and contract requirements also remain unchanged. This amendment does not alter the nature of the services being provided; it simply extends the period of performance to ensure continuity of these critical services during the protest resolution and transition period.

(3) IMPACT OF A LAPSE IN SERVICES

If this extension is not approved, VA will face an immediate lapse in mission-critical services provided by the VEOCC. The repercussions include:

Life-Safety Risks: Veterans in crisis, including those at risk of suicide, will lose access to Tier 1 crisis intervention and referral services. Even short delays could result in harm or loss of life.

Amendment to the J&A for the VEOCC

Bridge Contract No. 36C10X25C0002

Operational Disruption: VA medical centers, regional offices, and benefits processing units will be overwhelmed by redirected inquiries, causing delays in healthcare scheduling, benefits claims, and appeals.

Loss of Public Trust: A service lapse would severely damage confidence in VA’s ability to fulfill its statutory mission under 38 U.S.C. § 7301, eroding trust among Veterans and stakeholders.

Data Loss and Program Impact: The VEOCC collects critical feedback and operational data used to improve Veteran services and inform policy decisions. A disruption would halt these efforts, impairing VA’s ability to adapt and respond to emerging needs.

Increased Risk of Homelessness and Financial Hardship: Veterans depend on timely assistance for benefits and housing resources. Delays could lead to homelessness, financial instability, and worsening health conditions.

(4) PRICE OF THE EXTENSION

The contractor also understands the present challenges and has agreed to continue to work under the current established price and will not be proposing any changes for the life of the extension period. The current pricing is provided below:

Currently, has been obligated to date, Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs) 0004 and 0006 have not been exercised. The cost of the initial six-month extension (including optional CLINs) is . The cost for the six-month extension thereafter (including optional CLINs) is . As a result, the total obligated value will increase by

. The total contract value will increase by $31,134,666.52 from $30,169,150.04 to $61,303,816.56. Fiscal Year 2026 funding has been provided via .

The extension uses the same established pricing structure as the current contract, which was previously determined fair and reasonable through comparison to the Independent Government

Bridge Contract No. 36C10X25C0002

Cost Estimate and historical pricing data. The contractor has agreed to maintain current rates for the entire extension period, despite inflationary pressures and market volatility, which benefits the Government. The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government for the services is fair and reasonable

(5) STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This amendment is issued under the authority of 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(2), as implemented by FAR 6.103-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency. The urgency arises from the pending COFC protest and the need to prevent a lapse in mission-critical services.

(6) DETERMINATION AND RECOMMENDATION

Based on the facts presented, it is determined that extending Bridge Contract No.

36C10X25C0002 through August 5, 2026, and for up to six (6) months thereafter, is justified under FAR 6.103-2. This extension represents the minimum period necessary to ensure continuity of services pending resolution of the COFC protest and transition to a follow-on contract. This action is in the best interest of the Government.

The Government will publicly post this justification in accordance with 6.301(b)(1) “The justification shall be posted within 30 days after contract award” as required by 41 U.S.C. § 3304(f). Although this justification will be made publicly available, the VA will not post a notice of proposed contract action required by FAR Subpart 5.101 to SAM.gov in accordance with the posting exception found at FAR Subpart 5.101(b)(2).

SIGNATURES

Contracting officer certification that the amended justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer ’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this amended justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Bridge Contract No. 36C10X25C0002

Approval

Based on the foregoing amended justification, I hereby approve this extension on an “Unusual and compelling urgency” basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited by paragraph five above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for extension. As this action does not exceed $90M, the certification below required by FAR 6.104-2 serves as approval.