QAQC_JA_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity

This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC), on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Enterprise Supply Chain Modernization Office (ESCMO).

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This activity proposes to negotiate a non-competitive (sole source), firm fixed price award to Woodside Quality, LLC (Woodside), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), to provide Senior Level Quality Assurance and Quality Control for the ongoing Supply Chain Modernization efforts.

(3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This requirement is for Contractor services related to program and project management, business process reengineering, business process improvement, business process management, and governance and transition, strategic planning and communications, and executive support in a complex, large, integrated healthcare environment.

The Contractor shall provide Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), an extension of program management and system engineering that employs a rigorous methodology to identify objective data and conclusions to provide feedback about quality, performance, and schedule to stakeholders. QA/QC is performed in parallel with all life cycle stages, not at their conclusion. In the context of this plan the term “life cycle” is used in reference to the evolution of a system, product, service, project or other human-made entity from conception through retirement.

As the VA continues to develop a department-wide plan for an Enterprise-wide Supply Chain, the Contractor will develop a parallel QA/QC roadmap to assess deliveries on these priorities. The plan and QA/QC roadmap include five tiers that build upon past efforts and will solidify the foundation for a VA which anticipates and meets the needs of Veterans, our employees, and anyone who depends on us.

The VA is undertaking a top-to-bottom supply transformation effort which requires extensive VA specific knowledge along with expert standards-based industry supply chain knowledge and experience. The Contractor will provide QA/QC services against all major elements of planning and execution directed by the Enterprise Supply Chain

Modernization Office (ESCMO), beginning with ESCMO Strategic Planning and continuing with ECSMO Acquisition Planning and Operational Plans. QA/QC services will evaluate and inspect the effectiveness of linked metrics to help genuinely quantify and track progress toward the goals and objectives in planning.

The total estimated value of the proposed action is $4,995,142.52.

The anticipated period of performance for the contract is 12 months.

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.§ 253(c)(5) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-5 entitled, “Authorized or required by statute”. The applicable statute is Public Law 109- 461: “Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006” specifically, the “Veterans First Contracting Program” outlined in 38 USC § 8127(c).

(5) A demonstration that the proposed Contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The proposed source for this acquisition is a certified SDVOSB, who is technically qualified to meet all requirements, and have performed successfully on other contracts for similar services.

VAAR 819.7007 states explicitly, “A determination that only one SDVOSB can meet the requirement is not required,” and that using this authority, the following must be verified:

(1) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will not exceed $5 million.

The estimated total contract value is $4,995,142.52.

(2) The justification prepared pursuant to FAR 6.302-5(c)(2)(ii) is posted in accordance with FAR subpart 5.301(d).

This J&A will be posted on SAM.gov.

(3) The SDVOSB concern has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance.

Woodside is a registered and verified SDVOSB. The proposed action meets all three requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). Woodside is verified by SBA as owned and controlled by a Veteran. Woodside possesses the capability to provide the required services and has successfully provided services to VA that are the same as the required services, and are familiar with current policies, processes, and procedures. Woodside is determined to be a responsible source with the required knowledge, capabilities, and expertise.

(4) In the estimation of the Contracting Officer, contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the Government. Historical prices along with market research for similar services will assist with making a fair and reasonable price determination prior to award.

(5) The Contracting Officer has determined that the use of this authority is in the best interest of the Government based upon the fact that Woodside is an SDVOSB that possesses experience working successfully on contracts similar in nature.

(6) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

In accordance with VAAR 819.7007(b), the determination to make a sole source award to an SDVOSB is a business decision wholly within the discretion of the Contracting Officer; therefore, the requirement to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable is not applicable to this procurement.

In addition, VAAR 819.7007(c) further authorizes the Contracting Officer to make the award without first determining that only one SDVOSB source can meet the requirement.

A notice of the proposed action will be synopsized via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) in accordance with FAR Section 5.201, and the agency will make publicly available the justification required by FAR 6.305(a) within 14 days after contract award.

(7) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. This determination will be based on a comparison of current contract pricing, an Independent Government Cost Estimate, past proposal submissions (if available), and other information as made available.

(8) A description of the market research conducted (see part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted and Woodside has successfully supported VA in similar efforts and has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. They are registered and verified in veterans.certify.sba.gov as an SDVOSB with the NAICS 541611 – Administrative Management and General

Management Consulting Service, which is the NAICS for this requirement and in accordance with Public Law 109-461, Section 502(c) meets the requirements of this statute to allow a sole source to a SDVOSB. In addition, the Contracting Officer reviewed their SBA certification verifying that they are an SDVOSB as well as their Representations and Certifications under this NAICS code in the System for Award Management.

In addition, the Federal Awardee Performance, and Integrity Information System was reviewed and shows no reports for Woodside that would indicate defective pricing, instances of Contractor fault or recipient not-qualified, terminations for cause, default, or material failure to comply, or non-responsibility.

(9) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The Contracting Officer has determined that this proposed action meets all the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). This acquisition is below the $5,000,000.00 threshold, Woodside is a responsible SDVOSB for performance of the services described herein, and the proposed contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price.

(10) A listing of the sources, if any, 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 any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis. We have limited the period of performance to one year and intend to perform additional market research to competitively resolicit.

(12) Technical and Requirements Certification:

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

Program Manager

Contracting Officer Certification:

Pursuant to FAR 6.303-2(a)(12), I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center-Frederick (SAC-F)

Competition Advocate Approval

In my role as Contracting Activity Competition Advocate, based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve this acquisition on an “other than full and open competition” basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited in paragraph four above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. As this action does not exceed $15M, the certification below required by FAR 6.304 serves as approval.

Director/Competition Advocate Strategic Acquisition Center – Frederick (SAC-F)