REDACTED Limited Sources Justification.pdf

CONTROL NUMBER VA-27-00004994

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics

Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for a 12-month firm-fixed price (FFP) task order, with an option for an additional 12-month period, for continued support and preventative maintenance for existing Computrols Building Automation Systems (BAS) at the Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC). This proposed effort is being conducted under the authority of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program; the proposed effort will be awarded under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 47QSHA21D000R to Ameresco Federal Solutions, Inc., (Ameresco) 111 Speen Street, STE 410, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701-2090.

3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The proposed action is to provide for the continuation of the support and preventative maintenance program for the existing Computrols BAS at the Charles George VAMC. The facility requires a Computrols-authorized Subject Matter Expert that services the Charles George VAMC area. The Computrols BAS controls the Critical Chillers, Central plant, heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC), air handling system, and Variable Air Volume (VAV). The contractor will have to assess the system and make necessary modifications to the system to continue to return it to a stand-alone system located on-site. The contractor will continue to address system inefficiencies and potential malfunctions. The services provided will diagnose, troubleshoot, and provide service calls when needed. The BAS controllers at Charles George VAMC are primarily by Computrols. The brand names under Computrols include Cylon and American AutoMatrix. The contractor will ensure new systems are being coordinated with existing systems with the continuation of moving towards an open, non-proprietary system for Tridium Niagara and allow for competitive vendors to compete on services, products, and value. The period of performance shall be a base period of 12 months with one 12-month option period. The total estimated value of the proposed action is , inclusive of the option period, if exercised.

4. Authority: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the MAS Program. The specific authority providing for a limited source award is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.401(b) and General Services Acquisition Manual/Regulation (GSAM/R) 538.7104-3(b)(1)(ii), “Only one source is capable of providing the products, services, or solution required at the level of quality required because the products, services, or solutions are unique or highly specialized”.

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The proposed source is Ameresco which is the only Computrols-authorized vendor servicing the Charles George VAMC area. The original campus and buildings are controlled primarily by Computrols direct digital controllers. Ameresco is the only Computrols-authorized

Servicing Computrols Building Automation Systems CONTROL NUMBER: VA-27-00004994 vendor that has the capability to change programming and firmware updates to stabilize the servers and equipment controllers. The Computrols BAS controls the Charles George VAMC critical infrastructure stated above in Section 3. This proposed action will enable the facility to continue to maintain the reliability and efficiency of its BAS’, its critical infrastructure, reducing operational disruptions and ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff. The loss of Computrols BAS service and communication to the Energy Center, boiler operators and HVAC technicians would create a danger to Veteran’s care. The Computrols BAS serves all mechanical equipment including, but not limited to, boilers, chillers, air handling units, VAVs, and fan coil units that are dependent on temperature, humidity, and pressure controls for both air and water. It would take extensive time to diagnose and repairs issues if not monitored, and the critical infrastructure that serves critical patient areas and Veterans.

For example, the potential loss of use of critical areas, such as surgery or patient rooms because the required controls on temperature, pressure, and/or humidity could have gone out of range, would negatively impact hospital operation, care givers, patients and Veterans. Updating and/or maintaining the Computrols’ software and or hardware can only be authorized by a Computrols’ distributor and an authorized vendor that is certified in Computrols Engineering. Many existing controllers are proprietary in software and hardware, exclusive to Computrols. Ameresco also has a Charlotte, NC office and is able to respond within reasonable times of four hours onsite. Computrols has different distributors for different regions of the of the United States to which Ameresco is closest and with the next closest on the Computrols distribution website at greater than 150 miles from the Charles George VAMC area. A response time greater than four hours will negatively impact patient services for the Charles George VAMC which is a critical facility.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in Section 8 of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition.

In accordance with GSAM/R 538.7104-3(b)(3)(i), the justification will be made publicly available on the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website within 14 days of award.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future actions to be competed, Additionally, the Charles George VAMC is currently moving all controllers to Tridium Niagara, where this is the dominant service carrier within North Carolina and has at least 3 vendors within a 150-mile radius of the Charles George

VAMC.

8. Market Research: The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of Computrols controls the distribution area so that Computrols-authorized vendors do not compete within the same geographical territory. Ameresco is identified as the only Computrols-authorized vendor within the 150-mile radius of the Charles George VAMC. Since the Computrols OEM controls the distribution/servicing area so that Computrols-authorized vendors do not compete within the same territory, then obtaining additional market research would not identify additional Computrols-authorized vendors for the distribution/servicing area. Ameresco was identified as the Computrols-authorized vendor that can continue to provide the needed support and preventative maintenance of the Computrols BAS at Charles George VAMC.

On September 01, 2026, the Contract Specialist posted RFI1834378 on GSA MAS under Category 561210FAC Facilities Maintenance and Management seeking qualified vendors capable of meeting the stated requirements to provide support and preventative maintenance for the existing Computrols BAS at Charles George VAMC.

Responses were due September 08, 2026. In addition, on September 01, 2026, the Contract Specialist posted the same notice on the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities domain website as Notice ID 36C10B26Q0808 with the same date for responses. In total, six responses were received; three from small businesses, one from a Woman- Owned Small Business, and two from large businesses – one of the large businesses that responded was Ameresco. Of the six responses that were received, the technical analysis of the six response showed that only the response from Ameresco was determined to be capable.

9. Other Facts: Ameresco was awarded Task Order 36C10B25F0223 against their GSA MAS Contract 47QSHA21D000R effective September 05, 2025 on an emergency basis to overcome the intentional roadblocks that the previous Computrols-authorized vendor

– Automation Systems, Inc. – had put in place and who then abruptly walked off the job site leaving the Charles George VAMC without support endangering the safety and health of all Veterans and VA personnel at Charles George VAMC.

Technical/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.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Best Value Determination

I hereby determine that the proposed contract action will represent the best value to the Government consistent with FAR 8.401 and GSAM/R 538.71. GSA has already determined that the prices on the MAS contract are fair and reasonable. Further price analysis will be performed by comparing the quote to the Independent Government Cost Estimate. Additionally, price discounts will be sought.

Contracting Officer Certification/Approval

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. This contract action exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, but does not exceed $900,000, therefore, the certification required by FAR 8.401 and GSAM/R

538.71 serves as the Contracting Officer’s approval