S02. JA FAR 13.5 Sole Source pCare IPTV System Fargo VA_signed_Redacted.pdf

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 1 of 3 Revision: 02 Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-1250

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL

ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C263-26-AP-1250

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, 1303 5th St.

Suite 300, Coralville, IA 52241.

Organizational Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Fargo VA Health Care System, 2101 Elm Street N. Fargo ND 58102.

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

The procurement is a follow-on contract to continue services, support and licensing for the pCare Interactive Patient Care System currently being used at the Fargo VA Healthcare System, and is in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR

13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. This action will result in the award of a new firm-fixed-price contract to U.S. Hospitality Publishers Inc./Uniguest.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

pCare License On Demand Movies Support and Maintenance Agreement (Hardware and Software Support) NeXGen Gateway EAS Module Support All to be provided annually under a five-year contract.

Total Estimated Value:

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition:

FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement. Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:

Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 2 of 3

Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-1250

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

The pCare Interactive Patient Care System is the system currently installed and being used at the Fargo VA Healthcare System. This follow-on contract is to be procured from the same source that assisted the Fargo VA in designing and performing the last campus-wide upgrade which included parts from the prior, older system. This sole source contractor is the best subject matter expert of the Fargo VA’s current system and all of its intricacies and nuances. To “uninstall” this system and replace it within another brand would cause duplication of costs not expected to be recovered through competition.

Additionally, U.S. Hospitality Publishers Inc./Uniguest provides the complete comprehensive platform for digital signage, IPTV, and interactive TV solutions for the hospital enterprise environment required.

The Fargo VA Healthcare System requires:

-Hardware flexibility; Digital Signage; IPTV Integration; Security Compliance; Muti-Site Scalability Initial market research into competitor products by , reveal that not all of VA requirements are fully met by their products.

U.S. Hospitality Publishers Inc./Uniguest is the only source for pCare Interactive Patient Care System.

They are the OEM, and they have no authorized distributors.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

The following research was conducted:

Search of the NAC (VA National Acquisition Center Database) Search of the SAC (VA Strategic Acquisition Center Database) Search of GSA Search of the SBA Dynamic Small Business database SAM.gov

VA ADDS UP

Online Searches and Market Research.

CO knowledge of market from past procurements.

This Intent to Sole Source being posted on SAM.gov

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The Government intends to review contract pricing of comparable equipment and will ensure fair and reasonable pricing before making award.

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

Market Research Was Not Conducted:

The following research was conducted:

Search of the NAC (VA National Acquisition Center Database) Search of the SAC (VA Strategic Acquisition Center Database) Search of GSA Search of the SBA Dynamic Small Business database

Effective Date: 12/30/2025 Page 3 of 3

Acquisition ID#: 36C263-26-AP-1250

SAM.gov

VA ADDS UP

Online Searches and Market Research.

CO knowledge of market from past procurements.

This Intent to Sole Source being posted on SAM.gov

The Government did not locate Veteran Owned Small Business who could meet this requirement.

The VA Rule of Two cannot be met.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

All information is discussed above.

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

U.S. Hospitality Publishers Inc./Uniguest – the intended sole source.

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:

The Government will monitor the market for changes or for sources who could fully meet the requirements.

12. 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.

Joseph Bennett Date Contract Officer Service Supply Team 2 Network Contract Office 23

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over $350K but not exceeding $900K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Curt LaRose Date Branch Chief Service Supply Team 2 Network Contract Office 23

JOSEPH

BENNETT

Digitally signed by

JOSEPH BENNETT

Date: 2026.01.02 14:45:26 -06'00' 1/2/26

CURT

LAROSE

Digitally signed by CURT

LAROSE

Date: 2026.01.02 15:49:08 -06'00' 1/2/26