S03 JnA_Redacted.pdf

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: The Contracting Officer posted an announcement to the VHA Healthcare and 8 CNAs for the Hines VA Hospital on November 29, 2020. Solicitation 36C25221Q0232 was posted to GSA eLibrary seeking these services and the date and receipt had to be extended in hopes of receiving responses. The Contracting Officer received candidates from two vendors. A task order was issued under that solicitation to one of the vendors for ICU and CNA providers. However, neither of the vendors provided acceptable candidates to fulfill the Medical Surgical RN requirement. AB Staffing (an FSS contract holder on GSA eLibrary) acknowleged seeing the posting at both sites and provided candidates for consideration. The Contracting Officer was aware that AB Staffing has previous experience with placing medical staff in response to crisis at other VISN 12 sites. The Contracting Officer considered other vendors that had provided similar services in the past, but none of these vendors could meet the immediate need for the number of required RNs. Due to the urgency of the need, the Contracting Officer is unable to solicit from other potential sources. The magnitude of the moment dictates that soliciting AB Staffing is deemed a sufficient and practicable way forward.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

The anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable based on favorable comparison of pricing to other firms and market research. The hourly rates by AB Staffing is $170 for regular hours and $212.50 for Overtime/holiday hours. The RN rates are comparable to a recently awarded task order for Emergency COVID-19 Nursing Services for another VA site in VISN 12 with a regular rate of $180.70 and $192 for Overtime/holiday hours.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market research was conducted under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) and past procurement history. The Contracting Officer did not identify any sources emergency health care providers of approximately seven critical staff workers to the Hines VAH.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The Hines VAH is competing with other healthcare sectors for clinical support as well as other federal agencies for personnel to assist with vaccinations across the country. It is imperative for the Contracting Officer to proceed with an award to AB Staffing while it still has staff to meet the immediate needs of the Hines

VAH.

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

and both expressed interest in the acquisition. However, neither were able to provide seven Med/Surg registered nurses.

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: Advanced strategic planning and perhaps established pandemic not-to-exceed (NTE) rates being included in FSS contracts for temporary staffing of healthcare workers would allow the agency and contractors to more easily implement new task orders in response to urgent procurement requests. If additional services are required after the contract expires, additional services will be procurement competitively through the FSS contract holders. Sufficient time would be available for competition.