SAM-DESCRIPTION 02.pdf

OFOC SOP Revision 09 Page 1 of 3 Original Date: 03/22/11 Revision 09 Date: 04/17/2020

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (<SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C263-21-AP-0215

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, 316 Robert St.

N., St. Paul, MN 55101, Attention: Daniel Vagts, Contract Officer

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

The US Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System (hereinafter referred to as VISN 23) intends to issue a contract for COVID testing services (CPT 87635) Testing for VISN 23 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS). Participating facilities include:

VA Black Hills Health Care System, Hot Springs, SD VA Black Hills Health Care System, Ft. Meade, SD Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, ND VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Lincoln, NE VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Grand Island, NE St. Cloud VA Healthcare System, St. Cloud, MN Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD VA Central Iowa Healthcare System, Des Moines, IA Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Iowa City, IA

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required eds:

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23 has an urgent requirement to increase its capacity of COVID tests. The VA s internal capability to provided these tests are currently operating at maximum capacity; the sole use of internal VA testing capabilities would cause significant delays in COVID testing results for patients at VISN 23 Healthcare Facilities.

This sole source award is estimated to provide 9,300 COVID test (87635) at a cost of $75.00 per test.

Period of Performance: Services are required for 12-month base contract (11/10/2020 through 11/9/2021) with no available options. Total IGCE (Base Period) = $697,500.00.

OFOC SOP Revision 09 Page 2 of 3

Revision 09 Date: 04/17/2020

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: Under the authority of 41 USC §3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Unusual and Compelling Urgency per 41 USC §3304(a)(2) as implemented by FAR 6.302-2.

5. Demonstration that the C Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23 is currently seeking to provide rapid COVID tests for its patients. While there are many testing providers, the VA does not have the time to compete this requirement among the various providers. Additionally, the VA is looking to reduce risk of overly depending on one testing lab by spreading its required tests out to multiple qualified testing contractors and while continuing to use internal testing capabilities.

Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. is currently providing COVID testing services to the Minneapolis VA Hospital on contract 36C26318D0022. Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. response times to the COVID testing are proven to be much quicker than other providers providing the same tests.

Given the urgent need for these testing services, Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. is uniquely qualified because they are amongst the very few testing labs that are currently providing successful COVID tests to VISN 23 healthcare facilities. Additionally, the geographic location between the Minneapolis VA Hospital and Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. is such, that tests can be rapidly processed, usually in under 24 hours. This is significant because the Minneapolis VA Hospital serves the largest patient population amongst all the healthcare facilities within VISN 23.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: No additional sources were solicited for the service.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The undersigned Contracting Officer will determine fair and reasonable pricing through a Fair and Reasonable Price Determination. Additionally, the pricing for these tests have been previously negotiated on contract 36C26318D0022.

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

Market Research Was Not Conducted: The contracting officer is aware of the state of the marketplace during this national emergency of securing COVID testing services.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: COVID tests are a critical need to the VA. The importance of the VA having multiple testing sources at the ready cannot be overstated.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.

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 Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23 has prepared and submitted a procurement package to NCO23 requesting that an IDIQ contract be established for these services.

OFOC SOP Revision 09 Page 3 of 3

Revision 09 Date: 04/17/2020

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jill Johnson Date Health Systems Specialist

VISN 23

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or De Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Daniel Vagts Date Contracting Officer NCO 23, Healthcare Team One

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $700K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Chara Collins Date Branch Chief

NCO 23, Healthcare Team One

11/06/2020