Single Source Award - Justification.pdf

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 1 of 2 Acquisition ID#

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C248-25-AP-3042

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Procurement

Office – East, Network Contracting Office – 8, Servcies/Commodities Division, North Florida/South Georgia.

Funding Document: 573-25-2-141-0073

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (VAMC), requires the procurement of a proprietary software update for the Welch Allyn Connex® Monitoring System, specifically the implementation of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) functionality. This update is critical to enable automated scoring of vital signs to identify early signs of patient deterioration, thereby improving clinical decision-making and patient safety.

The MEWS enhancement will integrate with the existing Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitors and associated software infrastructure currently deployed at the Malcom Randall VAMC. This update ensures full compatibility with existing hardware, preserves network interoperability with the facility’s electronic medical record system, and enables real-time clinical alerts based on pre-defined scoring thresholds.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

The Welch Allyn Connex® Monitoring System, including the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) update, is a proprietary platform developed and supported exclusively by Welch Allyn, a division of Baxter. The MEWS software is embedded within the Connex ecosystem and requires direct integration with the manufacturer’s firmware, device management protocols, and secure communication interfaces. No third-party vendor is authorized or technically capable of modifying or updating the Welch Allyn system without voiding warranties or risking operational integrity. Only Welch Allyn can ensure the update maintains full compatibility with the VA’s existing Connex Spot Monitors and allows for seamless transmission of clinical data into the VA’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Use of any alternative product would https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

Revision: 01 Effective Date: 11/15/2024 Page 2 of 2 Acquisition ID# require full system replacement and re-validation of compatibility, resulting in significant cost, operational disruption, and unnecessary risk to patient safety.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market research was conducted through a review of available sources on GSA Advantage, the VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), and SAM.gov to identify any potential alternative vendors capable of providing the Welch Allyn MEWS update or a compatible equivalent. This research confirmed that the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) software update is a proprietary enhancement developed and distributed exclusively by Welch Allyn, a division of Baxter. No authorized resellers, third-party integrators, or alternate manufacturers were identified that can legally or technically provide this update for the existing Connex Spot Monitoring systems in use at the Malcom Randall VAMC. Additionally, consultation with VA biomedical engineering and clinical staff confirmed that introducing a non-Welch Allyn solution would require a complete replacement of the monitoring infrastructure, which is cost-prohibitive and operationally disruptive. Therefore, only Welch Allyn can fulfill this requirement.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with

FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466