Sole Source JA - Executed.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(1) Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a "Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition."

This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP).

(2) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This proposed action is for a non-competitive award of a sole source, Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) new contract with to Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC. for the procurement of communications, messaging, outreach, and the development of a communication strategy and engagement campaigns to reach key subgroups of transitioning service members during the critical transition period as service members move from the military ranks to Veteran status.

The place of performance will be primarily performed at the contractor’s facilities with occasional work performed in other states. The anticipated period of performance for the awarded contract is as follows: September 28, 2024 – September 27, 2025.

(3) A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

In addressing the White House’s Strategy to Reduce Military and Veteran Suicide, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) is seeking communications, messaging and outreach research and the development of a communication strategy and engagement campaigns to reach key subgroups of transitioning service members during the critical transition period as service members move from the military ranks to Veteran status. Research has indicated that this transition period, with its associated challenges/stressors, can be a contributor to the attempt and occurrence of suicide and this work serves to increase suicide prevention through increased data-informed outreach that leverages contemporary communications and engagement tactics. This work includes the creation of an OSP/DSPO communication strategy with supporting research and evaluation plans that delineate research and analysis methods and metrics, timelines, and processes for monitoring and evaluating in-flight and future campaign performance. In addition to providing monitoring and evaluation support for campaigns and subject matter expertise for paid media buys, formal program management support services will be required and provided for program execution. OSP/DSPO require data driven recommendations of a wide array of tools effective outreach and engagement for this joint effort, including potential plans for creation and dissemination of education materials and courses, workshops, seminars, publications, social media, videos, public service announcements (PSAs), photographs, creative content and paid media for the coordinated advertising, promotional, and publicity campaigns relating to suicide prevention and enhancing access to mental health resources to transitioning service member populations. It is critical that the selected program management team have a broad

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) comprehension of diverse populations of Servicemembers, Veterans, their support networks and the various factors that impact suicide and mental health concerns across societal levels.

The proposed action is for a Firm Fixed Price contract with a total period of performance of one year. The total estimated value of the proposed action is $1,991,641.66.

(4) An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.§ 3304(a)(5) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302- 5 entitled, “Authorized or required by statute”. The applicable statute is Public Law 109-461:

“Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006” specifically, the “Veterans First Contracting Program” outlined in 38 U.S.C.§ 8127(c) and VAAR 806.302- 570(c).

(5) A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

38 U.S.C. 8127(c) permits a contracting officer to award a contract to a verified SDVOSB using procedures other than competition if:

(1) such concern is determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance of such contract opportunity.

(2) the anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 134 of title 41) but will not exceed $5,000,000; and

(3) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.

The proposed action meets all three of the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). First, Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC has been verified in SBA VetCert as small business owned and controlled by a Service-Disabled Veteran. Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC performs the types of support services required under this Performance Work Statement. Further, Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC has successfully provided services to the VA similar to the required services.

Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC is the incumbent for the current contract expiring September 27, 2024. There were external delays outside of the VA and contractor’s control, creating the need for an additional 12 months of services. Once this new award expires in September 2025, the need for a follow-on requirement is not required. The Government has determined that a SDVOSB sole source to Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC is in the best interest of the government due to their immediate availability and previous experience providing strategic outreach campaign services for transitioning services members on behalf of VA and DOD.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC is also registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) as a small business under the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. As such, Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC is determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance of this requirement.

The anticipated total estimated award price of the contract is $1,991,641.66, which is within the statutory threshold.

(6) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

In accordance with VAAR 819.7008(b), Sole source awards to verified SDVOSBs, the determination to make a sole source award to an SDVOSB is a business decision wholly within the discretion of the Contracting Officer; therefore, the requirement to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable is not applicable to this procurement. In addition, VAAR 819.7008(c) further authorizes the Contracting Officer to make the award without first determining that only one SDVOSB source can meet the requirement. A notice of the proposed action will be synopsized via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) in accordance with FAR Section 5.201, and the agency will make publicly available the justification required by 6.305(a) within 14 days after contract award.

(7) A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2). The Government may use various price analysis techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price before making any award.

(8) A description of the market research conducted (see part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted and Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. They are registered and certified in SBA VetCert as a SDVOSB with the NAICS code for this requirement which in accordance with Public Law 109-461 Section 502(c) meets the requirements of this statute to sole source to an SDVOSB. In addition, a review of their Representations and Certifications was conducted in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC represented that they are an SDVOSB.

In addition, the System for Award Management (SAM) was reviewed, and SAM shows no reports for Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC that would indicate defective pricing, instances of contractor fault or recipient not-qualified, terminations for cause, default or material failure to comply, or non-responsibility of the contractor.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_Subpart_5_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-5#FAR_5_202

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

(9) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

The Procuring Contracting Officer has determined that this proposed action meets all the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). This acquisition is below the $5,000,000.00 threshold, Dynamic Integrated Services, LLC is a responsible SDVOSB for performance of the services described herein, and the proposed contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price.

(10) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Dynamic Integrated Services LLC 3 W Garden St

STE 610

Pensacola, FL 32502-5634

(11) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Toward the expiration of this contract, consideration will be given as to whether the future acquisition should be competitive.

Signatures, see next page.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

(12) Technical Representative Certification:

I certify that the foregoing justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: ________________________ Date: ____9/16/2024____________ Teresa Wilhelm Contracting Officer’s Representative VHA, Division of Health Informatics

(13) Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer ’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: ________________________ Date: _____________________ Kurt Tanny Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center

For acquisitions over $750K not exceeding $15M

Approval

In my role as Contracting Activity Competition Advocate, based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve this acquisition on an “other than full and open competition” basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited in paragraph four above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition. As this action does not exceed $15M, the certification below required by FAR

6.304 serves as approval.

Signature: _____________________ Date: __________ Efrain J. Fernandez Director of Contracts, Acquisition Services 1-3 Procuring Activity Advocate for Competition (SAC-Frederick) Strategic Acquisition Center