SSJ - Bioinformatics Redacted.pdf

Request for Sole Source Justification >SAT-$7.5M under FAR13.5

PM Part 813.5 SAP for Certain Commercial Items Page 3 of 4 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 03 Date: 02/11/2021

Description: The VA received one response from a self-certified small business, Bridge Informatics, Inc.

However, the company is not registerd in SAM and failed to provide any past performance reference or direct capabilities key to the success of this effort.

The VA performed a VIP search looking for vendors capable of meeting this requirement with Zero listed vendors under NAICS: 611310 & PSC: B599.

Due to the highly specialized nature of this work paired with the major systems involved, to date, no other solutions have been found to meet the need.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Based upon the previous contract, the market rate of these highly specialized positions in boston, and the reasonable Fringe cost of 27.5% paired with a Facilities and Administration (F&A) cost of 65% (within 5% of industry average) the VA has found this price to be fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: In order to meet the VA Rule of Two, the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database was searched using NAICS: 611310 & PSC: B599 and there were zero results for available vendors.

As described in Section 6 above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested parties.

The VA received one response from a self-certified small business, Bridge Informatics, Inc. However, the company is not registerd in SAM and failed to provide any past performance reference or direct capabilities key to the success of this effort.

Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Per requirements specified in section 5, This effort is both highly specialized and necessitates the use of a major system. The work requires use of the latest in research and cutting edge methodologies in developing new genomic, transcriptomic, and poteomic databases, paired with the need for Boston University�s Supercomputer Cluster. Using the highly specialized skillsets of Boston University�s Department of Neurology Bioniformatics paired with the power and niche structure of their Supercomputing Cluster, will allow the VA PTSD Brain Bank to continue making strides in both research and understanding as they support our Veterans.

9. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: In response to synopsis number:

36C24122Q0017, the VA received one response from a self-certified small business Bridge Informatics, Inc.

However, the company is not registerd in SAM and failed to provide any past performance reference, or direct capabilities key to the success of this effort.

10. 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 : This requirement is estimated to last for 5 years before it is completed. Due to the highly specialized nature of the work paired with the major system (Boston University�s Supercomputer), the VA anticipates there will be no other vendors capable of meeting the needs of this requirement. However, to overcome as many barriers as possible, the VA posted a sources sought notice in hopes of finding other companies both specialized and capable of providing the needed highly specialized skillsets. One vendor expressed interest to the sources sought notice. Bridge Informatics, Inc., a self-certified small business. However, the company is not registerd in SAM and failed to provide any past performance reference, or direct capabilities key to the success of this effort.