Inactive

VHAPM Part 819.7007/7008 Original Date: 08/30/2017 Revision 03 Eff Date: 04/03/2020 Page 1 of 3 Request for Sole Source Justification Format >SAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Appro... VHAPM Part 819.7007/7008 Original Date: 08/30/2017 Revision 03 Eff Date: 04/03/2020 Page 1 of 3 Request for Sole Source Justification Format >SAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval (J&A) For Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT) Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C256-21-AP-0575 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 16, Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville AR. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Approved: Our current locum tenens pathologist contract ends on 12/11/2020. Our Chief Pathologist and staff pathologist have recently been diagnosed with health issues that require immediate and long-term treatments. This is going to result in our facility not having any pathology coverage after 12/11/2020. In order to comply with regulatory agencies and patient safety requirements we must have continued pathologist coverage. Due to the potential harm to patient safety, it is imperative that we get a contract in place to mitigate the future risk to patient safety and lives. The estimated cost is $168 per hour for a period of 2080 hours of on-site work and $18 per hour for 600 hours of on call pay for each pathologist contracted. The contract is approved for up to two pathologists. In the event that pricing differs from the estimated price, the Contracting Officer will enter into discussions to achieve a fair and reasonable price. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: This contract will furnish all personnel and equipment to provide services necessary to perform anatomical and clinical laboratory duties, anatomic case review, render diagnosis and final report for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §3304(a)(5), 38 U.S. Code § 8127(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5 (Authorized or Required by Statute). COs may use the non-competitive (sole source) procedures authorized in VAAR 819.7007 or 819.7008 up to $5,000,000. Check the specific VAAR clause used below: ( ) 819.7007 Sole source awards to a verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business; or ( ) 819.7008 Sole source awards to a verified veteran-owned small business (X) FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and Compelling Urgency Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications and/or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority The current contractor, Consilium Staffing, has met our needs and has been diligent in supplying us with qualified pathologists in a timely manner. Once the current contract expires, we will not have consistent pathology coverage due to pathology staff s unforeseen medical issues. In order to comply with regulatory agencies and patient safety requirements we must have extended pathology coverage immediately after the current contract expires. Due to the potential harm to patient safety, it is imperative that we get a contract in place to mitigate the current and future risk to patient safety and lives. Sole Source Justification Format >SAT Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed 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: Market Research by VHSO and VISN 16 personnel have failed to identify any Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) capable to provide this service. However, there are several Small Businesses with FSS contracts that could potentially absorb this volume of work in a short turn- around resulting in more immediate corrective treatments for affected veterans. We are currently utilizing one of these, Consilium Staffing, and would like to continue utilizing them as they have been very responsive to our needs. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The Contracting Officer determined that the anticipated price to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison of the current rates from contract V797D-40314 36C25619F0461 awarded for Pathologists to support the Veterans Health Care of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, AR. The IGCE calculated $168.00/hour and the rates proposed for this requirement are $168.00/Hr. Pathology falls under 621-016 and the rates posted in Consilium Staffing's GSA Schedule are $141.50. Current Pathologists have already been credentialed and are in place for immediate performance. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: For this action, market research was conducted on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vendor Information Pages (VIP.gov) as well as the General Services Administration eLibrary (GSA eLibrary) and local industry. This requirement is an urgent sole-source requirement we are awarding to the current contractor who already has credentialed pathology specialists in place. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: In order to provide the earliest intervention possible to veterans, it is necessary to negate the normal competition requirements. It could be dangerous to veteran care to further delay courses of treatment already delayed by provider absence. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Veterans, and therefore the Government, to limit competition and make a contract award with all due haste. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: The current contractor, Consilium Staffing, is interested in continuing their services. Landon Webb, Regional Vice President/ Partner, 469-484-5732, 806-224-3443, www.consiliumstaffing.com, lwebb@consiliumstaffing.com. 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 Agency is in a stage of constant development and improvement. We have policies and procedures in place, given we are a functioning laboratory, but we are also proactive to any situation we face. Susan L. Fetzer- Digitally signed by Susan Bova 149377 L. Fetzer-Bova 149377 Date: 2020.11.20 16:18:00 -06'00' 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. 11/20/2020 Susan L. Fetzer-Bova, BS MT(ASCP) Date LIM/ATC, FAC/COR II Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Attachment 1: Request for SDVOSB/VOSB Sole Source Justification Format >SAT Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP: T Contracting Officer or Designee s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Billy R. Morris Digitally signed by Billy R. 381997 Morris 381997 Date: 2020.12.07 14:50:53 -06'00' Name: Billy Morris Title: Contracting Officer Facility: NCO 16 CAVHCS 12/07/2020 Date One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over the SAT but not exceeding $700K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition. Bennett W. Smith 934403 Digitally signed by Bennett W. Smith 934403 Date: 2020.12.07 16:11:23 -06'00' Name: Bennett Smith Duty Title: Branch Chief Facility NCO 16 Shreveport VAMC Date