Inactive

PM Part 813.5 SAP for Certain Commercial Items Page 1 of 9 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 02 Date: 08/04/2020 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR... PM Part 813.5 SAP for Certain Commercial Items Page 1 of 9 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 02 Date: 08/04/2020 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5 Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C260-23-AP-1929 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1601 East Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661. Requestor: Megan Crowley (V20), Executive Assistant to the Network Director, T: 360-619-5934, E: Megan.Crowley@va.gov Transaction: 496-23-4-440-0064 Funded: $71,677.00 Value: $358,385.00 Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This justification and approval is for a firm-fixed price contract for American Indian Cultural Sensitivity Training (Camp Chaparral) specific to aspects of American Indian culture, traditions, habits and how these can affect clinical outcomes. Annual training builds understanding and custom awareness which VA staff can apply to a therapeutic alliance for Indian Veterans who are seeking services within VA. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: Camp costs are for 60 participants (VA employees) is $71,677.00, (approximately $1,194.62 per person) to attend an all-inclusive, week long training event. All professional fees, tuition, lodging, and meals for the camp program are included in the flat rate. Camp will be scheduled the third week of August for the life of this contract. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition: FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement.  Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:        (X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements        ( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency        ( )  Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services        ( ) International Agreement        ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute        ( ) National Security        ( ) Public Interest Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Only One Responsible Source (FAR 6.302-1) The Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation is a tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450 (b) (c) [1] with unique training facilities. Camp Chaparral is located on the Tribe s sacred ground on the reservation of the Yakama Nation in Washington State.This training is hosted by the people of the Yakama Nation, however, Camp Chaparrel staff is representative of several Tribes through the northwest and United States. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Due to the unique nature of training; location and mix of Tribal involment is unlike any other within the United States. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Costs are fair and reasonable compared to similar services in the area. VISN 20 is sending 60 participants for an all inclusive rate (food, lodging, training materials, speakers and instructors) of $1,194.62 per person. In 2016, contract VA260-16-P-1944 was Awarded IAW FAR 6.302-1, with a 5-year value of $246,340.00. There was no annual increase for VA260-16-P-1944 and the individual all inclusive cost per participant was approximately $821.14. In 6 years costs have increased by 37%, which is slightly over 3% annually. An increase of 3% annually is half of the current (January 2023) Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 6.5% for similar services. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Due to the nature of the requirement, limited market research was required. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (Public Law 93 638) authorized the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and some other government agencies to enter into contracts with, and make grants directly to, federally recognized Indian tribes. IAW authority granted through the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, it was determined a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition was not required as Tribal Government is recognized as an extension of US Government. VA Policy on Tribal Consultation dated February 4, 2011, states that VA will seek to enhance positive government to government relations between VA and all federal recognized Indian tribes and to establish meaningful consultation procedures to develop, improve and maintain partnerships with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. Camp Chaparral program is a best practice of this partnership within VHA across the country, which has been occurring since 1992 within VISN20. Also, VHA Handbook 8603 dated February 20, 2015, paragraph 6 (b), maintain positive relations with Tribal Governments to ensure VA enters into productive partnerships with tribes, which helps both entities to better serve Veterans. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: N/A 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: No actions are planned at this time as this requirement is so unique to American Indian tribes located in the Pacific Northwest. The award is made to one tribe, however, multiple Indian tribes are involved in the training as they understand the importance and uniqueness for enhancing Native American Veteran care. 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. Megan Crowley Executive Assistant to the Network Director VISN 20 3/10/2023 Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP: 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. ______________________ _____________________ Jared Zinsmeister Date Contracting Officer 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. _____________________________ ________________________ Peggy Corcoran Date Chief, Division 1 NCO 20 JOFOC LOG Number: 2023-03-14T13:16:47