SPECIAL NOTICE
70 -- Sole Source Justification for VACO Optical MAN Maintenance 6 Month Period of Performance
- Notice Date
- 4/6/2009
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 517110
— Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Contracting Office
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Center for Acquisition Innovation (Austin), VA CAI Austin, Department of Veterans Affairs;Center for Acquisition Innovation/00D;IT & Telecommunications Service/00D2;Austin TX 78772
- ZIP Code
- 78772
- Archive Date
- 6/5/2009
- Point of Contact
- Robert McDorman512-326-6086<br />
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Justification for other than Full and Open CompetitionEach justification shall contain sufficient facts and rationale to justify the use of the specific authority cited. As required of FAR 6.303-2, each justification shall include the following information: 1. Requesting Agency: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VA Central Office Contracting activity: VA Center for Acquisition Innovation 1615 Woodward Street Austin, TX 78772 2. Nature and/or description of the action: The Department of Veterans Affairs VA Central Office (VACO) supports about 7000 users, and 17,000+ computers in 17 buildings in the Washington DC Metropolitan area with a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) that includes the Capitol Area Network (CAN). This network currently supports voice, video, and data traffic. The Office of Information Technology (OI&T), Information Technology Services organization in VACO is responsible for providing MAN connectivity throughout this campus. Connectivity is provided for all Administration and staff offices connected to these networks that service many different business processes to serve the Veteran. Applied Data Systems (ADS) is the incumbent service provider on contract VA200-P-0066. This contract is set to expire on 04/30/2009. This J&A is for a six (6) month sole-source contract with ADS to maintain service coverage during Global Information Technology Support Services (GITSS) RFP competition process. The competition process is expected to cover the six (6) month period in case transition of contractors is required. 3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value): Contractor shall continue the current level of service and availability already provided on dark fiber optic cable (both 3rd party and VA owned) and provide the changes as specified. The VA will improve and modify this infrastructure as the VAs connectivity needs change. The MAN must continue to be a robust transmission infrastructure that is secure, redundant, and considered the best of class in the fiber optic transmission industry, with all aspects complying with current industry standards. These networks must support the VA and all systems associated with its missions and any Government Partnership missions. The services required are composed of the following major components: 1.Support the current topology 2.Provide specified changes 3.Provide, install, maintain fiber optic links 4.Provide, install, configure and maintain equipment 5.Maintain and repair all aspects of the equipment and network considered herein 6.Propose topology, design, or equipment changes that increase the availability or flexibility of the MAN. Contractor shall maintain the MAN in a way that meets the VAs goals of high bandwidth, high availability, manageability, scalability, supporting multiple protocols, with a multiple-service network infrastructure transmitting voice, data, and video traffic. Contractor shall supply the design, engineering, fiber optic cable, equipment, equipment racks, installation, maintenance, and supplies for each deliverable in a turnkey solution. The MAN is defined by the Layer 1 OEO equipment manufactured by ADVA Optical Networking (was Movaz Networks) in a dual head-end design. The contractor shall supply the design, engineering, fiber optic cable, equipment, equipment racks, installation, maintenance, and supplies for each deliverable in a turnkey solution. The estimated value of this requirement for the six (6) month period is $xxxxx 4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. The statutory authority of this justification is FAR 6.302-1 Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work. 5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. The only firm able to meet VA requirements is Applied Data Systems. VA presently has a maintenance contract (VA200-P-0066) with Applied Data Systems, which supports the existing MAN systems. To avoid expiring service issues, the systems must be maintained during the RFP process. The MAN must be maintained during the GITSS RFP competition process to avoid service interruptions. In the event of service interruptions it is estimated the Government would incur costs of $400,000.00 per hour in lost labor due to information technology (IT) networks downtime. These IT network downtimes are unacceptable possibilities and would cause significant injury and detriment to the VA and impede mission objectives severely. The RFP process is estimated to cover a six (6) month period (including four (4) month transition period as required). 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. This justification will be posted in FedBizOpps in accordance with FAR 5.2. 7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. The anticipated costs of $xxxxx associated with this requirement are fair and reasonable based on the Independent Government Cost Estimate. 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 not conducted regarding this requirement due to this action being a sole-source requirement. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as: (i) Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available. (ii) When 6.302-1 is cited for follow-on acquisitions as described in 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived. (iii) When 6.302-2 is cited, data, estimated cost, or other rationale as to the extent and nature of the harm to the Government. No other supporting information available. 10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. Applied Data Systems has expressly provided interest in this requirement. 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. The follow on contract to this requirement will be competed using the Department of Veterans Affairs Global Information Technology Support Services (GITSS) contract. 12. Certification requirement: (Technical/requirements personnel must certify). I certify the supporting data, including the statement of the Governments minimum needs and other rationale for other than full and open competition is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. = /s/ David Ponder_________________________ _____04/01/2009________ Signature of Technical/Requirements Representative Date This justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer's knowledge and belief. /s/ Jeff Bishop_________________________ ___04/03/2009________ Contracting Officer Date Procurements over $500,000 require approval from Competition Advocate. This justification has been reviewed and approved by the Competition Advocate. N/A_________________________________ _____________________ Competition Advocate
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