65--Real Ear System - qty 2

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval For Other Than Full and Open Competition 1. Contracting Organization: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, VA Boston Healthcare System (523) 2. Description of Action: This is a request for other than full and open competition for the procurement of two Verifit Real Ear Measurement Systems from Diagnostic Group/ Grason-Stadler. 3. Description of Supplies or Services: The equipment is used to complete real ear verification for new hearing aids fitting as well as for hearing aid follow-up appointments. The information produced from the measurement is used as an outcome measure to ensure that the hearing aids are working and providing the adequate amplification in each ear. Completing real ear measurement during hearing aid fitting is a national mandated requirement and is procedure covered under the hearing aid fitting CPT codes. Millions of dollars are allocated annually to hearing aid procurement and the use of the Veri-fit ensures that the hearing aids are providing adequate benefit in the ear for each patient who is issued a VA hearing aid. 4. Statutory Authority: ( X ) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1; ( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2; ( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3; ( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5; ( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6; ( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7; 5. Validity of Use of Statutory Authority: VA Boston Audiology currently has five Verifit systems. The staff is knowledgeable about the technical specifications and use of this system. Hearing aid verification is completed at each visit and compared to the previous readings; therefore equipment used for real ear verification must be identical for comparison reasons from visit to visit. Additionally Grason-Stadler performs a bi-annual calibration on all Veri-fts as well as audiometers and tympanometers that are used in the Audiology clinic from Grason-Stadler. 6. Actions to Promote Competition: Contracting posted a combined synopsis/solicitation for this equipment on FedBizOpps and there was only one vendor to respond; Grason-Stradler and they provided a signed letter stating they are the sole source supplier of the Verefit Real Ear System in Massachusetts. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price: The anticipated price to the Government is $ 24,340 for two units. Two Noah modules for Verefit will cost the Government $765.00. The total anticipated price to the Government is $25,110.00. 8. Market Survey (FAR 10): Other real ear measurement devices would not be compatible with current equipment systems in use at VA Boston. Hearing aid verification is completed at each visit and compared to the previous readings; other systems would not allow comparison of results from visit to visit. 9. Other Considerations: VA Boston Audiology currently has five Verifit systems. The staff is knowledgeable about the technical specifications and use of this system. Hearing aid verification is completed at each visit and compared to the previous readings; therefore equipment used for real ear verification must be identical for comparison reasons from visit to visit. 10. Listing of Sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition: One vendor, Grason-Stadler replied with a response to the RFQ. 11. Statement of Actions to Overcome Barriers to Competition: n/a 12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a bonafide 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. //s// Anne Hogan AuD 09/10/2010 Name: Anne Hogan AuD Date Title: Chief, Audiology & Speech Pathology Facility: VA Boston Healthcare System (523) 13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304 a. Contracting Officer's Certification: (required) I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. //s// Heather L. Simpson 09/10/2010 Name: Heather L. Simpson Date Title: Contracting Officer Facility: VAMC Boston Healthcare System - Contracting Activity