7A21-- OVAHCS Employee Recognition Platform and Services (VA-26-00052104)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its Technology Acquisition Center in Eatontown, New Jersey, has awarded a contract under solicitation number 36C10B26Q0396 for an employee recognition platform and services to support the OVAHCS healthcare facility. This is a combined request for quotation set aside exclusively for Women-Owned Small Businesses under NAICS code 541519, with a base performance period of 12 months and four additional 12-month option periods that may be exercised at the government’s discretion. The contract requires the implementation of a secure, cloud-based Software-as-a-Service platform with a companion mobile application compatible with Android and iOS devices, designed to deliver real-time recognition and data-driven insights to over 6,648 clinical and non-clinical staff through a push/pull feedback model involving patients, peers, caregivers, and family members. The platform must integrate with existing HR and authentication systems via Single Sign-On, provide comprehensive analytics for leadership, and fully comply with Section 508 accessibility standards and the VA OIT Technical Reference Model. All deliverables must be accepted at destination, with the contractor bearing full responsibility for remediation costs if accessibility or conformance claims are found inaccurate. The contract mandates strict adherence to federal and VA security and supply chain requirements, including data segregation, encryption, media sanitization, Zero Trust controls, Trusted Internet Connection 3.0 compliance, and adherence to 15 CFR Part 7 regarding ICTS supply chain security. Contractors must use only OEM or authorized reseller equipment and comply with Unbiased AI Principles and Truth-Seeking requirements, with noncompliance treated as a material breach. Security protocols include potential audits by VA, OIG, or GAO, and personnel requiring system access must hold appropriate security clearances. Payment is governed by FAR 52.232-33 and VAAR 852.232-72, requiring electronic invoicing in arrears upon deliverable acceptance. The contract incorporates critical clauses including FAR 52.212-1, -3, -4, -5, -14, -22-90, 52.203-12, 52.209-6, 52.217-9, 52.219-8, and VAAR 852.211-76 Alternate I, which imposes