7E21--Continuation of External Paging Services

This contract continues the provision of external paging services essential for reliable, time-sensitive communication among approximately 20,000 Department of Veterans Affairs personnel across 81 medical centers in 29 states. Awarded on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) to SPOK INC., the contract ensures uninterrupted service continuity by leveraging the incumbent vendor’s proprietary infrastructure, including one-way and two-way messaging devices, nationwide wireless coverage, secure web-based account management, and critical infrastructure such as base stations and radio towers. The contract has a 12-month base period beginning May 26, 2026, with two optional 12-month periods extending potential performance through May 25, 2029. The award is firm-fixed price with an estimated base value of $757,256.04, though pricing for option periods is not disclosed. Performance is nationwide, with delivery and acceptance occurring at VA medical center locations, where the contractor is responsible for equipment maintenance, replacement, shipping logistics, infrastructure repair, and 24/7 technical support. No formal evaluation factors or competitive criteria were applied due to the unique technical dependencies and prohibitive risk of service disruption associated with transitioning to another vendor; switching providers would incur an estimated $1 million in duplicative costs and compromise clinical communications. The contractor must operate exclusively within SPOK’s proprietary systems, with no alternatives capable of replicating integration or signal penetration. The contracting office is located in Eatontown, New Jersey, with Brett Schwerin serving as the primary point of contact as Contracting Officer. No formal packaging, marking, or preservation standards, inspection metrics, or quality assurance criteria beyond operational continuity are specified, and no COR or COTR is formally designated. The procurement relied on a sole-source justification under VA Deviation 6.103-1, citing technical exclusivity and operational necessity rather than competition, making this a non-competitive acquisition essential to sustaining mission-critical healthcare communications.