7G21--Plum Cases (VA-26-00037446)

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a sole-source award under solicitation 36C10B26Q0343 to REDHAWK IT SOLUTIONS, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, for the acquisition of the Plum Enterprise SR Mini with 5G dual modem and Plum Power Bank hardware, valued at $812,866.88. The award was justified under FAR 16.507-7 and 41 U.S.C. § 4106(c)(2) due to the unique, proprietary nature of the system, which is the only solution capable of delivering resilient satellite and cellular connectivity in disaster scenarios, integrating seamlessly with existing VA infrastructure without requiring third-party installation or managed services. The hardware, featuring dual 5G modems, an integrated power bank with four smart battery packs, and a proprietary long-range antenna array, is designed for rapid deployment in mobile medical units and remote locations, supporting mission-critical communications under the National Disaster Recovery Framework. The contract, issued as a firm-fixed-price delivery order under the NASA SEWP V GWAC, requires delivery within 30 days of the April 30, 2026 award date, with performance occurring at VA emergency response sites nationwide. Inspection and acceptance will be conducted by VA personnel at deployment locations, validated against OEM specifications and real-world environmental performance, with no formal military or industry standards explicitly cited. The contracting office is located in Eatontown, New Jersey, with Mary B. Accomando serving as the sole point of contact. The acquisition is strictly limited to the Plum system, with alternatives from Dell, Ansys, Hermtac, and Altium deemed nonviable due to interoperability failures and inability to meet emergency response requirements. Public disclosure of the justification was mandated within 14 days of award, and while no subcontracting plan, options, or detailed invoicing instructions are included, the contract is fully funded without Recovery Act dollars and adheres to SDVOSBC set-aside regulations.