99--Covers the extension of services for VISN 3’s Verizon Local Exchange Services until TAC-13-04952 Region 4 Consolidated LEC Services is awarded in FY 13

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Acquisition Operations Technology Acquisition Center 260 Industrial Way West Eatontown, New Jersey 07724 2. Description of Action: The proposed sole source action is for a six-month, Firm-Fixed Price contract modification, inclusive of options, to Contract VA118-13-C-0007, for Local Exchange Carrier services, henceforth referred to as telephone services, currently installed and used by the VA New York/New Jersey Veterans Healthcare Network including all community based outpatient clinics (CBOC's) and support facilities in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 3, which is part of Region 4. This modification will contain six, one-month options to be exercised at the Government's discretion to continue providing seamless coverage in the event the regional contract award is further delayed. The subject contract was awarded to Verizon Business Network Services Inc., 22001 Loudon County Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147. 3. Description of the Supplies or Services: The purpose of this proposed modification is to provide a bridge between the current contract providing VISN 3 telephone services and the follow on effort which shall be solicited on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website under full and open competition. The telephone services Contractor must provide transmission facilities, equipment, materials, maintenance, test equipment, and design layout needed to perform and provide local access and transport services and functions for the New York/New Jersey VISN 3 Network. This includes any special items, equipment, wiring or infrastructure to ensure the Contractor's solution is compatible with the Government's infrastructure. The Contractor is responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining the operation of the circuit up to its termination point. Access to the local exchange shall include: operator assistance, directory assistance, and emergency 911/E911 services and functions. REDACTED 4. Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." 5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: Telephone services to VISN 3 are currently provided by Verizon Business Network Services Inc. In May of 2012, VA identified the need to regionalize phone services for economies and efficiencies to reduce recurring costs. A decision was made to solicit the requirement for all of Region 4 (to include VISN 3) on FBO under full and open competition. As requirements for the regional contract were developed to further promote competition, delays occurred which extended the possible cutover date for the VISN 3 telephone service. VA needs to ensure telephone service to all facilities including CBOC's and support facilities in VISN 3 is uninterrupted. Local telephone exchange service is vital for VISN 3 to allow communications which enhance patient care as well as to facilitate emergency responses. These facilities throughout VA New York/New Jersey provide direct patient care and cannot lose telecommunication services. Any lapse in service will have a profoundly negative effect on VISN 3's telecommunication lifeline. Transition from the existing provider to another vendor would take time and could not be complete by the need date; therefore a contract modification is required. 6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: REDACTED 7. Actions to Increase Competition: All future requirements will be transferred to the regional contract upon its award. 8. Market Research: REDACTED 9. Other Facts: This effort is purely to ensure continuous phone service to VISN 3 between the expiration of the current contract and the award of the fully competed regional contract.