JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Acquisition Operations Technology Acquisition Center 260 Industrial Way West Eatontown, NJ 07724 2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for a one (1) year, Firm-Fixed-Price contract with a six (6) month option period for backup services for the integration of existing databases used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to collect data on suicides, suicide attempts/associated conditions and the development of a centralized suicide data repository. 3. Description of Supplies or Services: VA routinely collects clinically-relevant data on suicide, suicide attempts, and associated conditions. Data on these outcomes are currently housed in multiple databases and locations throughout the VA. The main objective for this project is the development and maintenance of a single-standardized location for the storage and mechanisms for integration of data on suicide, suicide attempt, and risk factors. The Contractor shall provide programming support and maintenance involved with the development and implementation of a VA suicide data repository. 4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(5), "when a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source", as implemented by FAR 6.302-5. For this action, 38 U.S.C. 8127(c), known as the Veterans First Contracting Program provides the authority to directly contract with a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). 5. Reason for Authority Cited: The proposed source for this action is Ray Group International, LLC of 100 South Ashely Drive Suite 1700, Tampa, Florida 33602. Ray Group International is a certified SDVOSB and is technically qualified to develop a centralized suicide data repository and provide the services to include comprehensive design and modeling of database systems including database architecture, logical, physical and data models. Ray Group has performed similar support services for VA previously and has proven that it has the required capabilities to meet all of the Government's requirements. Ray Group International possesses a combination of the program management and software engineering skills necessary to complete this project. In light of the above, Ray Group is capable of meeting all of the Government's requirements and is considered a responsible SDVOSB. 6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. Consistent with the guidelines of the Veterans First Contracting Program, the proposed action described herein will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities Page in accordance with FAR Part 5. 7. Actions to Increase Competition: All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis to determine any future acquisition strategy. 8. Market Research: Market research was conducted by searching the VetBiz.gov database on February 16, 2012 to determine if Ray Group International is a SDVOSB. This search concluded that Ray Group International is registered and certified and qualifies as a SDVOSB in accordance with the federal small business size standard for the applicable North American Industry Classification System Code 541511 Custom Computer Programming or Software Development. It was verified on February 16, 2012 that Ray Group International is registered in the Central Contractor Registration database and is eligible to receive a Government contract. The technical experts from the Office of Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention have determined that Ray Group International is technically capable of meeting the Government's requirements for this effort based on the fact that they have performed similar technical services for the VA in the past and they have proven the posess the necessary skills and capabilities to successfully perform the tasks under this requirement. 9. Other Facts: The Procuring Contracting Officer has determined that this proposed action meets all the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). This acquisition is below the $5,000,000.00 threshold, Ray Group International is a responsible SDVOSB for performance of the services herein, and the proposed contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price. 10. Technical and Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Robert Bossarte Date: ______________________ Chief, Epidemiology Signature: ______________________ 11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination: I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on the Independent Government Cost Estimate and price analysis. Carol Newcomb Date: ______________________ Procuring Contracting Officer Signature: ______________________ 12. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Given this proposed contract action does not $650,000.00 this certification serves as approval of this justification. Carol Newcomb Date: ______________________ Procuring Contracting Officer Signature: ______________________
