DA01--Supply Chain GUI Overlay Renewal (VA-26-00023382)

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a firm-fixed price task order to Document Storage Systems, Inc. under its GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract for the continued maintenance and support of the proprietary Supply Chain Graphical User Interface Overlay system, which is critical to the VA’s VistA healthcare information architecture. This sole-source award, justified under FAR 8.401(b) and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) due to DSS’s exclusive access to the source code and irreplaceable technical expertise, carries a total potential value of $9,287,690.01 over a base period of 11 months and two optional 12-month extensions, totaling up to 35 months if all options are exercised. The contract supports operations across 141 VA Medical Centers, the Consolidated Mail Order Pharmacy, Employee Education Services, and the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy, with performance primarily delivered remotely but potentially requiring on-site support as needed. DSS has explicitly affirmed it will not resell these services or share proprietary code, reinforcing the uniqueness and non-transferability of its capability. No physical packaging, preservation, or labeling requirements apply since the deliverables are software-based services, including ongoing patches, security updates, system enhancements, and technical reviews of VistA code changes from EHRM and FMBT systems. The Government retains authority for inspection and acceptance based on operational readiness and interoperability with core VA systems such as IFCAP, GIP, AEMS/MERS, PIP, EQUIP, VIRR, and PSAS. Acceptance is contingent on successful technical validation by VA personnel and must ensure zero disruption to mission-critical healthcare operations. The contracting officer, Michael Weckesser, oversees the task order under a sole-source framework supported by a redacted Limited Sources Justification posted on SAM.gov, with no formal evaluation matrix or weighted factors used in award determination—instead, the decision was based entirely on technical necessity and best value. DSS, a large business with UEI EJL2XFJ1BZJ1, holds no socioeconomic certifications, and the acquisition did not utilize Recovery Act funds. The contract is administered through VA’s internal financial systems, and no specific invoicing method or payment office details were specified.