DA10--Firely Simplifier Tool (VA-26-00034718)

The solicitation for the Firely Simplifier Tool, identified by solicitation number 36C10B26Q0228 and issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Technology Acquisition Center in Eatontown, New Jersey, seeks a cloud-based SaaS platform under a Firm Fixed Price contract structure. The platform, designated as Simplifier, requires full compliance with VA-specific security and accessibility mandates including Section 508, WCAG 2.0 Level AA, VA OIT Technical Reference Model, Trusted Internet Connections 3.0, and VA Critical Security Controls. Performance is to be delivered as a digital service with no physical deliverables, rendering all packaging, labeling, and MIL-STD requirements inapplicable. The contract includes a base period of twelve months with up to four optional twelve-month extensions, each exercisable at the government’s discretion under FAR 52.217-9. Award will be made using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methodology, with technical acceptability determined on a pass/fail basis and no weighting assigned to non-price factors; the lowest-priced offer that meets all mandatory requirements will be selected without evaluation of higher-priced submissions. The contract imposes stringent compliance obligations centered on cybersecurity, supply chain integrity, and ethical conduct. Contractors must adhere to Section 889 of the NDAA FY2019 prohibiting use of covered telecommunications equipment from specified foreign entities and must flow down these restrictions to all subcontractors. OFAC sanctions compliance is mandatory, with any transaction involving sanctioned countries or entities exceeding $15,000 requiring immediate disclosure. Security requirements extend to personnel, necessitating Tiered background investigations per VA Handbook 0710, and to system design, prohibiting disabling code such as time-outs or node locks. All software must be fully accessible, with remediation of non-compliant features at the contractor’s expense. Reporting obligations include 72-hour disclosures of non-compliant products, electronic submission of invoices via VAAR 852.232-72, and compliance with FAR clauses on whistleblower rights, conflict of interest, and prohibitions on confidentiality agreements that restrict reporting of fraud or abuse. Payments will be processed electronically through SAM.gov to the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas. Proposals must be submitted via email to designated points of contact by May 11, 2026, at 12:00 EDT, with file sizes capped at 5 MB per submission, and must include complete technical descriptions