DA10--License Renewal & Support Brand Name or Equal to Vaultara - Solicitation Cancelled -

This solicitation, identified as 36C26026Q0728, was issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 20, to procure a renewal of software licenses and associated maintenance and support services for the VA VISN 20 hybrid-cloud image exchange system, specifically requiring brand-name-or-equal compliance with Vaultara. The procurement was structured as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 513210, limiting eligibility to small businesses and mandating compliance with all applicable socioeconomic representations, including HUBZone, WOSB, and EDWOSB certifications, as well as SAM registration with current UEI and tax ID numbers. Contract performance is anticipated to span a base period from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2027, with four optional one-year extensions through September 29, 2031, and a potential one-time, six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8 at the government’s sole discretion. The contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, with pricing required to include all labor, overhead, profit, and associated costs, evaluated as a total all-inclusive sum for specified CLINs. Payment will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer in arrears, with invoices submitted electronically under VAAR 852.232-72, containing detailed line-item descriptions, shipping data, discount terms, and taxpayer identification only if otherwise required. The government will conduct comparative evaluations using a best-value approach, weighing price and other factors such as technical quality and past performance, without accepting alternate quotations. All offers must meet minimum requirements, and failure to do so results in rejection. Performance is expected to occur remotely with no contractor travel reimbursed, and all services must ensure uninterrupted critical image exchange operations available at no cost to veterans and external providers. Contractors must adhere to stringent security protocols, including background investigations equivalent to VA employees, completion of the e-QIP questionnaire, fingerprinting, and strict compliance with VA and federal information security policies under NIST and FIPS standards. Additional legal compliance obligations include adherence to federal laws on kickbacks, procurement integrity, fly American, and use of appropriated funds. The contract includes clauses for liquidated damages, limitations on subcontracting with a deviation allowed, and inspection and acceptance provisions allowing the government to require repair, replacement, or price reduction for nonconforming deliverables. The solicitation