DA10--Sole Source for Computrition Software

LIMITED-SOURCES JUSTIFICATION Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veteran s Health Administration / NCO 22 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 Description of Action: The proposed action is for a non-competitive, firm-fixed-price task order to be awarded under General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract Number 47QTCA21D005U to Computrition, Inc. (Computrition) 8521 Fallbrook Avenue, Suite 100, Canoga Park, California 91304, for Computrition brand name food services management software modules, licenses, and associated technical support services. Description of the Supplies or Services: VA, Veterans Health Administration Phoenix, New Mexico, Southern Arizona and Northern Arizona VA Medical Centers, have a requirement for the renewal of brand-name Computrition Hospitality Suite Software and support services which consists of food services management software, software support/updates, and maintenance for deployed software, as well as procurement of associated technical support services and the procurement of additional add-on modules. Specifically, these sites are seeking renewal of Nutrition Care Management Select (NCM)/ Foodservice Operations Pro Modules (FOM), Room Service Software and Room Service Connect Software Modules, Veteran Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) Health Level 7 (HL-7) Interface Software Modules, and Database Administration services. These four sites also require associated technical support services which are defined as program enhancements, implementation, and training services. This requirement shall also include 24 hours per day, 7 days per week support for the purpose of maintaining and accessing existing software resulting in fully functional, operationally capable as intended by the manufacturer in support of the sites requirements. These sites are also seeking to procure additional Computrition modules such as Single Sign-On, Tray InMotion, Inventory Connect, Nutrition Food Label Module (Label Elite) and Video Display, and additional quantities of NCM/FOM Licenses, HL-7 Interface Monitoring Module. The period of performance shall consist of a 12-month base period with four (4) 12-month option periods. The total estimated value of the proposed action is $955,241.64 inclusive of options. Authority: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program. The specific authority providing for a limited source award is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The proposed source is Computrition, Inc, 8521 Fallbrook Avenue, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91304. This Computrition Automation Software and Licensing 2 requirement can only be provided by the Original Software Developer (OSD), Computrition, under its GSA MAS contract number 47QTCA21D005U. Based on market research, as detailed in section eight of this justification, no other source can provide the required Computrition brand name software modules, licenses, and associated technical support services. In Fiscal Year 2013, VA commenced utilization of the Computrition software, and developed the necessary environment and customization to allow for the HL-7 interface to Computrition s software, which includes all active inventory, recipes, menus, diets, daily production data, patient preferences and meal selections for food menu management. As such, VA procured multiple modules, as identified in section three of this justification. VA requires renewal of these modules, and the necessary associated technical support services to ensure uninterrupted service for Veterans. Due to the proprietary nature of the deployed software, and the customization of the VA environment, no other solution would be able to be fully compatible and interoperable with the existing environment. Computrition does not authorize any other entity to sell, support, maintain, or train others in the use of their software. The software modules associated with this software package cannot be licensed by any other company given its proprietary nature. Any other brand name software will not be able to function and communicate with the existing databases without an extensive redesign and redevelopment effort. To replace this software with that of another vendor would require a complete rewrite of the existing VistA Menu Management Program and HL-7 interface with additional customizations to provide select menu, spoken menu, room service, enhanced nutrient analysis, patient intake analysis and production. Specifically, currently fielded databases are only able to function and communicate with Computrition software. VA technical experts estimate that it would take a minimum of 2000 hours (approximately 1 year) to implement a solution other than Computrition at all four sites VA Medical Centers. This would involve building databases of recipes, menus, food items, food inventory, food production, ward/room number locations, diets, diet restrictions, likes, dislikes, allergies, etc. required for the software to be operations. Additionally, the software would need to be tested numerous times with the VistA system before being properly deployed, which would further lengthen the transition period. In addition, the existing Computrition software stores Veterans health and diet data through the existing databases. Switching to another brand name software and redesigning and redeveloping this existing architecture will also increase risk of data corruption. There is no automated export/import possible between Computrition Software and another competitor s database for all the data that the teams built, have stored, and currently maintain in the Computrition software. Therefore, the redevelopment of the thousands of line of code would not only be a significant effort, but it would also increase risks to data integrity. Overall, the amount of labor and time incurred by changing vendors at this time would significantly impact daily operations. Included as part of this proposed action is the procurement of additional software modules and ancillary support services, such as training, database administration, and implementation support. No other source, other than Computrition can provide the required modules and support, as no other software and modules are interoperable or compatible with the existing sites environment, as discussed above, and no other source has access to the necessary proprietary information and training materials, other than the Original Software Developer (OSD). In order for any source to be able to provide the required associated technical support services, would require direct access to the proprietary source code in order to generate fixes, patches, and updates, which will then be able to be pushed into production. Without these required services from the OSD, VA appreciably increases the risk that software will cease functioning properly and endanger Veteran patient safety. Additionally, due to the proprietary restrictions imposed by the OSD, no other source can provide the balance of the required services, such as training and implementation. Furthermore, Computrition software is the only software that is capable of satisfying the Governments for a HL-7 interface with VistA. Computrition has replaced the VistA Menu Management Program for the majority of VA Nutrition and Food Services operations. The interface HL-7 refers to a set of international standards for transfer of clinical and administrative data between software applications used by various healthcare providers. HL-7 provides the Computrition Foodservice nutrition software with the pertinent data from VistA. The interface provides a uni-directional download of admission, discharges, and transfers of all patients 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. These software downloads update the patient's record in the menu management program and provide date of birth, social security number, and diet order. If this information is not constantly downloaded, patient safety is violated. Additionally, no other source, other than the OSD, provides software that can interoperate with deployed technologies, such as the Interactive Patient Care Systems. Additionally, in order for any source to be able to provide the required associated technical support services, direct access to the Computrition proprietary source code would be required to generate fixes, patches, and updates. Without these required services, VA increases the risk that the software would cease to function properly and endanger Veterans patient safety. Failure to procure the required Computrition software and technical support would result in unnecessary delays for Veterans to receive proper nutritional care and healthcare. Based on the above, only procuring the required Computrition brand name software modules, licenses, and associated technical support services from the OSD will satisfy the Governments requirement. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. In accordance with FAR 5.301 and 8.405-6(a)(2) the award notice for this action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website and this justification will be made publicly available within 14 days of award. Further, this justification will be posted with the Request for Quotation in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(2). Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future actions to be competed. Additionally, prior to exercising of the option, VA will conduct market research to determine if software with the same functionality is approved for use in VA. Market Research: Market research efforts were conducted by the Contract Specialist via an Internet search in July 2023 to determine whether any nutrition software companies meet the needs of these four sites. Based upon the research, two companies, CBORD and Vision Software, had the general capabilities to perform the proposed effort. However, only Computrition possesses the integration abilities with CPRS and VistA, Cerner, and Getwell Network to ensure uninterrupted services for the Veterans. Based upon this research, it was determined that there are not any other similar food services management products that provide all the required functionality. Additionally, in July 2023, market research was conducted by the Contract Specialist to determine if there were additional Government distribution channels for the required software licenses, maintenance, and implementation services. The search yielded no results confirming that there are no resellers that can provide the required brand name Computrition software licenses, maintenance, and implementation services. Computrition, Inc. offers a proprietary software package that includes food service operations management, nutritional care management/automated diet office and Point of Sale functionality. Computrition, Inc. does not authorize any other entity to sell, support or train this software. Therefore, Computrition, Inc. is considered to be the sole source provider of this functionality. The software modules cannot be licensed by any other company. Therefore, no competition is anticipated for this effort as Computrition, Inc. is the only capable vendor and has proprietary rights over its software maintenance and upgrades. In October 2023, the Contract Specialist contacted Computrition to determine if there were additional Government distribution channels for the required software licenses, maintenance, and implementation services. Computrition responded with an email dated October 24, 2023, confirming that there are no resellers that can provide the required brand name Computrition software licenses, maintenance, and implementation services. This email has been made a part of the file. Based on this market research, it was determined that there are no other vendors capable of providing the Government with the required Computrition software licenses, maintenance, and implementation services. As a result, this effort will be solicited as a sole source to Computrition, 8521 Fallbrook Avenue, Suite 100, West Hills, California 91304 under its General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract Number 47QTCA21D005U. Other Facts: None 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. _________________________ Tim Garrity / Contracting Officer Determination of Best Value: I hereby determine that the proposed contract action will represent the best value to the Government consistent with FAR 8.404(d). The Government will compare the proposed prices to Computrition s GSA MAS, since GSA has already determined that the prices on the FSS contract are fair and reasonable, as well as the Independent Government Cost Estimate. Additionally, price discounts will be sought. ___________________________ Tim Garrity / Contracting Officer Procuring Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. ___________________________ Tim Garrity / Contracting Officer