J041--Emergency Siemens Apogee Support Services- Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through Network Contracting Office 22, has awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract valued at $375,000 to Siemens Industry, Inc. for emergency maintenance and monitoring services of the Siemens Apogee Building Automation System at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, specifically the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The contract, issued under FAR 6.302-2 for unusual and compelling urgency, was necessitated by the critical nature of the Apogee system, which regulates HVAC functions essential to patient safety, infection control, and compliance with Joint Commission standards. With no viable alternatives due to the system’s proprietary configuration, the award was justified on the grounds that Siemens is the only entity possessing the exclusive technical knowledge, authorized access to genuine parts, and proprietary software tools required for uninterrupted operation. The performance period is strictly limited to three months, from May 14 to August 13, 2026, with no option periods or extensions contemplated. The scope of work encompasses preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, software updates, and replacement of obsolete components, all performed on-site at the medical center. Performance is measured by system uptime, adherence to maintenance schedules, and compliance with clinical environmental requirements, with zero unplanned downtime being the operational expectation. Although the contracting office is administratively located in Tucson, Arizona, all services are rendered at the West Los Angeles facility, and no packaging, marking, or shipping requirements apply as this is purely a service-based acquisition. The award was not based on competitive pricing or Lowest Price Technically Acceptable criteria but on the contractor’s unique, non-transferable expertise and the high-risk consequences of service interruption. The contract is funded by non-Recovery Act sources, and the sole point of contact is Contracting Specialist Jennell Christofaro, with no designated Contracting Officer’s Representative identified. The contractor’s Unique Entity ID is JZXZSN3BBL98, and while no socioeconomic certifications or size status determinations are disclosed, the procurement relies entirely on the contractor’s established history of supporting the same system under prior contracts, ensuring continuity and operational reliability.