R418--Computer-Assisted Legal Research Follow-on (VA-26-00027185)

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its Technology Acquisition Center in Eatontown, New Jersey, is pursuing a follow-on contract for Computer-Assisted Legal Research services under solicitation number 36C10B26Q0206, designated as VA-26-00027185. The acquisition strategy has been finalized as an unrestricted Request for Quote to be posted on the General Services Administration’s eBuy platform, following completed market research. The goal is to procure a web-based legal research system that integrates SaaS capabilities with AI-powered docket and document search functionality to support Board of Veterans’ Appeals judges and attorneys. The solution must be hosted within VA infrastructure, comply with Section 508 accessibility standards, and align with the VA Technical Reference Model, FedRAMP, Zero Trust Architecture, and other federal and VA-specific cybersecurity and IT requirements. The contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methodology, requiring vendors to certify compliance with all mandatory criteria without trade-offs. Key requirements include adherence to sustainable procurement policies, with Offerors needing to provide proof of EPEAT, Energy Star, or FEMP certifications for all applicable products, as well as confirmation of OEM authorization and the absence of gray market or counterfeit items. All deliverables must be accompanied by required documentation including a FedRAMP System Security Plan, VA Implementation Diagram, 3PAO Security Assessment Report, Monthly POAM, and Weekly Shipment Reports. Security standards are stringent, mandating FIPS 140-2 encryption, NIST 800-88 data destruction protocols, and VA-specific security controls for personnel and systems access. Contractors must be U.S.-based, comply with VA’s Information Security Rule of Behavior, and ensure all personnel meet appropriate clearance levels. The base contract period is one year with four additional one-year options, and full system deployment and user accessibility are required by August 31, 2026. Submissions must include certifications for small business status, if applicable, and evidence of compliance with all technical, security, and sustainability provisions specified in the Product Description, with failure to meet any requirement rendering an offer unacceptable.