R499--Northport Television Broadcasting

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its Network Contracting Office 2 in Buffalo, New York, has awarded a sole-source, firm-fixed price contract to Cablevision Systems Corporation (DBA Optimum) for the provision of analog cable television service at the Northport VA Medical Center and its affiliated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and Veterans Centers. The contract, identified by solicitation number 36C24226Q0634 and award number 36C24226P0737, has a base value of $461,802.00 and covers a one-year performance period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with four additional one-year option periods extending the total potential duration through June 30, 2031. The award was justified under 41 U.S.C. §3304(a)(1) due to the unique and proprietary nature of the incumbent’s analog cable infrastructure, which is owned and maintained by the contractor and cannot be replicated or replaced by any other vendor without prohibitive cost and operational disruption. No competitive procurement was conducted, and no evaluation factors, technical ratings, or risk assessments were applied, as the acquisition hinges solely on the irreplaceability of the existing infrastructure. Services include the continuous delivery of analog TV signals to 356 units across the main campus and satellite locations, with the contractor responsible for maintaining all existing cabling, conduits, and equipment without requiring hospital-grade cable boxes. The contracting specialist, Leia LaBruna, serves as the primary point of contact, while Alexander Jardine acts as the Contracting Officer’s Representative at the Northport VA Medical Center. The place of performance is primarily the Northport VA Medical Center in Northport, New York, with additional delivery points at affiliated clinics and veterans centers. No payment office details, invoicing methods, or packaging requirements are specified. The contractor’s Unique Entity ID is MKJ7FLK9JMX4, and no socioeconomic status certifications were claimed, with market research confirming no small businesses or other designated entities are capable of providing this service under the existing infrastructure constraints.