R702--VA pre-award notice of intent to sole source requirement for access to the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication messaging switch system linking local, territory, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703 Control Number: AS3-23-001 Page 1 of 2 SOLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), I hereby determine that the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) access meets sole source criteria. National Law Enforcement Telecommunications is available from only one source and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. There are no alternatives available for the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Workforce Accelerator. This acquisition is restricted to the following source: Company: National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, Inc. Company Address: 1918 W Whispering Wind Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85085-1867 Company Point of Contact and Phone Number: Timothy Cook, +1 (555) 000-0000 National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System access will cost $122,528.40 for the base year to include a reinstatement fee and $87,830.58 for Option Year II for a total of $210,358.98 for 2 years. Specific characteristics of National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems Inc., that limit the availability to a sole source: The VA, Office of Security and Law Enforcement has an annual requirement for uninterrupted access to the International Justice and Public Safety Network, formerly known as the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, Inc. (NLETS). Currently referred to simply as NLETS, this organization is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, partially funded by membership fees. NLETS is primarily a message switch that electronically links state, territory, local, Federal, and international entities involved in law enforcement, criminal justice, and public safety. Its purpose is to provide the capability to access and exchange the information transmitted through its message switch. This information encompasses a vast array of state and local information found in state private and commercial driver information, driver s licenses, criminal histories, wants and warrants, missing persons, unidentified persons, stolen or missing property, and a multitude of other relevant state, Federal and international databases. To sustain continuous access to the system, NLETS charges an annual membership fee to all its members, state and Federal. The Office of Security and Law Enforcement is the policy oversight and compliance organization for most VA Nlets users, i.e., VA Police. As such, it is centrally billed by Nlets in the form of a consolidated base and terminal fee that ensures VA-wide access. These membership fees provide unlimited and secure access to all 150 plus NLETS transactions with guaranteed message delivery with services including access to the NLETS Justice Portal that serves as a resource for Disaster Recovery. NLETS access is not available without an NLETS membership. Other companies offer access to NLETS, however, charge additional fees for other connectivity through proprietary cloud frameworks not suitable for this requirement. Access to NLETS enables VA law enforcement to fulfill its operational needs and to ensure continuity of operations of all VA sites nationwide. Nlets is a unique, one-of a kind organization that is the only provider of the required services that are critical to the successful performance of the Office of Security and Law Enforcement s chief functions to ensure the safety and well-being of Veterans and VA employees. Check and fill in all that are applicable: The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current equipment is , and the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system by . A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows: These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment. Other information to support a sole source buy: VA Police Units, which comprise most VA users, have access to NLETS though stationary, mobile, and web access points. These users access Nlets through their designated state or Department of Justice system message switches/interfaces which directly link to the NLETS switch. The Office of Security and Law Enforcement accesses NLETS through its one terminal in VA Central Office through the Department of Justice (DoJ) JUST switch/interface which is directly linked to Nlets. The VA Office of Inspector General accesses NLETS through approximately 10 stationary terminals throughout the U.S. and VA Central Office which access Nlets applications through the DoJ JWIN system switch/interface which is directly linked to Nlets. CERTIFICATION I certify that statements checked, and information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition. Signature: Date: Regina Smith Supervisory Program Management Officer of Quality Management DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703 Page 1 of 2 Signature: Date: Contracting Specialist Strategic Acquisition Center DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703 Page 1 of 2 Signature: Date: Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center