R--Branding Strategy

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVALTO PROCURE USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity. This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition is executed by the CAI Frederick, Frederick, MD, on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Acquisition and Logistic (OAL) Policy and Programs division. 2. Nature/Description of Action. This activity proposes to negotiate a noncompetitive award (sole source) with Ambit Group LLC, for the procurement of services for: 1) Branding strategy and communication outreach. 3. Description of Supplies/Services. The purpose of this requirement is to continue services with the incumbent who is currently finalizing baseline Transformation initiatives for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) division. The VA is undergoing a Transformation process that will enable VA to meet twenty first century mandates. Meeting these mandates will allow VA to accomplish its myriad of missions more effectively and efficiently in support of the nation's Veterans. The VA must provide cutting-edge information technology, innovative and improved acquisition processes to service the growing and changing population of Veterans. A substantial transformation of the VA workforce, along with end-to-end innovations in management is required. Within this environment there are many challenges to be met. As part of the VA enterprise transformation, VA leadership has committed to addressing these priority mission challenges that will involve Veterans, VA suppliers, VA partners, and management at all staff levels and within the Administrations. VA opened this new dialogue at a recent Supplier Relationship Transformation Forum, and is building on this momentum by establishing an array of initiatives to meet VA Transformation goals and objectives. This procurement requires various services in support of program development, and management with a focus on the critical areas required to support the transformation effort as noted above in paragraph 2. Ambit Group LLC is currently providing assistance to VA on Transformation initiative's under their existing award. The estimated value of this requirement is $449,276.98 for the base year and 299,570.04 for option year one, 258,074.37 for option year two, 199,519.98 for option year three, and 197,476.84 for option year four. This brings the aggregate value of this requirement to $1,403,918.21. 4. Identification of Statutory Authority. The statutory exception permitting other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), Authorized or Required by Statute as implemented by FAR 6.302-5. The applicable statute is Public Law 109-461, Veterans First Contracting Program. 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications. Ambit Group LLC has provided VA contractual assistance on numerous VA initiatives in the past. Currently, Ambit Group LLC is working on a critical element of VA's transformation process. Under their current award Ambit Group LLC assisted VA with several baseline Transformation initiatives including the supplier aspect of the 360 degree Customer Satisfaction Key Performance Indicator (KPI) project; a Supplier Relationship Transformation Forum (SRTF) to facilitate discussion on customer satisfaction with selected VA suppliers; the primary construction of a survey tool to be further developed by Michigan State University (MSU) which will be used to survey the entire VA supplier population; and a baseline doctrine for VA governance along with various related media. Ambit Group LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concern with competencies in an array of disciplines that include management, organization, business, information technology, acquisition, strategic planning and facilitation. Ambit Group LLC was recently recognized as SDVOSB business of the year for 2008. Ambit Group LLC has provided service for numerous federal agencies in the District of Washington over the past 5 years. They have a staff of competent senior-level subject matter experts, professional consultants and facilitators. This requirement includes several functions that Ambit Group LLC has demonstrated the ability and knowledge to perform. Also, Ambit Group LLC is familiar with the VA's transformation process due to their previous experience with the VA. The new procurement requires support of program development and management across the five critical areas as noted in paragraph 2. Securing Ambit Group LLC to accomplish the next phase of the transformation process will provide continuity from the previous work they provided and allow for gains in the area of economics and efficiencies which will best enable VA to meet its Transformation objectives and goals. 6. Description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. This acquisition will not be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunity System pursuant to the exception granted at FAR 5.202(a)(4). The next opportunity for award will be considered on a case-by-case basis for award. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Prices. No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the costs to the Government to be fair and reasonable. This determination will be based on a comparison of the Independent Government Cost Estimate and AMBIT Group LLC's proposal. 8. Description of Market Survey. Market research was conducted using VetBiz.gov. We determined that Ambit Group LLC is a responsible source with respect to this contracting opportunity. They are registered and certified in VetBiz.gov as a SDVOSB with the NAICS code for this requirement which in accordance with Public Law 109-461 Section 502(c) meets the requirements of this statute to sole source to a SDVOSB. 9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. PL109-461 Section 502(c) states: SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTS FOR CONTRACTS ABOVE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD. For purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a), and in accordance with this section, a contracting officer of the Department may award a contract to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans using procedures other than competitive procedures if --- (1) Such concern is determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance of such contract opportunity; (2) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)) but will not exceed $5,000,000; and (3) In the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States. This procurement meets all of these conditions. 10. Listing of Interested Sources. Ambit Group LLC 1895 Preston White drive Reston, Virginia 20191-5434 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition. All future requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis. CERTIFICATIONS Technical Representative Certification: I certify that the foregoing justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. ____________________ ____________ John Eldridge Date Contract Administrator VA Central Office, Office of Acquisition and Logistic Policy and Programs, Washington, DC Contracting Officer Certification Pursuant to (FAR 6.303-2(a)(12)), I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _______________________ ____________ Teresa M. Thomas Date Contracting Officer Competition Advocate Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate, the solicitation of the proposed procurements described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1). _______________________ ____________ C. Ford Heard Date Competition Advocate