2330--NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - CFort Replacement

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Special Notice

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This intent to sole source announcement is posted in accordance with FAR 5.2Â - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions.
Background -
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Emergency Management (OEM) owns and deploys Containerized Fold Out Rigid Shelters (CFORTS) with medical treatment capabilities across the VHA Enterprise. VHA OEM currently operates 19 CFORTS nationally in support of natural disasters, infrastructure repair support and special event support for Veteran care. One of the units was destroyed in an accident and is authorized to be replaced by VHA leadership from the original equipment manufacturer. In order to maintain uniformity of use, training, transportation, and familiarity to users, OEM will be seeking to replace the unit from the original manufacturer, Elite Aluminum.
Objective
VHA OEM will submit to order one C-FORT 96 unit with mobilizer. The unit is a 3 room portable building when fully deployed with a self-standing generator for power or can have the ability to be hooked up to regulated shore power. Once the order is approved and placed the estimated time for delivery is 90 days. The total cost of the unit w/mobilizer will be $498,995.
Unique Qualifications
VHA OEM currently deploys and operates 19 CFORTS in response to emergency requests or as directed by the Government. Over 100+ VHA personnel at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), and internal program offices, have been trained in the use and operation of the CFORT unit since being entered into the response fleet 2018. Introducing another system would be disruptive in deployment time, cost excess training expense, and delay deployments during time critical periods. In order to retrain over 100+ personnel to use a new system, adapt vehicles to a new trailering system and have response units that are not compatible with current site set ups would cost the VHA well over $3M in materials, manhours, and equipment not to mention the delays in response and the speed at which personnel can currently deploy and set up current assets. The proposed vendor in the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Elite Aluminum does not outsource their designs, parts, or manufacturing processes to third party distributors. No other manufacturer has a unit developed with the same specifications, installed equipment and abilities as the CFORTs that are manufactured with Elite Aluminum. Elite has several patents, manufacturing methods, and materials used to construct the units that set them apart from anything else on the market.
Award information
A request for quote (RFQ) shall be presented to the contractor only in accordance with (IAW) the sole source authority at FAR 6.302-1 as a fixed-price purchase order contract. The Government shall provide a basis for price reasonableness IAW FAR 13.106-3(2)(i-vii) to award Contract No 36C24526P011. The period of performance is based on the time required to build and deliver the CFORT to the OEM office located in Martinsburg, WV.
If you would like to obtain additional information, please contact the Contracting Officer (CO): Robert O Keefe Jr. Robert.Okeefejr@va.gov

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