Blue Water Thinking awarded VHA Supply Chain Systems (SCS) Directorate PPMSS contract

VA continues to lean heavily on this fast growing Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), providing services in digital Government, management and advisory services, and health and Healthcare,

Awardee Name: BLUE WATER THINKING,LLC
Unique Entity ID: NKCBT3KN6EF3
Total Contract Value: $4,826,982.01
Action Obligation: $4,752,457.04
Department Name: VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF
Description: supply chain systems support
Number of Bidders: 1
Award ID: 36C10X24C0037
RFP ID: 36C10X24Q0306
Set Aside Used: SDVOSB Sole Source
NAICS: 541611
Award Type: Definitive Contract
Start Date: 2024-09-18
Ultimate Completion Date: 2025-09-17

This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition is executed by the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC), on behalf of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Supply Chain Systems (SCS) Directorate.

SCS proposes to negotiate a non-competitive Firm-Fixed-Price sole source award to Blue Water Thinking, LLC., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), to provide program and project management support.’

SCS requires services that include system analysis, application software services, information management, business process engineering, strategic communication management, stakeholder analysis, market research, and managing face-to-face
stakeholder engagements. The estimated value for this acquisition is $4,963,721.33 for a Period of Performance of one year with no option periods.

Blue Water Thinking, LLC has been identified as an SDVOSB with the in-depth knowledge of VHA operations and processes within the Program Office providing insights into the current and anticipated workforce challenges. Blue Water Thinking, LLC is currently supporting VA under contract 36C10X23C2005 with services comparable to those found in the PWS and is uniquely positioned to provide these requested services in a timely manner.

The initial procurement request for Supply Chain Support for Projects Management Support Services (PPMSS) was submitted as a base plus four options, $22M requirement to be competed on GSA. After reviewing the Performance Work Statement (PWS), the Contract Specialist (CS) identified that it might be suitable for SAC internal IDIQ, VECTOR or IHT 2.0. Following consultations with the Program
Management Office (PMO) and the Contracting Officer (CO), a sources sought notice was posted on ATOMS on 6/10/2024, with responses due by 6/17/2024. Four responses were received and forwarded for evaluation. The responses received under the sources sought notice were found technically capable. Subsequently, another VA office expressed interest in the PPMSS scope, suggesting potential inclusion of their requirements. However, the CS clarified that such additions should be discussed directly with the Supply Chains Systems Directorate (SCS). Discussions revealed that SCS would be consolidating with two other programs under their management, potentially impacting the PWS scope and future program additions post-contract award, which the CS and CO advised against due to scope issues.

A meeting on 6/27/24 resulted in the decision to pursue a one-year contract to allow the consolidating offices to better evaluate their service requirements for a future, larger effort. The PMO provided updated documentation, indicating that the current SDVOSB vendor could manage the next year’s effort effectively. The CO and CS recommended using Public Law 109 as the acquisition strategy, considering the circumstances.

Blue Water Thinking, LLC has successfully supported VA in similar efforts and has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance. They are registered and verified in SBA VetCert as a SDVOSB with the NAICS code 541611 for this requirement which, in accordance with Public Law 109-461 Section 502(c), meets the requirements of this statute to allow a sole source to a SDVOSB. In addition, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) was reviewed and CPARS shows no reports for Blue Water Thinking, LLC. that would indicate defective pricing, instances of contractor fault or recipient not- qualified, terminations for cause, default, material failure to comply, or non-responsibility of the contractor

The Contracting Officer has determined that this proposed action meets all the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 8127(c). This acquisition is below the $5,000,000.00 threshold, Blue Water Thinking, LLC is a responsible SDVOSB for performance of the services described herein, and the proposed contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price. SCS’s requirements under this effort align well with the upcoming Integrated Health Transformation (IHT 2.0) contract scope and it is anticipated that future efforts will seek to utilize this or the VECTOR vehicle as potential sources. Given that there is a risk of scope change due to program office consolidations over the next year, the Program Office in consultation with the Contracting Officer agree that the authority given by Public Law 109-461, Section 502(c) is an appropriate and justifiable acquisition plan.

The following Firms responded to the Sources Sought posted to VECTOR on 6/10/2024:
• Analytical Government Solutions, LLC (AGS) (SDVOSB)
• TJFACT (SDVOSB)

• RB Consulting, Inc. (RBCI) (SDVOSB)
• BDR Solutions, LLC (SDVOSB

The following Firms responded to the Notice of Intent to Sole Source to Blue Water
Thinking, LLC on 7/3/2024:
• Primus Vets – SDVOSB
• BLKDIGITALTECH – VOSB
• Caso Law Firm, PLLC – 8(a)

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