The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing a Special Notice regarding its intent to award a sole source contract to Par Excellence Systems Inc. This action, under 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), is not a request for competitive quotes, but rather a notification of the VA's plan to secure annual maintenance, support services, and software licenses for weight-based inventory management systems utilized in various facilities across Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) 20. The NAICS Code associated with this requirement is 541990, with a large business size standard of $19.5 million. Interested parties may submit capability statements, proposals, or quotations by 6 A.M. Pacific Time on April 7, 2025. Responses should be sent to the designated Contract Specialist, Gregory Watson, at the provided email address. Notably, the VA will not incur costs for submissions. This notice serves as the sole announcement regarding the government's intent to negotiate and award a contract to a single source, focusing on the need for specialized services linked to the existing inventory management systems.

This government procurement document outlines the acquisition process for the maintenance and support of proprietary inventory management systems developed by PAR Excellence Systems, Inc. (PAR). The contracting authority, utilizing FAR 13.5, states that competition is restricted because PAR is the sole source capable of providing the necessary services, given its proprietary rights to the equipment installed at various VA facilities. The document emphasizes that market research was minimal due to the unique nature of the equipment and the exclusivity of PAR as a provider. The contracting officer has determined that the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable based on previous pricing and the lower long-term costs associated with the proprietary system. Lastly, it reaffirms that barriers to competition exist as services must be procured directly from PAR, with no alternative vendors being authorized. This procurement highlights the challenges of achieving full and open competition when proprietary services and products are involved.