Audiocare

Control Number VA-21-00066418 is a non-competitive firm-fixed price task order being issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Server/System Replacement Support. The task order will be issued to AudioCare Systems under the General Services Administration (GSA) Information Technology (IT) 70 Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract. The purpose of this action is to install, configure, and implement AudioCare's application software on 150 VA-provided virtual servers for the existing AudioCare Automated Communication System. This system allows veterans to receive medical appointments and pharmacy information from their specific VA Medical Center via a toll-free number. The period of performance for this task order is from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022.

The justification for the exception to fair opportunity is based on the unique and highly specialized nature of the AudioCare software. According to market research conducted by the VA, no other sources were found capable of providing the required licenses and support for the migration of the AudioCare system to VA virtual servers without a break in service. AudioCare is also the only software that can meet all of VA's functional requirements and interface seamlessly with VA's existing infrastructure, specifically the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) system. The estimated value of this task order is not provided in the summary.

Efforts to obtain competition were made through market research and a Request for Information (RFI), but no other vendors or solutions were found that could meet VA's requirements. The program office plans to conduct additional market research in the future to explore potential alternatives and increase competition for this requirement.

Overall, this summary highlights the need for Server/System Replacement Support for the AudioCare system used by VA to provide automated communications between veterans and healthcare facilities. The justification emphasizes the unique capabilities of AudioCare software and its critical role in supporting veteran care without any disruption in service.