This is acquisition was conducted using the sole source authority as set forth at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-5(b)(2), Authorized or Required by Statute (Required Government Source AbilityOne Program). Pursuant to FAR 6.302-5, Authorized or Required by Statute, 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(5), the VA was required by statute to procure seventeen (17) of the twenty-five (25) battery types from the total VA Batteries 2025 requirement originally posted on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) site on December 23, 2024 under Request For Information (RFI) number 36C79125Q0001 from the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL). In addition to the sole source procurement authority of FAR 60.302-5(b)(2), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Manual (VAAM) M808.002-70(a), priorities for use of mandatory Government sources AbilityOne procedures, which states: As a result of Pub. L. 116-155, certain covered products and services on the AbilityOne Procurement List must be procured in accordance with VAAR 808.002(a)(1)(iv) and (a)(2). Pursuant to FAR 8.704(a), which states: 41 U.S.C. chapter 85 requires the Government to purchase supplies or services on the Procurement List, at prices established by the Committee, from AbilityOne participating central nonprofit agencies (CNAs) if they are available within the period required. A Justifications and Approvals (JA) was not required in accordance with FAR 6.302-5(c)(2), Contracts awarded using this authority shall be supported by the written justifications and approvals described in FAR 6.303 and FAR 6.304, except for (i), Contracts awarded under (a)(2)(ii) or (b)(2) of this section; Qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind or other severely disabled 41 U.S.C. chapter 85, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see FAR Subpart 8.7). Combined Synopsis and Solicitation number 36C79125R0004 was exempt to the publicizing contract actions requirement as set forth at FAR 5.202, Exceptions: The contracting officer need not submit the notice required by FAR 5.201 when-(a)(4), The proposed contract action is expressly authorized or required by a statute to be made through another Government agency, including acquisitions from the Small Business Administration (SBA) using the authority of section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (but see FAR 5.205(f), 8(a) competitive acquisitions), or from a specific source such as a workshop for the blind under the rules of the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc. was the designated Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA) designated by the AbilityOne Committee through their program management representatives at Source America to supply the seventeen (17) battery types currently listed on the AbilityOne Procurement List. It was determined early in the Procurement Phase that battery type or Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) X014 - NIMHAAA, Nickel Metal Hydride, 1.2-Volt, Cylindrical Type, Rechargeable, Size AAA. ANSI No. l.2H1, NSN 6140-01-413-3928 was no longer listed as available on the AbilityOne Procurement List and therefore was impermissible to award CLIN X0014 to Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc. under the sole source authority FAR 6.302-5(b)(2). As a result, Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc. was awarded sixteen (16) of the seventeen (17) CLINs that Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc. proposed to in response to combined synopsis and solicitation 36C79125R0004. The Government excepted Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc.'s proposal dated July 3, 2025 in the Total Estimated Contract Value of $4,647,033.24. Pursuant to sole source award authority FAR 6.302-5: Authorized or Required by Statute, 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(5), the Government hereby sole source awards the following CLINs to Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc.:
- CLIN X001 - ALKAA, Alkaline, cylindrical type, 1.5-volt, non-rechargeable, size AA. ANSI No. 15A (NSN 6135-01-616-5152).
- (2) CLIN X002 - ALKAAA, Alkaline, cylindrical type, 1.5-volt, non-rechargeable, size AAA. ANSI No. 24A (NSN 6135-00-826-4798) .
- (3) CLIN X003 - ALK1604, Alkaline, 2-terminal, 9-volt, non-rechargeable, flat type, size 1604, ANSI No. 1604A (NSN6135-00-900-2139).
- (4) CLIN X004 - ALKC, Alkaline, cylindrical type; 1.5-volt; non-rechargeable, size C. ANSI No. 14A (NSN 6135-00-985-7846).
- (5) CLIN X005 - ALKD, Alkaline, cylindrical type, 1.5-volt, non-rechargeable, size D. ANSI/NEDA No. 13A (NSN 6135-00-835-7210).
- (6) CLIN X006 - ALKN, Alkaline, cylindrical type, 1.5-volt, non-rechargeable, size N. ANSI/NEDA No. 910D (NSN 6135-01-031-0862).
- (7) CLIN X007 - ALK12V A23, Alkaline, cylindrical type, 12-volt, non-rechargeable, size A23. ANSI No. 1181A (NSN 6135-01-372-5191).
- (8) CLIN X008 - CR123A LITHIUM, Lithium, cylindrical type, 3-volt, non-rechargeable. ANSI/NEDA No. 5018LC (NSN6135-01-351-1131).
- (9) CLIN X009 - CR2-3 VOLT, Lithium, cylindrical type, 3-volt, non-rechargeable, size CR2. ANSI-No. B01E95B2BW (NSN 6135-01-534-0310).
- (10) CLIN X010 - CR2025, Lithium, coin-cell type, 3-volt, non-rechargeable. ANSI No. 5003 CC (NSN6135-01-526-6530).
- (11) CLIN X011 - L2032, Lithium, coin-cell type, 3-volt, non-rechargeable. ANSI No. 5004LC (NSN 6135-01-210-8715).
- (12) CLIN X012 - L2450, Lithium, coin cell, 3-volt, non-rechargeable, size 2450. ANSI No. 5029LC (NSN 6135-01-414-8831).
- (13) CLIN X013 - NIMHAA, Nickel Metal Hydride, I .2-volt, cylindrical type, rechargeable, size AA. ANSI No. I.2H2 (NiMH) (NSN 6140-01-467-3225).
- (14) CLIN X015 - S357, Silver Oxide, button cell, 1.5-volt, non-rechargeable. ANSI No. BOOI977NCQ (NSN6135-01-110-9470).
- (15) CLIN X016 - ZA675 Mercury Free, Zinc-air, 2-terminal, 1.4-volt, button type, non-rechargeable, size 675. ANSI No. 7003ZD (NSN 6135-01-138-8157).
- (16) CLIN X017 - ZA675HP Mercury Free, Zinc-air, 2-terminal, 1.4-volt, button type, non-rechargeable, size 675. ANSI 7003ZD (NSN 6135-01-138-8157).
Note: There was no award for the battery type (e.g., the original requirement CLIN X014) NIMHAAA, Nickel Metal Hydride, 1.2-Volt, Cylindrical Type, Rechargeable, Size AAA. ANSI No. l.2H1, NSN 6140-01-413-3928 due to this battery type not being listed on the AbilityOne Procurement List at the time of award.
The Government hereby awards a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Indefinite-Delivery - Indefinite Quantity contract consisting of a Base Year Period of Performance and four (4) Option Year Periods of Performance beginning on September 1, 2025, and running through August 31, 2030 if all the option year periods of performance are exercised.
