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Executive Summary

Exceptional strategic fit. Sentinel Vet Health has proven VA telehealth execution in VISN 5 with exceptional CPARS, matching technical requirements precisely. The SDVOSB sole-source removes competitive risk entirely, and your existing VA credentialing infrastructure, FedRAMP platform, and demonstrated performance directly align with all technical and compliance requirements. This is a high-probability expansion opportunity with minimal proposal burden.

Agency

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Solicitation #

VA-26-R-0119

Opportunity

Telehealth Clinical Services VISN 7 Pilot

Contract Type

Firm Fixed Price

Contract Vehicle

SDVOSB Sole-Source under 38 USC 8127

Set-Aside

SDVOSB Sole-Source

Period of Performance

1 Base Year + 4 Option Years (5 years total)

Requirement Analysis

Scope

Provide tele-mental-health clinical staffing services across VISN 7 (Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina). Deliver VHA-credentialed clinicians via FedRAMP Moderate telehealth platforms to support veteran mental health access.

Mission Impact

Directly addresses veteran mental health access gaps in VISN 7 by providing immediate telehealth clinical capacity, reducing wait times, and expanding service reach to rural and underserved veteran populations.

Deliverables

▸VHA Directive 1100.21 credentialed mental health clinicians
▸95% schedule adherence across all clinical appointments
▸Sub-4-hour clinical response to urgent consult requests
▸FedRAMP Moderate compliant telehealth platform operations
▸Monthly performance and utilization reporting

Performance Objectives

▸Maintain 95% or greater appointment schedule adherence
▸Achieve sub-4-hour response time for urgent mental health consults
▸100% clinician compliance with VHA credentialing standards
▸Zero security incidents on FedRAMP platform
▸Sustained high veteran satisfaction scores

Technical Requirements

▸FedRAMP Moderate authorized telehealth platform
▸VHA Directive 1100.21 credentialing compliance for all clinical staff
▸Integration with VA electronic health record systems
▸HIPAA and VA information security standards compliance
▸Licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, LCSWs, psychiatrists)

Operational Requirements

▸Geographic coverage across VISN 7 (GA, AL, SC)
▸Clinical staffing surge capacity for seasonal demand
▸24/7 platform uptime with disaster recovery
▸Quality assurance and clinical supervision processes
▸Transition plan for incumbent or new provider handoff

/ What Success Requires

Rapid onboarding of VHA-credentialed clinicians, flawless FedRAMP platform operations, rigorous adherence to schedule and response time metrics, and seamless integration with VISN 7 clinical workflows.

Procurement Profile

acquisition type

SDVOSB Sole-Source under 38 USC 8127 (VA Veterans First Contracting Program)

contract type

Firm Fixed Price

ordering structure

Base contract with task-based service delivery

contract vehicle

38 USC 8127 SDVOSB Sole-Source Authority

option years

4 Option Years

place of performance

VISN 7 (Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina) - remote telehealth delivery

NAICS & Small Business Analysis

Primary NAICS

621399 - Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

Secondary NAICS

Not specified

Size Standard

$9 million annual receipts

Set-Aside

SDVOSB Sole-Source under 38 USC 8127 - firm must be verified SDVOSB in VetBiz/VA database

Not applicable - SDVOSB sole-source

SDVOSB

Required - sole-source authority requires verified SDVOSB status in VA Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database

WOSB

Not applicable

HUBZone

Not applicable

8(a)

Not applicable

VOSB

Not applicable - SDVOSB is more restrictive

/ Implications

Contractor's SDVOSB status is the gateway requirement. Verification in VA VIP database is mandatory. No competitive evaluation against other firms - sole negotiation with VA contracting officer. Must demonstrate technical capability and price reasonableness to justify sole-source award.

Procurement Timeline

Questions and Answers Deadline

12 Mar 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline

09 Apr 2026

Anticipated Contract Award

28 May 2026

Assumed Performance Start

01 Jul 2026

Evaluation Criteria Analysis

Technical Factors

▸VHA credentialing compliance and clinician qualifications
▸FedRAMP Moderate platform authorization and technical architecture
▸Clinical quality assurance and supervision methodology
▸Performance monitoring and metrics tracking approach
▸Transition and implementation plan for VISN 7 deployment

Past Performance

▸VA telehealth contract performance (VISN 5 will be heavily weighted)
▸VHA credentialing track record
▸Schedule adherence and response time metrics history
▸CPARS ratings on similar clinical staffing contracts
▸FedRAMP platform operational history

Price Factors

▸Price reasonableness analysis against IGCE
▸Loaded labor rates for clinical staff categories
▸Platform licensing and infrastructure costs
▸Cost realism for FFP contract

Management

▸Program management structure and experience
▸Quality control and clinical oversight processes
▸Risk management and contingency planning
▸Communication and reporting protocols

Staffing

▸Clinician recruitment and retention strategy
▸Surge capacity and backfill planning
▸Credentialing pipeline management
▸Geographic coverage plan for VISN 7

Transition

▸Mobilization timeline and readiness plan
▸Knowledge transfer from incumbent (if applicable)
▸Clinician onboarding and VA systems integration
▸Risk mitigation during transition period

Most Important

▸VA telehealth past performance (VISN 5 Exceptional CPARS is decisive advantage)
▸FedRAMP Moderate authorization (existing platform is critical)
▸VHA credentialing infrastructure (proven VISN 5 capability)

Likely Discriminators

▸Depth of VA-specific credentialing experience under VHA Directive 1100.21
▸Proven 95%+ schedule adherence on existing VA telehealth contract
▸Operational FedRAMP Moderate platform ready for immediate deployment
▸Existing clinician pipeline with active VA credentials

Evaluation Risks

▸Price reasonableness scrutiny - VA will compare against IGCE and market rates
▸VISN 7 geographic coverage plan must be detailed and credible
▸Transition timeline must demonstrate immediate readiness without service gaps

Compliance Review

required registrations

▸SAM.gov active registration with SDVOSB representation
▸VA Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database verified SDVOSB status
▸VISN 7 facility-specific vendor registrations (if required by local policy)

required certifications

▸FedRAMP Moderate authorization for telehealth platform (3PAO attestation)
▸State professional licenses for all clinicians (GA, AL, SC or compact states)
▸VHA credentialing under Directive 1100.21 for all clinical staff
▸HIPAA Business Associate compliance certification

representations

▸FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items
▸VAAR 852.219-9 VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements
▸SDVOSB eligibility and ownership certifications per 38 USC 8127
▸Veteran ownership and control attestations

insurance

▸Professional liability insurance for clinical staff (minimum $1M per occurrence assumed)
▸General liability insurance
▸Cyber liability insurance for telehealth platform operations
▸Workers compensation coverage

security requirements

▸VA information security standards compliance (VA Handbook 6500 series)
▸FedRAMP Moderate continuous monitoring and authorization maintenance
▸NIST 800-53 Moderate baseline controls implementation
▸Annual security assessments and 3PAO audits for FedRAMP

cybersecurity requirements

▸FedRAMP Moderate authorization (required)
▸VA 6500.6 Security of Information and Information Systems continuous compliance
▸Incident response plan aligned with VA procedures
▸Encryption for data at rest and in transit (FIPS 140-2)

labor requirements

▸Professional licensing requirements for mental health clinicians in GA, AL, SC
▸VHA credentialing under Directive 1100.21 for all clinical staff
▸Clinical supervision and quality oversight per VA standards
▸Assumed adherence to fair labor standards for clinical staff

wage determinations

▸Not specified - FFP contract likely exempts traditional SCA, but professional service rates apply
▸Market-competitive rates for licensed mental health professionals required for recruitment

subcontracting requirements

▸VAAR 852.219-9 VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan required even for SDVOSB prime
▸Limitation on subcontracting - SDVOSB must perform at least 50% of clinical services
▸Subcontractor flow-down clauses for HIPAA, security, and credentialing

disqualification risks

▸Loss of SDVOSB verification in VA VIP database (fatal)
▸Failure to maintain FedRAMP Moderate authorization (fatal)
▸Inability to credential clinicians under VHA Directive 1100.21 (fatal)
▸SAM.gov registration lapse or exclusion listing

FAR / DFARS Analysis

Clause	Title	Contractor Impact	Risk
38 USC 8127	Sole-Source and Set-Aside Contracting Authority for SDVOSB Authorizes VA to award sole-source contracts to verified SDVOSBs without competition when amount is below competitive thresholds and SDVOSB is capable	Eliminates competitive risk entirely. Contractor must maintain verified SDVOSB status in VA VIP database and demonstrate technical capability and price reasonableness to justify sole-source award.	Low
VAAR 852.219-9	VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements Mandates small business subcontracting plan even for small business primes on VA contracts over $750K, with specific percentage goals	Requires formal subcontracting plan submission with proposal. Must identify SDVOSB, VOSB, and other small business subcontracting opportunities and track/report performance. Plan becomes contractual obligation.	Moderate
FAR 52.212-4	Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items Incorporates streamlined commercial item terms for inspection, acceptance, payment, and disputes	Simplified contract administration compared to FAR Part 15. Emphasizes industry-standard commercial practices. Invoice payment within 30 days. Disputes follow FAR 33 procedures.	Low
VHA Directive 1100.21	Credentialing and Privileging Establishes VA standards for verifying qualifications, licensing, and competency of healthcare professionals providing clinical services to veterans	All clinicians must undergo rigorous VA credentialing process including primary source verification of licenses, education, malpractice history, and clinical competency. Process takes 90-120 days. Contractor must maintain active credentials for all staff throughout contract.	High
FedRAMP Moderate Authorization	Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program - Moderate Impact Level Standardized security assessment and authorization for cloud services processing federal information at moderate impact level	Telehealth platform must maintain active FedRAMP Moderate authorization with continuous monitoring, annual assessments, and 3PAO audits. Loss of authorization terminates contract. Significant ongoing compliance cost and operational constraint.	High
HIPAA Business Associate Agreement	Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy and Security Protects veteran protected health information (PHI) through administrative, physical, and technical safeguards	Contractor is HIPAA Business Associate handling veteran PHI. Must implement HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, execute BAA with VA, train all staff, conduct risk assessments, and report breaches. Breach liability includes HHS penalties and VA contract termination.	High

Resource Requirements Assessment

Staffing Complexity

High

Technical Complexity

Moderate

Financial Complexity

Moderate

Equipment

Existing FedRAMP Moderate telehealth platform with sufficient VISN 7 user capacity, clinical workstations for remote clinicians, secure video conferencing infrastructure.

Facilities

Administrative office for program management and clinical supervision; remote work infrastructure for distributed clinician workforce across VISN 7 geography.

Management

Dedicated program manager with VA telehealth experience, clinical director for supervision and quality assurance, credentialing coordinator for VHA Directive 1100.21 compliance, compliance officer for FedRAMP and HIPAA.

Competitive Landscape Assessment

Competitive Intensity

Low

Transition Risk

Low

Incumbent Indicators

Solicitation is titled 'Pilot' suggesting possible new initiative or expansion rather than recompete. No incumbent name referenced. VISN 7 may be expanding telehealth capacity beyond existing contracts.

Recompete Indicators

Limited indicators this is recompete - pilot designation and sole-source structure suggest new or expanded scope. If incumbent exists, sole-source to different SDVOSB would require compelling technical or performance rationale.

Probable Incumbent Advantage

Not applicable - SDVOSB sole-source eliminates traditional competition. If incumbent SDVOSB exists and is performing well, they would likely receive this award. Contractor's VISN 5 performance may position them as preferred VA telehealth partner for expansion.

Opportunity Risk Assessment

SDVOSB Verification

Loss or lapse of verified SDVOSB status in VA VIP database before award

LowHigh

likelihood · impact

/ Mitigation

Verify current SDVOSB status in VIP database immediately. Ensure ownership and control documentation is current. Maintain veteran owner involvement in proposal development and contract management.

FedRAMP Authorization Maintenance

FedRAMP Moderate authorization lapse or suspension during proposal or contract performance

LowHigh

likelihood · impact

/ Mitigation

Confirm current FedRAMP authorization status and expiration. Schedule 3PAO assessment well before renewal. Maintain continuous monitoring program and address any POAMs immediately.

Clinician Credentialing Pipeline

Inability to credential sufficient VHA clinicians in time for contract start or to meet surge demand

ModerateHigh

likelihood · impact

/ Mitigation

Initiate pre-award credentialing for key clinical staff immediately. Build credentialing pipeline with 20% buffer above contract requirements. Leverage existing VISN 5 credentialed clinicians for cross-VISN coverage if permissible.

Geographic Coverage - VISN 7

VISN 7 geography (GA, AL, SC) differs from VISN 5 experience; clinician licensing and recruitment challenges

ModerateModerate

likelihood · impact

/ Mitigation

Recruit clinicians with GA, AL, SC licenses or Interstate Compact privileges. Establish VISN 7 facility relationships early. Demonstrate VISN 5 replication model in proposal.

Price Reasonableness Justification

VA challenges pricing as unreasonable compared to IGCE or market rates, delaying or preventing sole-source award

ModerateModerate

likelihood · impact

/ Mitigation

Develop detailed cost model with market rate justification for clinical labor categories. Provide comparative pricing data from VISN 5 and DoD MEDCOM contracts. Offer cost realism documentation even for FFP contract.

Hidden Red Flags

Sole-source does not guarantee award - price reasonableness is scrutinized

VA contracting officers must justify sole-source awards with price reasonableness determination. Overpricing or inability to substantiate costs can derail sole-source and force competitive procurement.

VHA Directive 1100.21 credentialing takes 90-120 days minimum

Contract start is likely July 2026 (2 months post-award). Credentialing existing clinicians NOW is essential to avoid day-one performance failure. Proposal must demonstrate credentialing pipeline already in motion.

95% schedule adherence is exceptionally high bar for telehealth

Industry average for telehealth schedule adherence is 85-90%. 95% requires sophisticated scheduling, clinician redundancy, and no-show mitigation. Failure triggers contract performance issues and poor CPARS.

Sub-4-hour urgent consult response requires 24/7 clinical coverage

Not explicitly stated but implied - mental health urgent consults can occur evenings/weekends. Contractor needs on-call clinical capacity across time zones, significantly increasing staffing cost and complexity.

FFP contract type shifts all performance risk to contractor

Firm Fixed Price means contractor absorbs cost overruns from clinician turnover, credentialing delays, platform issues, or underestimated volume. No cost growth allowed. Pricing must include substantial contingency.

Proposal Effort Estimate

Complexity

Moderate

Labor Hours

120-180 hours total. SDVOSB sole-source reduces proposal complexity versus full-and-open competition. Primary effort: technical approach, transition plan, staffing plan, price volume, and subcontracting plan.

SME Req.

Clinical director for quality assurance approach, credentialing coordinator for VHA Directive 1100.21 compliance narrative, IT/security SME for FedRAMP and platform technical sections, pricing analyst for cost model development.

Resource Commit.

Moderate

Contractor-to-Opportunity Match

Capability Match

Exceptional. Contractor has proven VA telehealth clinical staffing on VISN 5 contract, identical scope and requirements. VHA credentialing infrastructure in place, FedRAMP Moderate platform operational, and exceptional CPARS demonstrate exact capability match.

Past Performance

Exceptional. VISN 5 telehealth contract ($6M, 2022-2025) with Exceptional CPARS is nearly identical scope. DoD MEDCOM telehealth pilot adds breadth. Both contracts demonstrate clinical staffing, credentialing, and telehealth platform management - precisely what VISN 7 requires.

Geographic

Moderate. VISN 5 experience (MD, DC, WV, VA, PA) proves VA telehealth model replication. VISN 7 (GA, AL, SC) is new geography requiring clinician recruitment and facility relationship development, but telehealth nature reduces physical presence barriers.

Certifications

Exceptional. Contractor is verified SDVOSB, meeting sole-source eligibility. FedRAMP Moderate platform authorization matches requirement exactly. VHA credentialing capability proven on VISN 5.

Staffing

High. Existing VA-credentialed clinician pool from VISN 5 provides foundation. VISN 7 expansion requires additional clinicians with GA/AL/SC licenses, but contractor has proven recruitment and credentialing pipeline capability.

Contract Vehicle

Perfect. SDVOSB sole-source under 38 USC 8127 aligns precisely with contractor's SDVOSB status. Contractor's VISN 5 experience demonstrates VA contracting familiarity.

Clearance

Not applicable. No security clearances required for this telehealth clinical services contract. HIPAA and FedRAMP compliance are sufficient.

Strengths

▸Verified SDVOSB status - sole-source eligible with no competition
▸Exceptional CPARS on nearly identical VA telehealth contract (VISN 5)
▸Operational FedRAMP Moderate platform ready for immediate deployment
▸Proven VHA Directive 1100.21 credentialing infrastructure and pipeline
▸Existing VA-credentialed clinician workforce available for expansion
▸DoD MEDCOM telehealth adds federal credibility beyond VA

Gaps

▸VISN 7 geographic presence - no prior GA/AL/SC operations or facility relationships
▸Clinician licensing in GA/AL/SC states - requires recruitment or Interstate Compact verification
▸95% schedule adherence benchmark - must demonstrate VISN 5 achieved this level (not explicitly stated)

Contractor Readiness Assessment

Overall Readiness

High

Barriers to Entry

▸VISN 7 clinician recruitment and state licensing verification
▸VISN 7 facility relationship development and local credentialing coordination
▸Subcontracting plan development per VAAR 852.219-9 requirements

Teaming / Partnership Needs

▸Optional: VISN 7 regional recruiting partner for GA/AL/SC clinician pipeline acceleration
▸Optional: Clinical supervision subcontractor with VISN 7 facility relationships if prime lacks local presence

Win Probability Assessment

Probability

High

SDVOSB sole-source eliminates competition. Contractor's exceptional VISN 5 performance, FedRAMP platform, and VHA credentialing infrastructure match requirements precisely. Primary risk is price reasonableness justification, which is manageable with VISN 5 cost data. Strong probability of award if SDVOSB status remains verified and pricing is defensible.

Top 10 Actions Before Bidding

Verify current SDVOSB status in VA VIP database and confirm eligibility documentation is current and compliant

SDVOSB verification is the gateway requirement. Loss of status disqualifies contractor from sole-source consideration and kills opportunity immediately.

Confirm FedRAMP Moderate authorization is active and schedule next 3PAO assessment to ensure no lapse during contract period

FedRAMP authorization is mandatory technical requirement. Lapse during proposal evaluation or contract performance terminates opportunity or contract.

Initiate pre-award VHA credentialing for 10-15 key clinicians with GA/AL/SC licenses or Interstate Compact privileges

Credentialing takes 90-120 days minimum. Contract start is likely July 2026. Starting credentialing NOW ensures day-one readiness and demonstrates commitment in proposal.

Extract VISN 5 performance metrics: actual schedule adherence %, average urgent consult response time, CPARS narrative excerpts

Past performance is decisive discriminator for sole-source justification. Quantified VISN 5 metrics proving 95%+ adherence and sub-4hr response validate technical capability and strengthen VA's sole-source determination.

Develop detailed price justification using VISN 5 actual costs, DoD MEDCOM rates, and market salary data for mental health clinicians

Price reasonableness is scrutinized on sole-source awards. Defensible cost model with comparative data from prior VA contract and market benchmarks is essential to justify pricing and prevent competitive conversion.

Contact VISN 7 telehealth leadership to introduce capabilities, understand VISN 7 priorities, and gather intelligence on incumbent or existing providers

Customer engagement builds relationship, uncovers unstated requirements, and identifies potential incumbent advantage. VISN 7 leadership input shapes proposal strategy and transition approach.

Develop VISN 7 clinician recruitment strategy targeting GA/AL/SC licensed mental health professionals and Interstate Compact members

Geographic gap is primary risk. Proactive recruitment plan with identified candidates demonstrates VISN 7 readiness and mitigates VA concern about geographic expansion.

Draft Small Business Subcontracting Plan per VAAR 852.219-9 identifying SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractors for non-clinical support services

VAAR 852.219-9 mandates subcontracting plan even for SDVOSB prime. Plan is required proposal volume. Early development ensures compliance and avoids last-minute proposal deficiency.

Prepare Questions for Q&A deadline (12 Mar 2026) focused on VISN 7 volume estimates, incumbent transition, and credentialing timeline expectations

Q&A clarifies ambiguities and extracts intelligence. Volume estimates inform pricing, transition details reveal incumbent advantage, credentialing timeline validates readiness assumptions.

Assign dedicated proposal manager and assemble proposal team (clinical director, credentialing SME, pricing analyst, compliance lead) by 15 Feb 2026

Proposal due 09 Apr 2026 allows 8 weeks. SDVOSB sole-source reduces effort but quality proposal with technical depth and price justification still requires coordinated team and disciplined schedule.

GovBidIQ Scorecard

/ GovBidIQ Scorecard

Overall

84/100

Executive Pursuit Recommendation

Pursue

Strategic expansion opportunity with minimal risk. SDVOSB sole-source removes competitive uncertainty. Contractor's VISN 5 exceptional performance, FedRAMP platform, and VHA credentialing infrastructure match requirements exactly. $14M ceiling over 5 years represents significant revenue growth. Primary execution focus: verify SDVOSB status, initiate VISN 7 credentialing pipeline, and develop defensible pricing from VISN 5 cost data. This is a high-probability win with immediate action.

Final Recommendation

Verdict

Strong Bid

This opportunity is strategically aligned for Sentinel Vet Health. SDVOSB sole-source authority eliminates competitive risk and leverages contractor's verified status. Exceptional VISN 5 CPARS, operational FedRAMP platform, and proven VHA credentialing capability match VISN 7 requirements precisely. The primary barriers - VISN 7 geography and price reasonableness - are manageable with proactive clinician recruitment and VISN 5 cost justification. $14M ceiling represents material revenue expansion with high win probability and reasonable proposal investment.

Key Strengths

▸SDVOSB verified status - sole-source eligible with no competition
▸Exceptional CPARS on identical VISN 5 VA telehealth contract demonstrates proven performance
▸FedRAMP Moderate platform operational and ready for immediate VISN 7 deployment
▸Existing VHA credentialing infrastructure and VA clinician pipeline
▸DoD MEDCOM telehealth experience adds federal credibility beyond VA

Key Concerns

▸VISN 7 geographic expansion requires GA/AL/SC clinician recruitment and facility relationship development
▸95% schedule adherence and sub-4hr response benchmarks are high - must prove VISN 5 achieved these levels
▸Price reasonableness justification is critical for sole-source award - requires detailed cost model and market data
▸VHA credentialing pipeline must start immediately to ensure July 2026 contract start readiness

Immediate Next Actions

▸Verify SDVOSB status in VA VIP database within 48 hours
▸Confirm FedRAMP Moderate authorization is active and schedule next 3PAO assessment
▸Initiate VHA credentialing for 10-15 key clinicians with GA/AL/SC licenses by end of week
▸Extract VISN 5 quantified performance metrics (schedule adherence %, response times, CPARS excerpts)
▸Assign proposal manager and convene proposal kickoff by 15 Feb 2026

Disclaimer. This report is an AI-assisted decision-support tool intended to support government contracting opportunity analysis. It does not constitute legal advice, procurement consulting services, business advice, or a guarantee of award success. Users remain responsible for independent review and business decisions.