GCH Technologies - Vanity Short Codes Annual Lease
- Client
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- RFP Number
- —
- Posted
- 10/8/2026
- Category
- US Federal
- Budget
- —
- NAICS
- 561421
- Set-aside
- —
- Contact
- Cassie White
- cassie.white@va.gov
Description
AI GeneratedThe Department of Veterans Affairs requires the exclusive leasing, management, and maintenance of SMS vanity short codes 838255 (VETALK) and 98801 (988, press 1) to support 24/7/365 crisis text messaging services for the Veterans Crisis Line. GCH Technologies Inc. is identified as the only known responsible source capable of fulfilling these requirements due to its carrier-level ownership and exclusive control of these specific short codes. This posting serves as an intent to sole source, offering the incumbent contractor the opportunity to present a quote for a firm-fixed-price agreement evaluated on a lowest price technically acceptable basis. The contemplated period of performance consists of a one-year base period running from 12/22/2026 through 12/21/2027, plus four option years. Interested parties must submit responses by October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time to Contracting Officer Cassie White at [email protected].
Key solicitation details
AI-extracted from 36C24527Q0022.docx. Confirm against the original documents before bidding.
The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to sole source the exclusive leasing, management, and maintenance of SMS vanity short codes 838255 and 98801. This requirement supports 24/7/365 crisis text messaging services for the Veterans Crisis Line. The incumbent contractor, GCH Technologies Inc., is the only known responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirements.
- Issued by
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Response Date/Time/Zone
- 10-22-2026 10am EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA
- How to submit
- Submission details
- Submit responses or requests for additional information/SOW to Cassie (KC) White via email at [email protected]
- Contract term
- One base year period (12/22/2026-12/21/2027) plus four optional years, not to exceed 5 years
How proposals are evaluated
| Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) |
Scope of work
- Exclusive leasing of SMS vanity short code 838255 (VETALK)
- Exclusive leasing of SMS vanity short code 98801 (988, press 1)
- Management of SMS vanity short codes
- Maintenance of SMS vanity short codes to support 24/7/365 crisis text messaging services
Minimum qualifications
- Incumbent contractor / only known responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirements
- Exclusive control and carrier-level ownership of short codes 838255 and 98801
Official SAM.gov notice
- Solicitation number
- 36C24527Q0022
- Agency
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Buying office
- 245-Network Contract Office 5 (36C245)
- Notice type
- Special Notice
- Responses due
- Oct 22, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
- Posted on SAM.gov
- Oct 7, 2026
- NAICS
- 561421 · Telephone Answering Services
- Product/service code
- Q999
- Contracting contact
- Cassie White, Contracting Officer
cassie.white@va.gov
Email only
Read the official notice description
This intent to sole source announcement is posted in accordance with FAR 5.2 Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. Objective The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 05, VACO VA Central Office, Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) requires exclusive leasing, management, and maintenance of SMS vanity short codes 838255 ( VETALK ) and 98801 ( 988, press 1 ) to support 24/7/365 crisis text messaging services. These short codes are mission-critical assets that ensure immediate, reliable access to crisis intervention resources. The contemplated period of performance is 12/22/2026 through 12/21/2027 (Base + four option years) Unique Qualifications GCH Technologies Inc. is the only known responsible source capable of fulfilling these requirements. Supporting justification from the Single Source Justification (P03) includes: GCH Technologies holds exclusive control and carrier-level ownership of short codes 838255 and 98801. Vanity short codes cannot be reassigned without the current owner s cooperation. Replacement of these codes would require full public rebranding, disrupt routing infrastructure, and pose unacceptable risks to continuity of crisis services and public safety. Technical research confirms no other vendor can legally or technically provide these exact short codes. Award Information The incumbent contractor shall be provided with the opportunity to present a quote that shall be accepted as a firm fixed price agreement at the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA). The Government anticipates the Independent Cost Estimate shall be developed and comparable with the current Contract No. 36C24525P0022 to justify fair and reasonable pricing. The period of performance shall be for one base year period, not to exceed 12-months. The Period of Performance reads as follows: 12/22/2026-12/21/2027 If anyone requests additional information or would like to obtain a copy of the statement of work (SOW) for more details Cassie (KC) White [email protected]
Source: SAM.gov contract opportunities data (U.S. federal public data).
Incumbent
Current contract referenced in this notice
Recompete window- Incumbent
- ICONECTIV, LLC
- Contract
- 36C24525P0022
- Obligated to date
- $43,200
- Started
- Oct 1, 2024
- Current period ends
- Sep 30, 2026
Market context
Awards in the same category (Telephone Answering Services). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: Department of Veterans Affairs, NAICS 561421
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| LC INDUSTRIES INCVA24918C10243 · SWITCHBOARD OPERATIONS NIB | $2.1M | Sep 30, 2028 |
| INNOVATION AT WORK INC36C26127P0013 · EO 14398 REQUIREMENT - TELEPHONE OPERATORS | $877.2K | Mar 31, 2028 |
| CAREER MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES OF IOWA, LLC36C26127P0012 · EO 14398 REQUIREMENT - TELEPHONE OPERATORS SAN FRANCISCO | $255.6K | Sep 30, 2027 |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTH LOUISIANA, INC.36C25627N0082 · ABILITY ONE SWITCHBOARD SERVICES EO 14398 ORDER PERIOD 4 | $682.6K | Sep 30, 2027 |
| INNOVATION AT WORK INC36C25527P0007 · BASE YEAR | TELEPHONE OPERATOR SERVICES | KC VAMC | 10/1/2026 - 9/30/2027 | $661.5K | Sep 30, 2027 |
Top vendors in this category: Department of Veterans Affairs, NAICS 561421, since Oct 1, 2024
74 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. INNOVATION AT WORK INC$15.7M
- 2. MAGELLAN SOLUTIONS USA INC.$6.3M
- 3. EMPLOYMENT SOURCE INC$6.3M
- 4. EVERAS COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.$4.4M
- 5. FORA PATHWAYS, INC.$3.2M
Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.
Verify important details
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