9999--Disposable Smartphones for Homeless and At-Risk Veterans (VA-20-00082566)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Homeless Program Office, Office of Analytics and Operational Intelligence (OAOI) has a requirement for the purchase of disposable phones for Veterans in compliance with the CARES Act to support virtual service delivery to Veterans in order to promote their health and safety in response to the COVID-19 national health emergency. This requirement is for the procurement of disposable phones with monthly prepaid service plans for twelve months. A critical part of ensuring Veteran care during the COVID-19 national health emergency includes increased flexibilities in how VA Homeless Programs engage with Veterans to ensure their safety, including telehealth and other telecommunications. As our programs rapidly mobilize resources and strategies to move Veterans into independent, permanent housing and hotels/motels to promote physical distancing, technology is vital to preventing these vulnerable Veterans from becoming socially isolated and from missing critical healthcare appointments, which may trigger or exacerbate mental health symptoms. Technology provides a crucial mechanism for these Veterans to remain engaged with Homeless Program providers to monitor safety and wellbeing, participate in preventative healthcare, attend virtual groups and recovery programs, and conduct virtual housing and job searches in accordance with their treatment goals. Based on the transient nature of the homeless population, disposable phones are specifically needed for this requirement, along with pre-paid one-year service plans.