70--ONLINE DRUG INFORMATION DATABASE SUBSCRIPTION

The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Continue Education Network. The requirement gives access to drug information database for 12 months: 10/01/14 - 09/30/15 for 339 Pharmacist/Nurse and 97 Pharmacy Technicians to support their daily clinical workflow. This sole source action is in accordance with the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES and no solicitation will be issued; however, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer for consideration. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements. Responses are due by September 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM PST. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses must be e-mailed to contact@example.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. No reimbursement for any costs associated with providing capability statements will be provided by the Government. ? DETERMINATION OF LIMITATION OF SOURCES 1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office - NCO 21. 2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: This action limits competition for the acquisition of Online Drug Information Database Subscription. The Subscription is unique to the Continue Education Network. 3. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES: Continue Education Network is the only provider of the Online Drug Information Database Subscription that the VA curretnly utilizing. The requirement gives access to drug information database for 12 months: 10/01/14 - 09/30/15 for 339 Pharmacist/Nurse and 97 Pharmacy Technicians to support their daily clinical workflow. 4. AUTHORITY CITED: FAR 13.106(b)(1), only one source is reasonably available because the requirement is copyrighted by Continue Education Network. 5. REASON FOR AUTHORITY CITED: The authority cited in paragraph 4 must be used because Continue Education Network is the only provider of the Online Drug Information Database Subscription. This is a renewal of the license for a product that has been used for a number of years throughout VISN 21 and contains all the Continuing Education certifications for Pharmacy personnel. To change the program will require additional funding that would have to be allocated to account for transfer of Pharmacy personnel certification database (would most likely have to be done from paper backups of each transaction) and retraining of staff for a new system. In addition, loss of this database could affect the certifications of Pharmacy personnel. 6. EFFORTS MADE FOR SOLICITING FROM OTHER VENDORS: The requisition will be synopsized via Fedbizopps stating that the government has the intent to sole source this requisition. IAW FAR 6.305 (d) (1) The justifications shall be made publically available at the Government Point of Entry (GPE) www.fedbizopps.gov; and will remain for a minimum of 30 days. 7. FAIR AND REASONABLE COST DETERMINATION: The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated price will be determined to be fair and reasonable. A Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM) will detail how the Government has determined that the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable. As this item has been determined to be commercial, cost or pricing data will not be required. Pricing techniques such as described in FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) will be used to establish price fairness and reasonableness. 8. MARKET RESEARCH: Market Research was conducted by searching and reviewing FBO, FPDS, and eCMS. The GSA website was also reviewed for existing vendors that provided the stated requirements. It was determined that the product was not available on GSA. It was determined that this product is only available from one source, Continue Education Network, and no other provider will satisfy agency requirements. 9. SUPPORTING FACTS: Continue Education Network is the only vendor that can renew the Online Drug Information Database Subscription that the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System is currently utilizing. Any supporting data that is the responsibility of technical or requirements personnel (e.g., verifying the Government's minimum needs or requirements or other rationale for limited sources) and which form a basis for the justification have been certified as complete and accurate by the technical or requirements personnel. The evidence for this is the "Technical Data to Support a Restricted Competition" in the contract file. 10. LISTING OF SOURCES: CONTINUING EDUCATION NETWORK 628 D ST MARTINEZ, CA, 94553-0000 , UNITED STATES 11. STATEMENT OF ACTIONS: The notification will advise that the Government intends to procure via sole source. However, any contractors with a similar product can contact the Contracting Specialist for more information. 12. CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________ _____________ Orville Landicho Date Contract Specialist Recommend: Approval / Disapproval _____________ _____________ Don Neal Date Contracting Officer Supply Branch Manager