AB22--OHSU ORPRN CARAVAN COVID-19 STUDY

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5 Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C260-21-AP-1878 Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20, VA Portland Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Research and Development, 2237: 648-21-2-1546-0098. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS), Research and Development Service (R&D), has a requirement for a base plus two year, firm fixed price contract for research services/study with the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN) within Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), an affiliate of VA Portland Health Care System. The study, The Impact of Policy and Pandemic on Rural Veteran Access to Primary Care (CARAVAN), will address challenges rural Veterans face in accessing high-quality primary care services in VA and non-VA settings. Total Estimated Cost of the contract is as follows: Period Cost Base Year (05/17/2021 05/16/2022) $133,520.00 Option Year 1 (05/17/2022 05/16/2023) $152,375.00 Option Year 2 (05/17/2023 05/16/2024) $154,880.00 Total Estimated Cost $440,775.00 Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency s Needs: The VHA Office of Rural Health, through the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Portland (VRHRC-P), has awarded funds under the direction of Principal Investigators, Drs. Sarah Ono and Melinda Davis, to continue work on the CARAVAN study. ORH s mission is to conduct, coordinate, promote and disseminate research on issues that affect the nearly five million Veterans who reside in rural communities. The mandate also requires ORH to develop, refine and promulgate policies, best practices, lessons learned, and innovative and successful programs. ORH fulfills its mission by supporting targeted research, developing innovative programs and identifying new care models. Working through its five Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers as well as partners from academia, state and local governments, private industry and non-profit organizations, ORH strives to break down the barriers separating rural Veterans from quality care. The CARAVAN scope of work seeks to address challenges rural Veterans face in accessing high-quality primary care services in VA and non-VA settings. Moreover, the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted access to care in rural areas have yet to be identified. The data collection required for this SOW is needed to more fully inform the investigative approach of the CARAVAN study and to lead the VRHRC-P to more quickly and efficiently identify valuable rural health interventions for upcoming fiscal years. Authority Permitting Restricted Competition: FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement. - Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below: - - - - ( ) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements - - - - ( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency - - - - ( ) - Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services - - - - ( ) International Agreement - - - - (X) Authorized or Required by Statute - - - - ( ) National Security - - - - ( ) Public Interest Demonstration that the Contractor s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) was awarded the initial service contract for the CARAVAN study. This requirement is for the second phase of that study. OHSU has the robust staffing infrastructure of varied experts, including qualitative investigators, practice facilitators and data analysts already in place as well as houses the Oregon primary care clinic database needed to support the CARAVAN project. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Portland VA Healthcare System and OHSU have an academic affiliate agreement in place therefore this sole source action is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8153 and VA Directive 1663. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Since there is an academic affiliate agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Portland VA Healthcare System and Oregon Health Sciences University no other sources were sought out. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 8153 (a)(3)(A): If the healthcare resource required is a commercial service, the use of medical equipment or space, or research, and is to be acquired from an institution affiliated with the Department in accordance with section 7302 of this title, including medical practice groups and other entities associated with affiliated institutions, blood banks, organ banks, or research centers, the Secretary may make arrangements for acquisition of the resource without regard to any law or regulation (including any Executive order, circular, or other administrative policy) that would otherwise require the use of competitive procedure for acquiring the resource." Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The anticipated cost is considered fair and reasonable in comparison to the previous service award for the CARAVAN study, 36C26020P1010, which was awarded for $185,000.00 on 09/14/2020. IAW FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(ii), price is further considered reasonable in comparison to proposed price/labor cost for research study utilizing a principle investigator from the University of Florida on 36C24820C0054 - Awarded: 06/01/2020 for $118,031.69. Individual Scientific Researcher hourly rate ($145) is the similar rate outlined in this contract ($95-185). A similar research study was performed by the National Academy of Sciences on 36C24E20C0006 - Awarded: 12/19/2019 for $749,489.00. Section 8 - Individual labor rates were slightly higher than identified in this requirement and further strengthens the price reasonableness of this action. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: There is a Medical Affiliation Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Portland VA Healthcare System and Oregon Health Sciences University. As per OSDBU Small Business Policy memo, dated 22 June 2016, and VA Directive 1663, dated 10 May 2018. OSDBU authorizes an exception to the small business requirement when research is in conjunction with an authorized affiliate. Because of the waiver, no other market research was performed. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The mission of the VA is to discover knowledge and create innovations that advance health care for our Veterans and the nation. VHA is the country s largest integrated health care system and as such, it embraces close ties with academic affiliates by partnering on common research interests to leverage resources and expand the impact of federal research investments to assist our nations Veterans. The Portland VA Medical Center and OHSU are one of the many example of this strategic academic affiliate relationship recognized by the Secretary of the VA. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: Only Oregon Health Sciences University has been considered for this requirement. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: To maintain study and research continuity and minimize quality control issues, the rural Veterans access to care in VA and non-VA settings research must continue with Oregon Health Sciences University. There are currently no other options for this service. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Sarah Ono, PhD Date Operations Director Veterans Rural Health Resource Center VA Portland Health Care System Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP: Contracting Officer or Designee s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Michael J. Allred Date Branch Chief, Medical Equipment Network Contracting Office 20 (NCO 20) One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition. _____________________________ ________________________ Peggy L. Bowen Date Chief, Division I Network Contracting Office 20 (NCO 20) JOFOC Tracking Number: 2021-05-03T08:19:25