Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for Military Medical Treatment Facility Certification Consultative Services

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) intends to award a sole source contract to Nash Healthcare Consulting, LLC, in affiliation with DiGiacomo-Geffers Associates, for up to 2 years of service providing consultative services in support of the agency's Accreditation and Compliance (AC) Program. The agency established the AC Program in response to the congressionally directed transition of Military Treatment Facilities from the Services to the authority, direction and control of the DHA. The AC Program includes a contract with a nationally-recognized Accrediting Organization (AO). In the conduct of the AC Program, the agency requires services to provide onsite accreditation assist visits consistent with the MTF's mid-cycle review (18-24 months after most recent accreditation survey); conduct patient and system tracers and appropriate interviews to assess compliance with AO standards; conduct a Life Safety Assessment thorough on-site review of the facility and assess compliance with the Life Safety Code; prepare written reports to the MTF, Market or Region point of contact, and the Contracting Officer's Representative; and provide relevant sample material, policies, and procedures. The agency has an immediate need for the services, but is not prepared to issue a competitive solicitation. In December 2020, the agency issued a Request For Information/Sources Sought Notice (see HT0011-21-RFI-0092 in archived notices) and, later, consulted another DoD contracting activity concerning a similar procurement. As a result of this market research, the contracting officer believes Nash Healthcare Consulting would be the only responsible Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) to respond to a solicitation for the services and so intends to pursue a sole source award under the procedures at FAR 19.1506 to initiate services until such time as a competitive award can be completed. The determination to award the intended sole source contract action is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible WOSB concerns may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. This is not a request for quotes or proposals. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. The Government will review any responses to this notice to determine whether this procurement may continue under the procedures at FAR 19.1506. Responses must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that a responsible WOSB has the intent and capability to prepare a proposal in response to a Government solicitation of such certification consultative services. The Government makes no assurance that a response would result in earlier release of a competitive solicitation. Firms not solicited under this requirement may request a copy of the solicitation, but are advised that authorization for other than full and open competition under FAR 6.3 is under Agency review. A copy of a Justification and Approval will be posted no later than 14 days after a contract award.