Q--INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE COE- EDUCATION CORE CO CHIEF

This proposed contract action is for a service in which the Government intends to negotiate with only one source, the University of Rochester Medical Center, Dr. Deborah King., under the authority Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1 (a)(2) only one responsible source, 10U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1). The requirement is to provide a Co-Chief of Education, Training and Dissemination Core for the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention and VA Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychiatry and Psychology. Dr. Deborah A. King will serve as Co-Chief of the Education, Training, and Dissemination Core, working in collaboration with Dr. Jan Kemp to oversee all staff of the Education Core and all the development, implementation and dissemination of educational products from the Education Core. She will also work toward the development of a VA Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychiatry and Psychology for the VISN 2 Center of Excellence (CoE) for Suicide Prevention. To accomplish this, she will identify collaborators both within VA and at our university affiliate, the University of Rochester, who will partner together for an application for a VA Special Fellowship program. The overarching mission of the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention is to: 1) develop a comprehensive suicide prevention program in the VA, using what is currently known with regard to best practices; and 2) generate and disseminate new knowledge about best practices for preventing suicide and its related morbidity and mortality. To achieve this mission the CoE is organized as a prevention center that has adopted a public health approach for reducing the morbidity and mortality in Veterans associated with but not limited to, suicide and attempted suicide, PTSD and related stress disorders, depression, insomnia, and substance use disorders. A specific goal of the CoE is to serve as a national resource to the VA on suicide prevention through: 1) educating and training the VA community nationwide on the principles of suicide prevention; and 2) disseminating evidence based practices for suicide prevention throughout the VA. Additionally, the primary goal of the VA Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychiatry and Psychology is to develop outstanding academic and/or healthcare system leaders who will lead mental health research in the 21st century and effectively translate their research findings into clinical practice and educational activities. This goal is to be achieved by providing Fellows with state-of-the-art training in mental health research, cutting edge educational experiences, and advanced clinical training. Although there is currently not a request for applications that has been announced, it is important for the CoE to prepare the training curriculum and faculty staffing for the time when an RFA is announced. In consultation with the CoE Director and the Co-Chief of the Education Core, Dr. King will oversee the work of Education Core employees and all work products of the Core. Dr. King will also represent the Education Core at local, regional/VISN and national levels by participating in conferences and meetings. In order to submit an application for approval of a VA Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychiatry and Psychology the following need to be identified: VISN, facility and program commitment to build and sustain an outstanding learning environment; Physician and associated health fellowship program directors and faculty with strong records in mental health research, education, clinical care and leadership; Research resources including a strong research track record; educational resources including a strong, constructive partnership with the affiliate; and advanced clinical learning opportunities with excellent mentoring and sound clinical infrastructure plans. This Sources Sought Notice is not a request for competitive proposals, however, all information received by 10:00 a.m. EST on September 23, 2011 will considered by the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities to the requirement via email. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on responses received as a result of this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No solicitation document is available. Interested parties may email information to contact@example.gov as no phone inquiries will be taken. NAICS code is 622210 Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospital with a size standard $34.5 million. The proposed contract type will be Firm Fixed Price.