Q--NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE COE-SENIOR CONSULTANT FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

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. Eric Caine, MD, 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 for a Senior Consultant to the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Eric Caine will provide ongoing consultation to the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (CoE) as the Senior Consultant to the leadership of the CoE and serves as the key administrative link between the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Department of Psychiatry and the leadership of VISN 2, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center and the CoE. In his national activities related to suicide prevention, he represents the needs of Veterans and families in diverse policy settings. Suicide is a major public health problem in the United States, where over 34,000 people take their own lives every year. Risk factors for suicide in later life have been identified to include psychiatric illnesses, especially depressive disorders, and a previous history of attempts; physical illness, pain, and functional impairment; family dysfunction, bereavement, and social isolation. Each of these factors is common among older adult veterans. For example, in a survey of patients receiving care in VHA ambulatory clinics, 30% screened positive for depression, with a distinct relationship between level of affective symptoms and the number of physical conditions (Kazis et al., 1999). As a predominantly white, male (93%) cohort a large proportion of which is over age 65 (38%) and has training in and access to firearms, veterans are likely to be at higher risk for suicide than other groups. Those who receive care in VHA facilities may be particularly vulnerable because, compared with veterans nationally and the general U.S. population, they tend to be older, poorer, less well educated, more physically ill with greater deficits in both physical and mental health functioning. Whereas veterans constitute 8.5% of the U.S. population, they account for 21% of the nation’s suicide deaths (NVDRS). There is a pressing need, therefore, for initiatives targeting reduction of suicide risk, and the number of suicides among, among older adult veterans. Dr Eric Caine, in consultation with the CoE Director, will develop a comprehensive plan for implementing population approaches to prevention of suicide in Veterans. In consultation with the CoE Director, Dr. Caine will develop a comprehensive plan for evaluating the population based initiatives for suicide prevention and translating these initiatives into long term programs through replicating effective interventions throughout VISN 2 and VA. Dr. Caine will identify the necessary elements for sustainability of these initiatives, including future grant developmental needs. Also, Dr Caine will serve as advisor related to the hiring of faculty-research personnel; the prioritization of key tasks; and the design, development, and implementation of specific research efforts. 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 be 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.