Q--Protocol Therapist

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, has a requirement for a Protocol Therapist/Site Coordinator. A fixed price contract with a base of October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 with one (1) one-year option is anticipated and shall be awarded. It is the Government's belief that only, this specific individual possesses the required capabilities to successfully meet this requirement. It is the Government's intention to solicit and negotiate only with this source. Please refer to the Sole Source Justification. This is not a solicitation; it is notice of intent to sole source a requirement. Inquiries/information received after the established deadline shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Identification of the (1) agency and the (2) contracting activity: Research Service/Psychology-National Center for PTSD Behavioral Science Division 2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved: The nature of the action is a sole source solicitation to contract for services with Dr. Elisa Bolton 3. The description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs (including the estimated value): Dr. Bolton will be contracted to provide services as a protocol therapist and study site coordinator for the clinical trial entitled "A Placebo-Controlled Trial of D-Cycloserine and Exposure Therapy for Combat-PTSD" (PI: Brett T. Litz, Ph.D.). As a protocol psychotherapist, Dr. Bolton will be providing manualized, exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to OIF/OEF combat veterans diagnosed with the disorder. In addition to her responsibilities as a protocol therapist, Dr. Bolton will coordinate the study activities for the Manchester VA site, including coordinating all data collection, patient management, compliance, and data analysis. These services will be provided at a 60% effort (24 hour weekly) basis; Dr. Bolton will be seeing 5 patients for 60-90 minute sessions weekly, as well as completing necessary paperwork and administrative/ratings tasks for the trial. Estimated value is approximately $45,000.00 4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition: FAR 6.302-1, 41 USC 253(c)(1) Only One Responsible Source 5. Demonstration of the contractor's unique qualifications: Dr. Bolton received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 and completed highly specialized training in PTSD treatment as a clinical intern and postdoctoral fellow here at the National Center for PTSD and Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology. In addition, she has strong training and experience in the delivery of manualized cognitive-behavioral therapies for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Following her postdoctoral fellowship, in her position as an Assistant Professor at Dartmouth Medical Center/ Psychiatric Research Center, Dr. Bolton served for three years as a coordinator of a large, multi-site treatment outcome study of CBT for PTSD in the severely mentally ill. Thus, she brings special skills and extensive experience in the implementation of psychotherapy treatment outcome studies. 6. Description of efforts made to ensure notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 (copy attached) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies: In accordance with FAR 5.201 a notice will be posted. 7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable: The proposed price for an individual with this level of education, expertise, and related experience is fair and reasonable. 8. Description of the market survey conducted (i.e., names of firms and date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted: A review of other health services researchers in the area has indicated there are no other sources available that possess the knowledge of VA and other healthcare provider service systems and can provide the required services. 9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation why technical data packages, specifications, or engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available: Requirements for research endeavors are very specific in nature and frequently there is only one responsible source. There is little the agency could do to open this requirement to competition. 10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition: None to date. 11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: This contracting activity will continue to encourage full and open competition whenever possible.