Q--SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY CONSULTANT SERVICES-CANANDAIGUA

Please be advised that the VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York awarded a sole source contract to Madelyn S. Gould, Ph.D., M.P.H., for advisory services regarding Risk and Prevention of Suicide in OEF/OIF and Vietnam Veterans under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. The following is the "justification for other than full and open competition." 1. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, the following information is provided as justification for approval for other than full and open competition in the procurement of Scientific Consultant Advisory Services. 2. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Health Care Network Upstate New York, Canandaigua VA Medical Center-VISN2, Network Contracting Activity. 3. Description of Action: Awarding a sole source contract to Madelyn S. Gould, Ph.D., M.P.H., for scientific advisory consultant services. 4. Description of Supplies/Services Required: Assisting the PI on three grant applications that target understanding the issues related to epidemiologic description of Veteran callers to the crisis line, evaluating effective delivery of crisis line services in the VA, and longitudinal clinical outcomes of Veteran callers to the crisis line. Risk and Prevention of Suicide in OEF/OIF and Vietnam Veterans has been divided into these three grant applications due to the magnitude of understanding the epidemiology and effectiveness of crisis lines. Taken together, they comprise a comprehensive program of research on VA's Suicide Crisis Line that is critical for informing policy on suicide prevention in the VA. 5. Cost of this procurement: approximately $30,000.00 6. Statutory Authority: FAR Subpart 37.2-Advisory and Assistance Services FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. (1)Citations: 10 U.S.C. § 2304(c)(1); (2) The head of an agency may use procedures other than competitive procedures only when-the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the agency; (3) Demonstrates a unique and innovative concept. 7. Proposed Contractor's Unique Qualifications or the Nature of the Acquisition Requiring Use of the Authority Cited: Madelyn Gould, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a Professor of Clinical Epidemiology in Psychiatry at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Gould is the scientific evaluator for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). This is a national network of 43 community suicide crisis lines funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The clinical services processes for VA's suicide crisis line are therefore solidly based in the processes established for the NSPL. Dr. Gould is the only scientific investigator who is funded (also through SAMHSA) to conduct evaluation work on the NSPL; her research provides the critical basis for research in the VA on VA's Suicide Hotline. It is imperative that the current initiative in the VA, to study the utility and effectiveness of VA's 24 Hour Suicide Crisis Line, utilize Dr. Gould's unique expertise in the preparation of grant applications in response to Request for Proposals from VA's HSR&D and CSR&D Divisions, as well as to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Submission of successful applications to the organizations is critical to the success of the Center of Excellence at Canandaigua. 8. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on government estimate and prices paid for the similar services previously. The cost of the contract is based on our previous experience with contracting with a Scientific Writer/Consultant on two different occasions. The fee per hour is $107.00 based on those previous contracts. The vendor will support the scientific development, writing, and submission of three grants, two to VA's Office of Research and Development and one to the National Institutes of Mental Health. These grants focus on different aspects of the evaluation of the effectiveness of VA's National Suicide Hotline. The vendor will provide 80 hours for the first grant and 100 hours for the second and third grants. These hours were calculated based on the scientific complexity of the tasks associated with each grant. The total cost of the contract is calculated to be approximately $30,000. 9. Market Survey: Special Notice on FBO. 10. List of sources expressing interest in writing: None. Please email any questions or concerns to Leslie Robinson at contact@example.gov.