R--INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH LIASON TO COMMUNITY VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS

This proposed contract action is for a service in which the Government intends to negotiate with only one source, with Mr Donald Raw, M.Ed., 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 collaboration between VA and community organizations, to assess the feasibility for identifying venues outside the VA for educating and identifying Veterans who are in need of mental health services. The initial project will require considerable network building between the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, located at the Canandaigua VAMC and community and Veteran organizations. The Center is a research center, of which one area of focus is increasing ways to access care for at risk Veterans. Another focus of interest is identifying Veterans who may be at risk for suicide and other mental health problems to assist them in accessing care. While this is not a research project per se, the Project plans to apply for additional funding to support future research on the effectiveness of the community based approach to get Veterans into VA care. Before that can happen, we need to demonstrate capacity in building relationships between the Center and community organizations. Mr. Donald Raw is a Veteran whose last military assignment was All Source Intelligence Technician, 350B, 3424th Military Intelligence Detachment (PD) in Mattydale, New York. He is currently Superintendent of Schools, Canandaigua City School District in Canandaigua, New York. Mr. Raw has exceptional community connections and will be take the lead in establishing the necessary relationships on which to build this long term project. Mr. Raw is a Veteran who is uniquely qualified to serve as the bridge between the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention and the Canandaigua and upstate New York communities. Currently no systematic approach is used in community organizations to identify and refer Veterans who are appropriate for VA care. The current project will address these needs as well as lay out a foundation for future collaborations between the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention and community organizations, such as the Red Cross, Veterans Service organizations, Vet Centers, and colleges and businesses, including local non VA healthcare organizations such as F.F. Thompson Hospital. Mr. Raw has extensive experience interacting with these types of groups and has worked with many of these organizations in Canandaigua. With his background in teaching and his responsibility for all academic programs in the Canandaigua City School District he also has the capacity to understand and translate the research activities that are carried out by the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. Mr. Raw will be a tremendous resource that will greatly enhance the Center’s ability to engage Veterans who are outside the walls of VHA. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however, all information received by 10:00 a.m. EST on August 19, 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 611710 Educational Support Services with a size standard $7 million. The proposed contract type will be Firm Fixed Price.