Intent to Sole Source Subscription to Psychiatryonline.com Introduction: The Department of Veterans Affairs - PCAC intends to issue a sole source contract to Psychiatryonline.com for an existing commercial off the shelf web based, Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge Product that will be made available throughout the VHA healthcare system. Justfication: Statutory authorities permitting other than full and open competition are 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.This product contains unique intellectually property that is proprietary information published by APPI. Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires an existing commercial off the shelf web based, APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology Product that will be made available throughout the VHA healthcare system. VHA's goal is to insure uniform availability of high quality, clinical mental healthcare knowledge based resources across the VHA system to improve clinical decision making. For the purpose of this solicitation, these products must include sources such as electronic textbooks and online fulltext journals. Inclusion of the current online DSM-IV-TR along with appropriate updates is a critical requirement. This product's emphasis is on patient-oriented information, treatment guidelines, and patient health education resources. Performance Period: One year award with one (1) option to exercise at Governments discretion. 1.1 Objectives The desired goals of the nationwide provision of a commercial Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge Based Resources are as follows: 1.1.1 Providing access nationwide to standard knowledge based clinical mental healthcare information resources will build on the enterprise wide availability of the web based version of ACP PIER Plus and New England Journal of Medicine. 1.1.2 Initiating a nationwide, centralized purchase to capitalize on the economies of scale offered by vendors. 1.1.3 Negotiating one license/contract to decrease the current contracting and reviewing efforts that are required at the facility and/or VISN level and thereby avoid the costs and workload associated with multiple procurements. 1.1.4 Making this Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge Product available through CPRS (Computerized Patient Record System), the VA's Electronic Health Record, nationwide to insure consistent access at the bedside for all VHA health professionals and staff. 2.0 Scope of Work: 2.0.1 The vendor will provide all sites on the VHA network with access to a single online, web-based product. Authentication will be through IP address validation on an enterprise basis, eliminating the need for users to enter identification, username and/or password. 2.0.2 An unrestricted number of simultaneous users are to have immediate access from any web-enabled computer within VHA. It is required that all authorized remote users with VPN access have access to the product. 2.0.3 Currently there are 153 VHA libraries providing remote access through Athens authentication service. Product should have technical capability to include Athens authentication for remote users. 2.1 Information Scope The product should include: 2.1.1 Knowledge based information covering mental healthcare, for use by psychiatrics, psychologists, attending level psychiatrist, students, social workers and other point of care health providers. 2.1.2 Information that reflects current practice issues and supports clinical decision making. 2.1.3 Current awareness information for the mental healthcare professionals. 2.1.4 Comprehensive information in a single product available for stand-alone purchase or license, independent of complementary or companion products offered by the vendor. 2.1.5 Related patient education material. 2.2 Information Quality 2.2.1 Information is accurate, authoritative, and relevant. 2.2.2 Authors and sources are well recognized subject experts in their fields. 2.2.3 "Best practice", evidence-based information, or treatment practice guideline information is included. 2.2.4 Policies for determining validity and standards for inclusion of material are well described. 2.3 Usability 2.3.1 Navigation within the system is logical and is easy to use. 2.3.2 The product has "user friendly" help and direction aids. 2.4 Currency 2.4.1 Books will be maintained with the most current edition available. 2.4.2 Journals will be maintained with the most current issues available with no embargo period. 2.5 Access, content, support 2.5.1 Product is 508 compliant. (http://www.section508.gov/) 2.5.1.1 If product is not 508 compliant, vendor must describe measures being taken to bring product into compliance and date, within 12 months of contract award, that product will be 508 compliant. OR 2.5.1.2. If product is not 508 compliant and vendor must describe why no work is being done to make it 508 compliant. 2.5.2 Access to be granted through IP address validation on an enterprise basis, eliminating the need for users to enter identification, username and/or password. 2.5.3 An unrestricted number of simultaneous users are to have immediate access from any web-enabled computer throughout VHA. It is required that all authorized remote users (with VPN, dial-up, wireless, etc. access) have access to the product through any VA networked computer and/or CPRS. A username and/or password option must be offered for remote users if needed. 2.5.4 The product is compatible with most standard web browsers, which have cookies enabled. To insure privacy, the product uses session cookies rather than persistent cookies. 2.5.5 The product is compatible with the Windows environment. 2.5.6 All site content and support of the web site is the responsibility of the contractor. This includes tech support to VHA users nationwide. 2.5.7 System downtime is minimal and VA project manager is notified when such occurs. 2.5.8 Information is easily printed. 2.5.9 The product's licensing agreement must permit free use for educational purposes of all pictures and graphics. 2.5.10 Single point of contact for customer service issues is assigned to VA 2.5.11 Questions are responded to on the same business day. 2.5.12 Usage statistics are available to the system administrator on an enterprise level. 2.5.13 The product should be accessible via a variety of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) platforms including the Blackberry. 2.5.14 Graphics, pictures, and/or images that are searchable are highly desirable. 2.5.15 The contractor should offer training services. On an as requested basis, training session (web-based or live) will be set up to train VHA staff on use of the product. Specialized training sessions may be requested for VA library staff. 2.5.16 Availability of usage statistics at an IP level is highly desirable. 2.5.17 Information or text can be emailed among VHA colleagues. Submittal Information: As stated above, this is an intent to Sole source but if contractors having the skills and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements should submit a response of no more than 5 pages in length, single spaced, 12 point font minimum that addresses the above information. The Government will not review any other data, attachments that are in excess to the 5 pages. In response to the RFI, interested contractors shall submit the following information no later than Thursday June 23, 2011 1:00PM EST to Anthony Wilson at
contact@example.gov. All responses must include the following information: Company name, Cage code, CCR number, Dunn & Bradstreet number, company address, Point of contact name, phone number, fax number, GSA contract (if applicable) and email. The subject line of the correspondence should clearly display the RFI number. Also please provide the following information in your response. DISCLAIMER This Intent to Sole Source is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this ISS that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
