Intent to Sole Source Subscription to UpToDate Introduction: The Department of Veterans Affairs - PCAC intends to issue a sole source contract to UpToDate Inc. for an existing commercial off the shelf e-subscription service for evidence based peer reviewed information resource. This e-subscription will be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Central Office (VACO) Library. Justification: 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) Central Office (VACO) Library requires a renewal to the annual subscription to Up-to-Date. This online resource provides desktop access to over 7,700 authoritative topic reviews in patient care, diagnosis and treatment. This content is a synthesis of evidence-based research written by subject matter experts. Additionally, this resource includes access to 15,000 graphics, 160,000 MEDLINE abstracts and a comprehensive drug database VHA's goal is to provide authoritative, current topic reviews in an easy to use format designed to answer clinician's questions in minutes. For the purpose of this solicitation, these products must include access to over 7,700 authoritative topic reviews in 15 specialties including internal medicine, family practice, endocrinology, women's health, patient education, etc. and access to graphics, MEDLINE abstracts and a drug database. Performance Period: One year award with four (4) 1-year options to exercise at Governments discretion. 1.1 Objectives The desired goal is for a renewal of an annual subscription to UpToDate. 1.1.1 Providing access to VACO Library staff and patrons to UpToDate. 2.0 Scope of Work: 2.0.1 The vendor will provide all VACO employees with online access to Up-to-Date. Authentication will be through IP address validation on a network gateway 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 VACO. 2.1 Information Scope The product should include: 2.1.1 Consult-level summaries and topics covering internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, diabetes, oncology and pulmonary medicine, etc. in a format suitable for use by attending level physicians, students, nurse practitioners, house staff and other point of care health providers. 2.1.2 Topics that reflect current practice issues and support clinical decision support. 2.1.3 Drug information. 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 Topics are presented succinctly, but with adequate detail to be useful to clinicians. 2.2.4 "Best practice" or evidence-based information is included in recommendations for diagnosis or therapy. 2.2.5 Policies for determining validity and standards for inclusion of material are well described. 2.2.6 Guidelines and summaries include references or sources. 2.2.7 When necessary to the topic, images, tables and diagrams are available and clearly shown. 2.3 Usability 2.3.1 Navigation within the system is logical and is easy to use. There is fast access to topics and subtopics. Topic linking or indexing retrieves material of high relevance quickly. 2.3.2 The product has "user friendly" help and direction aids. 2.4 Currency 2.4.1 Content areas are updated on a continuous, incremental cycle rather than on a single anniversary date for the entire product. 2.4.2 The date a topic was last reviewed for content is stated and easily found. 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 a network gateway 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 VACO. 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. 2.5.7 System downtime is minimal and VA project manager is notified when such occurs. 2.5.8 Topics are 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 Questions are responded to on the same business day. 2.5.11 Usage statistics are available to the system administrator on an enterprise level. 2.5.12 Graphics, pictures, and/or images that are searchable are highly desirable. 2.5.13 The contractor should offer training services. On an as requested basis, training session (web-based or live) will be set up to train VACO staff on use of the product. Specialized training sessions may be requested for VACO Library staff. 2.5.14 Availability of usage statistics at an IP level is highly desirable. 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 July 28, 2011 1:00PM EST to Franklin DiFranco 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.
