JOFOC-_UNM_Training_Consultation_CE_(FBO).pdf

Attachment C

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

a. Federal agency and contracting activity. HHS/IHS/OCPS/DBH

b. Sponsoring organization. Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence

c. Project Officer information.

Project Officer name.

Mailing address.

E-mail address.

Telephone number.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives. The purpose of this acquisition is to provide IHS with culturally-relevant training and consultation related to behavioral health, opioids and pain management, and pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders with the appropriate behavioral health continuing education credits. Additionally, a culturally sensitive, telehealth behavioral health student training program will be established.

b. Project background. IHS has previously relied on the proposed contractor for several critical projects and tasks.

The proposed contractor has developed and maintained the IHS Essential Training on Pain and Addiction, which is a mandatory training for all IHS prescribing providers. More than 3,000 providers have attended the training.

The proposed contractor has established and maintained the Chronic Pain ECHO, which provides weekly education and consultation from a panel of experts to IHS providers around the country.

The proposed contractor has supplied behavioral health and pharmacy Continuing Education (CE) credits for more than 400 webinars, ensuring that IHS clinicians can easily meet their CE requirements for state licensure.

The proposed contractor has provided more than 300 webinars to IHS on critical topics such as, suicide, Historical Trauma, Trauma Informed Care, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, PTSD, depression, etc.

The proposed contractor has established the Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Consultation Clinic to support IHS clinicians with consultation regarding complex pediatric issues.

The proposed contractor is the forefront regarding Historical Trauma and Trauma Informed Care, and has provided IHS clinicians and staff with a 26-session series on these topics.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. Training, Consultation, and Continuing Education services

b. Project description. Please see attached SOW

Requirement type.

Research & development (R&D) R & D support services X Support services (non-R&D) Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Construction Architect-engineer (A & E) services Design-build Other (specify): ____________________

Type of action.

New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): ______________________

Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee): __________ Cost-plus-fixed-fee Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): ___________ Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________

Other (specify): ___________ Completion Form Term form

Acquisition identification number.

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

BASE YEAR: August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019

4 - OPTION YEARS

4. Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 United

States Code (U.S.C.) 253(c)(1) as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302- 1.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Services

Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (41 U.S.C. 428a).

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

Office of Clinical Contracting Services (OCCS) 933 Bradbury SE, Suite 2222 Albuquerque, NM 87106 Attn: Amber Sellers

b. Nature of the acquisition and proposed unique qualifications of the contractor(s). The proposed contractor has previously developed several unique projects and programs that are specifically tailored for the IHS user population and essential to the IHS mission.

Regarding pain and opioids, the proposed contractor has several unique qualifications. They developed a 5-hour custom course so that the Agency could meet the requirements of the October 2015 Presidential Mandate regarding required training for all federal prescribers. To date, more than 3,000 provider have taken the training. Additionally, the proposed contractor has a weekly Chronic Pain ECHO with a curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs of IHS clinicians working with challenging pain patients.

Regarding behavioral health training, the proposed contractor is recognized as an expert in behavioral health with many years of experience working in rural and Native communities. They also have a very strong understanding of AI/AN culture with Native providers and faculty. Many of the IHS patients receiving services may only speak a native language and/or reside on a Native American Reservation, therefore, the Contractor must demonstrate sensitivity to cross-cultural and language differences. This includes Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Braveheart, who was one of the first to use the term Historical Trauma and to research it. She currently has a grant to develop an evidenced-based Historical Trauma intervention.

The proposed contractor is also recognized as an expert in AI/AN behavioral health issues and was awarded a grant to be the Honoring Native Life Initiative Suicide Clearing House for the 25 Tribes in New Mexico.

The proposed contractor also have a very strong history of training behavioral health providers. They have been training IHS-funded AI/AN Psychology Interns for more than 20 years. Their Psychiatry Residency has Fellowship programs in Addiction Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry.

They also have a Rural Psychiatry Residency that was recognized by SAMHSA as a Promising Practice. These training experiences and relationship have resulted in many behavioral health providers working for IHS and Tribal programs.

The proposed contractor has a longstanding relationship with IHS and an extensive history of serving AI/AN populations. This includes providing ongoing, direct patient care at 14 sites via telehealth. A change in contractor or disruption of current services would be detrimental to patient care.

Given these areas of expertise and experiences, the proposed contractor has unique knowledge of the specialized needs of the IHS.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

This requirement will be synopsized via FedBizOpps with an intent to sole-source the award pursuant to FAR 6.302-1.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost/price to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The proposed pricing is very consistent with market pricing. This is based on several points-

Comparisons with other contractors offering similar services Knowledge of open market rates for similar services from diverse geographic regions Previous rates with proposed contractor

8. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Some of these services or similar are available from other providers, but we are not aware of a single provider that covers all of the contract requirements.

Additionally, other available providers lack the cultural expertise and knowledge required.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

10. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

N/A

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the required supplies or services.

It is anticipated that the need for these types of services will continue into the future.

Evaluation of potential contractors and pricing will be ongoing.

12. Program office certification.