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Priv Plus EUO Consolidated Contract Control Number: TAC-18-50820

Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Coordination Matrix

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Control Number TAC-18-50820

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 260 1701 Director's Blvd., Suite 600 Austin, Texas 78744

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is for a firm-fixed-price contract to renew existing brand name PrivPlus software licenses which includes software maintenance, and technical support for PrivPlus brand software.

3. Description of Supplies or Services: VA, Office of Information and Technology, Service Delivery and Engineering, Field Operations End Users Operations (EUO) Business Office requires renewal of 121 existing brand name PrivPlus software licenses currently being used by VISN Credentialing and Human Resource departments across 101 VA facilities. Software licenses include software maintenance that consists of software renewals and updates via virtual download capabilities and technical support as required via helpdesk. PrivPlus software is a supplemental product to VetPro, the national credentialing software system, which is used for patient care services, and was developed specifically for V A PrivPlus exports the VA credentialing data currently stored on VetPro and produces reports and analytical information. PrivPlus credentialing software allows healthcare providers' clinical privileges and pertinent information (including photograph of provider) to be viewed electronically. The period of performance shall be 12 months for the Base Period, with two, 12-month option years.

4. Statutory Authority: The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: The proposed source far this action is Vendor Credentialing Services, LLC, doing business as Symplr, 616 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77090. Symplr is the sole provider for PrivPlus software and products. No other brand name software can meet all of VA's functional requirements. Specifically, the PrivPlus software is the only software that is interoperable and compatible with VetPro to allow reports and data to be exported from VetPro and imported into PrivPlus. VetPro is currently fielded and fully operational and does not require an upgrade at this time. VetPro is the mandated Credentialing and Privileging software currently being used by VA facilities across the country as required by VA Central Office and as described in VHA Handbook 1100.19 Credentialing and Privileging. Vetpro allows medical staff to receive the proper credentialing prior to seeing a veteran or performing surgical procedures. PrivPlus is the only software that has the ability to import data directly from VetPro into PrivPlus, providing the necessary reporting capabilities that are vital to Vetpro operability. For example, PrivPlus runs a license expiration report, an integral feature required by the Credentialing department. Specifically, the currently fielded VetPro software is the only brand name software that can communicate with the PrivPlus software due to the proprietary elements of both products. These proprietary constraints would not allow any other brand name software other than PrivPlus to access the credentialing data stored on VetPro. PrivPlus is the only software that allows programs to run VetPro data analysis and reports on local Personal Computers or facility networks with the ability to verify license and board certifications by entering a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address in the License Agency and Board Master List in the PrivPlus system. By utilizing the URL address through PrivPlus, the appropriate individual's license/board standing is immediately accessed, allowing "real time" information to be verified. Images of verification can also be captured and stored in PrivPlus. Failure to acquire PrivPlus licenses would result in the VA's inability to properly utilize Vetpro, which would pose a risk to ensuring timely physician license verification, accurate reporting and potentially impact patient care. Additionally, only Symplr can provide the maintenance and technical support as access to proprietary code is required to ensure any services provided are properly configured.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted, details of which are in section 8 of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government's requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Procurement data does not include any unnecessary requirements that may inhibit competition. Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) Page in accordance with FAR 5.201. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: In order to remove or overcome barriers to competition in future acquisitions for this requirement, VA will continue to conduct additional market research so that other software solutions can be considered.

8. Market Research: Market research efforts were conducted by VA subject matter experts in April 2018. After researching other vendors such as lntelliSoft Group and Echo Credentialing, it was determined that these products are incompatible with the VetPro system and therefore will not work. Symplr is the sole provider of all PrivPlus products and there are no other authorized resellers who can provide the required software renewals and support. Symplyr, has a second credentialing product called Cactus Provider Credentialing. After reviewing the features and contacting the vendor, it was determined that Cactus does not currently have the capability to import from VA VetPro, the Federal Credentialing program used by VA and therefore would not meet VA's needs. Symplr agreed with VA's assessment that that Cactus was not interoperable and compatible with VetPro.

In addition, The Contract Specialist issued a Request for Information (RFI) with a

Control Number T AC-18-50820 draft Product Description on May 10, 2018 to open market contractors through Federal Business Opportunities, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement Govemmentwide Acquisition Contract, and General Services Administration Federal Supply via the General Services Administration's e-Buy to ascertain the ability of any other source to provide an alternate product. The intent of the RFI was to ascertain if any other brand name products could meet VA's needs. Responses to the RFI from all venues were due on May 17, 2018. No responses were received.

9. Other Facts: None.

10. Technical and Requirements Certification. I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Preparer Name:

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11. Fair and Reasonable Cost Determination. I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based on price analysis of the successful quote against the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

12. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Approval

In my role as procuring activity Advocate for Competition, based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the acquisition of PrivPlus software licenses which includes software maintenance, and technical support for PrivPlus brand software, on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the statutory authority cited in paragraph 4 above, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the property and services herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

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