36C10B20C0024-001.doc

VETSNET- AMA Physician Master File Software License Renewal

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

23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

2. Description of Action: The proposed action is to award a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract on a sole-source basis for renewal of licensing agreement for American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Master File software to AMA located at 330 N Wabash Ave Ste 39300, Chicago, IL 60611.

3. Description of Supplies or Services: VA Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service requires renewal of their licensing agreement with AMA for their Physician Master File data which is installed on the VBA Corporate Enterprise System (SUN E10K) at the Austin Automation Center, which provides quarterly updates to the AMA Physician Master File data and continued access of the AMA credentialing products. The AMA Physician Master File data supports the VBA C&P Service nationwide with Veterans' claims benefits adjudication to assist in claim development processing. The AMA Physician Master File software data search feature is incorporated within the VBA Modern Awards Processing-Development (MAP-D) application, which is a component of Veterans Service Network (VETSNET). Each user of MAP-D (VBA claims developer) has the ability (e.g. "license") to use the AMA data search. This service assists the VBA claims examiners at the nationwide regional offices who process Veterans' claims for compensation and pension assistance for disability, compensation and eligibility by confirming or refuting medical information in support of claims against AMA credentialing data. The period of performance for this proposed action is 12-months with three (3) subsequent 12-month option periods, if exercised. The total estimated value of the proposed action, inclusive of all options, is $XXX.

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, AMA, is the only authoritative source that can meet VBA C&P Service requirements for an authoritative and complete repository of data/reference files for physicians. Specifically, the AMA Physician Master File software is the only product capable of providing nationwide medical information certification for physicians. The VBA utilizes this service in reviewing claims for as part of its current operating procedures, and has been deemed critical in supporting the nationwide VBA claim examiners. The AMA Physician Master File is a flat data file that is wholly owned and licensed by AMA as a proprietary software product. It is the only source that begins collecting data on physicians from the time they enter medical school and is proprietary and copyrighted property of the AMA. Therefore, not having data sources from AMA, physicians would not be able to access the new claims. While other data files/repositories may exist, none are comprehensive enough, nor do they communicate with AMA Physician Master File software to be considered a viable alternative. Thus, no other vendor’s data file can serve the same function, which is critical in the process to providing benefits and healthcare to the Veteran.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market Research was conducted, the details of which are in section 8 of this justification. The market research conducted did not yield any potential sources, other than AMA, who could meet all of the Government’s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website in accordance with FAR Part 5.201. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the market place that would enable future actions to be competed.

8. Market Research: VA team conducted market research by looking across entire industry for alternatives to AMA products. However, none were an authoritative source nor complete the service required from VBA which uses the AMA Physician Master File software. Therefore, this specialized functionality is not offered through any other vendor or industry. In addition, market research was also performed by contacting AMA who confirmed in an email on December 2, 2019 that AMA is the only source able to meet VBA C&P Service requirements. Further, AMA does not allow any other vendor to sell their data for purposes of this application and AMA credentialing products. Therefore, there is no anticipation for competition, limited or otherwise, for this effort.

9. Other Facts: None

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

Date: ______________________

Project Manager

Signature: ______________________

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 to include comparison of negotiated prices to the Independent Government Cost Estimate and historical pricing.

Procuring Contracting Officer Signature: __________________

12. Procuring Contracting Officer Certification: I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. As this contract action does not exceed $700,000, the certification below required by FAR 6.303-2(b)(12) serves as approval.

Procuring Contracting Officer Signature: ______________________ <3 of 4