36C10G26C0003 Nurse Telephone Triage Traning JA for GPE.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

Carol Rutenberg, MSN, APRN, BC-RN a leading expert in nurse telephone triage, with decades of experience as an author, trainer, and consultant.

Market research consisting of web searches confirmed that AAACN’s course material is the only course built upon the foundation of the Telephone Triage as Professional Nursing Practice: Improve Quality and Risk Education Seminar by Carol Rutenberg.

No other commercially available training provides the same combination of:

Endorsement and ownership by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAAACN)

Evidence-based content specifically tailored to the competencies required for the nurse triage environment

A standardized validated training approach that aligns with national nurse triage guidelines and quality measures

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and 2023, through a contract with Telephone Triage Consulting, Inc. (TTC), VHA offered the Telephone Triage as Professional Nursing Practice: Improve Quality and Risk Education Seminar to about 900 Registered Nurses (RNs) with great success. The Telephone Triage as Professional Nursing course by AAACN is a web- based course that AAACN developed by updating and revising the content from their longtime member Carol Rutenberg’s highly regarded telephone triage seminar and developed their own online telephone triage nursing course, the Telephone Triage as Professional Nursing Practice course. AAACN’s course provided in-depth comprehensive education, on telephone triage.

These benefits highlight the importance of standardized training in telephone triage nursing, which is a vital component of modern healthcare delivery. By providing access to the Telephone Triage Practice course by AAACN—a standardized training developed by an individual and organization whose life’s work is considered the cornerstone of telephone triage nursing—VHA and our Veterans can reap significant benefits. Standardized training ensures consistency and uniformity in care delivery, which is essential for maintaining high-quality service across various facilities. The Telephone Triage Practice course by AAACN equips nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle a wide range of clinical situations effectively and accurately. Veterans will benefit from more reliable and consistent care, enhancing their trust and satisfaction with the healthcare system. In addition, standardized training can lead to more efficient use of resources as it streamlines the training process and reduces the need for additional corrective training. It also ensures that all telephone triage nurses have a solid foundation of knowledge and are well-prepared to meet the demands of their roles, ultimately leading to a more effective and resilient healthcare workforce.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

5. Check and fill in all that are applicable:

The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current equipment is <insert description of current equipment>, and the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system by <insert description of how the new item/service must coordinate or interface>.

A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition.

The proprietary data are described as follows:

These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment.

Other information to support a sole source buy:

The Office of IVC is not aware of any other RN Telephone Triage training in the commercial marketplace that can meet all their requirements. The same is true for this current requirement in 2025. Currently, AAACN is the only known source of licenses for the Nurse Telephone Triage Training services. There are no known small business sources or any other sources that can provide the licenses needed to access the online courses. This was confirmed by the Program Office, Business Owners, Small Business searches, as well as online Market Research of Government Wide Databases. To enhance future competition for this service, the Government will continue to conduct comprehensive market research to identify any other possible sources of licenses to obtain the service from the Nurse Telephone Triage Training.

As a result, no barriers to future competition are anticipated.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that statements checked, and information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition.

Digitally signed by ANGELA WILT Date: 2025.11.06 11:24:04 -05'00'

Signature: Date:

Angela Wilt Program Analyst Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) Transformative Care Modalities U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

ANGELA WILT

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

Signature: Date:

Jennifer Balsiger Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center