Limiting Sources Justification Audio Digest_Redacted.pdf

VHAPG Part 808.405-6 Limiting Sources Attachment 2: Request for Limited Sources Justification Format >SAT

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 1 of 6

LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION

ORDER >SAT

FAR PART 8.405-6

Acquisition Plan Action ID:__VA-24-00019825

(1) Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network/Program Contracting

Office 01, located at VA Boston, in support of VISN 1 VA Health Care System at VISN

1 Knowledge and Information Service, 200 Springs Road Bldg 10 Rm 110, Bedford, MA, UNITED STATES, 01730

2237: 523-24-1-3801-0005

(2) Description of Action: This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple- Award Schedule Program (41 U.S.C. 152(3) and 40 U.S.C. 501).

Order against: FSS Contract Number: _________________________________

(3) Description of Supplies or Services:

The estimated value of the proposed action is $

A one-year (base year) VISN-wide subscription to Audio Digest, a medical education delivery platform subscription produced by Ovid Technologies. VISN1 Knowledge Information Service intends to provide this subscription to the VISN1 clinical staff in supporting their CME requirements. This repository of medical education lectures is accessible to the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 2 of 6 via desktop or smartphone app, and allows an easy way to listen to a medial lecture and gain credit

(CME). Audio Digest is the leader in this type of medical education delivery.

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are

Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course. The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest.

The Government has requested a contract with a base plus 4 option years.

(4) Identify the Authority and Supporting Rationale (see below and if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(A): An urgent and compelling need exists and following the ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays:

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(B): Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized;

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(C): In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order must not have been previously issued under sole source or limited source procedures.

FAR 8.405-6(b): Items peculiar to one manufacturer:

A patent, copyright or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data is: the collection of lectures from various medical forums.

These are “direct replacements” parts/components for existing equipment.

The material/service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit and function) with existing systems presently installed/performing.

(5) Describe Why You Believe the Order Represents the Best Value consistent with FAR 8.404(d) to aid the contracting officer in making this best value determination:

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 3 of 6

The review team found that Audio Digest was the best value to the VISN1 clinical staff for the reasons of having more updated content on a weekly basis, is mobile and its prime delivery medium is audio. It contains board certification requirements, CME material for 16 medical specialties; content is from medical conferences, teaching hospitals, medical society meetings, and medical schools.

(6) Describe the Market Research Conducted

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are

Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course. The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest. The review team examined the

Oakstone CMEinfo platform which is designed to provide CME material. Oakstone CMEinfo contains

CME material where the clinical provider can earn unlimited CME credits for up to three years with the presentation of material in multimedia formats for 15 different specialties; however, this platform has no live CME content nor a mobile app for smart phone use at this time. The ability to access and listen to

CME during a commute drive or in an out of clinic setting is not available.

The review team also assessed the Hippo Education platform which presents highly produced lectures on various medical topics for credit. Hippo Education contains a focus on Emergency Medicine, Urgent

Care, Pediatrics, Primary Care and includes the EM Board Review and question bank, plus a Cardiology

CME module. Importantly, Hippo Education appears to center on produced video and multimedia format.

While video appears to be popular method of information delivery, it is not as flexible to the audio learning audience.

The review team found that Audio Digest was the best value to the VISN1 clinical staff for the reasons of having more updated content on a weekly basis, is mobile and its prime delivery medium is audio. At this time, no other product meets the same specifications as Audio Digest.

(7) Any Other Facts Supporting the Justification:

Not applicable

(8) A Statement of the Actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made:

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 4 of 6

(9) Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that processing of this limited sources justification restricts consideration of Federal Supply Schedule contractors to fewer than the number required by FAR Subpart 8.4.

Eric Stauffer ___Oct 31, 2023

SIGNATURE DATE

Eric Stauffer e-Resources Librarian, COR Knowledge Information Service

NAME TITLE SERVICE LINE/SECTION

VISN1

FACILITY

(10) Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over the SAT but not exceeding $750K):

I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

HIGHER LEVEL APPROVAL (Required for orders over $750,000):

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 5 of 6

c. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval (over $750,000 to $75 million): I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and approve for restricting consideration of the Federal Supply Schedule contractors to fewer than the number required by FAR Subpart 8.4.

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 6 of 6

d. Senior Procurement Executive Approval (over $75 million): I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and approve for other than full and open competition.

Angela Billups, Ph.D. DATE Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Acquisition and Logistics Senior Procurement Executive (SPE)