36C24126Q0197_1.docx

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

VA Connecticut

950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Chadwin Walker chadwin.walker@va.gov 802-295-9363

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

VISN 1 Electronic Delivery/Download

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

COMBINED SYNOPSIS: INTENT TO COMPETE AMONGST BOARD VITALS DISTRIBUTORS: BOARD VITALS CERTFICATION_ BASE-PLUS-2-YEAR ONLINE JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTION Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

COMBINED SYNOPSIS: INTENT TO COMPETE AMONGST BOARD VITALS SB DISTRIBUTORS: BOARD VITALS CERTFICATION_ BASE-PLUS-2-YEAR ONLINE JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTION

GENERAL INFORMATION: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared In accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This Combined Synopsis solicitation: 36C24126Q0197 is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2025-06, October 1st, 2025.

This combined synopsis is being solicited with the intent to award a Base-Plus-Two (B+2) Year Board Vitals Certification Journal Subscription for the VISN 1 Knowledge Information Library, via a Straight Small Business (SB) set-aside, IAW FAR19.502-2(a). VISN 1 has standardized to the Board Vitals certification subscription. The annual online journal subscription will be competed amongst the two (2) SB distributors authorized to distribute/resell, the 140-Journal, Clinical Credentialing Prep Journals and Exam Bank Databases, as an online subscription. Software Publisher, Board Vitals Inc., has designated Teton Data Systems and Graham Advisory Network, Inc. as the current authorized distributors for the Board Vitals Journal/Subscription required. SB set-aside affords competition to the maximum extent practicable. Board Vitals is considered an LB (large business) for NAICS 513210.

The VISN1 Library Team has standardized to the Board Vitals collection of specific online credentialing prep and medical test banks. Board Vitals is proprietary and exclusive to Board Vitals. The platform has been SaaS approved. The current VISN1 Board Vitals subscription was purchased through ECMS Contract: 36C24123P0217. VISN 1 seeks a subsequent B+2 Year Board Vitals Online Journal Subscription to maintain standardization, continuity of education and clinical mission. The key certifications, clinical specialties provided by this Board Certification/Exam preparation subscription include Radiology Sleep Medicine, Gerontology, Addiction Medicine, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Hospice and Palliative, Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OBGYN), Pain Medicine, Pulmonary, Surgery and Urology. The VISN 1 Library Information team and the medical professionals using this online journal have evaluated the Board Vitals subscription as providing the best value to the Government, due to its high-quality certification library, due to its ease of access for board testing material required for physicians. Continuing with the Board Vitals subscription affords continuity of care, operational efficiency, and continued access to this required certification testing database without disruption. All quotes will be submitted via email.

Competition is anticipated between the two (2) Board Vitals SB distributors Teton Data Systems Inc. and Graham Advisory Network Inc. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 513210 with a small business size standard of $47 million. The FSC/PSC is DA10.

Product Service Code DA10

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 (VISN 1) requires a B+2-year subscription to the Board Vitals Online Certification Subscription Journal as listed and described in the Journal Product Listing below. The package requirement listed below maintains the same coverage and capabilities historically provided by previous Board Vitals contracts. VISN 1 has standardized to this specific Board Vitals Journal annual subscription configuration to maintain continuity in operations, Knowledge Information Library provisions and access, and to maintain continuity.

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Base YR Custom Bundle Contains:

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Option YR 1 Custom Bundle Contains:

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Option YR 2

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

B+2 Year Total Cost Medical Center Clinician Certification Database

The quotations shall be for the VISN 1 Board Vitals Certification Subscription B+2 Year Journal as described in the Board Vitals Subscription Product Listing above. Service and support requirements are listed on the SOW (Statement of Work), Page (P) 6. The required Platform is IT-related. FAR 25: The Buy American Act does not apply. The Intent to Compete/ RFQ: 36C24126Q0197 will be posted on Contract Opportunities.

Software Publishers Board Vitals, Inc has designated Teton Data Systems and Graham Advisory Network, Inc as their current authorized distributors. All distributors providing a quote for the required Board Vitals Certification Subscription must be capable of distributing this required journal bundle and must be authorized to distribute by the Software Publishers.

1. FAR 52.212-1” Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (FAR Overhaul Deviation)

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers. (1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

Note: No late submissions of offers will be accepted without CO (Contracting Officer) approval.

(d) Contract award. The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the Offeror’s initial offer should contain the Offeror’s best terms. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

NOTE: This is a FAR 19.502-2(a) SB Set-Aside Competition for price alone. This is not a negotiated contract; there will be no FAR 15 discussions.

(e) Debriefings. NA.

NOTE: This is a FAR 19.502-2(a) SB Set-Aside Competition for price alone. This is not a negotiated contract. There will be no negotiations, no debriefings.

2. 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. As prescribed in 12.205(a)(2), insert a provision substantially as follows: EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEVIATION DATE)

Evaluation factors. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

NOTE: This competition will be an SB Set-aside as authorized by FAR 19.502-2(a). The final selection will be for price alone.

The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

(1) Full capability to supply all Line-Item requirements listed above, at the lowest price.

Award shall be made to the capable SB Class distributor/quoter, whose quotation is determined to be the lowest price.

· The respondent must be actively registered in SAM.

· The applicable NAICS: 513210.

· The respondent must be capable of providing the Board Vitals Certification Journal Subscription Product Listing above on P2.

· The respondent must be designated by Board Vitals Inc. Software Publisher as being authorized to distribute their online journals, products, and subscriptions.

· Pricing shall be entered for each annual journal subscription line-item as listed in the Board Vitals Online Journal Subscription Product Listing above on P2.

· The lowest price determination will be based upon the lowest total price for all three (3) Line-Items listed on the Board Vitals Online Journal Subscription Product Listing above on P2.

· Due to standardization to this journal requirement for VISN1, no substitutions will be considered.

(b) Options (if applicable). NA for this requirement.

3. FAR 52.212-3: [Reserved] “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items”

1. Board Vitals-designated distributors competing for this SB Set-Aside opportunity must be actively registered in SAM.

2. Board Vitals-designated distributors competing for this SB Set-Aside opportunity must be able to provide proof that they are capable and authorized by all the Software Publisher Board Vitals Inc to provide and distribute Board Vitals Online Journal Subscription Product Listing above on P2.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

· 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

As prescribed in 12.205(b)(3), insert the following clause: TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEVIATION DATE)

· 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

As prescribed in 12.301(b)(4), insert the following clause: CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (OCT 2025) NOTE: Per the FAR Overhaul Deviation, FAR 52.212-5 was not listed in the deviation, it was not changed. Therefore, you must review FAR 52.212-5 in the regular FAR.

To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." –OR-- "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters shall list exceptions(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below.

CC: Contracting Officer (CO): Deidra Thomas: deidra.thomas@va.gov

The lowest price will be the sole determining factor. Please submit your best price with the best discount applied. The award will be made to the pricing response most advantageous to the Government.

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html

This is an open-market combined synopsis/solicitation for products as defined herein. The government intends to award a one-time contract/purchase order as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein.

E-mailed quotes will be accepted. Submission shall be received no later than 12PM EST 02/27/26

Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

STATEMENT OF WORK

BOARD VITALS for FY26

A. General Information [CO formatted to make SOW consistent with S02 and SSJ regarding spacing and font.

1.0 Introduction: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 (VISN 1) requires a subscription (B+2 Year) to Board Vitals commercial, off-the-shelf, web-based collection of electronic (online) resource containing medical test banks for approximately 140 medical specialties that clinicians used to prepare for board certification. The Board Vitals electronic collection of medical test banks provides information that will directly impact the ability of VISN1 clinicians to continue in patient care. VISN1’s goal is to ensure uniform availability of high quality, clinical, knowledge-based resources across the network to improve clinical decision making at the point of care.

Performance Period: Base +2: March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2029.

Objectives: The desired goal is to have a VISN 1 wide provision of a series of medical test banks that can be integrated within our online library’s discovery tool. Provide VISN-wide access to the medical test banks’ resource to all clinical staff. Have a VISN1-wide centralized purchase to capitalize on the economies of scale offered by vendors. Negotiate one license/contract to decrease the current contracting and reviewing efforts that are required at the facility level, and thereby avoid the costs and workload associated with multiple procurements.

2.0 Scope of Work: The vendor will provide all sites in the VISN 1 network with access to a single online, web-based “test bank” product. The test bank resource should be IP authenticated for initial sign-up and then username and password authenticated allowing for individual tracking of test performance. Users are to have access from any web-enabled on a network computer within VISN1. It is required that all authorized remote users of VPN, Citrix, OCLC EZProxy have access to the product through any VA networked computer and/or CPRS.

Information Scope: The product should include the set of approximately 140 medical specialty test banks that will be accessed by clinical staff in preparation for scheduled certification boards we have selected based our VA healthcare staff needs.

Information Quality: The test bank resource should provide for both online and offline use with automatic synchronization of practice exams. The test bank resource should offer the user the option to take practice or test mode when creating an exam. Resources are accurate, authoritative, up to date, and relevant for currency. The sources are well recognized in their medical fields. When available any images, tables and diagrams are clearly shown.

Usability: Navigation within the system is logical and is easy to use. There is fast access to topics and subtopics. Topic linking or indexing retrieves material of high relevance quickly. The test bank solution should include the following tools: ability to highlight key parts of question, strikeout of answers to eliminate distractors, mark a question, custom notes, access to standard lab values and an onscreen scientific calculator. Metrics for individual performance evaluation should include both Quiz Score to measure Accuracy and Response Time to measure Fluency. The product has “user friendly” help and direction aids.

Access, content, support:

Product is 508 compliant. (http://www.section508.gov/)

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-26-AP-1004

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, Knowledge Information Service.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: Board Vitals is an extensive collection of certification exam databases that cover a huge number of medical and nursing specialties. The exam databases are used by the clinical staff to prepare for the periodic certification boards they must successfully complete to practice in the VHA facilities.

The Board Vitals subscription is a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) collection of electronic (online) resource containing medical test banks for approximately 140 medical specialties including Radiology Sleep Medicine, Gerontology, Addiction Medicine, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Hospice and Palliative, Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OBGYN), Pain Medicine, Pulmonary, Surgery and Urology. Clinicians use the Board Vitals searchable platform to prepare for board certification. The information is accessed online and contains text, images, charts, graphs, and related information to prepare clinicians for board exams and ultimate certification. The credentialing collection is updated as new certification test questions become available.

Board Vitals platforms/subscriptions provide credentialing preparation for designated medical certification tests must be available online, must be authenticated by IP address, and must support fifteen (15) concurrent users.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, for the reason that no other supplies or services can be used: The VISN1 Library Team has standardized to the Board Vitals collection of electronic (online) resources containing medical test banks Board Vitals is a unique intellectual property and a proprietary database for the OEM Board Vitals, Inc. The platform has been SaaS approved.

The current VISN1 Board Vitals subscription was purchased through ECMS Contract:

36C24123P0217. This subscription is due for renewal. VISN 1 seeks to maintain standardization, continuity of education and clinical mission with a new and subsequent B+2 Board Vitals board exam/credentialing subscription.

This database configuration is required as this Board Vitals brand subscription provides a clinical certification exam and training database evaluated to best support credentialing criteria for content clinical specialties throughout VISN 1 VA Medical Centers and facilities.

The VISN 1 Library Team used the Board Vitals Comparison Grid Market Research to compare and evaluate multiple platforms for Board Certification preparation. Other credential databases evaluated by the library team included: Oakstone, MedStudy, Medscape, Mometrix and “Be at the Boards/The Passmachine.” All board prep certification resources were rated, assigned scores against a list of medical and nursing specialties credentials/criteria required by VISN1. Board Vitals was deemed to offer the best value as a board certification platform.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: An SBS search for NAICS 513210 returned sixty-one (61) results for SBs. The results were sorted for keyword “Board Vitals”, There were zero results. Board Vitals Inc. is a Large Business (LB) Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Correspondence with Board Vitals resulted in a sole source letter stating the Board Vitals Subscription is unique and proprietary to Board Vitals. Board Vitals also provided a list of authorized resellers.

The VISN1 Library Team has standardized to the Board Vitals collection of electronic (online) resources containing medical test banks Board Vitals are a unique intellectual property and a proprietary database for the OEM Board Vitals, Inc. The platform has been SaaS approved. The current VISN1 Board Vitals subscription was purchased through ECMS Contract: 36C24123P0217. This subscription is due for renewal; VISN 1 seeks to maintain standardization, continuity of education and clinical mission with a new and subsequent B+2 Board Vitals subscription. The key certifications, clinical specialties provided by this Board Certification/Exam preparation subscription include Radiology Sleep Medicine, Gerontology, Addiction Medicine, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Hospice and Palliative, Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OBGYN), Pain Medicine, Pulmonary, Surgery and Urology. All board prep certification resources were rated, assigned scores against a list of medical and nursing specialty credentials/criteria required by VISN1. Board Vitals was deemed to offer the best value as a board certification platform.

Additional market research was conducted. Contracting verified that the required Board Certification Prep platform is not available from any mandatory source. GSA Advantage, GSA E-Library, and the FPDS websites were searched for Board Vitals. GSA advantage was searched using the keyword Board Vitals. There were zero results.

An FPDS search for “Board Vitals” received eighteen (18) hits for the VA with all contracts being awarded to either Graham Advisory Network Inc. or Teton Data Systems Inc. Market research was expanded to seek SB (Small Business) opportunities to leverage competition to the maximum extent practicable. Based on the research and the information provided by the LB OEM Board Vitals Inc. The Board Vitals platform is proprietary to the LB OEM. Board Vitals has provided a list of two (2) authorized resellers, Teton Data Systems and Graham Advisory Network Inc. recommendation is for an SB set-aside.

NMR Application: There is no NMR waiver for NAICS 513210. Per VAAR 819.7003(d), without the NMR Waiver, the NMR is not satisfied; LOS (Limitations on Subcontracting) applies. We cannot leverage a SD/VOSB set-aside. With the SBA NMR Exception, per FAR 19.502-2(a), the requirement is eligible for a Straight SB Set-Aside.

Recommendation: The recommendation is for a Straight SB set-aside IAW FAR19.502- 2(a). Per VAAR 819.7003(d), VFCP cannot be leveraged without an NMR Waiver; the NMR does not apply; LOS (Limitations on Subcontracting) applies. The NMR Tree supports a Straight SB Set-Aside. The SBA NMR Exception can be leveraged; the LOS does not apply below SAT. There are no mandatory sources or contracts. There are no non-mandatory NAC/FSS contracts, SEWP, or other National Contracts that carry the required software licenses. The strategy leverages the SBA NMR Exception a brand name, open market, SB Set-Asid. Competition to the maximum extent practicable.

Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer VAMC White River Junction VT NC01 RPOE

Good afternoon.

The following Request for Quote: 36C24126Q0197 has been posted on Contract Opportunities as a Combined Synopsis: Intent to Compete SB between Board Vitals-authorized distributors.

Authorized Distributors for this Board Vitals Certification Subscription Journal are requested to provide a Software Publisher letter stating that they are authorized to distribute the required Board Vitals Certification Subscription Journal.

VISN 1 is looking to purchase a follow-on, sequential, B+2 Year Board Vitals Certification Subscription Journal. The Board Vitals Subscription required is bundled to provide VISN1 with an ongoing subscription for certification testing for the B+2 Year Period of Performance (POP): 03/01/26-02/28/29. The requirement for a B+2 Year Annual Journal Subscription is listed in the Combined Synopsis: Intent to Compete-RFQ 36C24126Q0197, above.

The items quoted must be per the BoardVitals Certification Online Subscription Description on the Board Vitals product listing, below.

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Base YR Custom Bundle Contains:

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Option YR 1

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

Board Vitals Complete Package Unlimited: Option YR 2

140-Journal Clinical Credentialing Prep Database

B+2 Year Total Cost Medical Center Clinician Certification Database

The evaluation criteria will be for the lowest total price for the required Board Vitals Journal Subscription, B+2 Year bundle, as listed in the Board Vitals Certification Online Subscription Description above.

· Please submit your best offer.

· Please consider and include all available discounts.

· Please list any contracts that may apply.

· Please note that the Scope of Work (SOW) is also attached above and is included in the Combined Synopsis.

· The product will be delivered to VISN 1. The Knowledge Information library address is: VAMC Jamaica Plain, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain MA 02130-4817.

Product Listing: VISN 1 Medical Knowledge Journals Subscription: See Attached Product Listing

We are looking forward to processing this order by 03/01/26. Please respond to RFQ by 02/27/26 at 12PM EST:

· Please let me know if you have any questions

· Please let me know if the due date and time will not work for your schedule.

Thank you in advance for submitting a quote via email to chadwin.walker@va.gov. Please copy the CO Deidra Thomas, deidra.thomas@va.gov.

Please note that my work schedule is: 6:00 AM-2:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Respectfully, Chadwin

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