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VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 1 of 1 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 01 Eff Date: 04/23/2018

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: 36C242-18-AP-3985

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 02, James J. Peters VA Medical

Center, located at 130 W. Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10468-3904. Graduate Medical Education (GME) Service has submitted Purchase Request Number 526-18-4-155-0455. This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition.

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: This is a requirement for fee payment of 70 student users of the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE), to be accessed between August 23, 2018 through September 12, 2018. IM- ITE is a web-based examination that helps the student residents expand and broaden their skills and prepare for other computerized tests, such as the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine). The exam is designed to: Give residents an opportunity for self-assessment; Give program directors the opportunity to evaluate their programs; and Identify areas in which residents need extra learning assistance.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: The GME’s governing body is ABIM, who is responsible for the Internal Medicine In-Training exam. The IM-ITE is developed by a committee of 11 expert physician-authors and is used by residents, program directors, and physicians alike. It is modeled after the American Board of Internal Medicine's certification exam. The exam is administered annually at each training site during a prescribed period.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: A search in the National New England Journal of Medicine website offers two types of In-Training Residency exams – American Board of Family Medicine In-Training Examination (ABFM-ITE) and the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE). The website address is:

https://knowledgeplus.nejm.org/blog/the-nature-of-the-beast-resident-in-training-exams/, However, GME is not a Family-Medicine program but is an Internal-Medicine program and is the reason why the American College of Physicians IM-ITE is the required product. This requirement is not supported by any mandatory sources on Ability One, nor is available by Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, as searched on https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/.

5. 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.

Date Contracting Officer