36C77624Q0175.docx

SUBJECT*

Clinical Mental Health Psychiatry Online Subscription

GENERAL INFORMATION

Program Contracting Activity Central

6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 490 Independence OH 44131

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Andrew Allen Andrew.Allen6@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

SPECIAL NOTICE – NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Clinical Mental Health Psychiatry Online Subscription

FBO Notice: 36C77624Q0175

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires an existing commercial off the shelf web-based Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge product subscription to PsychiatryOnline (available on the terms of use set forth at https://psychiatryonline.org/termsofuse) that will be made available throughout the VHA healthcare system.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) intends to solicit and negotiate with AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION, 800 MAINE AVE SW, SUITE 900, WASHINGTON, DC. USA: to provide an annual subscription to Clinical Mental Health Psychiatry Online Subscription. These products shall include sources such as electronic textbooks and online full text journals. Inclusion of the current online DSM-5-TR along with appropriate updates is a critical requirement. This product’s emphasis is on patient-oriented information, treatment guidelines, and patient health education resources.

The procurement is being conducted by authority of FAR Part 6.302-1 and 13.106-1(b)(2), "soliciting from a sole source."

The NAICS code for this procurement is 519290 and the Small Business Administration Size Standard is 1,000 Employees.

This notice of intent to is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirements may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice.

Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses to this notice are due on or before Thursday April 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m. EST to contract specialist, Andrew Allen at Andrew.Allen6@va.gov.

Contracting Office Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs Program Contracting Activity Central Special Notice Special Notice 6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 490 Independence, OH 44131

Special Notice

STATEMENT OF WORK

CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTHCARE KNOWLEDGE PRODUCT

A. General Information

1.0 Introduction:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires an existing commercial off the shelf web-based Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge product subscription to PsychiatryOnline (available on the terms of use set forth at https://psychiatryonline.org/termsofuse) that will be made available throughout the VHA healthcare system.

These products shall include sources such as electronic textbooks and online full text journals. Inclusion of the current online DSM-5-TR along with appropriate updates is a critical requirement. This product’s emphasis is on patient-oriented information, treatment guidelines, and patient health education resources.

VHA’s goal is to ensure uniform availability of high quality, clinical mental healthcare knowledge-based resources across the VHA system to improve clinical decision making.

Performance Period: 12-month base period and four (4) Option Periods.

1.1 Objectives

The desired goals of the nationwide provision of a subscription to PsychiatryOnline is as follows:

1.1.1 Providing access nationwide subscription shall build on the enterprise-wide availability of the web-based collection included in the VHA Desktop Library resources.

1.1.2 Initiating a nationwide, centralized purchase to capitalize on the economies of scale offered by vendors.

1.1.3 Negotiating one license/contract to decrease the current contracting and reviewing efforts that are required at the facility and/or VISN level and thereby avoid the costs and workload associated with multiple procurements.

1.1.4 Making this Clinical Mental Healthcare Knowledge Product available through CPRS (Computerized Patient Record System), the VA’s Electronic Health Record, nationwide to insure consistent access at the bedside for all VHA health professionals and staff.

2.0 Scope of Work:

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2.0.1 The vendor shall provide all sites on the VHA network with access to a single online, web-based product. Authentication shall be through IP address validation on an enterprise basis, eliminating the need for users to enter identification, username and/or password.

2.0.2 Access shall be granted through VA Gateway IP addresses validation on an enterprise basis. Also, for remote access, product should be LibLynx IPs (157.230.189.45 and 162.243.143.27) accessible eliminating the need for users to enter identification, username and/or password.

2.0.3 An unrestricted number of simultaneous users are to have immediate access from any web-enabled computer within VHA. It is required that all authorized remote users with VPN access have access to the product.

2.1 Information Scope

The product shall include:

2.1.1 Knowledge based information covering mental healthcare, for use by psychiatrics, psychologists, attending level psychiatrist, students, social workers and other point of care health providers.

2.1.2 Information that reflects current practice issues and supports clinical decision making.

2.1.3 Current awareness information for the mental healthcare professionals.

2.1.4 Comprehensive information in a single product available for stand-alone purchase or license, independent of complementary or companion products offered by the vendor.

2.1.5 Related patient education material.

2.2 Information Quality

2.2.1 Information is accurate, authoritative, and relevant.

2.2.2 Authors and sources are well recognized subject experts in their fields.

2.2.3 “Best practice”, evidence-based information, or treatment practice guideline information is included.

2.2.4 Policies for determining validity and standards for inclusion of material are well described.

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2.3 Usability

2.3.1 Navigation within the system is logical and is easy to use.

2.3.2 The product has “user friendly” help and direction aids.

2.4 Currency

2.4.1 Books shall be maintained with the most current edition available.

2.4.2 Journals shall be maintained with the most current issues available with no embargo period.

2.5 Access, content, support

2.5.1 Section 508 – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards The Section 508 standards established by the Access Board are incorporated into, and made part of all VA orders, solicitations and purchase orders developed to procure ICT. These standards are found in their entirety at: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines. A printed copy of the standards will be supplied upon request. Federal agencies must comply with the updated Section 508 Standards beginning on January 18, 2018. The Final Rule as published in the Federal Register is available from the Access Board: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule.

2.5.1.1 The Contractor shall comply with “508 Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements” for all electronic ICT and content delivered under this contract. Specifically, as appropriate for the technology and its functionality, the Contractor shall comply with the technical standards marked here:

E205 Electronic Content – (Accessibility Standard -WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA Guidelines) E204 Functional Performance Criteria E206 Hardware Requirements E207 Software Requirements E208 Support Documentation and Services Requirements

2.5.1.2 Compatibility with Assistive Technology

The standards do not require installation of specific accessibility-related software or attachment of an assistive technology device. Section 508 requires that ICT be compatible with such software and devices so that ICT can be accessible to and usable by individuals using assistive technology, including but not limited to screen readers, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition software.

2.5.1.3 Acceptance and Acceptance Testing

Deliverables resulting from this solicitation will be accepted based in part on satisfaction of the Section 508 Chapter 2: Scoping Requirements standards identified above.

The Government reserves the right to test for Section 508 Compliance before delivery. The Contractor shall be able to demonstrate Section 508 Compliance upon delivery.

2.5.2 An unrestricted number of simultaneous users are to have immediate access from any web-enabled computer throughout VHA. It is required that all authorized remote users (with VPN, dial-up, wireless, etc. access) have access to the product through any VA networked computer and/or CPRS. A username and/or password option must be offered for remote users if needed.

2.5.3 The product is compatible with most standard web browsers, which have cookies enabled. To ensure privacy, the product uses session cookies rather than persistent cookies.

2.5.4 The product is compatible with the Windows environment.

2.5.5 All site content and support of the web site is the responsibility of the contractor. This includes tech support to VHA users nationwide.

2.5.6 System downtime is minimal and VA project manager is notified when such occurs.

2.5.7 Information is easily printed.

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2.5.8 The product’s licensing agreement must permit free use for educational purposes of all pictures and graphics.

2.5.9 Single point of contact for customer service issues is assigned to VA

2.5.10 Questions are responded to with two business days.

2.5.11 Usage statistics are available to the system administrator on an enterprise level. Availability of usage statistics at an IP level is highly desirable.

2.5.12 The product shall be accessible via a variety of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) platforms including the Android and iPhone.

2.5.13 Graphics, pictures, and/or images that are searchable are highly desirable.

2.5.14 The contractor shall offer training services. On an as requested basis, training session (web-based or live) will be set up to train VHA staff on use of the product. Specialized training sessions may be requested for VA library staff.

2.5.15 Information or text can be emailed among VHA colleagues.

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