SSJ PR 84157 Redacted.docx

JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT (OPEN MARKET OR GSA)

UNDER $250,000

Sole source acquisitions may be used on a limited basis and only when the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Program Official has provided sufficient justification and the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances warrant such action. The content for a justification must contain detailed facts and rationale to justify the sole source acquisition. Soliciting from a single source must be done in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) or 8.405-6. At a minimum, the following information must be included:

Identification of Program Office, Contracting Activity, and Proposed Requirement, Justification and Program Office Certification:

A. Program Office:

Applied Research and Evaluation Branch Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Building 107, MS-S107-1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, GA 30341

B. Contracting Activity:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Financial Resources Acquisition Branch 2

C. Identification of Requirement:

1. Nature of Action to be Approved by Contracting Officer:

a. Sole source acquisition of: The purpose of this 24-month contract is to increase understanding of 1) how Community Health Workers (CHWs) are included in the maternal heath workforce and the impact of their inclusion and 2) CHWs’ roles in addressing systemic inequities in maternal cardiovascular health outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. To do this, the contractor, in collaboration with CDC staff, will: conduct a scoping review to describe current knowledge on CHWs’ roles in supporting the cardiovascular health of pregnant and postpartum people from racial and ethnic minority groups; recommend at least three exemplary programmatic examples to conduct a case study on by coordinating with CDC and relevant subject matter experts including CHWs, CHW leaders, CHW allies and representatives from CHW associations/networks, community-based organizations, health care organizations, maternal health entities, academia, and federal, state, and local agencies; use a case study method to obtain information on at least three programs that includes key activities, outputs, outcomes, and lessons learned; develop written summaries describing each program; and develop and deliver a presentation that summarizes the project purpose, methods, findings, and public health implications.

b. Procurement Request (PR) Number (if available): 000HCLJC-2024-84157

2. Proposed Vendor and Estimated Procurement Amount (if available):

a. Proposed Vendor: Health Resources in Action (fiscal sponsor for Community Health Worker Center for Research and Evaluation)

b. Estimated Procurement Amount: $

3. Is the requirement on GSA Schedule? ☐ Yes ☒ No

If yes, provide schedule number: Click here to enter text.

D. Justification:

1. The justification for this non-competitive action is: (NOTE: Must select only ONE of the listed justifications for other than full and open competition and fully support the justification in the following paragraphs. Please delete this note prior to submitting the justification.)

☒ In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), “only one source [is] reasonably available” which states that, “For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization). (ii) Where a single source is identified to provide a portion of a purchase because that portion of the purchase specifies a particular brand-name item, the documentation in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section only applies to the portion of the purchase requiring brand-name item. The documentation should state it is covering only the portion of the acquisition which is brand- name.”

☐ Urgency ☒ Exclusive licensing agreements/Proprietary data ☐ Brand name required ☐ Industrial mobilization ☒ Other (e.g., compatibility, space issues, continuity, compatibility, etc.)

☐ In accordance with FAR 8.405-6 “Limiting Sources” which states that, “the only circumstances that may justify the action are – (A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays; (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; or (C) In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-up 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 BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.”

☐ Urgency ☐ Only One Source ☐ Logical Follow Up ☐ Brand name required

2. Other facts supporting sole source procurement:

a. What can this product/service do that other products/services cannot do?

Evidence on the effectiveness of engaging CHWs in the maternal health workforce to support the cardiovascular health of pregnant and postpartum people, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups, is limited. Therefore, documenting existing programs that effectively engage CHWs in this population through this project addresses this gap. A scoping review is the appropriate methodology for this project as it will describe the nature and extent of: how CHWs are included in the maternal heath workforce and the impact of their inclusion and 2) CHWs’ roles in addressing systemic inequities in maternal cardiovascular health outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. The case study will complement the scoping review, as they will address the dearth of publications on real-life implementation on this topic. The results of both the scoping review and case study will be summarized in a presentation slide deck and will inform the implementation of effective strategies to improve the cardiovascular health of pregnant and postpartum people. To advance the field and address knowledge gaps, the project has the following minimum capability requirements for the selected vendor: 1) has experience engaging with CHWs and/or CHW associations/networks across geography, ethnicity, sector, and experience to support communities in the US to achieve health, equity, and social justice, 2) has extensive experience doing applied public health research to include activities such as conducting literature and scoping reviews and translating research into documents to inform practice, 3) has a track record of documenting and disseminating practices, effective strategies, and actionable lessons learned related to public health work. 4) works to promote the CHW workforce in supporting the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people, specifically those from racial and ethnic minority groups, 5) has the ability to effectively collaborate with federal agency staff and public health subject matter experts. The scope of work for this project is complex and specialized. Only one vendor, Community Health Worker Center for Research and Evaluation (CHW-CRE) met all the minimum capability requirements. The mission of CHW-CRE is to conduct and promote CHW-led research and evaluation that uses common indicators and participatory practices. CHW-CRE has documented extensive authentic engagement with CHWs and CHW associations/networks across the country, robust experience conducting CHW-led and focused applied research and translation, and strong commitment to the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people, specifically those from racial and ethnic minority groups. Through previous collaborations with federal agencies, they produced quality work that exceeded minimum requirements while demonstrating reliability and professionalism.

b. What other products/services were considered and why did they not meet the need?

Other national CHW, maternal health, and research organizations and agencies were considered. Other CHW organizations considered and the reasons why they did not meet the need include: National Association of Community Health Workers (do not have extensive experience conducting applied public health research) and MHP Salud (do not have extensive experience conducting applied public health research). Maternal health organizations that were considered and the reasons why they did not meet the need include: Black Mamas Matter Alliance (do not have extensive experience engaging with CHWs and their partners or with applied public health research) and Reproductive Health Impact (do not have extensive experience engaging with CHWs or working to promote the CHW workforce). Research agencies considered and the reasons why they did not meet the need included: Gramercy Research Group (did not have necessary experience working to promote the CHW workforce), Anlar, LLC (did not have experience engaging CHWs and partners, working to promote the CHW workforce, have a track record of promoting effective strategies, or have the documented ability to effectively collaborate with federal agency staff and public health subject matter experts), ABT Associates, Inc (do not have extensive experience engaging CHWs and their partners and working to promote the CHW workforce), ICF Incorporated (do not have extensive experience engaging CHWs and their partners and working to promote the CHW workforce), Social Solutions International Inc (do not have extensive experience engaging CHWs and their partners and working to promote the CHW workforce), Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc (do not have extensive experience engaging CHWs and their partners and working to promote the CHW workforce), Karna, LLC (do not have extensive experience engaging CHWs and their partners and promoting the CHW workforce), and Research Triangle Institute (do not have experience working to promote the CHW workforce).

3. Program Office efforts to seek potential offerors:

Conducted internet search of CHW, maternal health, and research organizations that can address the purposes of this project, consulted with CHW and maternal health subject matter experts (e.g., staff with CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health), and submitted a rapid review request for GSA Market Search as a Service and reviewed results.

E. Program Office Certification:

I have reviewed this sole source justification and certify the justification is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and adequate to support other than full and open competition.

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Name/Title: NCCDPHP/Nancy Andrade, Health Scientist

Center/Institute/Office COR/Program Official Signature:

Certification Date: May 8, 2024

F. Contracting Office Certification:

I have fully relied on the information provided herein and hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief:

Contracting Officer Name: Click here to enter text.

Contracting Officer Signature:

Certification Date: Click here to enter a date.

Rev. 5/14/19 image1.tiff image2.png