AHA 2026 Sole Source Justification.docx

Date: 02/14/2026

To: Contracting Officer, Office of Acquisition Management and Policy, NIH

From: Administrative Officer, Office of Administrative Management, CC

Subject: SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

1. AGENCY IDENTIFICATION AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Requiring Activity:

National Institute of Health Clinical Center 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 COR or AO's Name, contact information: Sarah Polanco, 301-594-8505

Contracting Activity:

Office of Acquisition Management and Policy 6701 Rockledge Drive, RK2 Bethesda, MD 20817

2. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACQUISITION BEING APPROVED

The purpose of this acquisition is to pay the NIH Clinical Center's annual membership dues to the American Hospital Association. The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patient communities. Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 40,000 individuals come together to form the AHA. Through representation and advocacy activities, AHA ensures that members perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matter. The AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. Membership in this organization provides critical information, insights, and inside perspectives to the ever-changing challenges facing the hospital field. AHA is recognized as the national advocate for hospitals and the communities and patients they serve. It works with its members, state, regional, and metropolitan associations and other organizations to improve the ability of its members to deliver quality health care. As a member, the NIH Clinical Center benefits from the resources provided by the AHA.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES AND SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS

The payment of annual membership dues for the NIH Clinical Center the estimated to cost $30,504 and is required to be performed upon award.

□ Other information to support a sole-source buy:

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patient communities. The AHA ensures that everyone realizes the critical role that hospitals play in communities across the country. It acts as a conduit through which hospitals share best practices and tap into resources and initiatives that advance quality and safety and improve performance, e.g., through its Health Research & Educational Trust and its Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative. The AHA works with the hospitals to transform the health care delivery system, preparing the field for changes on the horizon, as well as providing thought leadership on changes to come. As a member of this organization the NIH Clinical Center benefits from all of its resources. This is the only organization the provides these services.

4. IDENTIFICATION OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Check the applicable block below.

□ FAR 13.I06-l(b) (1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), 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, inclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

5. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR THE NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED

The American Hospital Association is a national organization that represents all types of hospitals and health care centers within the United States. It leads, represents, and serves hospitals, health systems and other related organizations that are accountable to the community. It facilitates the interchange of ideas, comparing and contrasting methods of management, the discussion of hospital economics, the inspection of hospitals, suggestions of better plans for operating them and such other matters as may affect the general interest of the membership. This is information is critical to assist in the management of the NIH Clinical Center.

6. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS PRACTICABLE

The other sources that were considered to provide the service: The American Hospital Association is the only vendor that provides the required service.

7. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The price of the service is deemed to be fair and reasonable based on similar services given at the NIH Clinical Center.

8. DESCRIPTION OF MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS OR STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

The other sources that were considered to provide the service: The American Hospital Association is the only vendor that provides the required service.

9. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The service requested is provided only by this organization.

10. LISTING OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED, IN WRITING, AN INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

N/A.

11. STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE REQUIRED SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

Membership in the American Hospital Association is annual. It is the only organization that provides the required service. The NIH Clinical Center needs to maintain membership in this organization.

12. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER/PROGRAM OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION

"I hereby certify that the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief."

Administrative Officer

13. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION

"I hereby certify that the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.”

Contracting Officer