AHEC Justification and Approval LMD Approved.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL (J&A)

TO: Carter Saunders, Contracting Officer

THROUGH: John McKay, Acting Health Office Director

FROM: Nicholas Baabe, Program Management Specialist HIV/AIDS

DATE: May 20, 2021

RE: Advancing HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control (AHEC) #72066821C00001

SUBJECT: Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition under the PEPFAR

EPP

We request approval of this justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the authorities under the EPP “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for the HIV/AIDS Activities Under PEPFAR” approved on December 31, 2019. Your approval of this J&A constitutes the justification for other than full and open competition as required by Tab 1 (D&F for the Authorization of Less than Full and Open Competitive Procedures in the Modification or Award of Contracts) of the EPP.

a) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Advancing HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control (AHEC) contract was awarded on November 23, 2020, a $24 million activity with a 4 year period of performance. The purpose of AHEC is to decrease morbidity and mortality among South Sudanese by increasing HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and retention services for at-risk men, women, children, and key populations. To accomplish this, strengthening the supply chain for HIV/AIDS commodities, specifically “Last Mile Delivery (LMD)”, is key. LMD refers to getting the commodities to the health facility from either drop off points in “State Hubs” or central warehouses.

At present, there is no national, or centralized, approach for LMD in South Sudan. Currently, LMD is fragmented and relies heavily on partners to deliver the commodities, when available, which often results in overlap, inefficiencies and stockouts of key life-saving commodities at the facility level. The absence of effective LMD in the country threatens the gains made by AHEC as well as other PEPFAR programs because if commodities do not reach the sites, new patients cannot be initiated and the condition of patients who are virally suppressed could worsen, if they not get refills of ante-retriviral drugs.

The funding for LMD was approved in the FY 2021 Country Operation Plan (COP) 20, at that time it was planned that this activity would be implemented through a new mechanism or the existing Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Chain (GHSC-PSM) award implemented by Chemonics International. At the same time the design phase of AHEC was closed and solicitation was underway which is why LMD activities were not incorporated.

However, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) recently made a unilateral decision that the country team could not utilize GHSC-PSM and needed to find a different implementing mechanism to program the funding for LMD. Thus the Mission seeks to program these funds through AHEC.

b) A description of the supplies or services required to meet USAID’s needs (including the estimated value).

In the FY 2021 COP20, $1.5 million was allotted for LMD activities, for this activity $650,000 of this funding will be programmed to AHEC. This funding will be utilized for two objectives: 1) LMD of commodities for AHEC-supported sites; and 2) conducting an assessment of the supply chain and LMD capacity in-country. Under Objective 1, AHEC will cover additional costs required to deliver commodities to hard-to-reach PEPFAR-supported sites. Under Objective 2, AHEC will procure technical assistance to conduct a baseline assessment of LMD delivery in the country; this will include a detailed assessment of current approaches and LMD stakeholders for HIV/AIDS commodities in the country.

The anticipated breakdown of funds for the first year is $100,000 for Objective 1 and $550,000 for Objective 2.

c) Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(3) and 40 U.S.C. §113; See Action Memorandum entitled HIV/AIDS Activities Under PEPFAR approved on December 31, 2019.

d) A discussion of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition that requires use of the authority cited.

Intrahealth International is currently implementing AHEC, which recently went through a full and open competitive process to implement the flagship HIV/AIDS program in South Sudan.

AHEC is providing services at the facility level and has the visibility and technical knowledge to monitor and oversee the LMD activities, which are directly related and similar to the services currently provided under AHEC. LMD is one of the biggest challenges facing the HIV/AIDS program in South Sudan, the assessment conducted under this modification will provide a roadmap for both USG and other donors to implement a more coherent and coordinated LMD approach that will, ultimately, reduce the chance of stock-outs of life-saving commodities for HIV/AIDS patients on treatment.

e) A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

The mission went through a competitive process to award AHEC, the mission’s flagship HIV/AIDs program, which was awarded to Intrahealth International in November 2020. The services above are directly related to the HIV/AIDs services noted herein thus no further solicitation was sought.

f) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The team will develop an Independent Government Cost Estimate as well as perform cost evaluation procedures on Intrahealth International’s contract modification proposal to ensure the costs will be fair and reasonable.

g) A description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason(s) market research was not conducted.

The mission went through a competitive process to award AHEC, the mission’s flagship HIV/AIDs program. The services above are directly related to the HIV/AIDs services noted herein, thus no further market research was conducted.

h) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No further sources expressed interest.

i) A statement of the actions, if any, USAID may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services required.

Further sources may be considered should they respond to the posted J&A per ADS 302mbo.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that you approve this justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the Action Memorandum PEPFAR EPP referenced above. Your approval of this J&A constitutes the justification for other than full and open competition as required by Tab 1 (D&F for the Authorization of Less than Full and Open Competitive Procedures in the Modification or Award of Contracts) of the EPP.

CERTIFICATION:

The requirement for technical certification at FAR 6.303-1(c) is fulfilled through:

a. The signature of the Technical Officer below certifying the specific supporting data for this J&A; and

b. The EPP entitled HIV/AIDS Activities Under PEPFAR approved on December 31, 2019.

Technical Officer:

I hereby certify that the supporting data which form a basis for the justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

__clear by email____________ __05/20/2021________ Nicholas Baabe Date

APPROVAL:

Carter Saunders, Contracting Officer Date:

CLEARANCE:

____clear by email_________ ___05/19/21_______ Bert Ubamadu, Regional Legal Officer Date: