C01 - Justification and Approval_OVID eBooks and eJournals_Redacted.pdf

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 1 of 5

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

BRAND NAME JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C776-22-AP-3579

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Program Contracting Activity Central

(PCAC), 6100 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 490, Independence, OH 44131

2237: 776-22-4-8251-0144

Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This brand name procurement is for OVID selected eBooks and eJournals in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. This action is for a new firm-fixed-price commercial contract.

Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency�s Needs:

The Veterans Health Administrations (VHA) requirement for this procurement is to ensure uniform availability to a subscription-based collection of high quality, clinical online resources the VHA system to improve clinical decision making at the point of care. The VHA requires a commercial off the shelf web-based subscriptions to selected OVID eBooks and eJournals that will be made available throughout the VHA healthcare system. OVID is the brand name for the required database subscription. However, Ovid Technologies Inc. was acquired by Wolters Kluwer in 1998. Ovid will remain a stand-alone company, as it provides a full range of database services to primarily medical and scientific markets. It offers the Ovid search software and bundles the technology with full-text journals and bibliographic databases. The Ovid software has particular strength in linking between and within documents, allowing users to jump from citations to full text. Wolters Kluwer is the publisher of the OVID eBooks and eJournals. Wolters Kluwer has identified Ovid as well other multiple authorized resellers. This product will fill the need for specifically compiled and designed information throughout the VA Healthcare system.

See attached list of titles.

Estimated value is $1,071,306.00 for a 12 month Firm-Fixed Price contract with perpetual access and no maintenance fee. There are no options.

Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition:

FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items of FAR 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition on this procurement. This is a brand name requirement for subscriptions to selected OVID eBooks and eJournals, which is available from the publisher and multiple authorized resellers.

Demonstration that the Contractors Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

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VHA continuously researches available products to find the most well rounded and complete products that encompass the needs of the VA. This brand-name database subscription provides the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art research and peer reviewed medical articles inside journals available within recognized experts in their field and due to their proprietary nature, copyrighted material and intellectual property are unique and highly specialized and available from the publisher and multiple authorized resellers.

The Ovid interface provides access to a range of databases, e-journals and e- books. The databases are particularly useful for identifying journal articles and other publications on a particular topic within the subject areas covered by each database. One of the unique advantages of using Ovid is that the user is able to view several different databases with different disciplines using the similar interface.

Some specific features of Ovid include:

Custom Full Text Limit. With Ovid's Full Text journals, you gain access to all the bibliographic citations, references, and abstracts in the Ovid database. You can search the entire database of bibliographic citations, or you can limit your search to the full text journals to which your institution has subscribed.

Seamless Linking. Each Ovid journal title is linked to other Ovid titles, and to bibliographic databases on Ovid Online such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, and APA PsycInfo. Bi-directional linking allows you to start your search in a bibliographic database and link to the full text in Ovid, or link from Ovid to citations in bibliographic databases. Additionally, you can link from references in an article to other full text articles. Within the Full Text display, hypertext features allow you to display an outline of the document and move immediately to a selected section, and link from cited references in the text to the complete reference.

Easy Browsing. Browsing through journals in Journals@Ovid is easy and intuitive. You can browse through the journals by title, or by journal subject, where the journals are grouped according to subject areas.

Comprehensive Coverage. Included are additional sections of the print journals in Ovid, such as classified advertisements and announcements, making the database not only useful for conventional research, but for recreational and professional browsing as well. This feature provides information such as the publisher-provided journal description, usage statement, and instructions for authors.

Limits. In addition to the limits already available in Ovid Full Text, Journals features a limit to articles with graphics, a limit to one or more journal subsets, and a limit to articles with references.

Enhanced Searching. Because Ovid is available in 100% SGML, every word of every article in Ovid is searchable, including references and graphics captions.

These journal titles build on the already subscribed titles currently utilized in VHA.

Judgement and selection of these resources is imperative to avoid predatory journals and publishers.

These include those publishers that require authors to pay a fee to publish without providing peer review or editing services. These publishers do not follow the proper academic standards for publishing.

VHA approves the selection of certain products based on relevancy and appropriateness by consulting with the field and confirming that needs are current and ongoing.

To support the minimum essential requirement to provide support for the medical mission and in continuing operational support to VA clinicians and their supporting medical staff the previously

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 3 of 5 available medical journals must continue to be available. The online web-based version of the clinical titles required provides unique access throughout the VHA healthcare system.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

A sources sought request for information (RFI) 36C77622Q0426 was posted to Contract Opportunities on July 25, 2022 to potential vendors to find interested vendors in providing the requested services to the government. The vendors identified as a result of the VIP inquiry conducted for market research, were given the opportunity to respond stating their interest and to provide a capability statement. A combined synopsis solicitation will be published to contract opportunities under request for quote (RFQ) 36C77622Q0510. Of which, the government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract for the OVID eBooks and eJournals requirement. This requirement will be competed using Full and Open competition.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable:

The Contracting Officer will determine the price of the awardee to be fair and reasonable prior to award by reviewing the price of similar acquisitions and by comparison of the Independent Government Cost Estimate to the pricing information received. The price will be determined as fair and reasonable in accordance with the procedures provided at FAR 13.106-3 (a).

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

As described in Section 6 above, market research, in accordance with FAR Part 10, was conducted by synopsis of the proposed acquisition, advising industry of the pending acquisition, and soliciting inquiries from interested parties.

Per the Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 810.002, the Vendor Information Page (VIP.gov) was queried July 25, 2022, to locate verified SDVOSB and VOSB concerns utilizing NAICS code 519130. The search resulted in a list of 244 organizations. An email blast was sent to the VIP query vendors on July 25, 2022.

Four (4) total responses were received in response to the posted RFI. IPSAS (SDVOSB), RV Global Solutions (Hubzone SB), Prenax, Inc. (SB), and Cox Subscriptions, Inc. (SB) were the respondents.

The vendors capability statements were reviewed by the program office. Cox and Prenax were found capable, and IPSAS and RV Global were not found capable based on these facts:

IPSAS made no mention of providing and maintaining health sciences resources. They also submitted this text of higher education textbook publishing company specializing in content across all fields to include, Marketing, Sales, Cognitive Development, Entrepreneurship, and many others. Each of these fields are not needed in this procurement.

RV Global Solutions Inc. made no mention of providing and maintaining health sciences resources.

They also submitted many previous government contracts completed or in process. None of which are related to VA subscription needs. Their E-book platform is equipped with DRM (Digital Rights Management) � this is not a platform we need. The VA has its own platform for Liblynx and Serials Solutions access to resources currently used within the VA. The first ability is listed is an indication of RVGS as part of enterprise IT license management. The LNO does not accept licenses due to VA regulations and no company can sign of VAs half. The second major contract type listed is Our

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Differentiator: Prime Past Performance of RV Global Solutions Inc. in Facilities Engineering the LNO does not need. Third - Project: Environmental Testing LNO does not need. Fourth - Project:

Inspection, remedial repair and calibration of Optical Comparators and continues as no experience.

Cox was found highly qualified to process this type of VA procurement. Vendor has previous experience working on VA subscription contracts including previous OVID contracts.

Prenax Inc. was found highly qualified to process this type of VA procurement. Vendor has previous experience working on VA subscription contracts including previous OVID contracts.

Based on the market research conducted, there are no known SDVOSB/VOSBs identified as being capable of performing the requirement. The VA Rule of Two has not been met for this requirement.

However, in accordance with FAR 19.502-2(b), the acquisition will be set aside for small business concerns it is anticipated that offers will be obtained from at least two (2) authorized and responsible small business concerns and award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: None.

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: COX Subscription Inc.

Prenax Inc.

RV Global Solutions

IPSAS

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: VA will continue to perform market research in attempts to find other sources for new procurements for the same or similar future acquisitions of the services being acquired.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Tom Waugh Program Manager Office of Health Informatics

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee�s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Katherine D. Digitally signed by Katherine D. Gibney 1632400

_____________________________ Gibney 1632400 Date-04'00: 2022.09.22 06:57:37 '

Katherine Gibney Contracting Officer Program Contracting Activity Central

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Effective Date: 02/01/2022 Page 5 of 5

Nicholas W. Digitally signed by Nicholas W. Sparks 452466 Sparks 452466 Date-04'00: 2022.09.22 08:03:46 ' Nicholas Sparks Supervisory Contract Specialist Program Contracting Activity Central

. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval: I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and approve ($750K to $7.5 million for other than full and open competition.

Terry L. Spitzmiller Executive Director Regional Procurement Office Central (VHA)