CMRCoop_LSJ_Redacted_1.pdf

b. Project background.

The mission of the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is to perform robust scientific and clinical research leading to a better understanding of biology and clinical pathology, to develop technologies for disease diagnosis, and to test novel approaches to treatment. The purview of DIR research is broad, ranging from investigations of basic principles of molecules, cellular, and organ-level physiology. Research, as well as administration of the DIR program, often requires specialized databases and tools, including scientific software.

This task order is in place to customize and deploy the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Cooperative (CMRCoop) system to provide functionality that supports the clinical research program of the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging laboratory. This system was developed jointly by Harvard University and Massachusetts General. It provides several functions including:

• Scheduling of patients for examinations

• Recording of results from MRI and CT scans under multiple protocols

• Generation of clinical reports and transmission to clinicians

• Transmission of reports to the Clinical Center CRIS system

• Data migration to the NIH Clinical Trial Database (CTDB)

(i) Current Contractor:

General Dynamics Information Technology 3150 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA 22042

(ii) BPA/Order Number: HHSN268201800008B/75N92021F00002

(iii) Period of Performance: 7/01/2021 - 2/18/2025

(iv) Amount obligated to date: $565,475.75

(v) The current task order, which expires February 18, 2025, was awarded as a logical follow on to GDIT and was approved based on the fact that they are the only ones capable of providing the enhancements, maintenance, and ongoing support for the CMRCoop system at the level of quality required.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

a. Project title. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Cooperative (CMRCOOP) Support

b. Project description. See Statement of Objectives, Attachment #1.

• Requirement type.

Support services (non-research & development) Supplies/equipment Information technology (IT) Other (specify): ____________________

• Type of action.

New requirement Follow-on Other (specify): Only One Source

• Proposed contract/order type.

Firm-fixed-price Time and materials Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________ Other (specify): ___________

• Acquisition identification number. HHSN268201800008B

c. Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

Current Contract Value: $565,475.75 (inclusive of all options)

Option Period 4 (February 19, 2025 – February 18, 2026): $160,811.99 (to be added this modification

New Contract Value: $726,287.74 (inclusive of all options)

Period of Performance: July 1, 2021 – February 18, 2026 (inclusive of all options)

4. Identification of the justification rationale [see 8.405-6(a) and (b)] and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

a. Acquisition authority.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple

Award Schedule Program. Consideration of schedule contractors will be restricted to fewer than the number required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6(a)(1)(B). (only one source).

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Multiple

Award Schedule Program. Consideration of schedule contractors will be restricted only to the item peculiar to one manufacturer as provided in FAR 8.405-6(a)(2).

b. Demonstration of the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

• Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

General Dynamics Information Technology 3150 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA

• Nature of the acquisition and proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications.

The proposed modification is to add one additional twelve month option period in the amount of $160,811.99 to the contract for continued enhancement and maintenance of CMRCoop system.

This work is being awarded as only one source. GDIT, as the current contractor, is the only vendor capable of providing the services required at the current level of quality required GDIT and the teams at Harvard University and Massachusetts are well established with the tools, processes, product expertise, and institutional knowledge required to support the requirements in the Statement of Objectives. Bringing on a new team will not only delay NHLBI’s ability to deploy important capabilities the Clinical Primary Investigators need, but will also introduce risks in schedule and cost as a new team will need to be trained from the ground up on highly specialized domain knowledge, teams’ dynamics, and deep knowledge of the customer needs. Contracting with a new team would disrupt work in progress that will span beyond the last option period of the current contract that ends on February 18, 2025, impose burden on the customer to educate a new team about the domain, and increase costs.

The proposed modification is to add one twelve month time and material (T&M) option period. T&M is more favorable to the Government as the scope of work will fluctuate and gradually diminish over the period of performance.

5. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 8.404(d).

The current order is against a schedule contract (current ITAC BPA) using the procedures in FAR 8.405, the ordering activity CO has concluded that the order represents the best value (see FAR 2.101) and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

In accordance with FAR 8.405-2(d), Evaluation, the price evaluation of the budget provided by GDIT will be conducted by the CO and COR by considering the level of effort and the mix of labor proposed to perform the work is appropriate, and by determining that the total price is reasonable. The current task order is a time & material effort using institutional knowledge of the work to be performed and information for previous similar efforts to negotiate a fair and reasonable price. The Government will rely on labor categories and rates consistent with the Contractor’s Federal Supply Schedule with similar discounts to those provided under the current Blanket Purchase Agreement to ensure the proper discounts are sought.

6. Description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research for this action was not conducted because the additional support will be awarded to the current CMRCoop Support contractor in the interest of economy and efficiency. No other vendor will be able to complete the efforts initiated under the contract without additional costs, efforts, and the potential project delays that would occur.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification. None

8. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

a. Removal of barriers to competition.

NHLBI expects that the scope of this requirement will change once the systems changes are executed, and the future requirement will be competed under the new ITAC BPA, another vehicle, or a combination in order to ensure NHLBI is presented with the optimum reporting capabilities for their needs.

b. Listing of sources, if any, that expressed an interest, in writing, in the acquisition. None

9. Program office certification.

This is to certify that the portions of this justification that have been developed by the undersigned program office personnel, including supporting information and/or data verifying the Government’s minimum needs or requirements, or other rationale for limited sources, are accurate and complete.

10. Contracting Officer certification.

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.