FINAL FAR13.5 JandA - ScriptPro Dispensing System 061721 (Signed)_Redacted.pdf

PM Part 813.5 SAP for Certain Commercial Items Page 1 of 4 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 03 Date: 02/11/2021

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL

ITEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 13.5

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C249-21-AP-1877

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Network Contracting Office 9 (NCO), 1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 400, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Purchase Request number: 626-21-2-313-0100 and 626-21-2-313-0101

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

This procurement is for a ScriptPro® SP200™ robotic, barcode compatible, HL-7 interfaced, cross talk order processing and dispensing system 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. The requirement will result in a new Firm Fixed-Price contract, with an overall value of $468,144.10.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

This acquisition is for the upgrade of a ScriptPro® SP200™ robotic, barcode compatible, HL-7 interfaced, cross talk order processing and dispensing system. Multiple technological advances have occurred since the initial installation of the ScriptPro® SP200™ robotic, barcode compatible, HL-7 interfaced, cross talk order processing and dispensing system. Medication formulary enhancements to strengthen multiple AB rated venders of a VISTA generic synonym, multiple user directable (up to six for TVHS needs) filled and labeled vials’ pathways to distinguish between USPS mail versus window versus UPS Overnight, bulk vial hoppers, and integrated inventory management and reordering software are all available to enhance the safety and efficiency of outpatient prescription dispensing system. Independently, VISN-9 has reviewed the integrated inventory management and reordering software capabilities across venders and selected the ScriptPro® Inventory Management (SIM™) software package for VISN-9 support. However, this is a first-year reduction in software costs only. Likewise, the ScriptPro® SP200™ is the nationally preferred Outpatient robotic dispensing system for disabled Veterans requiring LARGE LETTER prescription labeling and interfacing with the Script Talk™ audio prescription labeling system. Additionally, at TVHS the ScriptPro® SP200™ is integrated with the UPS Endicia™ barcode scanning address package labeling system to further enhance patient safety by minimizing human keystroke errors leading to miss-labeled and miss-sent medication packages. All systems need Vender remote support in compliance with VA security and firewall requirements.

4. 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. Competition is restricted on this procurement for the reason below:

PM Part 813.5 SAP for Certain Commercial Items Page 2 of 4

Revision 03 Date: 02/11/2021

(X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency ( ) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert

Services ( ) International Agreement ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute ( ) National Security ( ) Public Interest

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

This acquisition is for upgrades of a current system. No other vendor can provide the required operating system and software upgrades to the current hardware and no other vendor’s product is considered equivalent to ScriptPro® SP200™ in the Nationally Verified VA Technical Reference Model. ScriptPro is the manufacturer of the SP200 and CRS system. Any replaced components must be provided by ScriptPro in order to ensure compatibility and functionality and it’s replacement with another system will require a network reconfiguration and lengthy certification of VA security protocols. A change to any new vendor/software/equipment platform of this size takes hundreds of hours to set up, test, implement, and then maintain, potentially requiring millions of dollars in duplicative costs. A complete system replacement will further require extensive training of TVHS personnel and the inherent delay caused by implementation and integration is certain to negatively impact patient care.

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

Market research is conducted annually, reviewing options available on multiple systems and through the experience gained by over 16 years of product implementation and use. Literature review on various systems available has been done, as well as the review of the VA software Pharmacy VISTA interface which securely and reliably communicates with ScriptPro®. Additionally, VISN 9 completed market research on the ScriptPro® Inventory Management (SIM™) software package module for the ScriptPro® SP200™ found this vender superior to their marketplace competitors.

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

Reasonable:

The required products and services required for this effort are available through a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract No. 36F79719D0135, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024. Using the FSS schedule pricing VA Network Contracting Offices (NCOs) and the government can anticipate pricing reflective of true market value, which is likely to be determined fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons

Market Research Was Not Conducted:

TVHS Department of pharmacy continuously conducts market research on packaging and dispensing hardware and software including stock management solutions. Robotic order processing and

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Revision 03 Date: 02/11/2021 dispensing systems are more mature than stock accountability solutions and are dominated by two venders, ScriptPro® and Omnicell. TVHS Pharmacy is in constant contact with both venders assessing improvements and innovation for a best fit at TVHS. TVHS Pharmacy has met with the competing vender, Omnicell, more than five times throughout 2017 and 2018 on their full line of products. We find from these meeting that Omnicell is similar on stock accountability software whereas VISN 9 has found the ScriptPro® SIM™ superior. VISN 9 determination of stock accountability superiority of this vender results in a VISN purchase for integration to the ScriptPro® SP200™ - the make and model for which this package provided for upgrade. Scheduled vendor contacts in 2020 and continuing in 2021 have been cancelled or delayed due to ongoing pandemic public gathering restrictions. Unofficial contacts with vendors are ongoing without newer technology changes.

Additionally, a search was made through the Small Business Administration (SBA) at https://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_quicksearch.cfm for the equipment requested in this acquisition, using NAICS 339112 and keyword “ScriptPro.” The search resulted in zero available SB vendors of any size. A separate search of VETBIZ at https://vetbiz.va.gov/vip/ using NAICS 339112 and search term “ScriptPro” revealed zero SDVOSB/SDV vendors. See the market research report for further details.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

Outpatient pharmacy automation requires continuous upgrades to minimize downtime, provide improved server capacity, minimize/eliminate medication error rates and automate inventory management to improve efficiencies in medication handling and ordering of inventory. The proposed upgrade of current ScriptPro® systems at both the Nashville and Murfreesboro VAMCs will support industry standard accounting practices while providing reports and accountability for all drugs. Without upgrades to the automation equipment, the VA is at risk to fall behind in advancing technology, enhancements, and interoperability which directly contribute to patient care and customer service.

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

None.

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:

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to seek vendors capable of meeting this requirement. However, at the present time, based on available market research, there are no other vendors capable of providing the required supplies other than ScriptPro®.

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Revision 03 Date: 02/11/2021

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.

Date

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

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

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.

Date

6/3/2021