Justification_for_an_Exception_to_Fair_Opportunity.doc

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Division of Contracts Management

Action being approved:

Continuation of Enhancing USPSTF Support in Communication and Dissemination, Public Engagement, and Transparency Description of services required:

The purpose of this contract is to provide comprehensive and strategic communication support to the Prevention and Care Management Portfolio (PCM). The work primarily is in support of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF or Task Force).

The majority of this work is to assist the USPSTF in clearly and effectively communicating information about the Task Force and its topic specific recommendations. This includes supporting the Task Force in their transparency efforts, public and stakeholder engagement activities, and materials development and dissemination activities.

Identification of the exception to fair opportunity:

This order will be issued directly to Abt Associates. Abt has the knowledge and expertise to successfully perform USPSTF comprehensive and strategic communication requirements. Since 2010, Abt has assisted AHRQ in communicating the work of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to the public. In this capacity, Abt helped to develop the processes and infrastructure for working with the Task Force to develop general messaging, multimedia materials, and maintaining the USPSTF website information. Abt has also worked with the Task Force to develop messaging for all specific topic recommendations and working with stakeholders and media to ensure appropriate understanding and use of the recommendations.

This new 12-month task order is a logical follow-on to HHSA290201000004i, Task Order 7. Under the new task order, Abt will continue to work with the Task Force to develop all general and topic-specific messaging, multimedia materials, and other communication strategies to ensure awareness, understanding, and use of the Task Force recommendations. All IDIQ contractors were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original task order.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated costs to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer certifies that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

Jeffrey (Jay) Toven, Competition Advocate

Erin Mills, Contracting Officer