HIMSS_Memberships_-_JA1.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL TO PROCURE

USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) TMA Contract Operations Division (COD) 7700 Arlington Boulevard Suite 5101 Falls Church, VA 22042

Contracting Activity Points of Contact:

Millie Mitchell, Contracting Officer – (703) 735-4920

“Sole Source Justification”

2. Nature/Description of Action

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

The proposed action is for a sole source acquisition for organization membership subscription. The proposed source is Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60603-5616.

The firm-fixed price contract will be awarded sole source to:

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 33 West Monroe Street Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60603-5616.

3. Description of Supplies/Services to Meet the Agency’s Need’s

Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Membership (Organizational Affiliate Program)

Office of the Chief Information Officer utilizes HIMSS Organizational Affiliate Program as a baseline to assist with the following:

Execute mission and business activities Provide additional information needed for operations Research new technologies needed to support operations

Provide assistance with implementing new processes and technologies to support changing business activities.

This membership includes benefits crucial to making effective investments, supporting business objective alignments and the application of enterprise-wide IM/IT standards and processes as part of OCIO’s integrated model -- the most critical of these being the access to content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to patient care.

As a result, the Government need is a one year Membership to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

The total estimated cost of this acquisition is approximately $300,000 for a one year period. This amount provides unlimited individual HIMSS memberships; access to HIMSS e-Learning Academy (200 seats); access to over 80 committees, task forces, work groups and special interests groups; and 600 full registrations (valued at $695 each) to the HIMSS 2013 Annual Conference in New Orleans.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

The statutory authority identified for this requirement is 10 U.S.C 23004(c) (1) as implemented in FAR Subpart 6.302-1 “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

5. Explanation of Source’s Unique Features:

HIMSS is a cause-based; not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. HIMSS represents more than 38,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

6. Description of efforts made to Ensure that Offers are Solicited from as Many Potential Sources as is Practicable:

This sole source requirement will be posted as a Notice of Intent to Make an Award on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website in accordance with FAR Part 6.302- 1(a)(2)(iii)(B).

Based on the below market research that was conducted, only one source, HMISS is the only capable source available to provide membership services as required.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable

Based on the market research, it is the Contracting Officer’s determination that the anticipated cost to the Government for this requirement will be fair and reasonable.

Through market research it was determined that membership services to HMISS can only be obtained through HIMSS on a Firm Fixed Price contract at a fair and reasonable cost Memberships services were provided by HIMSS in FY12 for the same amount of $300,000, therefore there was no cost growth for 2013.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted:

The Government’s market research identified Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as the sole provider/supplier for membership services. No other sources of these products/services exist and the Government has used these services in past years. Market research is included below.

Market research was conducted by technical experts in the September 2012 timeframe. This research consisted of reviews of previous procurements for these types of organizational memberships used for network, educational and Health Information Technology partnership expansion. Research showed that HIMSS is a exclusive organization without any competition and operates as a non-for-profit organization. HIMSS is an industry leader in healthcare practices as its board members are top executives in both vendor companies and healthcare provider systems—who serve a three-year term to help grow and lead the industry.

Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs have jointly concluded that HIMSS’ analytics provides comprehensive healthcare data and research that supports improved decision making for Government and outside Agencies. The Government’s technical experts determined that HIMSS is the only source that can meet the Government’s minimum requirements. If the Government did not procure this membership and opted to let individuals register for the annual conference on their own, the Government would pay $695 per registration. This subscription would offer the Government 600 complementary memberships which would cost $417,000 which is $117,000 more than the $300,000 cost of the subscription and also provides unlimited individual memberships to the Government.

9. Other Supporting Facts

HIMSS is a cause-based; not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. HIMSS represents more than 38,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

10. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition

TMA COD will continue to conduct ongoing market research to identify additional sources. It is not possible for the Government to develop competitive specification as this membership services are copyrighted and the membership services are propriety to HIMSS.

Certifications and Approval

Technical and Requirements Certifications:

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which is included in this justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical and Requirements Cognizance:

Sharon A. Larson DATE Director Investment, Management, Execution, Control and Oversight (IMECO)

Contracting Officer Certification:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Millie Mitchell DATE

CONTRACTING OFFICER