Intent to Sole Source J&A-ECRI.pdf

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 1 of 2 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 01 Eff Date: 04/23/2018

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C245-20-AP-0979

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 05, 101 CENTRAL OFFICE, 2237 #: 101-

20-2-2642-0033

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

The purpose of this requirement is to obtain ECRI’s PriceGuide Services and CrossCheq module for comprehensive medical supply procurement and advisory services in support of the MSPV program.

ECRI’s PriceGuide and CrossCheq are an on-line medical supply management subscription service that automates and enhances national forecasting for healthcare supply acquisition planning, provides industry benchmarks and a compilation of pricing information from member hospitals and health systems offering complete price transparency on medical-surgical supplies, implantable products, instruments, and office and industrial supplies. This one-year subscription with an estimated cost of $184,785 will provide associated VHA Medical Supply Program Office and VHA procurement personnel the ability to perform on-demand custom comparative analyses, pricing benchmark, cost and contract analysis.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

The pricing validation software tools manufactured by ECRI are utilized by our Program Agency Partner, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which possess the exact tools for existing medical supplies the VHA relies upon to aid in the development of this requirement. VHA Now requires its own subscription to gain access to the data house by ECRI for approximately 130k newly offered medical supplies in direct response to MSPV solicitations that are not currently available through DLA MedPDB. Due to a lack of a distribution network, this brand name only requirement is a sole source by default. The acquisition of any other software system would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

While performing market research the Contracting Officer found the required Software is manufactured by the ECRI Institute in the Open Market. Discussions with Mr. Eric Malave of ECRI asserted that ECRI was in fact the Manufacturer of the desired software platform. The Contracting Officer then inquired as to any existing authorized distribution network focusing on Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) distribution networks to ensure compliance with the VA’s “Rule of Two”. Mr. Malave further asserted that the company had not established a distribution network of any kind and offered to submit to the Government the ECRI’s sole source letter. Due to the aforementioned, this brand name only requirement is by default a sole source requirement.

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 2 of 2 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 01 Eff Date: 04/23/2018

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name Date Title

MICHAEL J.

EASLEY

1726657

Digitally signed by

MICHAEL J. EASLEY

1726657 Date: 2020.02.19 10:02:05 -05'00'

Amy J. Ritchey 417090

Digitally signed by Amy J.

Ritchey 417090 Date: 2020.02.20 10:27:06 -05'00'