JA_36C10G24P0004-HFMA Subscriptions.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR

ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

Financial Healthcare Management Training and Services

1. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 6.302-1, I hereby determine that the national healthcare financial management services required by the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) Integrated External Networks (IEN) program office are available from only one source: Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

A basic SAM.gov search for NAICS 813920 was conducted and resulted in an unrealistic list of 8,024 vendors to review. NAICS 813920 – (Professional Organizations) is a broad category that contains several services under its umbrella. The search was narrowed down by adding keywords “financial healthcare training”, but that search failed to produce any possible small or large vendors. An open market internet search was determined as the best research tool to find the vendor who could provide the specific services required for this procurement.

Competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below. HFMA is the only national organization that provides this type of training and education dealing with national healthcare financial management. Market research indicates that there are no substitutes available.

2. This acquisition is restricted to the following source:

Company: Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Company Address:

Three Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 600 Westchester, IL 60154-5732

Company Point of Contact and Phone Number:

Vincent Lynn, HFMA Solutions Account Executive

(708) 492-3302

3. The training and education services provided by HFMA necessary to address national healthcare financial management issues are estimated to cost $20,000.00 annually for 74 staff members. The period of performance is set to begin July 1, 2024 for a period of five years (one year base plus four option years).

The diverse HFMA community has more than 69,000 members, including healthcare finance leaders and professionals from hospitals and health systems, provider organizations, physician practices, business partners and payer markets. The education and resources provided by HFMA will improve the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) IVC IEN Office by:

• Providing relevant education and professional development opportunities.

• Educating IVC on the intricacies and realities of maintaining fiscally healthy healthcare organizations.

• Working with a broad cross-section of stakeholders to improve the healthcare delivery system by identifying and bridging gaps in knowledge, best practices, and standards.

• Knowledge and competency of revenue cycle best-practices to improve financial performance.

• Enhanced business strategy and analytics.

• Robust healthcare accounting and finance competencies.

• State of the art payment models and contract guidance.

• Financial compliance requirements.

• Strategic financing and understanding of debt and capital management.

• Key physician practice management processes.

• Staff competencies enhancement through organizational education.

4. Specific characteristics: HFMA is the only national organization that provides training and education addressing national healthcare financial management issues. There are no other vendors available that provide these services, which limits the availability to a sole source that provides employees with finance related healthcare education, training, and certifications. HFMA is the only source that can furnish the requirements.

HFMA is the nation's premier membership organization for healthcare finance leaders.

Working with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, HFMA identifies gaps throughout the healthcare delivery system and bridges them through the establishment and sharing of knowledge and best practices. Currently Healthcare Financial Management (HFM) provides the IVC IEN program office expertise in the following areas:

• Revenue Cycle

• Business Strategy and Analytics

• Healthcare Accounting and Finance

• Managed Care

• Financial Compliance

• Physician Practice Management

• Patient Financial Communication

The expertise offered by HFMA is expected to reduce mission risk for the IVC IEN PM in multiple areas, which include the following:

• Cost cutting measures to meet demands

• Understanding payment models

• Revenue management

• Generating accurate and timely budget projections

• Conformation with pertinent laws and regulations

• Understanding the context and framework of how practice fits within the entire healthcare continuum

• Evaluation of contracts for maximum benefit and accurate financial reporting

HFMA helps healthcare stakeholders achieve optimal results by creating and providing education, analysis, and practical tools and solutions. HFMA’s mission is to lead the financial management of healthcare. Access to the current, modernized hospital industry (which VA is part of) training, education and digital resources is critical to improve the knowledge of IEN staff. This increased knowledge is translated to improved operational practices and overall enhancement of quality of Veteran care.

5. Check and fill in all that are applicable:

The material or service must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current equipment is <insert description of current equipment>, and the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system by <insert description of how the new item/service must coordinate or interface>.

A patent, copyright, proprietary data, or licensing agreement limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

These are "direct replacement" parts/components for existing equipment.

Other information to support a sole-source buy:

There are no substitutes available, which limits the availability of vendors for procurement of this requirement to a sole source vendor that provides employees with the finance-related education, training, and certifications needed. HFMA is the only organization with those specific characteristics and capabilities that can provide the training and education, in regard to national healthcare financial management issues.

CERTIFICATION

I certify that statements checked, and information provided above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, the facts of this acquisition preclude the use of full and open competition.

Matthew Brown Program Manager Date

Traevon Black Date Contracting Officer