JA - Music Therapy (redacted).pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC)

5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

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Justification and Approval for Other than Full and Open Competition

6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick 5202 Presidents Court Suite 103

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approve.

This activity proposes to negotiate a non-competitive firm fixed price sole source award with Challenge America, a non-profit, large business, to provide five (5) virtual Music Therapy retreats with the goal of providing Veteran participants access to much needed music therapy.

3.

(including the estimated value).

As part of the VHA Office of Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks (DEAN), the Innovation Ecosystem (VHA IE), Office of Rural Health (ORH) leverages the collective power of innovation champions from across VA, academia, and industry. It is the catalyst for enabling the discovery and spread of mission-driven health care innovation to advance care delivery and service that exceeds expectations, restores hope, and builds trust with the Veteran community.

Through its core portfolios, VHA Innovators Network, Diffusion of Excellence, Care and Transformational Initiatives, and VHA Innovation Community, and the Innovation Fellowship Program, VHA IE works to imbed innovation as a core fabric of VA, foster collaborative innovation networks, and deliver repeatable processes for scaling innovation.

The VHA IE maintains an Innovation Partnerships Program to support teaming between VA and similar organizations to address shared challenges. The Innovation Partnerships Program focuses on tapping into and cultivating ideas from outside VA. The Partnership Program is where innovative ideas are co-developed between VHA IE and external organizations that seek to explore mutual interests.

Challenge America (CA) has provided weekend retreats for Veterans with PTSD/TBI since 2016. These virtual retreats, consisting of 12-14 Veterans, are scheduled on an online platform venue that allows for interaction with nature. They incorporate a community

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P a g e 2 | 5 music therapy aspect, in that professional songwriters are vetted and contracted to work 1:1 with the participants to write a song, which is then performed at the end of the retreat.

While half of the participants are working with a songwriter, the other half are led as a group by the CA music therapist in the skills of music mindfulness and guitar and music strategies for improving coping skills and resilience. Each Veteran participant receives a guitar donated from Heartstrings Foundation, a guitar stand, and printed materials used in the retreat sessions.

VA now seeks to expand upon this foundation, retreat sessions will happen over a three-week period, meeting twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each.

The estimated value of this Firm-Fixed Price contract is $80,000.00 and the period of performance is a 9/21/2021 to 9/20/2022.

4. Authority:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 only one source is capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required because the services are unique and highly specialized.

(1) The justification prepared pursuant to FAR 6.302-5(c)(2)(ii) will be posted on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR subpart 5.301(d);

(2) The company has been determined to be a responsible source with respect to performance;

(3) In the estimation of the contracting officer, contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the Government; and

(4) The contracting officer has determined that the use of this authority is in the best interest of the government based upon the fact that Challenge America has a satisfactory performance history and is the only source with the capability to perform the required services.

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority cited.

The unique qualifications and/or specialized capabilities or expertise not prevalent in the marketplace of the proposed contractor, CA has experience in Veteran Music Therapy Retreat has is utilizing three key components: guitar, mindfulness, and songwriting. When held, the guitar can have the same feel as a service weapon. While a service weapon could save their life when in active duty, so the guitar can save their life as a Veteran. It can be their friend. It is accessible and portable. The Veterans are also given a guitar stand and encouraged to leave their guitar out in their living space to promote playing and usage of the protocols.

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Mindfulness teaching and experiential exercises focus on nature, breath, body, and the feel and meaning of the what is to exercise that are given to do at home to help decrease anxiety. Using neuroception concepts within the Polyvagal Theory, these interventions are designed to help deactivate the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight) into a state of safety, connection, and social engagement.

Veterans are then guided into additional guitar learning of simple guitar chords, a simple pentatonic scale, improvisational playing using the Em scale, and a simple piggy-back are intended to help balance the overactive amygdala and the underactive prefrontal cortex resulting from trauma or anxiety disorder. Since music activates both sides of the brain, specific uses of music can regulate and promote calm and focused attention.

The third aspect, songwriting with a professional songwriter, brings in a community music therapy aspect and allows Veterans to explore their story or to express whatever they want to e has the added and important benefit of connecting the Veteran to a civilian community, creating another layer of connection within a community apart from the military community. Many of our retreat Veterans and their songwriters stay in touch, and sometimes even meet up in person.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The contracting officer has determined that a sole source award to Challenge America, is in the best interest of the government. The contracting officer determines that the anticipated prices will be fair and reasonable based on the results of the market research conducted for this procurement.

A notice will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. This determination will be based on a comparison

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P a g e 4 | 5 of current contract pricing, past proposal submissions (if available), other information made available, and an Independent Government Cost Estimate.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by assembling a comprehensive list of music therapy providers, cross-referencing it against the locality, and searching databases for music therapy, which is the next product on the VHA roadmap (Music Therapy for Depression | Healthy People 2020). Only one music therapy could meet the schedule, locations, and would utilize the program the VA therapeutic goals.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

VHA is emerging as a leader in specific Veteran therapies and is ahead of other hospital systems in its commitment to provide Veterans with tailored and specific music therapy that cannot be purchased on the open market. The steps taken by VHA to date include the creation of Virtual Music Therapy Retreats for Veterans. However, without the appropriate partner to accelerate the formation of a robust treatment and therapy development and process, VHA will have to learn through mistakes and failures as it blazes a trail. A strategic partnership with an entity who has already made developed a program and is committed to a partnership with the VA for therapeutic program services to Veterans.

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

Challenge America 207 Basalt Ave, Suite 104 Basalt, CO 81621

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The Agency will continue to monitor music therapy sources, and check to determine if additional vendors meet qualifications in the future.

12. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

Market research was conducted, details of which are in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition.

Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 5202 Presidents Ct, Suite 103

Frederick, MD 21703

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13. Certifications / Signatures.

Technical and Requirements Certification:

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

Heather Seymour Date VHA, Social Worker

Contracting Officer Certification:

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

David Rupert Date Contracting Officer

8/18/2021