JA-under-250K_FY24_Redacted.pdf

Version – February 2017

Memorandum for Record – Limiting Competition at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

1. Contracting Activity: Medical Readiness Contracting Office – Central (MRCO-W)

2. Description of Action: Virtual Simulation Software

Nature: New Requirement Follow-on Requirement

Contract Vehicle: Purchase Order Number:

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Number #_____ ____

Order/BPA#_____ against FSS Contract #_____ ____

Order #_____ against Multiple Award IDIQ Contract Name or

Order #_____ against a single award IDC Contract #__________

Modification #_____ to existing PO/TO/DO/Call Order

Pricing/Contract Type: Fixed Price Time & Materials/Labor Hours

Cost Reimbursable Hybrid

Funds: Operations & Maintenance, Army (OMA) Other Funds: _DHP__

FY: FY2025

Name of Proposed Contractor(s) and Address:

Elsevier Inc.

201 SE 2nd Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601

Brand Name Buy: Yes No

3. Description of Services or Supplies:

Shadow Health’s Digital Clinical Experiences train and prepare nurses and healthcare practitioners for clinical settings. Its cutting-edge simulations, powered by Shadow Health’s Conversation Engine, enable learners to practice and apply their clinical reasoning skills through life-like interactions with a diverse range of virtual patients.

Engaging in conversation-based learning, students gain confidence by practicing the skills they need to care for patients in a safe and standardized environment.

X x

4. Authority:

FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization.

5. Reasons for Authority Cited:

a. This is a follow-on requirement, in which services are required to ensure continued performance in support of the Department of Hospital Education.

Shadow Health® is an educational software developer of web-based Digital Clinical Experiences™ designed to augment courses for nursing students and allied health education programs. The Shadow Health platform is Elsevier’s product. It follows and complements the texts published by Elsevier which the nursing (68C) curriculum is based on.

b. This service is available at the institutional level and was determined by BAMC staff as being the best resource available.

c. If this service isn’t contracted through Elsevier then another platform will not align properly with the current nursing curriculum causing discrepancies between the testable material and the clinical platform used.

6. Publicizing Contract Actions: For FAR Part 13 actions, the public display and synopsis requirements of FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203 do not apply due to the $ threshold, apply and will be followed, or do not apply due to an exception at

5.202 ______________________.

Requirement to post justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6(b)(3), FAR 13.105(c), or FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii)(A)

Action is NOT a brand name restriction and is under $250K, no posting required

Action is a brand name restriction, under $25K, no posting required

Action is not a brand name restriction, over $25K. It will be redacted and posted with the solicitation.

Action is a brand name restriction over $25K but will not be posted due to exception:

FAR 6.305(f)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(A)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(B)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(3)(iii)(C)

FAR 16.505(a)(4)(iii(C)

7. Market Research:

I have searched mandated sources to check the availabilities of software licenses. A sources sought notice was posted on 24 April 2024, with a closing date of 1 May 2024;

four (4) responses were received however, none of them could meet the requirement of complementing the published text used for the 68C curriculum.

The Small Business Administration’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) was utilized to identify small businesses capable to satisfy the required service. The DSBS was queried using NAICS code 513210 and the keyword “Simulation”. The results revealed there were several vendors that could provide the type/similar type of service.

The sources sought had three (3) small business response to this requirement.

However, none of the companies have the capability to meet the capability requirement with Elsevier published textbook. IAW FAR 19.502-2(a) there is not a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible small business concerns that are competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality, and delivery.

8. Other Facts: Procurement history for the same service has shown that it has been sole sourced since the initial need for this service existed due to no other vendors having the compatibility with Elsevier curriculum.

9. Technical/Requirements Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which are included in the justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

10. Contracting Officer Certification/Approval:

I hereby determine that the anticipated price to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable based upon price analysis.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that completing this purchase as a sole source is in the best interest of the Government. Additionally, I approve this justification to limit competition subject to the availability of funds and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Contracting Officer