Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity FTE Extension 17 Sep Approved Redacted 1.pdf

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity or to Use Brand-Name Restriction

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

November 2018 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 3

Case managers coordinate the treatment of behavioral health conditions (mental health and substance use) and physical health conditions by providing comprehensive care management, care coordination, transitional care, and health promotion to improve overall wellness and manage chronic health conditions. Key case management activities include coordinating care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care, addressing behavioral and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers. Case managers participate in multidisciplinary patient care management practices, command consultation, evaluating care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services, safety assessment and safety planning.

The modification fits under the scope of the basic multiple award (IDIQ) contract. Use of the DHA MQS contract spirals is mandatory for this type support services. The IDIQ contract is decentralized for ordering and was issued by and administered by DHA-Contracting Office-(CO-MQS) HT0050. The maximum amount for this contract's ordering period is $7.5B and is monitored by DHA Contracting Office. The IDIQ Period of Performance (PoP) is 1 December 2017 - 30 November 2022. The TO's PoP is 30 September 2018 through 29 September 2023. The two FTEs' PoP is 30 September 2019 - 29 September 2022. The current TO Performance Work Statement (PWS) will govern the work of the additional two FTEs. The same education requirement of a Masters of Social Work degree; and a minimum of one year within the past five years in the independent practice of clinical social work/healthcare management for adults, children, families, seniors, or groups are applicable.

(4) Identification of the exception to fair opportunity and the supporting rationale:

Pursuant to the authority of FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C): The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

DHA awarded 36 commercial contracts for the MQS services to small business contractors under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 622110. On 24 August 18, fair opportunity was provided to contractors via Task Order Proposal Request (TOPR) for the initial TO which consisted of 10 social workers. A total of 16 proposals were received. P00003 completed 25 September 2019 added the two FTEs for option year 1. The current modification is only extending the two social workers with the same qualifications and the same PWS is applicable through to option year 3. This modification is in support of the initial effort.

(5) Contracting Officer's determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The current TO was awarded in September 2018. To ensure the most current market conditions were captured, the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) for the modification was derived from market research utilizing the following sources: Salary.com, LinkedIn.com, Indeed.com and the current TO. Based on the most recent data, the prices on the IGCE are considered to be fair and reasonable.

(6) Other facts supporting the justification:

Prior to the contract award, a review of multiple suicide cases noted a gap in case management services as a common risk factor in the resultant death. Providing these services will increase the safety net for care coordination throughout the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) system. In an effort to lower suicide rates, the Air Force is piloting a study of the effect of the case manger's role and the suicide rate.

Case management was approved by the Medical Operations panel for all mental health clinics; however, it did not receive full funding. The current contract is providing 10 Case Managers; one each at 10 locations.

P00003 increased the number of FTEs to 12. A modification will extend the two FTEs established in P00003 through the remaining option years. The effort is professionally tracked and monitored as part of the larger