Justifiction Approval - LIGHT Survey (posting).pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FAR Subpart 6.302-1 National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Longitudinal Investigation of Gender, Health and Trauma (LIGHT) survey

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) 10300 Spotsylvania Ave, STE 400 Fredericksburg, VA 22408

2. Description of Action:

The proposed action is for a sole source firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract with Altarum, a Large Business, for the procurement of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) follow on "LIGHT" (Longitudinal Investigation of Gender, Health and Trauma) survey. The Contract Number is VA119-17-D-0034 and the Order Number is 36C10G21F0049. The period of performance is 12 months. The awarded amount for this acquisition is $346,624.15 and the period of performance for the awarded contract is as follows: September 29, 2021 - September 28, 2022.

VA has a requirement to conduct the final Follow-On PTSD Survey Analysis to the U.S.

military Veterans who participated in the 2019-2020 LIGHT survey. The original survey questionnaire was developed by Altarum. They have been under contract with the VA to design, create and administer the survey to 14,000 Veterans. It allowed a survey to be distributed to a second cohort of Veterans using the same methodology as the first cohort. Detailed survey response tracking and reporting took place during all time points. The follow on is to be conducted and completed utilizing a cohort of Veterans who have previously completed 4 surveys 4 months apart in previous task order.

The follow-on survey will only be going out to veterans who participated in "LIGHT". The number of Veterans is 3,669. The purpose of the study is to examine the role of trauma and community violence on health outcomes among Veterans, particularly among women Veterans and racial minorities living in high crime communities.

3. Authority_:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41.U.S.C.

3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

9. Technical and Requirements Certification:

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

Christine Quigley Assistant Director for Operations

Boston Healthcare System

Veteran's Health Administration

10. Determination of Best Value:

Date

The proposed contract action will represent the best value to the Government. No award shall be made until the Contracting Officer determines the cost to the Government to be fair and reasonable. Additionally, this determination will include a comparison of current contract pricing, past proposal submissions and an Independent Government Cost Estimate. The Government's intention is to award based on achieving pricing similar to what has been previously paid and is in the best interest of the Government.

11. Contracting Officer Certification:

Pursuant to (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12)), For the contract exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $700,000.00, the contracting officer's certification required by FAR 6.303-2(b)(12) will serve as approval. I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. As this contract action does not exceed $700,000.00, the certification below required by FAR 6.303-2(b)(12) serves as approval.

Mauricio Vazquez Date Chief, Acquisition Services Division 4A Contracting Officer