LSJ Micromedex_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Limiting Sources Justification

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C770-26-AP-0249

1. Contracting Activity

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 15 In support of the VA Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) National Office.

2. Description of Action

The Government intends to establish a single‑award, open‑market Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a 5‑year ordering period for continued access to the Micromedex Clinical Evidence Standard Package with Red Book. This BPA will support five (5) users at each of the seven (7) CMOP facilities and the National CMOP Office, for a total of 40 users across eight (8) locations.

3. Supplies or Services Required

The BPA will provide:

• Micromedex Clinical Evidence Standard Package

• Integrated RED BOOK pricing data

• CPRS-compatible access for prescription verification

• Enterprise‑wide subscription across all CMOP sites

4. Estimated Value

Based on the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), the total estimated value for the 5‑year BPA ordering period is This represents the anticipated cost for all subscription years combined.

5. Authority RFO FAR 6.103-1(b) - Only One Responsible Source; and RFO FAR 6.103-1(d) - Brand-Name Description Supported by the justification and approval requirements of RFO FAR 6.104.

6. Rationale Supporting the Authority

Market research confirms that Merative, the Micromedex manufacturer, has designated J.E.

Federal Enterprises as the only authorized reseller permitted to sell Micromedex for VA clinical environments.

Per Merative: “J.E. Federal Enterprises is our authorized reseller that specializes in working with the VA system.”

WT Cox Enterprises holds a limited authorization for federal libraries and non-VA clinical environments only and is not authorized to supply Micromedex for VA clinical use. No other resellers exist who are authorized to fulfill this requirement for VA CMOP.

7. Brand Name Justification

Micromedex is the only brand‑name product that meets VA CMOP minimum technical requirements:

• CPRS Integration: Required for existing VA clinical workflows and prescription verification processes across all CMOP sites

• RED BOOK Integration: Provides the integrated drug pricing database necessary for CMOP formulary and cost management functions

• Enterprise-Wide Standardization: Supports consistent clinical decision support across all seven CMOP facilities and the National CMOP Office

• Established VA Implementation: Ten (10) years of VA CMOP usage with established workflows, user training, and institutional knowledge

Alternative products lack the required CPRS compatibility, RED BOOK integration, and CMOP enterprise-wide standardization. No acceptable substitute exists without disrupting prescription verification processes and patient safety operations.

8. Market Research Conducted

Market research was conducted in accordance with RFO FAR Part 10, VAAR 810, and VAAM M810.

• VetCert database search: Only one capable SDVOSB/VOSB - J.E. Federal Enterprises. No additional SDVOSBs, VOSBs, or other small businesses were identified as authorized Micromedex resellers for VA clinical environments.

• Manufacturer engagement: Merative confirmed J.E. Federal Enterprises is the only authorized reseller for VA clinical environments.

• Acquisition history: VA CMOP has procured Micromedex solely from J.E. Federal Enterprises for 10 consecutive years under prior contracts 36C77021P0537 and

VA770‑16‑D‑0016.

• Commercial practice review: Micromedex is sold exclusively through Merative-authorized resellers as a fixed-price subscription product. No open-market alternatives exist.

9. Efforts to Obtain Competition

Competition is not feasible due to the manufacturer’s reseller restriction. VetCert and industry research confirmed that no additional SDVOSBs, VOSBs, small businesses, or large businesses are authorized to sell Micromedex to VA clinical environments.

VA’s SDVOSB set-aside requirement under VAAR 819 was considered; however, J.E. Federal Enterprises is the sole SDVOSB capable of fulfilling this requirement. Therefore, the set-aside preference is satisfied by awarding to an SDVOSB. A competitive set-aside among SDVOSBs is not feasible, as no other SDVOSB holds the required manufacturer authorization.

10. Fair and Reasonable Price Determination

Price reasonableness will be determined prior to BPA award using the following methods in accordance with RFO FAR 13.201-3(a):

• Comparison to historical pricing under contracts 36C77021P0537 and VA770‑16‑D‑0016

• Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)

• Evaluation of the vendor’s forthcoming quotation

11. Posting Requirement

Because this is a brand-name procurement , the redacted LSJ will be posted on SAM.gov with the solicitation in accordance with RFO FAR 5.201(c)(3), RFO FAR 6.301(b)(2), and

VAAM M806.3.

12. Contracting Officer Certification

I certify that the facts and representations in this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that this justification complies with the requirements of RFO FAR 6.104-1(a)(12).

Nicholas Schulte Contracting Officer

13. Prepared By

Teresa Clark Contract Specialist