Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of War and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

The mission of the USU is to provide the highest quality education programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.

Intended Recipient: Veritas Health Innovation Ltd, Level 5, 485 Latrobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia

Intent to Sole-Source:

USU intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Veritas Health Innovation Ltd. for the procurement of the Covidence Database subscription.

Sole Source Justification

The mission of USU is to provide the highest quality education and research programs in the health sciences to those selected individuals who demonstrate dedication to a health profession career in the Uniformed Services.

As such, it is essential USU provide the necessary training and equipment required by our researchers in order to support the research efforts.

The procurement of the Covidence Database subscription is a cloud-based, systematic review tool solution that allows for unlimited creation of system reviews by USU faculty and students, and concurrent access to reviews by reviewers. Systematic reviews are a type of literature review that use systematic methods to collect secondary data, critically appraise research studies and synthesize studies. They are designed to provide a complete, exhaustive summary of current evidence that is relevant to a research question. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials are key to the practice of evidence-based medicine and health care. The tool is utilized by USU students for exploration and learning. Veritas Health Innovation Ltd is the sole authorized vendor of the subscription; therefore, Veritas Health Innovation Ltd is the only source reasonably available to meet the Government’s needs.

This requirement will be procured in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).

In accordance with 5.207(c)(16)(i), all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and that the interested potential Offeror can meet the needs of the Government as stated above. Information received will be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

See the Notice of Intent to Sole Source posting for response date and contact information.