P03_J_A_PrivPlus_Consolidated_SW.pdf

Control Number: VA-21-00035848

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics

Technology Acquisition Center 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 600 Austin, Texas 78744

2. Description of Action:

The proposed action is for a firm-fixed-price contract to renew existing PrivPlus software licenses which includes software maintenance, and technical support for PrivPlus brand software.

3. Description of Supplies or Services:

VA, Office of Information and Technology, Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps); End Users Operations (EUO) Business Office requires renewal of 120 existing PrivPlus software licenses currently being used by VISN Credentialing and Human Resource departments across 100 VA facilities. Software licenses include software maintenance that consists of software renewals and updates via virtual download capabilities and technical support as required via helpdesk. PrivPlus software is a supplemental product to VetPro, the national credentialing software system which is used for patient care services and was developed specifically for VA. PrivPlus exports the VA credentialing data currently stored on VetPro and produces reports and analytical information. PrivPlus credentialing software allows healthcare providers’ clinical privileges and pertinent information (including photograph of provider) to be viewed electronically. The period of performance shall be 12 months for the Base Period, with two, 12-month option years. The total estimated value of the proposed effort inclusive of the 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods is

4. Statutory 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 entitled, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above:

The proposed source for this action is CBR Associates Inc, 1415 Broad St, Durham, NC 27705, a small business owned by Symplr. Symplr is the sole provider for PrivPlus software and products. No other software can meet all of VA’s functional requirements. Specifically, the PrivPlus software is the only software that is interoperable and compatible with VetPro to allow reports and data to be exported from VetPro and imported into PrivPlus. VetPro is currently fielded and fully operational and does not require an upgrade at this time. VetPro is the mandated Credentialing and Privileging software currently being used by VA facilities across the country as required by VA Central Office and as described in VHA Handbook

1100.19 Credentialing and Privileging. VetPro allows medical staff to receive the proper credentialing prior to seeing a veteran or performing surgical procedures.

PrivPlus is the only software that has the ability to import data directly from VetPro into PrivPlus, providing the necessary reporting capabilities that are vital to VetPro operability. For example, PrivPlus runs a license expiration report, an integral feature required by the Credentialing department. Specifically, the currently fielded VetPro software is the only brand name software that can communicate with the PrivPlus software due to the proprietary elements of both products. These proprietary constraints would not allow any other software other than PrivPlus to access the credentialing data stored on VetPro. PrivPlus is the only software that allows programs to run VetPro data analysis and reports on local Personal Computers or facility networks with the ability to verify license and board certifications by entering a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address in the License Agency and Board Master List in the PrivPlus system. By utilizing the URL address through PrivPlus, the appropriate individual’s license/board standing is immediately accessed, allowing “real time” information to be verified. Images of verification can also be captured and stored in PrivPlus. Failure to acquire PrivPlus licenses would result in the VA’s inability to properly utilize VetPro, which would pose a risk to ensuring timely physician license verification, accurate reporting and potentially impact patient care.

Additionally, only Symplr can provide the maintenance and technical support as access to proprietary code is required to ensure any services provided are properly configured.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

Market research was conducted, the details are in section eight (8) of this document.

This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition. Procurement data does not include any unnecessary requirements that may inhibit competition.

Additionally, the proposed action will be synopsized on the beta.SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website in accordance with FAR 5.201. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated.

7. Actions to Increase Competition:

In order to remove or overcome barriers to competition in future acquisitions for this requirement, VA will continue to conduct additional market research so that other software solutions can be considered.

8. Market Research:

Market research efforts were conducted by VA subject matter experts in January and February 2021. After another review of previously researched vendors such as

IntelliSoft Group and Echo Credentialing, it was determined that these products remain incompatible with the VetPro system and therefore will not work.

Additionally, other products such as SkillSurvey and IntelliCentrics were reviewed and while the web-based programs have potential to streamline the credentialing process, they do not have the capability of importing from VetPro or accessing PrivPlus archived data. Symplr is the sole provider of all PrivPlus products and there are no other authorized resellers who can provide the required software renewals and support. Symplyr, has a second credentialing product called Cactus Provider Credentialing. After reviewing the features and contacting the vendor, it was determined that Cactus does not currently have the capability to import from VA VetPro, the Federal Credentialing program used by VA and therefore would not meet VA’s needs. Symplr agreed with VA's assessment that Cactus was not interoperable and compatible with VetPro.

In addition, the Contract Specialist (CS) conducted market research by issuing a special notice announcement intent to sole source to Symplr on beta.SAM.gov Contract Opportunities on April 1, 2021. The announcement closed on April 8, 2021 with no responses received. A search on NASA SEWP V GWAC for SDVOSB vendors yielded no results found. A representative from Symplr confirmed by email on March 30, 2021 that it does not have any authorized resellers, and also confirmed ownership of CBR Associates, Inc., which is utilized as their sole entity able to handle the sale of and maintain legal rights to the required software.

9. Other Facts: None