P03 PM_Part813.106_Atch1_Single Source Justification_MPT-SAT.pdf

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source

VHAPM Part 813.106 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 02 Eff Date: 03/31/2020

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-20-AP-1916

Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 01, VA Boston Healthcare System Purchase Request 523-20-3-7072-0060

2. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount:

This is a new, follow-on requirement for a one-year subscription for the Steam Learning Platform.

This Learning Platform is a custom-designed, web-based learning platform designed to achieve learning outcomes for select VISN 1 Training Topics, via an interactive, competitive forum. The Learning Platform has been in place for two-years. The existing contract VA241-18-AP-3935 (Base- Plus-One Option Year) ending 06/06/20. Due to the funding framework, the Learning Platform is currently being funded annually. The annual subscription expired 05/31/20. This contract will be for one-year. The total price is $95,000.

The Learning Platform is designed to achieve primary learning objectives via an engaged, competitive venue that will focus on Joint Commission training standards to include: Environment of Care, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Infection Prevention and Control, Leadership, Life Safety, Medication Management, Medical Staff, National Patient Safety Goals, Nursing, Provision of Care, Treatment, and Services, Performance Improvement, Record of Care, Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual, Transplant Safety, and Waived Testing with the ability to customize this educational component as it relates to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards.

Over the two-year period that VISN1 has used the QStream Educational & Analytical program has achieved desired outcomes by improving overall group efficiency by 31% and by soliciting a 71% learning engagement metric from employees.

3. Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used:

The Learning Platform is proprietary to QStream. It is based on a "spaced education" methodology developed and used at Harvard Medical School. The intellectual property comprising the methodology is owned by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and covered by United States patent application number PCT/US07/15779: "Adaptive Spaced Teaching Method And System". Qstream Inc. is the exclusive, worldwide commercial licensee of the methodology and its associated intellectual property and sole provider of products and services based on it. QStream is the sole provider of the QStream Educational & Analytical Learning Platform.

Additionally, the software for the QStream Educational and Analytical Learning Platform Technology is proprietary to QStream. The QStream product was selected because it affords the best value to the VISN 1 and the Government due to capability of designing the learning platform to achieve learning outcomes stemming form Joint Commission training standards, and due to ease of user accessibility from multiple mobile devices. Additionally, QStream is providing a $5,000 discount from their pricing list, reducing the price from $100,000 to $95,000.

1.

Original Date: 08/30/17

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Only the QStream product had the flexibility of design in a learning platform that best-meshes with the VISN 1 Learning Objectives, while affording the capability to synch across all mobile devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet), to deliver education based on learning objectives to 1,500 healthcare providers. The program has been tailored for VISN 1 training.

The platform will incorporate and support text and media forms, such as audio, videos and images in the construct of a variety of question types: (i.e. multiple choice, fill in the blank) with the capability to provide immediate feedback to track participant progress relative to other participants throughout VISN 1 via leaderboards. The platform engages and integrates all users via leaderboard teams, measurement of outcomes via various management reports detailing participant tracking and roster data reviews.

This web-based program also provides a comprehensive reporting mechanism for VISN1 Healthcare Systems, which enables training coordinators and leadership to evaluate program effectiveness and user activity levels against pre-established benchmarks, braking out summary and detailed analysis by Clinician, and by Question. The platform can accommodate training for up to two staff administrators, and offers Help Desk Support Services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Per FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), a sole source strategy best fits this procurement. The Harvard “spaced education” methodology underlying the Educational Platform & Learning Technology software design and technology are peculiar to QStream, making QStream unique in its capability to fulfill this requirement.

4. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted:

Market Research was conducted two years ago, when the platform was originally purchased. Market Research was conducted by the Contract Specialist for the follow-on contract, active from 06/07/18 to 05/31/20

The Q-stream product was initially developed for VA Boston Healthcare System as there was not a comparable product on the market. VA Boston Healthcare has been using this product for the past 5 years. New market research was not conducted as the current product is achieving the original objectives. No change is required to the existing learning platform; there would be a significant learning curve and additional costs incurred in deploying a new platform, and in developing educational content for the system.

Current market research supports the unique and peculiar status of the QStream Learning Platform:

VetBiz was searched to comply with Veterans First contracting Program (VFCP) IAW VAAR 810.001-70. There were nine SDVOSB vendors broadly capable for NAICS 541511.

Although the requirement is under SAT and qualifies for a small business/SD/VOSB (Service- Disabled/Veteran-Owned Small Business) set-aside, per VAAR 819.501-70, there are no authorized SD/VOSB distributors or partners for QStream.

QStream is a small business. The current procurement cannot be set-aside due to FAR

19.202-2, as the “Rule of Two” cannot be satisfied. QStream is a sole source. The Learning Platform Methodology is proprietary to Harvard; QStream is the only authorized distributor of that methodology. Meaning that only they are licensed to incorporate that methodology into their own proprietary Educational & Learning Platform software, which has been specifically customized to meet VISN 1 Joint Commission Learning Objectives.

NMR does not apply under SAT. The limit on subcontracting is satisfied as QStream, a qualified small business for NAICS 541511 and FSC: 6910, is adding greater than 51% value to the end product.

Original Date: 08/30/17

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5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Name Date Title

Linda J. Ward 155235 Digitally signed by Linda J. Ward 155235 Date: 2020.06.09 20:13:39 -04'00'