P03 - PM_Part813.106_Atch1_SingleSourceJustification_MPT-SAT - Redacted_Redacted.pdf

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 1 of 3 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 02 Eff Date: 03/31/2020

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: 36C776-20-AP-3592

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC), Office of Nursing Services.

2237#:

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

The Office of Nursing Services (ONS), and by extension, the VA, is dedicated to the leadership development of future nursing leaders. The nurse manager is the vital link between senior leadership and the front-line staff as providers of care to achieve the organizational mission, vision and values. The VA has a multitude of challenges recruiting and retaining qualified nurses – a fact that, when compounded with an aging work force, makes leadership training imperative for the VA to maintain a first-class delivery of care. Developing new nurse managers with essential leadership skills and competencies will support the retention of highly competent nursing staff. Thus, VA would like to contract with an organization to provide two - four virtual, Nurse Manager training sessions, for a total of 240 VHA staff nurses. These trainings will better prepare current and prospective nursing leaders for management positions by offering employee training and educational opportunities, approved and endorsed by national associations. Further, the trainings will enable the VA to meet the increased Veteran demand for care.

Estimated Cost:

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

The AONL agenda is a combined, three-day program that has the Nurse Manager Institute and the Shared Governance programs together. The training is a three-day interactive program that combines lecture, discussion, experiential learning and self-assessment. Using simulation, case study and introduction of leadership concepts attendees can explore their leadership potential, understand the basics of budgeting, conflict management, circle concepts, quality and patient safety, and their role in the future of nursing. The AONL training is intended for aspiring and novice nurse managers. The training will provide knowledge and skills in the development to manage employees, management of data related to outcomes or care and develop industry established management competencies.

AONL is an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) which recognizes organizations which demonstrate excellence in the ability to deliver nursing continuing professional development (NCPD). ANCC's Primary Accreditation Program contributes to improving

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT

VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 2 of 3 Original Date: 08/30/17 Revision 02 Eff Date: 03/31/2020 healthcare outcomes by providing a voluntary peer-review process that defines standards for high performance in providing quality NCPD and measures compliance with those standards for organizations that elect to apply for accreditation.

The training requires extended, uninterrupted episodes of face-to-face engagement to sustain attention on complex operational factors and conditions effecting employees. The content of the training is consistent with goals of VA and VHA as it includes an extensive set of peer-to-peer presentations that concentrate on necessary designs, methods, and professional requirements for improving knowledge application and overall employee engagement. The training is required for attendees to fully achieve their professional development to meet industry standards for full participation in the mission of the VA and its growth of performance capability.

The NMI program focuses on the leadership development of nurse managers based on the AONL Nurse Manger Competencies©. The Nurse Manager Competencies© provide the framework for AONL’s early and mid-careerist development programs and form the basis of the AONL Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) certification. Content is provided using a blended format that includes in-person sessions and online learning. The course has been customized to incorporate existing standardized VA modules and AONL proprietary content.

The effectiveness of the NMI program was studied by the regional health system. In a pre and posttest study of NMI attendees (n=180) positive changes were identified in the areas of finance, foundational thinking skills, human resource management, performance management, strategic management, and personal and professional accountability.

The National database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) which measures nursing-sensitive indicators that reflect the structure, process, and patient outcomes of nursing care, showed a decrease in total falls, patient injuries and infections on units where the nurse managers attended NMI versus units where the nurse manager did not. NDNQI is a tool used to evaluate hospital performance by the Joint Commission (JCAHO).

In addition to the three days of intensive education in NMI and Shared Governance, participants will also receive: 17.5 contact hours of continuing education upon completion of the program (The American Organization for Nursing Leadership is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation), access to the electronic resources presented at the training, access to the online competency assessment tools, including 180-degree assessment reports, and pre and post reports to the Office of Nursing Services on the aggregate competency data from the training.

AONL has also offered to provide this training in an optional virtual platform in the event COVID-19 continues to restrict in-person events over the next 12 months.

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

The Vendor Information Page (VIP.gov) was queried on August 11th, 2020 to locate verified SDVOSB and VOSB concerns utilizing NAICS code 611430. The search resulted in 1,639 organizations.