P03 Single Source Justif MPT to SAT.pdf

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

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 1 of 2

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:_____36C241-24-AP-2762________

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1 New England Healthcare System, Knowledge Information Services 523-24-2-3801-0037: STAT News: Healthcare News Subscription

FY24

Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: The requirement is to procure online access subscription to the STAT News health and medical news website. The VISN1 Library has a requirement for a news resource that focuses and specializes in the healthcare, medical, and healthcare related subjects specifically directed to the healthcare leadership and management level.

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

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source. The preceding cited authority provides for purchase from a sole source whenever only one source is available and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

VA New England Healthcare System Knowledge Information Systems requires an information resource that is focused on in-depth and up to date healthcare news for the leadership and management across VISN1. Our prior news source changed their business model and is no longer available. The VISN1 library staff’s analysis and assessment performed preliminary reviews of health news resources and focused on information resources labeled as quality information resources and platforms. The library team found STAT news to report a wide range of healthcare and industry news with solid reporting and the latest developments in the healthcare arena.

Near competitors or similar sources such as Becker’s Hospital Review, Fierce Healthcare, HCP live, Health Affairs, Science Daily and Medical News today do not satisfy the requirement. Specifically, the news sources lack the breadth of topics the VISN1 facilities’ leadership desires. STAT news is a unique digital resource that provides the latest in healthcare and medical news, to include AI in medicine, Biopharma, Medical innovation, drug pricing, federal health policy, addiction medicine, chronic disease and a host of other topics pertinent to the VA mission. The near competitors focus on technology and the business and political side of healthcare, or are a daily weblog in format.

STAT News has staff reporters investigating and writing the pieces as opposed to aggregating healthcare news stories from other outlets.

Furthermore, the STAT News resource can easily be linked within the Knowledge Information Service website, LibGuides, and Federated Search engines.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/13

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

Last Updated: 02/01/22 Page 2 of 2

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

Market research was conducted both by the requestor and Contract Specialist. Requestor and Library staff reviewed a dozen publications, and chose the STAT+ Enterprise Subscription for it’s quality and reporting. The Contract Specialist found that the publisher of STAT+ Enterprise Subscription sells their own subscriptions without outside distributors. Per FAR 6.302-1, there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

4. 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.

Tyler Kenyon

Contracting Officer https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2013_1.html#wp1125466