P03 Single Source Justification MPT to SAT Signed.pdf

Acquisition ID# 36C24E-26-AP-0792

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For

Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C24E-26-AP-0792

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Procurement Office (RPO) – East 1010 Delafield Road. Bldg. 32, Suite 1A111 Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Requesting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Portland Healthcare System 3710 SW Us Veterans Hospital Rd Portland, OR 97239

2237 # 648-26-4-369-1252

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

Traumatic Brain Injury, the scientific and technical services of Machine Learning (ML) and Large Language Modeling (LLM) experts through Oregon Health and Science University’s Center for Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Learning Health Science (OHSU CAILHS) are required. These services include developing and testing advanced machine learning algorithms that are necessary to validate research findings, and building research products that will provide clinicians, patients, and policy makers with up-to-date clinical trial data with the specific purpose of making evidence-informed precision healthcare decisions for Veterans with Traumatic Brain injury. The estimated amount of deliverable-based services is $175,000 over the 12 month project period.

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

This requirement is being requested pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8153, research with affiliates, to extend the utilization of existing datasets and to provide advanced Machine Learning (ML) deliverables to the VA for “Total Brain Diagnostics (TBD). TBD is a proof-of-concept data harmonization effort to combine two of the largest longitudinal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) datasets in veterans and service members. The services of OHSU are necessary to leverage machine learning approaches to analysis and harmonization to identify brain and mental health biomarkers of TBI outcomes, aiding in precision medicine efforts for TBI.

Importantly, these services are necessary to support the VA’s ability to satisfy the Commander John Scott Hannon Act (Public Law 116-171), Section 305.

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

The Center for Artificial Intelligence-enabled Learning Health Science (CAILHS) at OHSU is the only group in Oregon that has the capacity to conduct this work due to the unique combination of data extraction and advanced quantitative methods expertise. As advances in ML and LLM approaches are outpacing VA’s research enterprise, the CAIHLS group has successfully filled this gap by providing critical ML services to VAPORHCS. Specifically, this computational team has expertise in collaborating on complex VA data projects housed in restricted computing environments, and in developing ML algorithms and code for VA designed for use in such scenarios. The inability to use the unique services that only OHSU’s team can provide would be detrimental in terms of cost and ability to perform traumatic brain injury research. As the country’s largest integrated healthcare system, VHA embraces close ties with academic affiliates by partnering on common interests to leverage resources and expand the impact of federal research investments to assist our nations Veterans. The relationship between the Portland VA and OHSU is a prime example of this strategic affiliate relationship and is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs leadership both locally and nationally. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is one of eight public universities in Oregon and the only one devoted exclusively to health sciences.

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

Market Research Findings: A search was conducted in the SBA small business search database using NAICS code 541720, and keywords including keyword(s) "Algorithm Data Engineering" or "Total Brain Diagnostics", which resulted in no SDVOSB’s or VOSBs available to meet this requirement. This same search also resulted in no small businesses available or capable to meet the requirement. A pre-solicitation notice with intent to sole source was posted under 36C24E26Q0093 on 08/11/2026 and closed on 08/17/2026 with no responses. This acquisition requires advanced machine learning algorithm development, validation of analytic decisions, physiologic and biometric machine learning expertise, and development of interactive and static data visualizations for impact and data dashboards through close collaboration with operations partners. The established Center for AI-enabled Learning Health Science (CAILHS) is the only center in Oregon that has the capacity to conduct this work. The inability to use the unique services that only CAILHS at OHSU can provide would be detrimental in terms of cost and ability to perform Total Brain Diagnostics research.

OHSU is the primary academic affiliate of the VA Portland Healthcare System. 38 U.S.C. 8153 allows for sole source awards related to research with VA academic affiliates. Oregon Health & Science University is the only organization with the required specialized expertise that is needed for this requirement. Oregon Health & Science University is uniquely positioned to meet these needs due to its established collaboration with the VA Oregon Healthcare System. .

Since Oregon Health & Science University has unique specialized expertise in the current ongoing research studies and the advanced machine learning algorithm development, it is anticipated that this requirement will be Sole Sourced to the Oregon Health & Science University, a non-profit organization.

5. Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

____________________________ 08/12/2026 Ann Marie Stewart Date

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