P03 SSJ 36C24E-22-AP-0597 - Research Support and Technical Assistance on Causal Inference Methods (003) signed final.pdf

Research Support and Technical Assistance on Causal Inference Methods

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C24E-22-AP-0597

1. Contracting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Procurement Office (RPO) – East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Requesting Activity:

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Palo Alto Healthcare System Center for Policy Evaluation (CPE) 795 Willow Road Menlo Park, CA 9402

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed:

VA Palo Alto intends to negotiate on a sole source basis a new firm fixed price contract with Stanford University, its primary academic affiliate, to support the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) aim to establish the “Center for Policy Evaluation” (CPE). The CPE’s mission is to conduct rapid, rigorous evaluations supporting the implementation of evidence-based policies and programs in VA. Leveraging the CPE team’s advanced methodological skills, the Center will work with VA operational partners to conduct evaluations, using both existing administrative data and prospective designs, to provide insights into causal mechanisms that are crucial to making policy decisions.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs:

This proposed action is to support new evaluations for casual inference efforts conducted by the Center for Policy Evaluation (CPE). Stanford University is a key partner in collaborative research and mentoring VA fellows. CPE requires research and technical support for services located at Stanford.

The affiliate will provide subject matter expertise; technical skill and knowledge; and academic research capabilities, which will enable the Center to respond quickly to new evaluations. This requirement will allow scientific research aimed to advance the interests of public health. This benefits both VA and Stanford. Title 38 U.S.C. 8153 allows for sole source awards related to research with VA academic affiliates. In this case, Stanford University is the primary academic affiliate of VA Palo Alto and has several groups that tie in with the Center’s specific areas of expertise. Causal inference is a strength of the Department of Health Policy and Stanford-Surgery Policy, Improvement Research and Education (S-SPIRE) in the Department of Surgery.

Implementation science is a strength that spans several Departments, connected by the Stanford University Dissemination and Implementation Research working group; this spans the S-SPIRE, the Evaluation Sciences Unit (ESU) in the Department of Primary Care and Population Health, and the Department of Psychiatry. S-SPIRE, ESU, and Psychiatry have expertise in qualitative and mixed methods, with S-Spire hosting an annual mixed-methods training course. The anticipated value of this requirement inclusive of the base year for 12 months and four (4) one-year option periods is $2,142,576.73.

Base Year - (09/23/2022-09/22/2023): $498,715.20 Option Year 1 - (09/23/2023-09/22/2024): $513,676.66 Option Year 2 - (09/23/2024-09/22/2025): $529,086.96 Option Year 3 - (09/23/2025-09/22/2026): $544,959.56 Option Year 4 - (09/23/2026-09/22/2027): $561,308.35

Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

( ) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1;

( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per 41 USC §3304(a)(2) as implemented by FAR 6.302-2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per 41 USC §3304(a)(3) as implemented by FAR 6.302-3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per 41 USC §3304(a)(4) as implemented by FAR 6.302-4

(5) Authorized or Required by Statute per 41 USC §3304(a)(5) as implemented by FAR 6.302-5;( )

(6) National Security per 41 USC §3304(a)(6) as implemented by FAR 6.302-6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per 41 USC §3304(a)(7) as implemented by FAR 6.302-7;

Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

Stanford University employs highly specialized research services that at present cannot be performed by the VA. This contract allows for the VA to fulfill the agency’s requirements to support the Center for Policy Evaluation (CPE) at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System on projects Standford University has the specialized skills required to be provided by a variety of individuals who possess both academic achievements, professional experiences and in some cases highly unique skills required to execute necessary experimental processes associated with operation of quantitative analysis using causal inference methods. Causal inference is a strength of Stanford University, spanning a number of Departments, including the Department of Health Policy, Primary Care Population Health and S-SPIRE. Due to the precise expertise required by the VA, proximity, and affiliate , they are the only vendor without experiencing substantial duplication in costs or delays to VA research. Furthermore, since Standard University is an academic

, the VA is authorized to procure these services pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8153 described below.

Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: FAR 6.302(a)(2)(i) states, Full and open competition need not be provided when a statue expressly authorizes or requires that the acquisition be made through another agency or from a specified source. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 8153 (a)(3)(A):

If the healthcare resource required is a commercial service, the use of medical equipment or space, or research, and is to be acquired from an institution affiliated with the Department in accordance with section 7302 of this title, including medical practice groups and other entities associated with affiliated institutions, blood banks, organ banks, or research centers, the Secretary may make arrangements for acquisition of the resource without regard to any law or regulation (including any

Executive order, circular, or other administrative pol cy) that would otherwise require the use of competitive procedure for acquiring the resource."

Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: Stanford University is a not-for- profit organization affiliated with the VA. Previous contracts have demonstrated that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. The Contracting Officer anticipates the price noted in #2 above to be fair and reasonable; however, price negotiations may be conducted if the CO determines this is necessary.

Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market research was not conducted since the VA is authorized by statute 38 U.S.C. 8153 to procure affiliate research services without regard to any law or regulation.

Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The mission of the VA is to discover knowledge and create innovation that advances healthcare for our Veterans and the nation. VHA is the country’s largest integrated healthcare system and as such, it embraces close ties to its academic by partnering on common research interests and leveraging resources.

The VA Palo Alto Healthcare System and Stanford are one of many examples of this strategic academic affiliate partnership recognized by the Secretary of the VA.

Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None, there are no

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: None

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Todd Wagner

Date

Program Manager VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Ann Marie Stewart Date Contracting Officer Regional Procurement Office-East R&D

Todd Wagner

Digitally signed by Todd Wagner Date: 2022.09.02 12:19:06 -04'00'

ANN MARIE

STEWART

Digitally signed by ANN

MARIE STEWART

Date: 2022.09.02 15:15:15 -04'00'

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $750K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

Date

Seth Custer Division Chief Regional Procurement Office - East

c. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval: I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and recommend approval (if over $75 million) or approve ($750K to $75 million) for other than full and open competition.

Date

Executive Director Regional Procurement Office - East VHA Head of Contracting Activity (HCA)

VHALEBCUSTES

Typewritten Text 09/06/2022