PG_Part806.3_Atch9_FAR6_JA_OVER_SAT fully signed_Redacted.pdf

Attachment 9: Request for Sole Source Justification Format >SAT

VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 1 of 5 Revision: 02 Effective Date: 11/15/23

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Justification and Approval (J&A) For

Other Than Full and Open Competition (>SAT)

Acquisition Plan Action ID:_ VA-24-00019825

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network/Program Contracting Office 01, located at VA Boston, in support of VISN 1 VA Health Care System at VISN 1 Knowledge and Information Service, 200 Springs Road Bldg 10 Rm 110, Bedford, MA, UNITED STATES, 01730

2237: 523-24-1-3801-0005

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

The estimated value of the proposed action is

A one-year (base year) VISN-wide subscription to Audio Digest, a medical education delivery platform subscription produced by Ovid Technologies. VISN1 Knowledge Information Service intends to provide this subscription to the VISN1 clinical staff in supporting their CME requirements. This repository of medical education lectures is accessible to the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants via desktop or smartphone app, and allows an easy way to listen to a medial lecture and gain credit (CME). Audio Digest is the leader in this type of medical education delivery.

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course. The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest.

The Government has requested a contract with a base plus 4 option years.

3. Description of :

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course.

The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest.

VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 2 of 5

The Government has requested a contract with a base plus 4 option years.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

( X ) (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;

5.

Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

Ovid Technolgies is the original equipment manufacturer of Audio Digest. At this time Ovid Technolgies has a wide variety of authorized resellers. In order to ensure continuity amongst VA systems, the Government cannot accept a substitute product. Only Audio Digest by Ovid Technologies will be accepted.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course. The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest. The review team examined the Oakstone CMEinfo platform which is designed to provide CME material. Oakstone CMEinfo contains CME material where the clinical provider can earn unlimited CME credits for up to three years with the presentation of material in multimedia formats for 15 different specialties; however, this platform has no live CME content nor a mobile app for smart phone use at this time. The ability to access and listen to CME during a commute drive or in an out of clinic setting is not available.

The review team also assessed the Hippo Education platform which presents highly produced lectures on various medical topics for credit. Hippo Education contains a focus on Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Primary Care and includes the EM Board Review and question bank, plus a Cardiology CME module. Importantly, Hippo Education appears to center on produced video and multimedia format.

VHAPG Part 806.3 OFOC Page 3 of 5

While video appears to be popular method of information delivery, it is not as flexible to the audio learning audience.

The review team found that Audio Digest was the best value to the VISN1 clinical staff for the reasons of having more updated content on a weekly basis, is mobile and its prime delivery medium is audio. At this time, no other product meets the same specifications as Audio Digest.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The Government expects a competitive acquisition and plans to award the contract in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(b)(1).

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

Audio Digest is a medical education delivery subscription that maintains a library of medical topic material for physicians, APRNs and PAs in a podcast-style. The platform contains Certified Education of several types (CE, CME, MOC) all accredited lectures from around the world. The closest competitors are Oakstone and Hippo Education. The key requirement is for a resource that the physicians and other staff providers can use to gain CME credit in an easier manner than attending a lecture or a conference or enrolling in a designated course. The audio delivery of specific and specialty material via recorded lectures, conference sessions and other presentations, together with the ability to listen in various settings via a smartphone this requirement could be best met with Audio Digest. The review team examined the Oakstone CMEinfo platform which is designed to provide CME material. Oakstone CMEinfo contains CME material where the clinical provider can earn unlimited CME credits for up to three years with the presentation of material in multimedia formats for 15 different specialties; however, this platform has no live CME content nor a mobile app for smart phone use at this time. The ability to access and listen to CME during a commute drive or in an out of clinic setting is not available.

The review team also assessed the Hippo Education platform which presents highly produced lectures on various medical topics for credit. Hippo Education contains a focus on Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Primary Care and includes the EM Board Review and question bank, plus a Cardiology CME module. Importantly, Hippo Education appears to center on produced video and multimedia format.

While video appears to be popular method of information delivery, it is not as flexible to the audio learning audience.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition:

None

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: