REDACTED_JOFOC_CPU_Subscription.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION

1. I recommend that U.S. Embassy Kinshasa use other than full and open competition for the acquisition of patient subscriptions for emergency medical services. The estimated cost is USD 120,000.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The U.S. Embassy Kinshasa intends to award a sole source purchase order in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i) to: CENTRE PRIVE D’URGANCE (CPU), Ave Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa, Congo (DRC).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa has a requirement for Western standard emergency medical care.

Severe medical cases require evacuation to South Africa or other countries as directed by the Regional Medical Officer (RMO). Heart attacks, strokes, motor vehicle accidents, cerebral malaria etc. exceed the medical capabilities of the Health Unit. Medical facilities other than U.S. Embassy Health Unit are required for stabilization before medical evacuations and/or to provide emergency medical/surgical interventions.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority and regulatory authority, respectively, are 41 USC § 3304(a)(1) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(i) — Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited (for sole source acquisitions;

also required for unusual and compelling urgency where more than one offer will not be solicited).

CPU is the only medical facility/provider in Kinshasa that can provide Western standard medical services and can meet U.S. Embassy Kinshasa’s minimum requirements for emergency care:

Provision of specialists, surgeons, and anesthetists trained to Western standards in emergency medicine and treatment of hard-to-diagnose and hard to treat complex illnesses and tropical diseases. Available 24/7 to include physicians with demonstrated experience in these fields;

24-hour emergency service and resuscitation facility, which offers its subscribers medical insurance for medical and traumatic emergencies;

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which provides services equivalent to Western medicine standards;

Immediate and appropriate ambulance dispatch in case of emergency

Fully stocked and tested blood bank;

Ambulance response time to the U.S. Embassy Chancery (310 Avenue Des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) 15 minutes in any traffic conditions;

Transport time from the U.S. Embassy Chancery (310 Avenue Des Aviateurs, Kinshasa) to the emergency services facility during any traffic or road conditions must be 10 minutes or less;

Provide 24-hour emergency, medical, surgical, and/or stabilization services to prepare for medical evacuation to an appropriate hospital facility;

Demonstrated ability to understand and adapt to all medical and surgical emergencies;

Emergency actions realized with all appropriate means within the framework of the emergency, with referral to surgical specialists and/or imaging modalities emergently;

Demonstrated ability to reliably diagnose emergency situations and plot an appropriate course of action;

Demonstrated ability to diagnose and solve medical emergencies locally utilizing experienced, trained physicians and surgeons that are western equivalent trained;

Provide western trained hospital staff and/or nurse supervisors for scheduling services and western level facility and hygiene maintenance;

Western level emergency room equipped with defibrillators, ventilators, emergency medicine to include “clot busters” and anti-snake venom as well as access to emergency imaging modalities to include CT, ultrasound, X-Ray, and MRI;

Operating room equipped to western standards;

Medical laboratory which operates to western standards;

Provide security measures to protect patients to include secure doors, gates with guards, check-in/check-out procedures; and

Facilities and operational environment kept to western standards of hygiene to include handicap accessibility.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

Given the nature of this acquisition, only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work and it does not lend itself to soliciting for potential sources. However, in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6), this justification will be publicized on FedBizOpps.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

Based on historical pricing and current commercial list pricing from CPU, the unit rate for patient subscriptions is determined to be fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market survey conducted and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.

Informal market research is conducted on an annual basis to determine the availability of

Western standard medical care in Kinshasa. All medical providers are reviewed by the

Medical Unit and RMO for suitability to provide emergency care. CPU is the only facility that meets all minimum requirements for Western standard emergency care.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

N/A

10. A listing of sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

N/A

11. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The requirement cannot be competed do to the lack of competitive Western standard emergency care in Kinshasa. The Government continues to seek and evaluate new facilities on an annual basis; however, no other facility can meet all minimum requirements at this time. However, should the Medical Unit identify a facility that meets all minimum requirements, it may lend itself to future competition.