7610--486-25-3-3980-0024 / 36CF249-24-AP-1050 - Drug Information Electronic Database

Department of Veterans Affairs

VISN 09 Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Sources Sought Notice

Drug Information Electronic Database

This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Network Contracting Office 9 is seeking potential sources for drug information electronic databases. This is not a solicitation or a request for proposal and shall not be construed as an obligation or commitment by the Government. An award will not be made on any offers submitted in response to this notice, and it shall not be implied the Government is committed to providing any solicitation or award following this notice. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate a respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 9, is seeking sources that can provide Brand name or equal Drug information electronic database that meets the following salient characteristics:

Description

Quantity

Micromedex Plus Package with CareNotes for VISN 9 Base

1 year

Micromedex Plus Package with CareNotes for VISN 9 Option Yr 1

1 year

Micromedex Plus Package with CareNotes for VISN 9 Option Yr 2

1 year

Micromedex Plus Package with CareNotes for VISN 9 Option Yr 3

1 year

Micromedex Plus Package with CareNotes for VISN 9 Option Yr 4

1 year

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in this Statement of Work (SOW). The contractor shall provide 24/7/365 online web access to electronic medical references as stated herein for staff of facilities/offices in the VISN 9 Network. The contractor shall perform as to meet or exceed NPS Standards and TIL Specifications in this contract.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Lexington VAMC, 1101 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY 40502

Louisville VAMC, 800 Zorn Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206

Memphis VAMC, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104

Mountain Home VAMC, P.O. Box 4000, Mountain Home, TN 37684

Tennessee Valley Health Care System, 1310 24th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37212

SCOPE OF WORK

The U.S. Health Care System has transitioned from hardcopy medical references to electronic reference databases. Staff in VISN 9 requires online web access to searchable medical reference databases for quick and easy retrieval of up to date and evidence based medical information for health care providers and patients. Electronic medical references reduce the need for multiple individual copies of expensive resources. This method provides a more efficient manner of retrieving medically necessary information to meet the clinical mission of serving Veterans within the VISN 9 Network.

The electronic medical reference will be accessible to employees physically on site at any facility/office within VISN 9 as well as remotely through Virtual Private Network (VPN), Citrix Access Gateway (CAG) as well as mobile devices such as Smartphone or iPad devices for employees working from an alternate duty station. The drug database shall be compatible with the most current VA operating system, which is currently Microsoft Window 10 and shall be accessible using VA standard internet browsers, which are currently Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

All information Technology (IT) resources required to provide access to electronic reference shall be documented as approved by VA Technical Reference Module (TRM) webpage: (https://www.oit.va.gov/Services/TRM/TRMHomePage.aspx).

All software and content upgrades shall be available at no additional cost to the government during the Period of Performance. Database content shall be updated regularly throughout the performance period, at no less than monthly frequency.

Contractor shall provide technical support contact phone numbers and email contacts and shall provide timely technical support during operational hours (8 a.m. through 6 p.m. Eastern Time, weekdays). The contractor is expected to troubleshoot access as needed, but it will not be necessary to respond during non-operational hours.

Contractor shall provide on-line training tutorials to users. Contractor shall also provide on-site training, briefings, and updates to Health Care Systems within VISN 9 Network.

REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

The electronic medical reference subscription should include the following characteristics:

Drug Prescribing Information

Comprehensive information needed to safely prescribe, dispense, store, compound, repackage and administer US and non-US marketed drugs, including biologic agents, prescription drugs, and over the counter (OTC) drugs, as well as investigational drugs. The prescribing information should be unbiased and fully referenced. The information provided must include both on-label (FDA approved) information as well as off-label information.

The prescribing information provided shall include:

Drug description, formulations and availability

Drug storage and stability

Trade Names and generic availability

Clinical Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

Drug Indication and usage

FDA Approved indications

Non-FDA Approved (off-label) indications

Contraindications

Warnings

Precautions

Black Box Warnings

Dosing for general population

Dosing for special populations

Geriatrics

Pediatrics

Pregnancy

Including teratogenic risks and other reproductive risks

Lactation

Renal impairment

Hepatic impairment

Drug Monitoring

Adverse Drug Reactions

Drug interactions

Drug-Disease

Drug-Drug

Drug-Lab test

Drug-Food

Drug-Allergy

Toxicology

Drug Interaction Checking for user entered drug lists

Drug Identification Identify drugs by imprint codes as well as shape, color, and logo designs Patient Education Information

FDA Approved Med Guides

Patient Medication Information

Poisoning Treatment Information

Ingredient information for pharmaceutical, biological and commercial products

Treatment information for toxic exposures

Disease State Information

Evidence based, referenced information for common diseases, providing information about diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, treatment guidelines, and references.

Emergency Medicine specific topics must be included

Medication and Chemical Hazard Information

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for drugs and chemicals used for compounding

Treatment Guidelines for workplace toxic exposures

NIOSH Hazardous Drug Identification

USP precautions and handling information

Patient Education

FDA Medication Guides

Patient Medication Information (PMI) sheets

Patient medical condition information to include general information, pre-care, inpatient care, and post-discharge care for common diagnoses.

IV compatibility

Information needed to allow appropriate IV compounding by Pharmacy and other staff including solution compatibility, appropriate concentrations, storage conditions, stability, and reconstitution instructions. References must be included.

Ability for staff to check compatibility of multiple IV medications via Y-Site administration, TPN compatibility, and admixture compatibility

The information above is intended to be descriptive, and not restrictive, to indicate the quality of equipment that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the Government that the interested source can provide equipment that fulfills the required specifications.

If you are interested, and can provide equipment that meets or exceeds the specifications listed, please provide the requested information below:

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541511.

Please include the following information:

[ ] yes [ ] no - Small Business (SB)

[ ] yes [ ] no - HUBZone

[ ] yes [ ] no - Small Business 8(a)

[ ] yes [ ] no - Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

[ ] yes [ ] no - Women-Owned (WO) Small Business

[ ] yes [ ] no - Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

[ ] yes [ ] no - Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)

[ ] yes [ ] no - Large Business

[ ] yes [ ] no - Other (please specify)

[ ] yes [ ] no Are you the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)?

[ ] yes [ ] no If not the OEM, are you an authorized distributor, and can produce a letter from the OEM?

[ ] yes [ ] no If not the OEM, does the product meet the Nonmanufacturer Rule under 13CRF 121.406(b)?

[ ] yes [ ] no Is this product available on your GSA/FSS or other GWAC Contract?

If so, what is your contract number?_____________________

[ ] yes [ ] no Does your equipment conform to the Buy American Act and FAR 52.225-1?

52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies | Acquisition.GOV

Company Name:

POC:

UEI:

Address:

Email:

In addition to providing the information requested above, responding companies are encouraged to include any relevant information (specifications, cut sheets, brochures, capability statement, experience etc.) to confirm the company s ability to meet the requirements outlined in this request.

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract or agreement. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued.

Please submit your capabilities in regards to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes.

Please respond to this RFI by February 13, 2025, at 10:00AM CT via email to christina.lawrence2@va.gov.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.