Amputee coalition of america

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS



Justification and Approval

for

Other than Full and Open Competition



Upon the basis of the following justification, the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action is hereby approved pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 ( c )(1) and FAR 6.302-1.



The proposed action is for (12) month firm-fixed price (FFP) with an option for four (4) additional years to provide a subscription for "Amputation System of Care" (ACA) training supplies, educational materials, and one year of ACA & "Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities" (CARF) corporate membership for 22 Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISN) across America.



Transaction Number/Funding Document 777-13-1-1092-0009 (FY13) funding.________________



1. Contracting Activity

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

Service Area East, Procurement Contracting Activity in St. Louis Contracting

POC: _Linda Eley___________________, Contracting Officer

11152 South Towne Square

St. Louis, MO 63123



2. Nature of Action Being Approved: Request a justification and approval for sole source procurement to be issued to Amputation Coalition of America (ACA), 900 East Hill Avenue Suite 205, Knoxville, TN 37915-2568.



The proposed total contract cost is estimated to be $346,847.00.

Base Year = $66,847.00

Option Year #1 = $70,000

Option Year #2 = $70,000

Option Year #3 = $70,000

Option Year #4 = $70,000

Estimated Total = $346,847.00



3. Description of Service and Supplies: The purpose of the contract is to obtain a subscription for "Amputation System of Care" (ACA) training supplies, educational materials, and one year of ACA & "Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities" (CARF) corporate membership for 22 Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISN) across America. EES needs access to ACA/CARF corporate membership to support its research for clinical training and education management decisions that directly impact our nation's veteran's quality of healthcare. This contract is needed to maintain an essential capability that supports studies and clinical education programs for EES customers. ACA will provide educational materials:

" Membership for 22 VISNs sites

" Membership for 7 Regional Amputation Centers (RAC) and 15 Polytrauma Amputation Network (PAN) sites

" 100 copies of "First Step" for each of the 22 VISNs;

" 100 copies of "Side Step" for each of the 22 VISNs;

" 100 Copies of "Primer Paso" for each of the 22 VISNs

" 50 Copies of "First Step" for each of the 7 Regional Amputation Center (RAC) and the 15 Polytrauma Network (PAN)

" 50 copies of "Side Step" for each of the 7 Regional Amputation Center (RAC) and the 15 Polytrauma Network (PAN)

" 50 Copies of "Primer Paso" for each of the 7 Regional Amputation Center (RAC) and the 15 Polytrauma Network (PAN)

" 55,000 copies of "Pain Brochure" divided across the 7 Regional Amputation Centers (RAC) and 15 Polytrauma Networks (PAN)

" 55,000 copies of "Living Well With Limb Loss" booklet series divided across the 7 Regional Amputation Centers (RAC) and 15 Polytrauma Networks (PAN)



4. Statutory Authority: FAR 6.302-1(b) (2) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements:



5. Rationale Supporting Use of Authority Cited Above: ACA is the only firm that offers the 'Amputation System of Care" training supplies/services, educational materials, and ACA/CARF corporate membership. The magazines and materials outline experience in providing the required educational training, support materials, as well as the experiences in amputation services which are paramount to the training of our healthcare providers who care for our amputee veterans nationwide. Also, the approaches outlined in the magazine will permit VA to move from a 'disease model' of care, into a patient centered 'wellness model'. This approach is also critical in order to provide better amputation care to VHA's continued influx of amputee veterans. The system that is incorporated in ACA's materials will place VA in a unique position of being the best approach to assist VA and its patients in improved "amputation of care". There are absolutely no other products that will meet VA's needs. The existence of limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights, or secret processes doesn't allow for any other company to provide this information.





6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: This acquisition will be synopsized on FedBizOpps as required in FAR 5.2041. The acquisition liaison team conducted market research on Google and through GSA Advantage to identify other sources for this publication and found no other source or commercial items available. Wanakee Strickland (CS) posted a RFI to FedBizOpps on 12/20/2013 and was unsuccessful in obtaining competition.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable. The price has been discounted up to 50% from the price offered to preferred customers in the commercial marketplace. For example: trainer memberships for the commercial market place are $150.00, but the government will be receiving the memberships for $75.00. The ACA/CARF subscription was acquired under purchase order number- 777-C17289 in the amount of $39,975.00 last year with similar costing rates.



8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Wanakee Strickland (CS) conducted market research using VetBiz.gov, SBA.gov on 12/19/2013 and was unsuccessful in receiving competition. Wanakee Strickland also posted an RFI to FedBizOpps on 12/20/2013 and was unsuccessful in obtaining competition. The Acquisition Liaison group also searched Google and GSA and was unsuccessful in obtaining competition.

The market research concluded that the publications and materials identified are publications of the Amputation and Coalition and this is copy written materials. There are no other vendors that will be given access to these publications.





9. Other Interested Sources: The publications and materials identified are publications of the Amputee Coalition, therefore; no other vendors will be given access to this information.



10. Future barriers to competition: Prior to exercising government Option Years, market research will be conducted to determine and validate if any other vendors have come into the marketplace that can meet the needs of the government.



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: To overcome barriers to future competition for these services, a "Sources Sought" announcement could be placed in the FBO website to verify whether other companies can provide the service requested.























































12. I certify that this justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.



Technical/Requirements Cognizance







______________________________ Date___________________

Ann Strong, Project Manager; EES

Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR)

Division





Concur/Non-concur







____________________________ Date_______________

SupervisoryContracting Officer











Program Contracts Manager: I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.



________________ Date_______________

Name: Gail Hill

Title: PCM