CPT Fidelity Monitoring

VHAPM Part 813.106 Simplified Acquisition Procedures: Soliciting from a Single Source
Attachment 1: Single Source Justification for SAP under the SAT
VHAPM Part 813.106 Page 2 of 2
Original Date: 08/30/17
Revision 01 Eff Date: 04/23/2018
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1
For
Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K)
Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C241-19-AP-0753
Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, VA White River Junction Medical Center, 405-19-2-9124-0013
Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: Fidelity monitoring is required as part of this study design on this research project by a senior clinician who is an expert in both Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. The fidelity monitor determines the extent to which study therapists delivered the treatment interventions as detailed in the therapy manuals. A fidelity monitor will independently review a sampling of audio recordings from each study therapists across all 17 sites; two sessions per therapist are randomly selected for review and assessed for both adherence to treatment protocol and level of therapist competence. While fidelity monitoring work is well underway, there is still a need to review and rate approximately 110 tapes.
Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Dr. XXX is a nationally recognized expert in both Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy, the two types of treatments being administered and tested in the Randomized Clinical Trial. She has collaborated in the past on the project and as this is a continuation of a pre-existing collaborative effort, she is uniquely posed to understand and address the needs of this study. Additionally, she is highly experienced with the fidelity protocol and methodology for the study. She also meets the stringent technical requirements to securely access our research tapes and data and understands how to upload her fidelity monitoring feedback securely. She is also familiar with our study forms and procedures.
Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: I conducted limited market research using google one search with the following terms, "fidelity monitor" AND "Veterans" AND "evidence-based PTSD treatment". There were 76 results, many from the National Center for PTSD website. Individual names mentioned were names such as Drs. XXX, XXX, and XXX. Dr. XXX is not trained in both treatments but uses both as comparisons for Seeking Safety, a different treatment intervention, Dr. XXX is working on the study, and Dr. XXX is a full time VA employee. Dr. XXX is the most qualified for the following reasons: 1) She is already familiar with the standard operating procedure of our clinical trial with respect to treatment administered, fidelity monitoring, treatment forms, study procedures; and so forth; 2) This is a continuation of a pre-existing collaborative effort. Dr. Rogers is the best qualified person to complete this portion of the project as she is an expert in both Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Additionally, Dr. XXX was the only person deemed qualified to conduct the fidelity monitoring for both treatments by the founders of the treatments tested in our trial, Drs. XXX and XXX. Furthermore, it would take between six months to a year to train someone to complete the work that Dr. XXX has already begun. This would cause unacceptable delays in completing the clinical trial.
Contracting Officer's Certification: Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Approved by CO on 01/23/2019. Awarded Vendors: RODGERS, CARIE S;4179 MIDDLESEX DR;SAN DIEGO;CA;92116. Contract Award Dollar Amount: 21,400.00. Contract Award Date: 2019-02-13.