G004--Horticultural therapy/ Gardening for Resilience and Optimal Wellness

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE:

Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 2, intends to award a sole source award contract to

Planthropy LLC, 34 Maple Brook Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987. JJP Senior Leadership to support the NDPP requirements for veterans and employees Whole Health as well as provide restorative environment for all who visits the hospital effective September 29, 2021 for the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468.

The James J. Peters VAMC is seeking a firm to provide Therapeutic Horticulture services, a horticultural therapist and licensed social worker are required as apart of the services for eligible beneficiaries of the VISN 2 Network. The bulk of the participants are expected to be veterans and the James J. Peters VAMC staff. This model of alternative treatment will offer the services defined below.

The structure of each program offered shall remain consistent across all Therapeutic Horticultural Sessions. The program is designed primarily for veterans with PTSD and/or Military Sexual Trauma and Moral Injury. Also, classes given will include meditation, yoga, sleep hygiene, spirituality, creative writing, and music therapy. The design for each group shall be to involve small groups of veterans in Therapeutic Horticultural (TH) activities that will enhance quality of life identifiers for participating individuals.

Horticultural therapy is a time-proven practice, with a substantial body of research dating back to the 1800 s demonstrating that exposure to natural settings, engagement with plants and gardening-based interventions can benefit individuals experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. A growing body of empirical evidence has revealed that exposure to and engagement in the natural environment, provides psychological benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improvements to mood, increased perceived wellbeing, improved concentration and attention and cognitive restoration. These findings support the notion that exposure to natural environments, when used as a coping tool, may be a source of attention restoration and relief from mental fatigue and illness.

The Resilience & Wellness Center has an existing community partnership with the New York Botanical Gardens. The THRIVE program (Therapeutic Horticulture and Rehabilitative Intervention for Veteran Engagement), consists of Veteran engagement in a combination of didactic, experiential, and instructional group-based interventions specifically designed for our Bronx-based Veterans, with recent efforts focusing on creating restorative environments and growing nourishing food in the home. Pre- and post-session data from the THRIVE program was collected from Veterans where they were asked to self-report on their pain, stress, mood, and loneliness. What our program found was statistically significant reduction in all 4 domains from pre- to post-session as well as a sustained effect over the program s duration.

Base period of twelve months.

Period of Performance:

- Base Period: August 30, 2021 to September 29, 2022

NAICS:Â Â 624120 (Size Standard $11 Million)

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES; however, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification prior to the response due date and time. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to perform the requirements. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the Government will proceed with the award. Responses are due by August 18, 2021 at 5:00 pm EST. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to enell.riley@va.gov Telephone requests or inquires will not be accepted.

Contact: Enell Riley, Contracting Officer

Email: enell.riley@va.gov