Journal Supplements on AHRQ's Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Division of Contracts Management

Action being approved:
Journal Supplements on AHRQ's Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network

Description of services required:
The purpose of the project is to develop and purchase a journal supplement in the journal, Medical Care; to develop and purchase 12 sponsor pages in the journal, Annals of Family Medicine; and to create and host a webinar on the supplement.

Identification of the exception to fair opportunity:
The order will be issued on a sole-source basis to Abt Associates, Inc. because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract. All awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order. The original order is Abt Associates, Inc. Task Order #2 - Technical Assistance to ARRA Complex Patient Grantees.

As the purpose of this task order is to develop and purchase journal supplements and sponsor pages, Abt Associates, Inc. has existing access to the established network of the ARRA Complex Patient Grantees. Abt staff have written one-page profiles on each grant that summarize the goals and distill the findings of the grants. Abt's staff have specialized expertise on these projects that will enable them to efficiently develop these requirements.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated costs to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer certifies that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer's knowledge and belief.

Erin Mills, Contracting Officer