NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Nutrition Security Services Contract- Additional Hours

This synopsis is hereby issued in accordance with FAR Part 5.203 and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i)  in response to the mandatory requirement for a 15-day notification. The purpose of this synopsis is to announce the Indian Health Service’s (IHS) intent to negotiate a Firm Fixed Price modification with The Hill Group located at 1017 12th Street ST NW; Washington, DC, to expand services under 75H70423P00027 to support the IHS, Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP) federal leadership to coordinate and facilities IHS activities to address food insecurity in Native Communities. As the P4 program is new to the IHS, more planning and coordination than originally anticipated. Specifically the addition of hours will support the following activities-

1. Managing the Produce Prescription Pilot Grant Program, including data coordination
2. Organizing and facilitating meetings and workgroups
3. Developing and maintaining a Nutrition website/Food Insecurity Resource Hub
4. Coordinating the food insecurity surveillance process (at individual and community levels)
5. Organizing nutrition security training and awareness activities for IHS employees and Native

Only one source, the Hill Group, Inc., is capable of providing these services as the Hill Group is currently supporting on-going efforts provided under 75H70423P00027 to implement the P4 grant. If another source were considered for these additional hours, there would be significant unacceptable delays, while knowledge transfer and onboarding occurs, impacting the success of the pilot program and new grant funding for additional tribes to obtain a produce prescription program due to the knowledge transfer that would be requirement. Currently, the Hill Group has unique historical knowledge of DDTP as well as specialized knowledge of culturally related nutrition practices including traditional foods and its impact on health outcomes. Additionally, it is advantageous to have only one source perform this work additional onboarding would incur additional duplicate costs and require coordination between multiple firms throughout performance.

The modification seeks to modify the current (base) period, and two (2) remaining one year option periods for a total increase to the contract value of $377,066.50 over a total three (3) year period should all options be exercised.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, however, interested firms may submit a capability statement in response to the above requirement with pricing information by May 8th, 2024 @ 2:00 PM Eastern Time to Christopher McGucken, Contracting Officer, Phone: (240) 478-3347, Email: Christopher.McGucken@ihs.gov and Valerie.HeartBroker@ihs.gov  A determination not to open competition based responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.