R&D Study of Rural healthcare access support

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 (VA VISN 20) is seeking a small business contractor to conduct a 12-month research and development study focused on improving rural Veterans' healthcare access. The contract involves refining a Care Coordination Toolkit and delivering technical assistance for boundary spanner roles through quantitative, qualitative, and systems science methodologies. Key contract requirements include hosting 4 Rural Veteran Advisory Board meetings, recruiting VISN 20 community partners, adapting a Community Outreach and Engagement toolkit for VA employees, and performing comprehensive environmental scans across VRHRC service areas. Contractors must demonstrate expertise in primary care research, qualitative interviewing, healthcare community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and systems science. The solicitation targets businesses with NAICS code 541715 (medical research and development services), with responses due by June 12, 2025, and potential for a future Request for Quotes on SAM.gov.

The pre-solicitation notice does not indicate a specific set-aside designation, meaning the opportunity is open to all qualifying small businesses. While no incumbent contractor is explicitly named, the research will be conducted through the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Portland (VRHRC-P). The contract duration is specified as 12 months, with a focus on developing innovative approaches to rural Veterans' healthcare access. Although a precise award value is not provided, the complexity of the research and the required multi-faceted approach suggest a substantial contract scope. The project will involve significant engagement activities, including four advisory board meetings, community partner recruitment, and comprehensive environmental scanning across multiple service areas. The research aims to create practical tools and strategies to enhance healthcare coordination and access for rural Veterans, indicating a strategic and impactful project objective.