Rural Health CHC Collaboration

Department of Memorandum

Veterans Affairs



Date: June 22, 2010



From: Donyale Smith, VISN 5



Subj: VA Collaborative Effort with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)



To: File





JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION



In accordance with FAR 6.303, justification and approval for other than full and open competition is hereby approved for the issuance of the contractual action described below using other than full and open competition pursuant to the authority cited herein.



1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY:



Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5

849 International Drive, Suite 275

Linthicum, MD 21090



2. NATURE OF ACTION BEING APPROVED: This justification and approval is for the award of a sole source contract to NACHC to further study the veteran population; develop strategies for marketing, outreach, enrollment, education, referral, and data collection; and establish an ongoing communication process between the VHA, NACHC, and CHCs.



3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND SUPPLIES: This project will analyze the patient population within the CHCs in VISN 5, and establish rural Veteran initiatives that increase enrollment and improve coordination of care. Tasks include:



" Analysis of CHC Patient Population

" Strategies to Increase Enrollment in VHA

" Improve Coordination of Care Between CHCs and VHA



4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1).



5. RATIONALE SUPPORTING USE OF AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE: For the past year, NACHS has been collecting the information required to conduct key aspect of this project. Not only can this information be retrieved from NACHC's data system in a timely manner, but follow up with specific Community Health Centers located in VISN 5 rural areas will under this contract, permit further interpretation of the tabulated information. There is no other source available that has the access to this data.



6. EFFORT TO SOLICIT POTENTIAL SOURCES: Due to the specialized nature of this requirement and the fact that no other source has access to the data required for this project, no efforts were made to solicit potential sources.



7. DETERMINATION OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COST: Proposed fully loaded labor rates will be compared with GSA MOBIS schedule rates to determine if the proposed cost is fair and reasonable.



8. MARKET RESEARCH: A VetBiz search was conducted for NAICS code 813319 and 20 companies were found. However, none of the companies have the capabilities to perform this project, nor do they have the access to the data required for the project.



9. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: None.



10. OTHER INTERESTED SOURCES: N/A



11. FUTURE COMPETITIVE PLAN: This will be a one time project funded by the ORH.



12. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.







APPROVED/DISAPPROVED





/s/



_________________________

Donyale Smith

Contracting Officer