Safe Patient Handling and Movement Certification

Added: Apr 16, 2014 6:39 pm Modified: Apr 29, 2014 2:06 pmTrack Changes

Contracting Activity: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) will enter into a contract to provide training services for Safe Patient Handling and Movement (SPHM) Educational Services in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract to be issued by the Network Contracting Office 22, 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 600, Long Beach, CA 90815.



1. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: Firm-Fixed price contract for Safe Patient Handling and Movement Educational Services by an accredited provider of continuing education services for nurses by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and can provide an online assessment-based certificate in SPHM training in accordance with standards set by the ANCC. By providing training by an ANCC credentialed entity the SPHM Program of VAGLAHS will adhere to the highest possible industry standards available.



2. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: The VAGLAHS shall procure for the Safe Patient Handling & Movement Program, training / education / facility site assessments. The total award amount will be completed at VAGLAHS. The period of performance is April 30, 2014 to September 30, 2014. The goal of VHA DIRECTIVE 2010-032 dated June 28, 2010 entitled Safe Patient Handling Program and Facility Design is to "protect caregivers and patients from injuries due to patient handling and movement". It ensures not only the required infrastructure of patient handling and movement equipment but also program elements that support the use of the equipment, i.e., employee training and a "Culture of Safety" approach to safety in the work environment.



3. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:

(X) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy

Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1;

( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability

or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4

( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5;

( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7



4. Demonstration that the Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority): Visioning HealthCare is the only company accredited as a provider of continuing education by the ANCC not only to provide SPHM education but also SPHM Program assessments and evaluations. Additionally, this company is experienced in leadership training, change management and has evidenced numerous academic peer - reviewed publications in this field. All Visioning HealthCare workshops will provide continuing education hours. Workshops will adhere to the highest standards of educational planning, delivery and evaluation as required by the ANCC credential. At this time, there is no other company which can fulfill these requirements. Other providers in this field are accredited by individual class only, whereas Visioning Healthcare has received full accreditation as a company.



5. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: A Pre-solicitation Notice was posted at www.fbo.gov from 4/16/2014 to 4/28/2014 to disclose the intent of the Government to enter into a sole source contract with Visioning Healthcare Incorporated. The notice extended an invitation for sources to respond solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. No responses were received. Attempts were made by way of GSA contract search, Internet search and conference searches while attending four (4) separate VA sponsored Safe Patient Handling conferences, this proposed procurement for services sought were found to be available from only one source at this time. It is imperative that Nursing staff be properly trained by competent and credentialed clinical instructors in the use of Safe Patient Handling & Movement equipment.



6. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The following table represents Market Price obtained from an independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) obtained from recommended vendor.



Brief Description of Service* Period of Performance Estimated Amount

Safe Patient Handling & Movement Educational Services Jan 2014 - Sept 2014 $ 87,500.00

SUBTOTAL (Services) $ 87,500.00



Additionally, multiple evidence-based studies have documented that implementation of a SPHM Program that incorporates the use of SPHM equipment and related training has a positive and direct impact resulting in reduction of work injury claim costs. The Return on Investment (ROI) for the average SPHM program has been shown to be equal dollar for dollar within 4 years.



7. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Market Research was conducted from 04/08/2014 to 04/28/2014in accordance with FAR Part 10 to search for SPHM Education Services under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) no. 611430 (Professional and Management Developmental training). The results are as follows:



Unicor, Ability One, and Source America: Services were not found.



Federal Supply Schedule (FSS): Services were not found on GSA. The GSA e-Library website yielded vendors that sell and/or manufacture products for SPHM but no vendor that can provide SPHM educational services.



Vetbiz: this search yields 13 results for Veteran Own business under NAICS no. 611430. The Vetbiz website yielded vendors that sell and/or manufacture products for SPHM but no vendor that can provide SPHM educational services.



SBA: The Small Business Administration (SBA) yielded 2 Woman Owned, one Service-Disabled Veteran Own Business under NAICS 611430. None of these vendors provide SPHM educational services.



Open Market: An internet search yielded three possible sources:



a. Visioning Health Care Inc. is an accredited provider of continuing education for nurses by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and can provide an online assessment-based certificate in Safe Patient Handling and Movement training in accordance with standards set by the ANCC.





b. The Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals (ASPHP) is a 501 (c )(3) non-profit organization that brings together like-minded individuals that want to share ideas, support research, and advocate for sound regulatory activity that improves and promotes a safer working environment for all caregivers. ASPHP can provide an assessment-based certificate in Safe Patient Handling and Movement training in accordance with standards set by the ASPHP.



c. The American Association for Safe Patient Handling and Movement (AASPHM) is to serve as a valuable resource to advance the practice of safe patient handling & movement through collaboration, professional development, and research initiatives, in order to improve the safety and function of patients and residents, as well as enhance the safety of those who provide their care. AASPHM can provide an assessment-based certificate in Safe Patient Handling and Movement training in accordance with standards set by the AASPHM.



8. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The proposed provider is the only company accredited as a provider of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide Safe Patient Handling education. Additionally, this company has experience in leadership training, change management and can provide evidence of numerous academic peer-reviewed publications in this field.



All workshops will have continuing education hours provided. These workshops will adhere to the highest standards of educational planning, delivery and evaluation required of this credential. At this time, there is no other company which can fulfill these requirements. Other providers in this field are accredited by individual classes whereas Visioning Healthcare is accredited as a company by ANCC.



9. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None.



10. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: Market research could once again be conducted to determine the availability of a provider entity who possesses accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide Safe Patient Handling education /training.











11. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.





//-- SIGNATURE ON FILE --// 04/28/2014

_____________________________ ___________

Trina M. Sauceda, MS, CAPS, CPG Date

Safe Pt Handling Coordinator

VA Greater Los Angeles, Station 691



12. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304



a. Contracting Officer's Certification: (required) I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.





//-- SIGNATURE ON FILE --// 04/28/2014

_____________________________ ________________________

Edgar Alvizar Date

Contract Specialist

Network Contracting Office







b. NCM/PCM: I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.





//-- SIGNATURE ON FILE --// 04/28/2014

_____________________________ ________________________

Kevin Blanchard Date

Director of Contracting

Network Contracting Office