Description
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval For Other Than Full and Open Competition 1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 02, Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY. The 2237 Purchase Request Number 528-13-3-8859-0021. 2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This is a request for other than full and open competition for the procurement of Annual Membership Dues with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems for the Stratton VA, Albany, New York. 3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: The procurement is to provide a one year membership for $8,780.00 to the Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY. The Office of Academic Affairs, Central Office, Washington DC strongly supports membership in AAMC via COTH as this is the only comprehensive group that provides a forum for discussion, training, and educational opportunities pertaining to academic medicine. It is important to be represented and to be able to take advantage of the multiple educational and policy venues that COTH/AAMC offers, including not only the COTH meetings for hospital administrators, but also the Group on Resident Affairs, with its online discussions, listserv, and annual professional development meetings. 4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §253(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1: ( 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; 5. Validity of Use of Statutory Authority: a. Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirement (FAR 6.302-1) - the services requested are "highly specialized." Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health System, is the only available system that meets the requirements of both the accrediting body and the VA Central Office, Office of Academic Affiliations. The Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems (COTH) is composed of approximately 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 64 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. COTH was established in 1965 to provide representation and services related to the special needs, concerns, and opportunities facing major teaching hospitals in the US and Canada. It serves as the principal source of hospital and health system input into overall AAMC policy and direction. COTH's activities focus on issues of special and unique interest to the academic community and membership including Medicare direct and indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share payments, teaching physician regulations, coverage of investigational devices, and other focused areas. The site offers COTH members a full range of services, including: " Legislative and regulatory monitoring of federal health issues impacting hospital and physician payment, biomedical research, technology, medical education, and the physician workforce; " Representation and testimony at key congressional hearing; " Access to the AAMC's numerous databases; and " Staff support in the interpretation and analysis of national policy issues. 6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: Extensive research was accomplished both on-line and via phone to the AAMC. The AAMC is the only entity with specific and thorough knowledge of training and education opportunities pertaining to academic medicine for hospital administrative leadership and clinical educators and the only entity that provides access to discussion forums, databases, and resources, including but not limited to: ACADEMIC MEDICINE Academic Medicine is the official monthly, peer-reviewed journal of the AAMC. It serves as an international forum for the exchange of ideas and information about policy, issues, and research concerning academic medicine, including strengthening the quality of medical education and training, enhancing the search for biomedical knowledge, advancing research in health services, and integrating education and research into the provision of effective health care. AAMC Reporter The AAMC reporter is a flagship news publication which covers major programs and initiatives at the AAMC and member institutions, we well as the broader issues that affect the academic medical community. Each month the AAMC Reporter informs the academic medicine community with articles on conferences and meetings addressing critical issues; enlightens with timely features on topics as diverse as medical student community service, women's health education, and affirmative action; notifies constituents of upcoming AAMC events; and alerts readers to future shifts in the ever-changing medical education and health care environments through analytical articles written by experts in the field. ADVISOR INFORMATION SYSTEM (AIS) The AIS is an online reporting tool providing advisors with AMCAS application and MCAT data about their advisees. AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGE APPLICATION SERVICE (AMCAS) AMCAS is a non-profit, centralized application processing service that is only available for applicants to the first-year entering classes at participating US allopathic medical school ASPIRINGDOCS.ORG Working to increase diversity in medical education and advance health care equity in the US. CAREER CONNECT Free job seekers, CareerConnect provides access to the best employers and jobs at medical schools and teaching hospitals. Careers in Medicine© (CiM) Wondering how to choose a specialty and select and apply to a residency program to meet your career objectives? Careers in Medicine® guides you through the process of career assessment, exploration, and decision-making. CurrMIT (Curriculum Management & Information Tool) CurrMIT is a password-protected, online database that offers a full array of support services designed to help medical schools manage and report on the curriculum. Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS©) ERAS transmits a standardized application, letters of recommendation, the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), transcripts, and other supporting credentials from applicants and designated dean's offices to program directors. Faculty Forward Faculty Forward is a collaborative partnership among the AAMC, medical schools, and teaching hospitals to make academic medical centers great places to work. Financial Information, Resources, Services and Tools (FIRST) Helping medical school borrowers expand their financial literacy, make smart decisions about student loans, and manage their student debt wisely. FindAResident© A powerful, Web-based search tool to help you find open residency and fellowship positions GME Track© GME Track© is a resident database and tracking system that assists GME administrators and program directors in the collection and management of GME data. Identity Verification Service The AAMC's Identity Verification Service allows registered users at each U.S. Medical school to verify the identity of matriculates using data collected at the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®). Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) The AAMC and the American Medical Association are cosponsors of the LCME, the national accrediting body for M.D. degree programs in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. MedEdPORTAL© A free online database that facilitates sharing of peer-reviewed educational material. Medical College Admission Test© (MCAT©) Helping student and officials when preparing for the MCAT© exam, registering, taking and administering the official test of medical school applications. Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) SMDEP is a free summer academic enrichment program that offers freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. Student Records System (SRS) The SRS is a secure online application that contains a record for every student currently enrolled in an LCME-accredited U.S. allopathic medical school. Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS©) The Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS©) is an AAMC application designed to make it easier for medical students to apply for senior electives at U.S. LCME medical schools and independent academic medical centers. The Association of American Medical Colleges is the only membership community that provides access to these services along with multiple annual meetings related to academic medicine and training. Because of these factors, completion is not possible for this specific resource. However, market research will continue in order to assess the availability of any competitive resources that may be developed in future. 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The dollar amount of the proposed acquisition is the total value of $8,780.00. There is adequate price history for analysis. The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price will be fair and reasonable based on historic cost analysis and examination of the current and future needs of the facility. The anticipated price to the Government for membership covering the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, is $8,780.00. Price is determined reasonable by the contracting officer based on historical pricing paid by Stratton VA ($8,630.00 paid for 2012-2013 and $8,425 paid for 2011-12) in addition to supported rationale this is the same price offered to the general public. 8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: FAR Part 10 directs that market research be conducted on each acquisition appropriate to the circumstances. There are limited competitive opportunities available for resources related to academic medicine, faculty training and administrative professional development as it pertains to academic medicine and affiliation relationships. Queries to FedBizOpps produced publication of sole-source awards, research at FPDS and USAspending returned results from other VA Medical Centers around the country, all of which are using the same resource, AAMC, for professional development and resource navigation. The resource is available commercially to both public and private sector entities. 9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: The Stratton VA Medical Center has been paying this annual membership for many years. This has provided a high level of professional development, information sharing and affiliation development. It affords the Stratton VAMC success in retaining highly qualified individuals to provide care and treatment to the Veterans we serve. 10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: None; if any other national membership resource is available and endorsed by the Office of Academic Affiliations, their service will be considered. 11. 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: The goal is to provide efficient and affordable health care for patients throughout VA. Accordingly, if any other national membership resource is available and endorsed by the Office of Academic Affiliations, their service will be considered. 12. 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. _____________________________ ________________________ Denise Westervelt Date Program Specialist Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY 13. Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304 This part if filled out by Contracting Staff as part of the Justification a. Contracting Officer's Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Michelle A. Harsch Date Contract Specialist VHA WNY Healthcare System b. NCM/PCM (Required $3K and above): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition. _____________________________ ________________________ Cherie Widger-Kresge Date Network Contract Manager VISN2/NCO