R--On-line subscriptionON-LINE SUBSCRIPTION

The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 5) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Part 6.302-1(a)(2) with Up-To-Date, Inc 95 Sawyer Road, Waltham, MA 02453. The agency need is for an online clinical reference website. The government has determined that Up-To-Date, Inc. is the only responsible source able to provide these services because Up-To-Date is a unique clinical reference that gives current answers to patient care, diagnosis and treatment questions in seconds at the point-of-care. A well-known faculty of over 3,000 authors writes the original text. Inclusion of specific recommendation for diagnosis and treatment make Up-To-Date unique among clinical databases. UpToDate's unique features and benefits include in-house physician review for over 300 medical journals and incorporate significant clinical findings daily. The benefit of Up-To-Date is that it improves organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and qualities of care by helping physicians stay current on studies, trials and medical information, and clinical management. The proposed action is for supplies/services for which the Government intends to solicit and the Government believes that only one responsible source can provide the supplies/services that will satisfy the agency requirements. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Contracting Officer not to compete this proposed action is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Information may be submitted to Veteran's Affairs medical Center, Network Contracting VISN 5, Dorrence A. Carrington (90C), 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422.