Intent to Sole Source: Pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), the Contracting Officer may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source is reasonably available. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Program Support Center (PSC), Acquisition Management Services (AMS) on behalf of PSC, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) intends to sole source to: National Indian Health Board 101 Constitution Ave NW SE 8 B02 Washington, DC 20001-2133 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Given the high rates of behavioral health problems faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), the SAMHSA Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy was established to improve agency coordination and help make meaningful progress in addressing mental and substance use disorders for AI/AN populations. The federal government has a special government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes based on the Constitution and that has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. HHS and SAMHSA have tribal consultation policies in response to Executive Order 13175 that requires that the agency consult with Indian tribes before any action is taken that may significantly affect them. SAMHSA is leading development of the first National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA) and this effort requires extensive engagement of tribal leaders, representatives, organizations, and federal agencies whose missions contribute to improved emotional health in tribal communities. There are 567 sovereign tribal nations in the United States whose citizens have differing access to physical and behavioral health services. This purchase order will engage tribal leaders and representatives across the nation to obtain their input and views on development of the national TBHA. Access to these communities and the discrete activities called for in this purchase order are aligned with the expertise and technical services provided by National Indian Health Board. The National Indian Health Board will use their technical expertise to complete the framework for the national TBHA; develop a strategy for effectively engaging tribal leaders and representatives at the national and regional levels; engage tribal leaders, tribal representatives, and federal partners in obtaining substantive input for the national TBHA; and draft the national TBHA to include priorities and actions that can be used by all levels of government-including tribal, federal, state, and local-and the private sector to improve the behavioral health of tribal communities. The National Indian Health Board (NIHB), a non-profit organization, is the only national organization that specifically addresses the health and health care of AI/ANs in the U.S. NIHB was formed in 1972 by tribal governments to represent them in providing a variety of services to tribes, area health boards, tribal organizations, federal agencies, and private foundations, including policy formulation and analysis, direct and timely communication with tribes, research on AI/AN health issues, program development and assessment, and project management. NIHB has a Board of Directors whose members are elected tribal officials who represent all of the Indian Health Service (IHS) areas. NIHB works with area (regional) health boards who serve as the critical health communication link with tribes. NIHB also works with Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TEC) who serve as public health entities for tribes to improve the health and well-being of their communities. TECs work to identify and understand health problems and disease risks, strengthen public health capacity, and develop solutions to improve health outcomes. This is not a solicitation for competitive proposal. No solicitation document is available. All responsible sources that have determined that they can provide the same services may submit product information and a capabilities statement addressing their specific abilities regarding this requirement. The email subject line must reference SAM158345. All responses are due by August 19, 2015, 8:00 AM Eastern Time and can be sent to Flora Gomes at
[email protected]. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract base upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government.