Description
Under the Authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), and FAR 6.302-1, the VISN 19 Rocky Mountain Consolidated Contracting Center, Denver, CO, proposes to enter into a non-competitive commercial items contract with an specific individual who resides in Denver Metro Area in Colorado. The Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS), Research Services at the Department of Veteran Affairs, in Denver Colorado has a requirement for an individual to provide research study design and data analysis for several research projects, including Patient-Centered Disease Management, Medication Adherence and the Optimal Use and Cost Effectiveness of ICD's in the VA Health Care System. The goal of the Medication Adherence study is to reduce re-hospitalization for heart troubles and deaths of veterans following heart attack hospitalization and to test whether the multi-faceted patient-centered adherence intervention is effective in improving adherence to heart medications and achieving blood pressure (BP) and LDL-cholesterol goals among veterans following heart attack hospitalization. The intervention will adapt elements of prior successfully adherence interventions, including: collaborative care (between pharmacists, primary care providers, and cardiologists), patient education (tailored to patient needs and provided on a regular ongoing basis), tailoring of medication regimens (i.e., use of pill boxes, simplification of dosing, synchronization of refill dates), and tele-monitoring via interactive voice response (IVR) technology. Therefore this study requires an assistant who is experienced in medical terminology and patient care. Given the individual's experience as a First Responder, he has expertise in both medical terminology and patient care. Given the unique issues with these studies (complex cohorts that are difficult to enroll, follow-up and analyze), the VA requires a data analyst assistant with strong comprehension in randomized controlled trials, retrospective cohort and prospective cohort study design. Additionally, we require statistical knowledge in power analysis, logistic regression, longitudinal databases and Poisson regression. The individual is a unique candidate because he is actively working toward on a Master's degree in both Epidemiology (emphasis in study design) and Biostatistics at the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, because of additional experience as a First Responder, he has a strong background in medical terminology and patient care. Finally, the individual has experience working with cross-disciplinary teams and working on multiple projects contemporaneously. Overall, this individual's previous experience and current educational pursuits give him the unique qualities necessary to implement the multi-faceted requirements of these studies. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within the due date for receipt of proposals will be considered by the Government. A Determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VISN 19 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NETWORK CONTRACTING CENTER 4100 E. MISSISSIPPI AVENUE, SUITE 610 GLENDALE, CO 80246 JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL TO PROCURE USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Upon the basis of the following justification, the use of other than full and open competition for the proposed contractual action is hereby approved pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. JUSTIFICATION 1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity. The Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220 Rocky Mountain Consolidated Contracting Center, VISN 19, 4100 East Mississippi Ave, Glendale, CO 80246 2. Nature/description of action. This activity proposes to solicit sole source with Evan Carey to provide research study design and data analysis for several research projects, including Patient-Centered Disease Management, Medication Adherence and the Optimal Use and Cost Effectiveness of ICD's in the VA Health Care System. 3. Description of Supplies/Services. To provide analysis and research design to support the above research projects directed by Dr. John Rumsfeld, Dr. Michael Ho and Dr. Paul Varosy. The Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1055 Clermont Street Denver, CO 80220 Quote: $20/hr Estimated Price = $25,000 ($20/hr) 4. Identification of Statutory Authority. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1. 5. Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications. Patient-Centered Disease Management (PCDM) is a multicenter randomized trial of patient-centered CHF disease management that includes case-finding, a collaborative care intervention with telemonitoring, and evidence-based CHF and depression management. The study is designed as an 'effectiveness' intervention to enhance broad implementation. PCDM specifically targets the enrollment of some of the most complex VA outpatients, in order to evaluate a novel collaborative care intervention aimed at improving their quality of care and quality of life. More specifically, this study enrolls patients with heart failure who have moderate to severe decrements in their health status (i.e. heavy symptom burden, functional limitations, poor quality of life) as well as medical and/or psychiatric co-morbitities (50% of the enrolled patients have moderate to severe depressive symptoms). This is traditionally an extremely difficult patient population to care for; they often, "fall through the cracks", or bounce between primary care and specialists; thereby requiring a research assistant who is qualified in complex study designs and patient follow-up. The Optimal Use and Cost Effectiveness of ICD's In the VA Health Care System trial is to determine the incidence and predictors of "appropriate discharges" of ICD, predict mortality despite the presence of ICD, and assess cost-effectiveness of ICD's leading to development of clinical guidelines and healthcare policy of ICD therapy both within and outside the VAHCS. Therefore, this study requires an assistant who is proficient in SAS and R and knowledgeable in longitudinal data analysis. The goal of the Medication Adherence study is to reduce re-hospitalization for heart troubles and deaths of veterans following heart attack hospitalization and to test whether the multi-faceted patient-centered adherence intervention is effective in improving adherence to heart medications and achieving blood pressure (BP) and LDL-cholesterol goals among veterans following heart attack hospitalization. The intervention will adapt elements of prior successfully adherence interventions, including: collaborative care (between pharmacists, primary care providers, and cardiologists), patient education (tailored to patient needs and provided on a regular ongoing basis), tailoring of medication regimens (i.e., use of pill boxes, simplification of dosing, synchronization of refill dates), and tele-monitoring via interactive voice response (IVR) technology. Therefore this study requires an assistant who is experienced in medical terminology and patient care. Given Evan's experience as a First Responder, he has expertise in both medical terminology and patient care. Given the unique issues with these studies (complex cohorts that are difficult to enroll, follow-up and analyze), they require a researcher with strong comprehension in randomized controlled trials, retrospective cohort and prospective cohort study design. Additionally, they require statistical knowledge in power analysis, logistic regression, longitudinal databases and Poisson regression. E. C. is a unique candidate because he is actively working toward on a Master's degree in both Epidemiology (emphasis in study design) and Biostatistics at the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, because of his experience as a First Responder, he has a strong background in medical terminology and patient care. Finally, Evan has experience working with cross-disciplinary teams and working on multiple projects contemporaneously. Overall, his previous experience and current educational pursuits give him the unique qualities necessary to implement the multi-faceted requirements of these studies. 6. Description of Efforts to Ensure Soliciting of as Many Sources as Possible. This acquisition will be posted on the FedBizOpps web site as a sole-source procurement. Questions concerning this procurement's qualification as a sole-source procurement can be raised by the public at that time. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost. The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on the sole-source availability of this device. The rate of $20/hr is considered a fair and reasonable cost for the proposed services rendered based on similar positions at the VA. Also, the following GSA schedule 736.1 (TAPS) does not have less competitive rates for word processors positions at $23.93 with Access Personnel Contract No. GS-07F-0131V. GSA Schedule 736.2 for ADP occupations are $77.82/hr for a data analyst at Data Systems Analyst Inc and Data Entry Operator at $25.70/hr at TBD communications and $23.83/hr at Skyline. Various SDVOSB - GSA schedules researched with Management Support Tech was $36.36/hr. and Ambit Junior analyst at $50.47/hr. TDB did not have direct comparable position for a Data Analyst, only the Data Entry Operator. 8. Description of Market Survey. The $20 rate is the equivalent contract rate since no benefits are provided with contractors. 9. Any Other Supporting Data. There are no other factors supporting the use of other than full and open competition. 10. Listing of Interested Sources. Mr. EC Golden, CO 80403 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition. As this is not a recurring acquisition, there are no actions that may be taken to overcome barriers to acquisition. 12. IT Security Requirements The Certification and Authorization requirements do not apply. A Security Accreditation Package is not required. The service doesn't involve the storage, generation, transmission, or exchange of VA sensitive information. However the following mechanism or documentation will ensure the protection of VA sensitive information: A.) Contractor's signature on contractor's Rules of Behavior Agreement and the Business Associate Agreement. B.) Contractor will review security guidelines and other IT precautions as needed to perform duties. TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL CERTIFICATIONS (FAR 6.303-2(b): I certify that this justification with supporting data is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. Technical Personnel Certification: _________________________ (303) 370-7570 John S. Rumsfeld, MD, PhD Phone Date National CART Director Requirements personnel Certification: _________________________ (303) 399-8020, x3846 ______ Pamela Rice, AO Research Service Phone Date CONTRACTING OFFICER I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. NAME Date