D -- Drug Database Service

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Audit Services (OAS) has a requirement to renew its licensing agreement for a one year period with First Databank, San Bruno, CA 94066 for the use of its drug database service. The Government intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis for the use of the following licensed products: (1) National Drug Data File (NDDF); (2) Counseling Messages Module; (3) Drug Allergy Module; (4)Drug-Drug Interaction Module; (5) Drug-Food Interaction Module; (6) Drug Lab Interference Module; (7) Duplicate Therapy Module; (8) Minimum/Maximum Dose Module; (9) Patient Education Module (English); (10) Prioritized Label Warning Module; and (11) Medicare Module. This acquisition shall be awarded in accordance with FAR Subpart 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures and has been justified in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b). The reviews that OAS conducts require access to Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for various dates. First Databanks database provides drug pricing information for the use by State Medicaid Agencies in reimbursing pharmacies for prescription drugs. The drug data file contains current AWPs for all drugs on the market, as well as historical AWPs. The Government knows of no other source that has current and historical data in one file. Additionally, due to recent legislative changes to the Medicare program, drugs are now covered under the new Part D program that took effect January 1, 2006. As a result, OAS has increased its need for this product as it contains pricing and National Drug Code information, such as when responding to a recent Congressional request for OAS to evaluate reimbursement costs under the new Part D program. The Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) has adopted this product as the official guide to pricing for drugs related to the new Part D program. Interested concerns capable of providing products that contain the kinds of data contained in the 11 licensed products identified in the first paragraph may submit a capability statement outlining their products and the content of those products. No solicitation is available. Information received will be evaluated for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Following evaluation of capability statements, a determination by the Government not to compete this requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received within 10 calendar days from the date of this synopsis, the Contracting Officer shall proceed with award to First DataBank.