Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF MARCH 07, 2013 FBO #4121
DOCUMENT

U -- TUITION FOR VA RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPISTS - Justification and Approval (J&A)

Notice Date

3/5/2013
 

Notice Type

Justification and Approval (J&A)
 

NAICS

611430 — Professional and Management Development Training
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veteran Affairs;SAO East;PCAE STL Contracting Officer;11152 South Towne Square;Saint Louis MO 63123
 

ZIP Code

63123
 

Solicitation Number

VA77712Q0333
 

Archive Date

10/12/2012
 

Point of Contact

William Singleton
 

E-Mail Address

4.6656
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Award Number

VA777-12-P-0597
 

Award Date

9/12/2012
 

Description

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification and Approval For 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) and FAR 6.302-1. "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements" 1. Contracting Activity Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Service Area East, Procurement Contracting Activity in St. Louis Contracting POC: Anne Cardenas, Contracting Officer 11152 South Towne Square St. Louis, MO 63123 2237 : 777-13-1-1092-0015 2. Nature of Action Being Approved: This is the justification and approval for sole source procurement, with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). The proposed total contract cost is estimated to be $225,000.00 and will be issued as a firm fixed price contract. The proposed action is for a twelve (12) month contract with four (4) additional annual options. The period of performance is February 8th 2013 through February 7th 2018. Base Year = $45,000.00 Option Year 1 = $45,000.00 Option Year 2 = $45,000.00 Option Year 3 = $45,000.00 Option Year 4 = $45,000.00 Estimated Total = $225,000.00 3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: The purpose of the contract is to obtain ATRAs distance learning training events/continuing education (CE) opportunities for Veteran Health Administration's (VHA) Recreation and Creative Art Therapists. As the sole owner of the ATRA training series, ATRA shall provide all of the resources necessary to provide a series of 12 (80 minute) interactive audio training sessions on the topics listed below. ATRA's training will provide Recreation and Creative Art Therapists with employee development activities that will ensure: "Core competency development/professional licensure "Continuous Learning "Continuous Assessment Audio Teleconferences offered by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association provide an informative in-service on current clinical issues to improve the practice of healthcare in a variety of settings. ATRA's presenters for these topics are well known experts in the profession who will consistently provide the most up-to-date trends on the identified topics. The following audio teleconference opportunities will allow the Art Therapists to learn up-to-date trends and stay current in their practice, therefore providing people/patient centric and results driven care: ATRA Training -- Series C: "Caring for Yourself as a Therapist" "Session C1: Stress Less! Stress Management Techniques for Therapists "Session C2: Cultivating Self-Care Practice to Avoid Compassion Fatigue "Session C3: Achieving Better Sleep for our Patients and Ourselves ATRA Training -- Series E: "Rehabilitation" "Session E1: Positive Outcomes in Physical Rehabilitation through TR: Research Benefits "Session E2: Making Air Travel Accessible "Session E3: Using Video Games as a Means for Physical Activity ATRA Training -- Series F: "Aquatic Therapy Principles" "Session F1: Aquatic Physics and Immersion Effects "Session F2: Aquatic Methods "Session F3: Aquatic Justification ATRA Training -- Series L: "Working with Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury" "Session L1: The Long Term Effects of Brain Injury-From Building Independence to Building Supports "Session L2: Creative Treatment Intervention for Individuals with PTSD and TBI Through Fly Fishing and Fly Tying "Session L3: Creative Arts Treatment Strategies and Community Reintegration for Military Veterans with Combat-related PTSD and TBI 4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC §253(c) (1) and 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. Demonstration that the Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above: ATRA is the only firm that offers live teleconferences distance learning events required by the VHA Recreation Therapist community of practice. ATRA's distance learning events provide the required training, support materials as well as the practical experiences in the profession of recreation therapy; these attributes are critical skills and knowledge needed for the healthcare providers that care for our veterans nationwide. Also, the medical practice approaches outlined by ATRA will aid in the movement from a 'disease model' of care into a patient centered 'wellness model'. ATRA distance learning services will place VA in a position of being the best approach to assist VHA's continuum of care and improved patient care for those that seek recreation therapy services. There are absolutely no other product/s that will meet VA's needs. ATRA is approved as a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) authorized provider through the International Association of Continuing Education and Training as well as the only professional organization that offers this training exclusively for recreational therapists. ATRA teleconference training sessions dovetail into the annual national training seminar widely attended by VHA Recreational Therapists. 6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: This acquisition will be synopsized on FedBizOpps as required in FAR 5.2041. 7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The ATRA pricing has remained constant from the Fiscal Year 2012 (PO # C27017) rate of $225 per course registration. In addition, ATRA's fees for the same services in Fiscal Year 2011 and 2010 (PO # C17080 and C07093) were at a rate of $290 per course registration. The differential is approximately 22% less than the rates in Fiscal Year 2010 and 2011. The $225 per registration is considered fair and reasonable. Further, contracting these commercially available learning events provides the government a cost efficient and timely means of providing recreation therapy training nationwide. Recreating this training would entail extensive instructional development design, man-hours for training content that currently exists. This type of work takes many months to complete and is very expensive. Furthermore, new curriculum would not be an improvement over existing ATRA audio teleconference training series. 8. Description of Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Extensive internet Google, Yahoo and GSA Advantage research failed to yield any other potential vendors with the ability to provide the government required services. Market research discovered that the services identified are from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA); this is proprietary service/materials and therefore no other vendors can provide this service. 9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: There are no other facts in support of this other than full and open competition determination. 10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: See Section VI above. 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: Prior to exercising government option years, market research will be conducted to determine and validate if any other vendors have come into the marketplace that can meet the needs of the government. This justification for supporting the use of other than full and open competition will be posted at the Government Point of Entry (FedBizOps.gov) once fully executed. 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. _____________________________ ________________________ Ramona WrightDate Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COR) Division 13Approvals in accordance with FAR 6.304 a.Contracting Officer's Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. _____________________________ ________________________ Name: Anne Cardenas Date Title: Contracting Officer Facility: PCO East St. Louis b.NCM/PCM (Required $3K and above): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition. _____________________________ ________________________ Name Gail Hill Date Title: Program Contracts Manager Facility: Program Contract Office East
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/VAAAC/VAAAC/VA77712Q0333/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Justification and Approval (J&A)
 

File Name: VA777-12-P-0597 VA777-12-P-0597_1.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=644645&FileName=-1986.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=644645&FileName=-1986.docx

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Record

SN03004211-W 20130307/130305235055-434c6cb4381f0f2dee564e0866761fa4 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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