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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JANUARY 29, 2014 FBO #4449
DOCUMENT

A -- Training as follow-on to pilot study - Attachment

Notice Date

1/27/2014
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Boston Healthcare System;Contracting Officer (90C);940 Belmont Street;Brockton MA 02301
 

ZIP Code

02301
 

Solicitation Number

VA24114Q0117
 

Response Due

1/30/2014
 

Archive Date

2/2/2014
 

Point of Contact

Cheri K. Wicks (Email only; No Phone Calls
 

E-Mail Address

wicks@va.gov<br
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston and Providence Healthcare Systems, have a requirement for coaching training for research purposes. A fixed price contract with a period of performance of approxima3 years is anticipated and shall be awarded. It is the Government's belief that only the Paraprofessional Health Institute possesses the required capabilities to successfully meet this requirement since they developed the curriculum for the pilot study upon which the current study is based. It is the Government's intention to solicit and negotiate only with this source. Please refer to the Sole Source Justification. This is not a solicitation; it is notice of intent to sole source a requirement. Inquiries/information received after the established deadline of January 30, 2014 shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1.Contracting Activity:, Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, Providence VAMC, Providence, Rhode Island, proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition for services in fulfillment of the referenced requirement of the Research and Education (151) Service. Requisition number 650-14-1-755-0011. 2.Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: Contracting Action: A new sole-source indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for training services to include a leadership seminar as an introduction to the program, trainer participant selection, Coaching Supervision Training train the trainer seminars, Coaching approach to Communication train the trainer workshops and ongoing booster sessions for trainers in both workshop groups with the goal of improving patient outcomes. This contract will be in support of the research project "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA Community Living Centers" (IIR-353-3); PI, XXX. and supports the Culture Change initiative set forth by the VHA Office of Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC). The proposed contractor is Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute Inc., d/b/a PHI, 400 E Fordham Rd 11th Fl, Bronx, NY 10458-5039 (DUNS: 110991580). 3.Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency's Needs: The requirement is to provide specific training services in support of the research project "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA Community Living Centers" (IIR 11-353-3). The outcome of these training interventions will allow those trained to be able to teach these two programs to other VA employees on an ongoing basis at no additional cost during the life of the contract and after its conclusion. This includes providing training to staff at the trainers' own facilities as well as staff at other VA facilities. This also includes the right to copy and distribute any written materials associated with the training. It should be noted this current study is a follow-on study to a pilot study that was conducted at VA Boston Health Care Center. The proposed vendor conducted the earlier study. The tasks will include: i.An introductory Leadership Seminar for leaders in the facilities that will participate ii.Coordination of the process for trainer selection using established criteria for successful trainers iii.Conduct Coaching Supervision Train the Trainer Workshops for selected Trainers iv.Conduct Coaching Approach to Communication Train the Trainer Workshop for selected trainers v.Conduct Teleconference (or webinar) booster sessions with trainers for both curricula The tasks may include, but not be limited to: travel costs for PHI personnel to conduct the in-person trainings. Total anticipated cost of services is: $XXX, with additional travel costs NTE $XXX for a total contract amount of $XXX. This contract is subject to the availability of congressionally appropriated research funds. Period of Performance is from the effective date of the contract, for a period of up to 3 years 4.Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition: 41 USC § 3304(a) as implemented by: (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 (applicability of authority): A prior contract between PHI and the Boston VA Healthcare system (VA241P1833) for similar services was executed for a pilot research study EDU 08-427 "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA" with the result being that the VA was determined to expand upon this research focus and recently funded the Merit Review project, "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA Community Living Centers". With over two decades of experience, they offer services and training related to workforce development, curriculum design, and train-the-trainer programs. In recognition of the often low educational attainment and English literacy among the direct-care workforce, PHI is also expert in providing training to adult learners. PHI is nationally recognized for their skills-based approach to developing core competencies, including communication and problem solving. Their instructional methods engage adult learners who may face multiple barriers to learning, including poor English literacy skills and little formal education. 6.Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: A prior contract between PHI and the Boston VA Healthcare system (VA241P1833) for similar services was executed for a pilot research study EDU 08-427 "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA" with the result being that the VA was determined to expand upon this research focus and recently funded the Merit Review project, "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA Community Living Centers". Investigative efforts found no other companies with the unique understanding of Health Services research methods and the ability to work with and train a variety of health care professionals (e.g. nurses, nursing assistants, other healthcare deliverers). Market research of GSA vendors indicated there were vendors who provided training, but as this current study is a follow-on effort to a previously conducted pilot study, it is essential for data integrity to keep the same vendor. Changing vendors for the current study would render useless the data and results obtained from the pilot study. No advantage would be gained through competition. The nature of the harm to the Government such as invalidation of the results of the pilot study would not be overcome through any price or delivery benefit that could possibly be obtained through competition. 7.Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable upon the following basis: a prior contract with the Boston VA Healthcare system (VA241P1833) for similar services was executed for a pilot study EDU 08-427 "Training and Coaching to Promote High Performance in VA". The total cost of that award was approximately $XXX and included 4, 3-day training sessions. The current requirement includes 2 separate training sessions, follow-on teleconferences, and coordination of trainee selection. Therefore, within the meaning of FAR 13.106, a comparison with past awards indicates the price for this new work will be fair and reasonable. 8.Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: Similar training programs may be available from GSA but this new project is a follow-on to the pilot study. Changing vendors for the follow-on study would negate the results of the original study and render invalid (for comparison purposes) any results from the follow-on study. PHI wrote the original curriculum and participated in the original pilot study. Current requirement is based upon the results and success of original pilot study. To change vendors and curriculum now would render useless the previous success and results. The current need is based upon the success and results of the original pilot study. PHI is a nationally recognized organization providing the direct care health worker training. In addition, the success of their training programs and training methods has been substantiated through prior VA research pilot study and a previous contract with the Boston VA Healthcare system. The training that PHI will provide is trademarked by PHI. 9.Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: PHI was specifically named in the research grant proposal and awarded funding by the VA Office of Research and Development (ORD) through the VA Health Services Research and Development (HS&RD) Office and has the support of the VA Medical Research Appropriations. The requirements cannot be modified to enhance competition, as they are determined as a result of a peer-reviewed grant proposal process. Altering the requirements would change the intent and validity of the research project. 10.Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: No other contractors have the expertise to provide the services requested. PHI is the sole source provider on this research project because of their expertise in training for the direct-care workforce and the work done under the pilot study. Their methods and training materials are proprietary. 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: VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Service and the Principal Investigator continue to monitor requirements and developments in the marketplace.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/BoVAMC/VAMCCO80220/VA24114Q0117/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: VA241-14-Q-0117 VA241-14-Q-0117_2.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=1176743&FileName=VA241-14-Q-0117-000.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=1176743&FileName=VA241-14-Q-0117-000.docx

 

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

Record

SN03275213-W 20140129/140127234637-795a42c55d8c279c163a5cb21f55ec07 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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