Intent to Single Source (PRO) Patient Reported Outcome for the Headache Center of Excellence program

Pre-Solicitation Notice of intent to award a sole source contract. This is not a solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to negotiate a sole source contract with: VECTOR PSYCHOMETRIC GROUP, LLC 847 EMILY LN CHAPEL HILL, 27516 27516 USA SAM UEI: K4ALKNLEDFM5 This is not a solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to negotiate to purchase a one-year service needed for the Headache Center of Excellence program to create a Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) measurement and develop an item bank related to headache symptoms and the impacts that are important to veterans located at the VAMC West Haven, CT. The services required are the expertise of:

Qualitative Health Research Methodologists, Concept Elicitation and Cognitive Debriefing Interviewers, Psychometricians, Health Measurement Experts, and Systems and Data Programmers. These experts will lead the development of psychometrically rigorous Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) measures and supporting documentation.

This includes study design, data collection, and analysis to support the development and refinement of patient-centered item banks related to headache symptoms and impacts that are important to veterans. In collaboration with the VA, the contract research organization will lead the creation of a PRO measurement plan that will include literature reviews, qualitative research, conceptual model, measurement model, study design, statistical analysis, and item bank development.

The contracted entity will carry out the following tasks as needed: Qualitative research study protocols for concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing Execution of qualitative studies Preparation of deidentified data transcripts Content and thematic analysis of qualitative study data Development of qualitative study reports Literature review protocol(s) Execution of literature review(s) including data extraction Analysis of literature review data Development of literature review report(s) Gap analysis of currently available headache measures focused on the headache types of interest Gap analysis report Headache conceptual model development Item development for new or modified headache-focused PRO item bank Develop plans for the collection of evidence supporting the validity of inferences based on new/modified PRO item bank Execution of plans for the collection of evidence supporting the validity of inferences based on new/modified PRO item bank (as needed) Provide programmatic recommendations for the enhancements, customization and maintenance of VA electronic data collection systems for people living with headache Participate in meetings and calls Develop PRO item bank/measures comprised of developed/modified items Create and maintain processes for project tracking Write methods and results for manuscripts and publications (as needed) Prepare tables and high-quality figures along with interpretation of results for manuscripts, publications, and presentations (as needed) Edit manuscript drafts (as needed) Provide general consulting, guidance, and education in psychometrics and psychometric software (as needed) The contractor will provide the required parts and labor.

Since the intent is to procure this on a sole source basis, no solicitation will be posted to Contracting Opportunities SAM.gov. The authority for this action is FAR 6.302.1-1 Only One Responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The NAICS 541990. The size standard is $19.5 million. The PSC/FSC is R405. Interested persons may contact the Contracting Specialist by email at Chelsea.Cortright@va.gov regarding this procurement.

The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Response must be received by 08/13/2025 NLT 11:00am EST.