Notice of Intent to Sole Source to AAHRPP (Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc ) for accreditation services for the CAVHS Research Service’s Human Research Protection Program

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE I. The Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16, located at Galleria Financial Center, 5075 Westheimer Rd, Ste 750, Houston, TX 77056 in support of Central Arkansas Veterans Heath care System (CAVHS), intends to solicit and award Sole Source, Firm-Fixed-Price, non-personal service contract with a base year with four one year options to one Large Business (LB) source, Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc (AAHRPP).

AAHRPP 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20015 The Central Arkansas Veterans Heath care System (CAVHS) has a requirement for a contractor to provide all labor, tools, materials, documentation, equipment, personnel, and supervision necessary to provide re-accreditation services. Reaccreditation shall include but not limited to:

1.2.1 Provide standards for protecting participants in human research that are clear, specific, and applicable to research across the full range of settings (e.g., university-based biomedical, behavioral and social science research, independent review boards, hospitals, government agencies, and others). The standards will address any special concerns (e.g., the use of vulnerable populations or heightened risk to privacy and confidentiality) that may arise in each setting.

1.2.2 The standards will identify outcome measures that the CAVHS can use to assess and demonstrate quality improvement over time. 1.2.3 These standards will be performance-based using objective criteria and measurable outcomes to evaluate whether a Human Research Protection Program effectively implements the standards. The evaluation will result in a grade of pass or fail for each standard and, where appropriate, will also include commendations or recommendations for meeting the standards.

1.2.4 The accreditation process will provide a clear, understandable pathway to accreditation, along with equally clear pathways for appeal and the remediation of identified shortcomings. 1.2.5 The accreditation process will be educational involving collegial discussion and constructive feedback. The accreditation process will also identify areas in which the Human Research Protection Program does not yet meet the standards and give the CAVHS the opportunity to discuss potential program improvements.

1.2.6 The accreditation process will be responsive to changes, in federal regulations and to standards that will evolve, based on what AAHRPP learns from accrediting Organizations from research settings. 1.2.7 AAHRPP will review all relevant, necessary and de-identified documentation as needed for accrediting the CAVHS. 1.2.8 As part of the CAVHS re-accreditation review, there will be a site visit performed by AAHRPP accreditation professionals, which will be done once every five (5) years. II.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Size Standard 19.5M III. This procurement is being conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 12 and 13 in accordance with (IAW) FAR Part 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source. IV. The anticipated award date is May 31, 2024. The Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price contract.

V. Please note that this is not a request for competitive quotes and is being posted for informational purposes only. The government does not anticipate receiving responses to this notice. However, interested parties who disagree with this action may submit a letter of interest that demonstrates your firm s technical expertise, certifications, and authorization to compete for this acquisition to include a rationale for why you should be considered.

The government reserves the right to verify any request additional documentation submitted. VI. Interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement within seven (7) calendar days of the publication of this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government.

Interested parties may identify their interest solely via email to Contracting Officer, Anthony Marion, Anthony.marion2@va.gov no later than April 9, 2024, 10:00am Central Standard Time (CST). When responding to this announcement, respondents should include " 36C25624Q0693 Notice of Intent" in the subject line. VII. Late responses shall not be accepted. No telephone inquiries will be accepted nor will phone calls be returned. Only emailed responses will be considered.

Information received will be utilized solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is at the sole discretion of the Government.