AN42--Increase MOD - Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Sole Source Justification for a modification to an existing contract under FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to add one Epidemiologist position to support the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) and its national program for Veterans' post-deployment health concerns. This role is critical for the VMOAT operations, providing epidemiological oversight, survey instrument design and validation, exposure data governance, and analytic rigor.

• Add an Epidemiologist position to Option Year 1 through Option Year 4.

• The Epidemiologist will serve as the VMOAT Operations Lead and senior data scientist.

• Provide methodological guidance for study design, protocol development, instrument validation, and analytic strategy.

• Design and maintain analysis plans, select and implement statistical and computational tools (e.g., R/Python, SQL).

• Integrate and analyze survey, clinical, biomarker, and administrative data.

• Collaborate with investigators to establish data governance, coordinate IRB submissions, and oversee QA/UAT cycles.

• Identify and develop grant opportunities, lead scientific projects, and author manuscripts, reports, and risk-communication materials.

• The work is non-personal scientific and technical support under Government direction.

• The modification adds an Epidemiologist position to Option Years 1-4.

• The total anticipated price for the modification is approximately $765,755.16, with Year one estimated at $180,447.12.

• The contract period of performance is not explicitly stated for the modification but implies continuation of existing options.

• This is a sole source justification, indicating competition is restricted.

• The justification cites FAR 13.106-1(b)(2) for restricting competition due to "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."

• Competition is restricted to the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF).

• Market research indicated no other SBA verified and capable SDVOSBs or VOSBs, or other small businesses, were identified as capable of performing the requirement.

• The justification highlights HJF's unique qualifications, established infrastructure, proven performance, and specialized expertise in military and veteran health research as critical for continuity and efficiency.

• Awarding to HJF avoids transition costs, knowledge loss, and schedule delays.

• The acquisition ID is 36C245-26-AP-2007.

Amendment / Modification

This document announces a modification to Contract No. 36C24525P0477. The modification is to add an additional position and increase the contract value. The modification was made in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source will satisfy the agency requirements).

• The contract value is increased.

• An additional position is added.

• The period of performance is extended through Option Year 4.

• The modification was awarded and finalized with pricing established in the base contract. No adjustments to pricing will be made.

• The period of performance for the remaining option years is as follows:

  • Option Year Period 1: 4/30/2026 – 3/29/2027
  • Option Year Period 2: 4/30/2027 – 3/29/2028
  • Option Year Period 3: 4/30/2028 – 3/29/2029
  • Option Year Period 4: 4/30/2029 – 3/29/2030

• Option periods are exercised as needed and are not guaranteed.

• A "JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL" document and a "P03_SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION SAT-SAP_BC SIGNED" document are attached for further details.

• Contact: Robert O’Keefe Jr. at Robert.okeefejr@va.gov