This is a SOURCES SOUGHT announcement only. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposal or quote and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research, to make appropriate acquisition decisions, and to gain knowledge of potential qualified businesses capable of providing the following: Application Programming Interface (API) for VISN 15 *** See Statement of Work below for details *** If this is within your capability, please respond with the information below: Company Name Address Point of Contact Phone, Fax, and Email UEI number GSA Contract (as applicable) Capability statement that clearly and credibly identifies your firm s ability to fulfill this requirement. Brochures of product being offered to include specifications. Interested firms are reminded that in accordance with FAR 4.12, prospective contractors shall complete electronic annual representations and certifications to be considered for award. In addition, FAR 4.11 states that prospective contractors shall be registered in the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov) database. All Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) shall be verified in VetCert at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov Point of Contact for this Sources Sought is: veronica.flores@va.gov (913) 946 - 1167 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office -15 3450 S. 4th Street Trafficway Leavenworth, KS. 66048. STATEMENT OF WORK APPLICATION PROCESSING INTERFACE FOR DRUG SHORTAGES 1. REQUIREMENT: The VA Heartland Health Care Network (VISN 15) requires an Application Processing Interface (API) for Drug Shortages that is updated daily and includes built-in, cloud-hosted integration capability. Drug shortages are a major issue affecting patient care and pharmacy operations. Up to date notification of impending and current shortages are important for VISN 15 facilities to implement mitigation strategies. 2. BACKGROUND: The VA Heartland Health Care Network prefers one integrated processing interface rather than manually searching and accessing multiple platforms. This method provides a more efficient, time and cost savings manner for staff by saving of overall research and data evaluation time necessary for finding critical information and performing the research work necessary to meet the mission of the VA Heartland Health Care Network. Inadequate resources to address drug shortages pose a risk to Veterans health due to delays in the filling and administration of critical medications. This resource will better inform VISN staff during drug shortages by assessing impact on facility supply and providing alternative therapies to improve mitigation planning. 3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: This procurement is for a Base Year with the possibility of Four (4) One (1) Year Options. 4. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Facility Name Address VA Heartland Health Care Network VISN 15 (491) 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 210, Kansas City, MO 64106 5. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Scheduling of work performance shall be arranged through the designated POC assigned. The VA Heartland Health Care Network requires a cloud-based API for Drug Shortages from a nationally recognized source with the following characteristics: Cloud based direct feed integration (API) The vendor must provide the products affected, reason for shortage, available products and estimated resupply dates. Mitigation strategies could include looking at other vendors for the product, looking at alternative therapies if available, implementing a conservation strategy, notifying providers etc. Monitored and updated daily by following up with drug manufacturers Drugs on shortage or backorder must include the generic name, brand name and National Drug Code (NDC) with the date of the shortage As shortages are resolved, the NDC and resolution date must also be identified Information on shortages must be able to integrate into the VISN 15 Drug File PowerBI tool Include links with information on the impact and reason for the shortage must be provided with the API feed. Available products and alternatives are included via API feed The vendor shall notify VISN 15 sites at least once daily when any new, updated or resolved medication shortage information is identified via the API feed. The vendor must provide standardized and continuously updated resource for pharmacies and healthcare systems regarding drug shortages. The vendor must make the API feed available for daily updates when drug shortages are updated, if the vendor cannot provide this it will be a failure to perform and will result in a contract discrepancy report being issued. The product must be compliant with VA IT law, rules, and standards for users: The API feed will be one directional. No information will be sent to the vendor from the VA. The vendor will not have access to VA drug file, usage, pricing, or patient information. The current Electronic Health Record (EHR) that VISN 15 is using is VISTA/CPRS. The future EHR will be Oracle Cerner. The vendor will not have access to either system. The product will be accessible by: The vendor will make the API feed available to VISN 15 Pharmacy and be responsible for content accuracy and timeliness. Provide a Mobile Application compliant with VA IT law, rules, and standards for users to the API to allow for seamless access to the source for employees working from alternate locations and logged in to the VA environment through CAG or VPN remotely. It is preferred that a separate login/password not be required to access the source for remote users. The contractor shall also provide License Rights for 24/7 desktop web access. VA Heartland Health Care Network staff need access to all of the resources and must be able to search selected resources with one query and one interface. Customer service shall be available to troubleshoot website/connectivity issues via phone, email, etc. Customers require a single access interface that will provide all applicable information on drug shortages and viable alternatives. This will save the VISN 15 s Pharmacy Analytics staff s research time by not having to access multiple resources manually to identify relevant information. 6. Description of Work The VA Heartland Health Care Network prefers one integrated application processing interface rather than manually searching and accessing multiple platforms. This method provides a more efficient, time and cost savings manner for staff by saving of overall research and data evaluation time necessary for finding critical information and performing the research work necessary to meet the mission of the VA Heartland Health Care Network. The contractor is expected to troubleshoot access as needed. 7. Deliverables: Static URL, password information (if necessary), technical support numbers, account number, and promotional materials. The contractor shall information on drug shortages that are monitored and updated daily by following up with manufacturers. Information will include generic name, brand name and NDC with the date of the shortage. As shortages are resolved, the NDC and resolution date must also be identified and updated. Contractor must provide clinical recommendations for appropriate alternatives of unavailable drugs. Contractor shall also provide virtual and/or on-site training as needed, briefings and updates to Health Care Systems in the VA Heartland Healthcare Network. If a plug-in, additional software or recommended software is required for optimal use, please include specific requirements. Contractor will address any questions or problems encountered when using this product with supported software or hardware. How to access and use the API including code required to call the API from a website. Settings/data connections to successfully connect to the API source for one-way receiving of elements. API rate limits for calls per day and throttling criteria. Assumptions should not be made on the VA of nuisance API calls. Return format of the data from API call (i.e. json, xml, csv) and its structure/schema. Sandbox testing access and requirements. Emergency Call In Requirement The Contractor shall provide a telephonic method for the facility to call in emergency work orders for the system during any failures. Upon notification of failures the Contractor shall have a qualified technician at the facility within two (2) hours to conduct necessary repairs. Security Information- The Authorization requirements do not apply, and that a Security Accreditation Package is not required. The services outlined in the statement of work do not involve or include sensitive information. No VA data will be transmitted with usage of this API. This one-way receiving interface will only receive drug shortage data elements for utilization for near real-time notifications and planning.
