NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to issue a sole source award for the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Research & Engineering (R&E) Directorate, Combat Casualty Care (CCC) Portfolio to the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF).  The Government projects award within the next 30 days usings fiscal year 2024/2025 Defense Health Agency RDT&E funding.

1.            Description of Supplies/Services:  Due to the ongoing conflict as well as the ever-changing battlefield environment, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Research & Engineering (R&E) Directorate, Combat Casualty Care (CCC) Portfolio requires a contract to provide the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Advanced Surgical Skills and Exposures in Trauma (ASSET) courses with ensuing symposia(s) to yet-to-be trained Ukrainian frontline medical personnel and their supporting Ministries.  The surgical training courses developing in part by the Uniformed Services University (USU) Department of Surgery will be administered by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) and their subcontractor, Aspen Medical.  This effort directly supports DoD and Congressional priorities, as evidenced by Section 736 of the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act/NDAA (Public Law #117-263) which mandates that DoD seek to establish bilateral partnerships between the US and Ukraine (UKR) in support of improved trauma care and combat-related mental health care; as well as, efforts to collaborate on medical system development, mental health care and trauma-related research and education/training (i.e. ASSET courses).  This award has an estimated value of $4,000,000.00 over a 12-month period of performance. 

2.            Authority Cited: 41 United States Code 1901 as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.501(a)(1)(ii), sole source (including brand name) under the authority of the simplified procedures for certain commercial items.

3.            Reason for Authority Cited: As part of its charter under 10 USC § 178 to advance military and civilian medicine, HJF is ideally situated to act as a prime contractor (integrator) for this effort. Consistent with its statutory charter, HJF’s existing partnerships, most notably with Aspen Medical, as well as other in-and out of theater partners have the unique infrastructure already in place provide key administrative and scientific support to the USU – who will serve as administrators of these courses and other military medicine activities and will allow the project to commence without delay enacting the aforementioned DoD and Congressional priorities, as evidenced by Section 736 of the FY2023 NDAA providing health care and trauma-related research and education/training.

 USU and HJF are already providing support to UKR through several activities including translating trauma curriculum and education resources, as well as mental health resources. HJF has previously partnered with Global Surgery Management Group (GMSG) to support to a Visiting Surgeon Program in Lviv, UKR which allowed USU Faculty and former military surgeons to travel to UKR and provide support to a key Ministry of Health evacuation hospital. In addition, HJF supports several key existing activities that will provide infrastructure and expertise for planned and future US efforts in support of UKR. These programs include the Center for Traumatic Stress, Center   for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Center for Health Services Research, Center for Deployment Psychology, the Center for Global Health Engagement, and the USU Department of Surgery Global Surgery Program. 

 Additionally, HJF currently supports the USU Department of Surgery and Defense Health Agency in the administration of the American College of Surgeons Advanced Surgical Skills and Exposures in Trauma course that is required for all US military surgeon.  Therefore, USU and HJF are ideally situated to study the introduction and utility of this course for UKR military and civilian surgical teams.

 In support of the currently funded award HJF, via its subcontractor Aspen Medical, has established a local presence.  No other vendor is poised to provide this type of local support; nor does any other vendor have this type of established network and support from the UKR government to provide the stated services in a reasonable timeframe without delay and significant ramp-up when compared HJF.  Significant delays will be prohibitive and disadvantageous to the US Government. 

Any firm that has questions regarding this notice of intent are invited to submit written notification to the POC below NTL 12PM ET 8 August 2025.  No telephone questions will be accepted.  Questions received will be reviewed and responded to; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.