B524--Intent to Sole Source - Best Approximating Models (BAM) Caus VHA Office of Academic Affiliations
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), has issued an Intent to Sole Source for Best Approximating Models (BAM) Causal Modeling. This effort aims to compute causal associations between health professions trainees and clinical workload in VA teaching settings, which is crucial for OAA to assess the VA's performance in its education mission. The government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract to Professor Steven Henley of Martingale Research Corporation. Responses or requests for information are due by March 16, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.
Scope of Work
This requirement involves:
- Computing Best Approximating Models (BAM) estimates of causal associations.
- Specifying, estimating, and assessing the statistical performance of four models.
- Estimating physician residents/fellows' contributed outpatient care workload by program specialty.
- Utilizing de-identified VA CDW files for analysis.
Contract Details
- Type: Firm-fixed-price contract.
- Authority: Sole source under FAR 6.302-1.
- Period of Performance: One base year, not to exceed 12 months following the date of award.
- Solicitation Number: 36C24526Q0323.
- Product Service Code: B524 (Mathematical/Statistical Analysis).
Eligibility & Justification
The VA certifies that Professor Steven Henley of Martingale Research Corporation is the sole source expert for this requirement. Justification is based on his unique qualifications, data, and analytic skills, evidenced by a substantial peer-reviewed scientific publication record in causal modeling in health professions education, and his development and testing of software for the 12-step Best Approximating Models technology as an NIH Small Business Innovation Research program awardee.
Response Information
This is an intent to sole source announcement. If anyone requests additional information or would like to obtain a copy of the solicitation, they should contact Robert O'Keefe Jr. at robert.okeefejr@va.gov.
- Response Date: March 16, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.