U009-- Notice of Intent To Sole Source For The On Line Interactive Screening Program Veterans in Crisis

Amendment / Modification

This amendment revises the Statement of Work (SOW) for the "Veterans Online Interactive Screening Program." Key changes include:

• Revised Statement of Work: The core of this amendment is the updated SOW detailing the requirements for an online interactive screening program for the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).
• Prohibition of AI/Automated Agents: Explicitly states that the program, including the online assessment tool and all interactive screening components, shall NOT be conducted via artificial intelligence (AI), automated agents, or machine-driven decision-making. All user interactions, assessments, and crisis responses must be performed by trained human staff. Automated AI-based assessments, chatbots, or AI-generated mental health interventions are prohibited.
• Data Privacy: The program shall not collect or store Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI) from users through prompts, fillable forms, or free-text options.
• Mobile Device Access: The design must provide full access to the assessment tool and all program functions from a smartphone or other mobile device.
• Separate Version for Advocates: Includes a separate version of the assessment tool for family members and other advocates concerned about a Veteran.
• AI Prohibition in Responses: Reinforces that AI or automated agents shall not be used to provide mental health assessments, referrals, or crisis responses. All such services must be performed by trained human responders.

• Statement of Work (Section 1.1, 1.3.3, and Task descriptions)

• No changes to response date or submission requirements were indicated in this amendment.

Notice of Intent To Sole Source

This document is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source contract for the "On Line Interactive Screening Program Veterans in Crisis." The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VAMC (613) VISN 5 Contract Satellite Office is issuing this notice.

The contractor will be required to:

• Grant the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) a license to use an online interactive screening program.

• Assist VCL staff in training Chat Crisis Responders on the program's procedures.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance and support to the VCL.

• Collect and evaluate quantitative data related to the program's utilization and outcomes.

• Develop, implement, and assist in evaluating an online, evidence-based assessment tool that seamlessly links to the VCL chat program. This tool should assess symptoms of depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions associated with suicidal behavior risk.

• Ensure the assessment tool is accessible from smartphones and mobile devices.

• Provide a separate version of the assessment tool for family members and advocates.

• Automatically classify user submissions into one of four suicide risk tiers and route them to a live Chat Crisis Responder.

• Implement an evaluation plan to measure tool utilization and outcomes, collaborating with VCL staff on data analysis and interpretation.

• Present evaluation findings at conferences and in manuscripts.

• Solicitation Number: 36C24526Q0302

• Product Service Code: U009

• NAICS Code: 518210

• Contracting Office Address: Department of Veterans Affairs, VAMC (613), VISN 5 Contract Satellite Office, 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg WV 25405.

• Point of Contact: Tara Davis, Contract Specialist, tara.davis4@va.gov, (304) 263-0811.

• Response Date/Time/Zone: 03-07-2026 9:00am EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA.

This is a sole source notice. Interested parties should submit their capabilities to the contracting officer within 15 days of this notice.

• A "Justification for Sole Source" document is attached.
• The VA owns all collected data and has purview over its analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a justification for a sole source procurement. It states that the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) holds sole rights to the SCQ and its associated algorithm. The justification also notes that no other pricing was found to be fair and reasonable, and that using another vendor could pose a potential risk to veterans' lives.

This document indicates that the opportunity is likely to be awarded on a sole source basis to AFSP. Potential bidders should note that this justification explains the rationale for not seeking competitive proposals, citing proprietary rights and potential risks associated with alternative vendors.