CT / RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition procedures pursuant to the authority of FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items (41 U.S.C. 3305, 3306, and Chapter 37); FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items (41 U.S.C. 1906 , 1907 and 3307)); and FAR 37.101, Non Personal Services Contract. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Indian Health Service (IHS) intends to award multiple Indefinite Delivery - Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts in response to Request for Quotation (RFQ)-10-18-047-REL. The quantities specified below are estimates only. The services shall be furnished only when authorized by task orders issued against the contract and in accordance with the Ordering clause. The IHS shall order at least the minimum quantities and the Contractors shall furnish services up to the maximum quantities. Except for the limitations on the quantities, there is no limit on the number of task orders that may be issued. Potential offerors may submit an offer for the base year and each option year. The all-inclusive hourly rate must include travel, lodging, per diem, insurance, taxes, et cetera. The solicitation is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-100. The associated North American Industry Classification System code is 561320 and the small business size standard is $27.5 million. PRICE SCHEDULE: CT / RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS 1. Base Year: $____________ 2. Option Year One: $____________ 3. Option Year Two: $____________ 4. Option Year Three: $____________ 5. Option Year Four: $____________ Minimum: 2080 hours; Maximum: 9000 hours WORK SCHEDULE: The work schedule will be rotational to provide 24 hours, 7 days per week coverage for the Radiology Department, with 8-hour, 10-hour and 12-hour shifts. Shifts will be either 7 am to 7 pm or 7 pm to 7 am. Days of the week will include all (Sunday - Saturday). Three 12-hour shifts one week, and four 12-hour shifts the second week, schedule then repeats. Optionally, two 8-hour shifts plus two 12-hour shifts each week. Changes may be made to scheduled days and shifts as needed to accommodate department schedule and hospital needs. STATEMENT OF WORK: The services are located at the IHS Blackfeet Service Unit, Blackfeet Community Hospital, Browning Montana. The purpose of the services is to perform Diagnostic Radiologic exams including CT and X-Ray for outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and the emergency department. The technologists report to the Imaging Supervisor. MAJOR DUTIES: Independently performs standard radiographic, and complex CT examinations. Receives patients and explains examinations to be performed and methods to be used. Assures that the requisition for examination is properly executed and the request has been made by the proper authority. Assures that patients are properly attired and prepared for requested examination. Positions patient and makes the required exposures for examinations. Performs radiologic studies (Radiography, fluoroscopy and CT) for diagnosis to assist clinicians during emergency and routine exams utilizing highly specialized equipment. Instructs patients on required examinations/preparations prior to appointment for examination, explaining procedures to patients in sufficiently understood lay terms so as to make the patient knowledgeable of what is expected in order to facilitate a superior examination at the time of imaging. Correlates clinical history, pertinent clinical data and other ancillary diagnostic examinations to obtain radiographic images of optimal value. Maintains professional expertise to recognize anatomy of various structures within the abdomen and pelvic cavities. The technologist must be capable of being able to distinguish pathology as shown on the radiograph. Maintains records of diagnostic interpretations in a systemic retrieval system so as to maintain confidentiality. Cognizant of scheduling factors with consideration given for referral patients requiring transportation from various reservation sites. Performs special (complicated) procedures on critically ill and injured patients for whom accuracy and efficiency of the diagnostic procedure are critical; recommends deviations from the standard for positioning and technique manipulation. Keeps abreast of the new techniques and changing knowledge through reading the latest journals, attends meetings, seminars and conventions at the local, state and national level as required by certifying agency. In a similar manner, keeps abreast of the latest advances in radiographic equipment and technology. Recommends to the Supervisor new developments which could improve the operation of the section. Confers with radiologist in order to establish the requirements of non-standard examinations, appropriate targeting techniques, and/or other deviations required to perform a complete examination. Technologist is responsible for quality control activities which include but are not limited to making minor adjustments to equipment such as setting up wedges and when necessary changing transverse length adjusters. Performs daily required calibration tests, and records appropriate equipment errors in the log. Recognizes equipment malfunction, contacts appropriate Service Engineer, describes problem and communicates engineers response to Supervisor. After repair of equipment, the technologist verifies that service engineer performed post repair quality control tests that indicated that equipment is operating according the manufacturer's specifications and/or standards. The technologist schedules patients for examinations. Evaluates requests for critical and/or emergency procedures and changes the schedules to accommodate patients of a higher priority. Maintains required records of patient's treated, examinations performed, films/scans taken, et cetera. Maintains the C.T. Scan archive library. Responsible for maintaining all necessary paper work regarding radiology patients. Independently performs Teleradiology transmissions to various facilities as directed. Responsible for contacting receiving facility and notifying all necessary personnel so as to acquire a verbal report for the referring clinician. Will update transmission progress to proper authorities when needed. Recognizes computer software applications and provides accurate data and commands to perform transmission operations consistently. Technologist will be responsible for using Universal Manager to transmit C.T. images to various facilities for interpretation. Formatting and producing hard copies for permanent files will be required for indicated examinations. Performs other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION: Thorough knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices, and techniques including concepts of accumulated dosage and genetic changes, effects of radiation on living organisms, and the effects of x-ray technique on patient and operator exposure in order to assure that adequate safeguards are maintained, to recognize when changes of equipment or procedures might result in increased exposure and to adopt methods to prevent such exposure. Knowledge of physiology, and cross sectional anatomy such as the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiologic exposure and the physical abnormalities associated with most diseases or lesions which are customarily illustrated by computerized scanning in order to interpret examination requests accurately; to recognize scans which illustrate the lesion and develop then through control of contrast, density, etc., to optimize their clarity for diagnostic use; and to recognize when additional scans or different positions are needed to fully illustrate the lesion; for example, recognizing an unsuspected mass lesion on a head scan and taking additional cuts to fully illustrate it, recognizing when hard to visualize organs have not been properly imaged and changing patient's position or taking additional cuts to improve the illustration, or recognizing motion artifacts and repeating needed scans. Knowledge of aspects of basic physics including the concepts of energy, electric power, and types of electrical circuits, construction and use of x-ray tubes and the properties of x-rays in order to understand the operation of x-ray equipment, monitor the equipment for proper operations, make changes to standard procedures to compensate for equipment aging, and determine when maintenance or repair is needed. Basic understanding of computer operation (typing skill not required); purpose of and when to select the various present programs; e.g. scan, view, transfer, and print, etc.; "booting" operation to set up equipment for operation; and manual override procedures to finish a series of scans when external conditions would otherwise cause the machine to shut off. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques such as use of formulae for determining technical factors. Determines appropriate thickness of cuts and recognizes standard techniques necessary to complete exams. Knowledge of basic nursing practices related to radiography such as emergency cardiac arrest procedures and use of oxygen to assist with breathing difficulties, and intravenous, oral and rectal routes of medication administration. Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R) and must also have Advanced certification in Computed Tomography (CT). The Computed Tomography (CT) subspecialty requires Advanced ARRT certification. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling; Pushing; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors include: Working closely with others; working alone; and Protracted or irregular hours of work. Knowledge and ability necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served. The technologists must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. Ability to identify and categorize each patient's age specific grouping of needs; i.e., infant, adolescent or geriatric patients. EVALUATION AND OVERSIGHT: Works under the general direction of off-site Radiologists and the Imaging Supervisor. Assignments are made in the form of work schedules and verbal instructions. On the more unusual and complex assignments, works closely and confers with Radiologists and medical officers on special techniques. On most assignments, technologist handles all problems and deviations. The Imaging Supervisor assigns work in terms of objectives to be met, with little or no instruction. Technical guidance is provided by staff technologists. Work is evaluated on a spot-check basis for achievement of objectives. The work is evaluated through the Quality Assurance Program of the Teleradiology providers as well as by the Imaging Supervisor. GUIDELINES: Standard operating procedures cover the section to be illustrated, the interval and number of scans to be taken, necessary radiographs, use of contrast medium, positioning of the patient, and technical factors to be used. Textbooks, technical manuals, and research papers on computerized axial tomography are available for additional guidance. Many guidelines are not specifically applicable to the assignment since CT scanning is a rapidly evolving part of diagnostic radiology. The technologist must modify these procedures and guideline to compensate for observed physiological and anatomical conditions peculiar to the patient in order that the lesions existing should be most effectively illustrated. The technologist must maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in the field of computerized axial tomography to recommend new methods, examinations, and guidelines for adoption. Procedures change frequently due to new developments in the field. COMPLEXITY: The technologist's resume must demonstrate specialized experience obtained in either federal service, private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: independently performing standard and specialized imaging procedures; performing complex radiography and computed tomography studies/exams covering the entire human anatomy and physiology; operating radiographic and CT equipment; obtaining imaging studies of optimal clinical value. The work involves independent performance of many types of radiographic exams and computerized tomographic scans, under the general direction of a Radiologist. The examination process require the technologist to recognize the lesions, masses, or disease related changed to organs which are the object of the examination in order to adjust the picture or take additional scans to achieve optimum visualization of affected areas. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the work is to provide CT and X-ray studies for diagnosis and treatment of patients. Clear and accurate studies are essential to enable the doctor to evaluate and treat the patient's condition. Timely and accurate completion of the examinations requested by the provider required for ongoing facility function. The examinations performed must be delivered to the primary care provider, returned for official reading by the radiologist and filed away with the diagnostic report. Also, the patient exam must be entered and completed in the RPMS and PACS computer systems for proper PCC and billing information. These duties are an integral part of the total patient care, continuity of patient care, patient care evaluation and research. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Personal contacts are with patients and their relatives, with fellow employees in a hospital Radiology department, and with off-site Radiologists and other staff physicians both at Blackfeet Community Hospital and the receiving teleradiology sites. Contacts are sometimes made with nurses and other employees in various hospital departments. PURPOSE OF CONTRACTS: Personal contacts are for the purpose of ensuring the performance of high quality diagnostic exams. Contacts with fellow workers are to exchange information and resolve problems with equipment, procedures, and scheduling of patients, and to coordinate the work of fellow technologists when working on procedures which require a team effort. Contacts with patients are to explain the procedures to be performed, administered agent to prepare patients for the exam, and direct patients how to move to achieve correct positioning. Some patients are seriously ill, injured, or nervous. This may require the technologist to provide reassurance and comfort. Contacts with professionals outside the Radiology department are to demonstrate and explain practical problems and procedures in taking computerized scan studies, as well as to schedule exams. Contact with Radiologists, in addition to receiving instructions, are to coordinate work effort or resolve operating problems. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling; Pushing; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Working day and night shifts. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work of this position involves moderate risks with exposure to contagious diseases, and occasionally hostile patients. Environmental factors include working closely with others; working alone; and protracted or irregular hours of work. The work area is well lighted and temperature controlled. Special safety precautions are used to reduce exposure to x-rays. These include using minimum current settings in the x-ray machine and never operating the machine except from behind a protective screen. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: The IHS shall provide all necessary equipment and supplies. The Blackfeet Service Unit will be responsible for getting the Contractor access and clearance to all computer services necessary to carry out his/her duties. COMPUTER SECURITY: Pursuant to the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA), the contractor will be required to complete a course in Computer Security Awareness Training (CSAT). This training must be completed annually by all employees including all contractors, volunteers, students, and summer externs. The Contractor will be required to comply with the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201, "Personal Identity Verification of Federal Employees and Contractors" and the associated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementation guidance for personal identity verification for all affected contractor and subcontractor personnel. Access/clearance to all pertinent computer systems, including completing the Security Checklist, Rules of Behavior form, Security training; and if necessary, a Business Partner Interconnection Security Agreement (BPISA), should be coordinated with the Blackfeet Service Unit. CONTRACTING OFFICER AUTHORITY: Authority to negotiate changes in the terms, conditions or amounts cited in this contract is reserved for the Contracting Officer. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR): The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) shall be responsible for: (1) Monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending technical changes; (2) Interpreting the Statement of Work; (3) Technical evaluation as required; (4) Technical inspections and acceptance; and (5) Assisting the Contractor in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance of this contract. INVOICE SUBMISSION AND PAYMENT: The Contractor shall submit its invoices to the Billings Area Financial Management Branch, P.O. Box 36600, Billings, Montana 59107, with a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Contractor agrees to include the following information on each invoice: (1) Contractor's name and address; (2) Contact name, title, and telephone number; (3) Contract Number; (4) Invoice number and date; (5) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed; (6) Remit to Address; (7) Taxpayer Identification Number (Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number); and (8) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (to ensure payment is made to the correct bank account) and vendor mailing address, as provided in the System for Award Management (SAM), formerly known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Payment shall be made by the Billings Area Financial Management Branch, P.O. Box 36600, Billings, Montana 59107. PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF 1994: The Contractor certifies that it will comply with the provisions of Public Law 103-227, Pro-Children Act of 1994, which imposes restrictions on smoking where federally funded children's services are provided. CHILD CARE NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK AND INVESTIGATION (CNACI). A CNACI must be completed for all Indian Health Service (IHS) contractor personnel within the Billings Area. Public Law (P.L.) 101-630, Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and P.L. 101-647, Crime Control Act of 1990, requires the IHS to conduct a character and criminal history background investigation on all contractors performing services in IHS facilities. The character and background investigations will be conducted by the Blackfeet Service Unit. Fingerprints must also be taken as part of the pre-employment process and must be completed before the technologists are allowed to work. SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS: Contractors cannot serve as expert witnesses in any suit against the Federal Government. Many of the IHS patients receiving services may only speak a native language and/or reside on a Native American Reservation, therefore, the Contractor must demonstrate sensitivity to cross-cultural and language differences. The Contractor shall comply with all IHS facility infection control and safety procedures, practices and standards. The Contractor must maintain and demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to, hospital and departmental safety regulations. The Contractor shall comply with the following requirements: infection control, hazardous materials, safety, security, emergency preparedness, life safety, medical equipment and utilities in accordance with established management plans. The Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that the Contractor maintain complete confidentiality of all administrative, medical and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that comes to his/her attention of knowledge. The Privacy Act carries both civil and criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of records. Violation of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action. All IHS regulations and policies applicable to these Acts shall be enforced. PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition. The FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; and 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items are incorporated by reference. The provision at 52.212-2 applies to this acquisition and is provided in full text. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (OCT 2014): (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: FACTOR 1 - Certification. Offerors must submit a copy of each candidates certification. Candidates must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R) and must have Advanced certification in Computed Tomography (CT). The Computed Tomography (CT) subspecialty requires Advanced ARRT certification. FACTOR 2 - Resume. Offerors must submit a copy of each candidates resume. FACTOR 3 - Company Past Performance. Offerors must demonstrate experience through Government and/or commercial contracts by furnishing a minimum of three (3) references. FACTOR 4 - Cost/Price: The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of the offers. The price proposal should adhere to the pricing structure established in the "Price Schedule". The offeror's price proposal must be based on the offeror's technical proposal and the Government's statement of work. The "Price Schedule" shall be completed by the offeror in accordance with the following: (1) All prices contained in the price schedule must reflect an all-inclusive hourly rate. Price is not assigned an adjectival rating or scored. It will be evaluated to determine whether it is reasonable and if the quotation reflects an understanding of the requirement. This factor will be evaluated utilizing price analysis techniques identified in FAR Part 15.404-1. Analysis will include review of price reasonableness and balanced pricing. Offerors are cautioned that "materially unbalanced" prices and/or unreasonably high or low prices may cause your quotation to be deemed unacceptable and rejected. Technical and past performance, when combined, are considered approximately equal to cost or price. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. EVALUATION APPROACH: The content of the written quotations, as well as information derived from discussions/negotiations, if discussions are held, will be evaluated to determine the degree and extent to which the requirements and objectives set forth in the solicitation are satisfied. No assumption will be made by Government evaluators regarding areas not defined in the offeror's written material/information provided to the Government for evaluation. EVAULATION METHODOLOGY: A team of Government personnel will evaluate the quotations. The quotations will be evaluated in accordance with the aforementioned factors. Any quotation that is unrealistic, in terms of technical approach, schedule commitments, and or costs (high or low) will be deemed unacceptable. BASIS FOR AWARD: Selection of the successful offerors will be made based on the evaluation criteria. The quotations will be evaluated and a contract awarded under the Best Value Continuum approach to permit tradeoffs among cost or price and non-cost factors. This will allow the Government to consider award to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror who meets or exceeds the technical acceptability standards established in the factors referenced above. The following FAR and Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) clauses are applicable: 52.204-4, 52.204-7, 52.204-9, 52.204-13, 52.204-16, 52.204-17, 52.204-18, 52.204-19, 52.212-4, 52.212-5, 52.215-5, 52.216-18, 52.216-19, 52.216-22, 52.217-8, 52.217-9, 52.223-5, 52.223-6, 52.224-1, 52.224-2, 52.225-25, 52.227-14, 52.227-17, 52.228-5, 52.232-18, 52.232-39, 52.232-40, 52.237-2, 52.237-3, 52.242-15, 52.242-17, 352.203-70, 352.215-70, 352.222-70, 352.223-70, 352.224-70, 352.224-71, 352.226-3, 352.227-70, 352.237-70, 352.237-71, 352.237-72, 352.237-73, 352.237-74, 352.239-73 and 352.239-74. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5 are applicable to the acquisition: 52.203-6 with Alternate I, 52.204-10, 52.209-6, 52.209-9, 52.209-10, 52.219-6, 52.219-8, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.222-40, 52.222-50, 52.222-54, 52.223-18, 52.225-13 and 52.232-33. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will provide full text copies of the FAR and HHSAR provisions and clauses. The provisions and clauses may also be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/ and http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=3524d214210697effd2fd5c77848a806&rgn=div5&view=text&node=48:4.0.1.8.33&idno=48. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: The Contractor shall provide evidence of, or submit a written response to, the technical evaluation factors in FAR 52.212-2. In addition, the Contractor shall submit a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 with its offer, if the electronic Representations and Certifications section of the System for Award Management (SAM) is not completed. Contractors intending to conduct business with the Federal Government must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM replaces the Department of Defense's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. SAM is now the primary Government repository, which retains information on Government contractors. You may register via the Internet at www.sam.gov. All responsible offerors may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the Agency. Offers shall be submitted to the Billings Area Indian Health Service, 2900 Fourth Avenue North, Room 403, Billings, Montana 59101, no later than 6:00 p.m. on September 10, 2018. The offer must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to this office, showing the time specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and your name and address. Offers will also be accepted by e-mail at Rita.Langager@ihs.gov or by fax at (406) 247-7108.
RFQ-10-18-047-REL Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service
8/30/18, 7:37 PM