AUDIOLOGIST
Added: Feb 13, 2015 4:56 pm 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 pursuant to the authority of FAR Subpart 13.5, Test Program for Certain Commercial Items (10 U.S.C. 2304(g) and 2305 and 41 U.S.C. 253(g) and 253a and 253b); FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items (Title VIII of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-355)); FAR 37.4, Nonpersonal Health Care Services Contract (10 U.S.C. 2304 and 41 U.S.C. 253); and FAR 37.6, Performance-Based Acquisition. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; therefore, a written solicitation will not be issued. The Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) reserves the right to award a single contract or multiple fixed-price commercial item, performance-based, nonpersonal health care contracts in response to Request for Quotation (RFQ) 10-15-007-REL. The solicitation is restricted to 100% Small Business concerns. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect tough Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-79. The associated North American Industry Classification System code is 621340 and the small business size standard is $7.5 million.Potential offerors may submit an offer for one or both locations by including a rate for the base year and each option year. The proposed daily rates must be inclusive of transportation, food, lodging, et cetera.PRICE SCHEDULE A: AUDIOLOGIST FOR CROW SERVICE UNIT BASE YEAR: 36 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________; OPTION ITEM: 6 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR ONE: 36 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 6 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR TWO: 36 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 6 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR THREE: 36 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 6 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR FOUR: 36 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 6 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________GRAND TOTAL: $____________________.PRICE SCHEDULE B: AUDIOLOGIST FOR NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE UNITBASE YEAR: 14 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 4 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR ONE: 24 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 4 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR TWO: 24 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 4 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR THREE: 24 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 4 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________OPTION YEAR FOUR: 24 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;OPTION ITEM: 4 DAYS @ $_______________ per day = $____________________;TOTAL: $____________________GRAND TOTAL: $____________________.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 7 months with four 12-month options.INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT: The services are to be provided at the Crow Service Unit, PHS Indian Hospital, Crow Agency, Montana; and/or Northern Cheyenne Service Unit, PHS Indian Health Center, Lame Deer, Montana. The purpose of the contract is to acquire direct diagnostic and rehabilitative audiologic services. The procurement is a nonpersonal health care service contract, as defined in FAR 37.101, under which the Contractor is an independent contractor. The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided, but retains no control over the medical and professional aspects of services rendered (e.g., professional judgments, diagnosis for specific medical treatment). The Contractor shall indemnify the Government for any liability producing acts or omissions by the Contractor, its employees and agents occurring during contract performance. The Contractor shall maintain medical liability insurance, which is not less than the amount normally prevailing within the local community for the medical specialty concerned. The Contractor is required to ensure that its subcontracts for provisions of health care services contain the requirements of the clause at 52.237-7, including the maintenance of medical liability insurance. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT FOR CROW AND NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE UNITS: The services are to be provided at the Crow Service Unit, PHS Indian Hospital, Crow Agency, Montana; and/or Northern Cheyenne Service Unit, PHS Indian Health Center, Lame Deer, Montana. (1) The Audiologist will provide 36 days of direct diagnostic and rehabilitative audiologic services to the Crow Service Unit and 24 days to the Northern Cheyenne. The Audiology Services will be coordinated with the ENT Clinics scheduled each month. (2) The Audiologist will provide screenings for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Head Start Programs and Schools, as needed. Screenings will be coordinated with Head Start and School personnel. (3) The Audiologist is responsible for the selection, provision and interpretation of comprehensive audiologic evaluations to include, but not limited to, the following: Air and bone conduction testing; Otoacoustic Emissions testing; Soundfield testing; Play Audiometry; and other Site-of-Lesion tests. (4) The Audiologist is responsible for providing comprehensive audiologic rehabilitation services to include: Hearing aid evaluations; Hearing aid orientations; Aural rehabilitation; hearing aid fittings and follow-ups; counseling the hearing impaired person, his/her family and other pertinent persons to help alleviate the effects of the hearing impairment. (5) Upon request and approval, the Audiologist will participate in the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program by providing training for the nurses, reporting data to the State of Montana, scheduling re-screenings and appropriate referrals for further diagnostic evaluations. (6) The Audiologist is responsible in maintaining inventory and accessories needed to provide a fully functioning hearing aid practice at each Service Unit. (7) The Audiologist will provide the necessary paperwork to the respective Service Unit such as hearing aid repairs, hearing aid and ear mold order forms; requesting hearing aid and audiology supplies; completed vouchers for hearing aids; and complete a "Hearing Aid File" card on each hearing aid dispensed. (8) The Audiologist will properly record audiology services in the patients' medical record or electronic health record or EHR to assess audiology needs and provide the required audiology care. (9) The Audiologist will prepare the patient for otologic examinations, audiologic testing and treatment. (10) The Audiologist will maintain inventory and calibration of audiologic equipment. (11) The Audiologist will provide audiologic services for specialty clinics such as Ear-Nose-Toat (ENT) and provide all necessary pre- and post-operative evaluations on all otologic surgical patients. (12) The Audiologist will establish hearing conservation programs, in-service training to nurses, physicians, and other appropriate staff; Maintenance Department; Dentists; and serve as a consultant to the Head Start program, all when necessary. (13) The Audiologist will act as an intermediary between the patient, Service Unit personnel, Tribal personnel, Area Audiology Program personnel, State and Federal agencies. (14) The Audiologist will maintain a current state license, as required, by continuing education activities (CEUs). (15) The Audiologist will provide the respective Service Unit an invoice after delivery of service every month. (16) The Audiologist will provide quarterly chart reviews as randomly selected by the Service Unit to evaluate Audiology Services. The evaluation should be given to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) by the end of each quarter. See attached schedule for chart evaluations. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: (1) The Audiologist will provide professional leadership and program direction in administrative practices related to audiology services to ensure fulfillment of the Service Unit's goals and objectives by setting and maintaining standards for the clinical practice of Audiology. (2) The Audiologist has the responsibility to act as an intermediary between patients, Service Unit and Tribal personnel as well as the expert resource for referring patients to other facilities and local, State and Federal agencies. (3) The Audiologist is the authoritative expert and program consultant to assist and evaluate the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program at the Crow Service Unit and Public Health Nurses at the Crow Service Unit. This includes, but not limited to, yearly training and observations of screening procedures with the OB nursing staff for compliance documentation; assisting in tracking and reporting data to the State of Montana; and receiving referrals from the Program and Public Health Nurses to confirm possible hearing loss. (4) The Audiologist has the responsibility to design, initiate and evaluate audiologic services at the Service Unit. This may include quality assurance peer review of medical records/EHR, establishing criteria for services, coordination of services, developing policies and standards, assessing the needs, program trends and the effective use of services for the highest achievable quality of services. (5) The Audiologist has the responsibility for maintaining an inventory of accessories for a fully functioning area dispensing hearing aid practice. Maintain a calibration schedule for all Audiologic equipment. The Audiologist will review Service Unit audiologic equipment regularly for replacement and updating. Submit request of supplies or recommendation of equipment to the Service Unit with estimate of cost as needed. (6) The Audiologist will participate in professional societies to keep abreast of new developments in audiology, review current literature, and view demonstrations of new equipment and procedures. Be able to integrate policies and procedures from American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and other accreditation organizations such as Joint Commission with the Billings Area mission, vision and goal by strategic planning, budgeting, and conducting meetings with Communication Disorder Program to keep staff abreast of work requirements, methods and procedures as needed. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION: (1) Knowledge of established professional audiologic concepts, principles, and practices; and otologic diseases necessary to assess the extent of a hearing disorder and its effect upon communication, health, vocation, and socialization for appropriate treatment or referral. (2) Knowledge of Communication Disorders Program policies and practices as well as cultural, social and economic characteristics of the Native population relative to adapting, redesigning or modifying audiology principles to the varied population. (3) Knowledge of the relative value for audiologic evaluations and the principles and practices that govern the evaluations to serve as technical authority, expert advice and direction about the audiological aspects of the health care delivery system. (4) Knowledge of the current VA hearing aids on contract, standards and advances in hearing aid fittings, earmold modifications, frequency response, and other electro-acoustics modifications. Knowledge of aural rehabilitation procedures to provide appropriate amplification and counseling to the hearing impaired. Also familiar with ANSI standards of calibration. (5) Knowledge of Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations of patient confidentiality. (6) Skills in oral and written communication to maintain effective working relationships at the Service Units, Billings Area Office, Tribal personnel, vendors, contractors, and other Federal, State and local agencies. (7) Must possess and maintain a current State license and ASHA certification. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: The following may be provided by the Government: Specialized audiology equipment and supplies needed to perform and deliver audiology and hearing aid services at each Service Unit. The Department will provide orientation to the Contractor as to their specific duties and responsibilities. The Department is responsible for getting the Contractor access and clearances to all pertinent computer services necessary to carry out his/her duties. If necessary, authority to use a General Services Administration (GSA) vehicle, for Official purpose only. The Contractor will be required to provide evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage to protect the Contractor and the Government again third part claims arising from the operation of all GSA vehicle used in connection with the contract. The Contractor shall provide coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for Property Damage. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of FAR subpart 51.2, 41 CFR101-39, CFR 102-34, and the operator's packet furnished with each vehicle. 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 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 or 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. 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 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 Rules of Behavior form, Security training; and if necessary, a Business Partner Interconnection Security Agreement (BPISA), should be coordinated with the Site Manager. PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY: The contract Audiologist's performance will be measured based on the following Performance Requirements: (1) Quality of Performance; (2) Documentation of Medical Records or EHR; (3) Customer Service; and (4) Adherence to Contract Schedules. The Performance Requirements will be measured against the following Government Performance Standards: (1) Provide direct diagnostic and rehabilitative audiologic services as specified in the Performance Work Statement; (2) Appropriately completes and reviews medical records to assess audiology needs and provide the required audiology care; and (3) Reasonable, cooperative, and a commitment to customer satisfaction; and (4) Scheduling of Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic. The Method of Government Surveillance to determine compliance with the Performance Requirements are as follows: (1) Peer Reviews - 10 randomly selected medical record PCC's sent to the project officer or his/her designee by the 10th of each quarter and reviewed by the 20th (see attached evaluation); (2) Peer Reviews - 10 randomly selected medical record PCC's sent to the project officer or his/her designee by the 10th of each quarter and reviewed by the 20th (see attached evaluation); (3) Validated call-in patient complaints; and (4) Misses 3 scheduled clinics per contract year. Deduction Schedule: A 5% deduction shall be assigned to each Performance Requirement. Deductions shall be assessed as follows: (1) 5% deduction from quarterly invoices if 10 PCC's are not sent for review and has 25% or more inadequate marks; (2) 5% deduction from quarterly invoices if 10 PCC's are not sent for review and has 25% or more inadequate marks; (3) 5% deduction of 5 or more patient complaints; and (4) 5% deducted from the following months' invoice. 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: The 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 invoice to the respective Service Unit designee. 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, require the IHS to conduct a character and criminal history background investigation on all contractors. The character and background investigations will be conducted by the Service Units. Fingerprints must be taken as part of the pre-employment process and must be completed before the contractor is allowed to work. 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 (JAN 1999): (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 for award purposes: (1) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (The proposal must include a copy of a diploma from an accredited University) = 10 POINTS; (2) AUDIOLOGY EXPERIENCE (The proposal must include a resume of experience and a narrative reflecting information in sufficient detail of possessing necessary experience and technical skills to perform the scope of work)= 20 POINTS; (3) HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS (The proposal must include hospital affiliations in the resume) = 5 POINTS; (4) PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE (The proposal must include a copy of all professional certifications and licenses) = 20 POINTS; (5) PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS (The proposal must include professional affiliations in the resume) = 5 POINTS; (6) PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (The proposal must include two reference letters reflecting knowledge of the person directly involved under the contract including their work ethic, technical skills, and ability to provide positive customer service. The proposal must include a copy of two Quality Assurance reviews or peer reviews in the past two years.) = 20 POINTS; and (7) SUITABILITY (Identify those items that apply to you/your Company and include an explanation) (i) Professional liability claims and judgments made against the offeror; (ii) Previous denial or revocation of medical staff membership at another facility; (iii) Previous reduction, suspension, revocation, voluntary relinquishment, or non-renewal of privileges at another facility; (iv) Problems with alcohol or drug abuse; (v) Previous loss, suspension, restriction, denial, or voluntary relinquishment of professional licensure or professional society membership; (vi) Problems with health; (vii) Revocation or suspension as a Medicare or Medicaid provider; (viii) Professional liability cancellation within the past five (5) years; (ix) DEA licensing investigations or actions; (x) More than five (5) percent ownership of any medical facility, joint ownership or medical service, or equipment with a facility to which patients may be referred. = 20 POINTS. Technical and past performance, when combined, are 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. 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, 52.217-8, 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, 52.237-2, 52.237-3, 52.237-7, 52.242-15, 52.242-17, 52.244-6, 52.245-1, 352.201-70, 352.202-1, 352.203-70, 352.215-1, 352.215-70, 352.222-70, 352.223-70, 352.224-70, 352.227-70, 352.231-71, 352.237-70, 352.237-71, 352.237-72, 352.239-73, 352.242-71, 352.242-72, 352.242-73, 352.270-2 and 352.270-3. 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, 52.209-10, 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, 52.222-54, 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. 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 304, Billings, Montana 59101, no later than 2:00 p.m. on February 27, 2015. 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. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD: Your proposal must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFQ. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 90 days from the date of receipt by the Government.
RFQ-10-15-007-REL Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service
2/13/15, 4:56 PM