VIPR Medical QandA 2.pdf

SOLICITATION 12024B23Q7001 and 12024B23Q7002 VIPR I-BPA for Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) for Region 13 - National

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS #2

NOTE: This is the second of multiple Q&A documents to be posted for this solicitation.

All questions regarding equipment found in Exhibit M are currently being processed by FAM Contract Operations and will be posted as a follow up Q&A as soon as possible.

The Following questions have been received:

1. Question: Can a non-transport license ambulance be used as a med mod? ‣

Answer: This solicitation is specific to ambulances and does not cover medical modules. Medical modules are defined by the ordering incident and would be contracted through an EERA if a need was identified.

2. Question: Is there a minimum medical equipment list required for ALS and BLS personnel?

Answer: Medical equipment carried by contracted ambulances must be consistent with their medical direction, protocols, and all laws/requirements specific to the state in which the contractor is providing services while under hire on an incident.

In the EMR solicitation in Exhibit M there is a list of minimum required equipment and supplies. The list supplied with this agreement is to provide minimum equipment direction where a State does not have an existing list or standard for EMRs to carry.

Exhibit M is not intended to supersede or replace State regulations or medical direction for States that have equipment requirements.

3. Question: Does each EMR require a separate technical submission? ‣Do I need to fill out separate solicitations for my Paramedics and EMT's or is it all blanketed under the same agreement?

Answer:

• A vendor should have one response for a solicitation.

• Within that response, the vendor will submit a quote for each DPL resource item that can be validated.

• For example: A vendor wouldn’t have 28 separate agreements for 28 people. A vendor would have one agreement with 28 separate DPL resource item awards.

• Here are the step-by-step instructions to upload resources into VIPR:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/business/incident/static/Overview%20for%20Using%20t he%20Vendor%20Application.pdf https://apps.fs.usda.gov/vipr/ https://apps.fs.usda.gov/vipr/ https://apps.fs.usda.gov/vipr/ https://apps.fs.usda.gov/vipr/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2Fbusiness%2Fincident%2Fstatic%2FOverview%2520for%2520Using%2520the%2520Vendor%2520Application.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C9b909ee81cc84e5256d108db2fb37884%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638156220084387817%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Idm%2FDtHLD2iPY7b1OBXo5QKYctXPcYzLr3gii54vqM%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2Fbusiness%2Fincident%2Fstatic%2FOverview%2520for%2520Using%2520the%2520Vendor%2520Application.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C9b909ee81cc84e5256d108db2fb37884%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638156220084387817%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Idm%2FDtHLD2iPY7b1OBXo5QKYctXPcYzLr3gii54vqM%3D&reserved=0

4. Question: For medical direction approval, does the contract between the medical director and my company suffice for authorization? Or does each EMR require a separate authorization?

Answer: See E.2 for submittal requirements for EMR resources.

You must provide a minimum of TWO (2) pictures/documents of this resource to include:

-- One (1) picture or file of current medical credentials indicating a fully qualified level of care.

-- One (1) picture or file of documentation from a Medical Director authorizing that Emergency Medical Service can be provided on wildland fires.

5. Question: Since crews come and go, if Joe EMT is not available for personnel reasons for a R6 deployment, we can substitute another R6N EMR, but not a R1 EMR. Is that correct? Previous agreements allowed us to move personnel around wherever the need was. This is not allowed any more is what I am understanding.

Answer: Answered Q&A1 question 15

6. Question: I most likely will not have my redcard completed before the VIPR solicitation closes. My last year's card is good till June 2023. Can I update my new red card in VIPR (Or where I need to do that) after the solicitations closes? Thanks.

Answer: See Section D.3 (C) Qualification verification and currency is inspected upon arrival to the incident.

7. Question: It appears we can charge for medical supplies. Last solicitation had us "wet", but now it appears we can be "dry" and thus charge for items used. Is that correct?

Answer: Any medical supplies used in the performance of the contract can be either submitted to finance for addition to your OF 286 if a pricing list was submitted and approved prior to award. If no pricing list was submitted and approved prior to award, you can submit a claim to the contracting officers for any medical supplies used. This does not cover operating supplies such as fuel for the EMR’s vehicle/ambulances, that is still considered “wet” (vendor provided).

8. Question: Can a higher qualified EMR be assigned as a lower level resource? If I have

15 paramedics can I assign 10 as paramedic and 5 AEMT? Can we fill a EMTF request with a Paramedic working as an EMTB? Charging the EMTF rate Can a resource order for an AEMF be filled by an EMPF? A paramedic is qualified medically to perform all the duties of and advanced EMT or an EMT.

Answer: VIPR does not allow down-typing of resources, meaning a paramedic cannot be awarded as an Advanced EMT or EMT-B just like a Type 1 dozer could not be awarded as a Type 2. The DPL resource item should match the level of care for the certification/license provided. This also applies to filling incident orders; all orders must be filled with an EMR certified/licensed at the level of care ordered.