Q A_16-250-SOL-00099.docx

Q&A for 16-250-SOL-00099 - BPHC Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Capacity Building Technical Assistance

1. Does HRSA permit discussion of syringe exchange within the curriculum for the teleECHO clinics?

The HHS Syringe Services Program is a new opportunity for health centers and depending on when health centers are approved to participate in this program, this topic may be of interest to health centers. HRSA will provide more feedback on this issue if a contractor includes this topic in their final project plan (Tasks 2 and 3). Overall, any discussion of syringe exchange must directly follow the 2016 HHS Implementation Guidance for Syringe Services Programs (see https://www.aids.gov/pdf/hhs-ssp-guidance.pdf) which outlines components of a comprehensive syringe service program.

2. Can HRSA please provide a list of the types of provider hired by the grantee FQHCs, and whether they plan to offer MAT themselves, or work through a referral network? This information will be critical in order to design the optimal balance of medical and BH-focused clinics to meet the needs of the FQHCs.

Health centers may utilize a broad array of providers (behavioral health providers, medical providers, and others) to fulfill the requirements of the Substance Abuse Expanded Services Opportunity. Health centers may offer MAT directly or through contract.

3. Please clarify the statement on p. 41 of the RFP: “Description of partnership collaboration with community-based organizations with experience: 1) implementing integrated models of preventive healthcare which combines physical and behavioral health care; 2) enhancing health IT for effective patient care management; 3) providing culturally competent services; and 4) integrating evidence-based research into health care delivery.” Is this intended to mean that the contractor should have a partnership with community-based organizations for each of these areas?

Yes, the contractor shall have a partnership/collaboration with community-based organizations with demonstrated expertise and experience in all of these areas.

4. Page 66 of the RFP (Attachment E) reads “HHS current subcontracting goal is 33.0% for small business…5.0% for small disadvantaged business…5% for women-owned small business and economically disadvantaged women-owned small business, 3.0% Hub Zone business, 3% for Veteran Owned Small Business, and 3% for service disabled veteran-owned small business.” Will you please clarify whether the 33% for small business is inclusive of these subcategories?

Yes; the 33% goal is inclusive of the smaller goals for the various socio-economic categories.

5. Please define or describe "ECHO-like" models in greater detail.

The purpose of this solicitation is for the offeror to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise with “Project ECHO-like” models. As described in Task 2, this model is a virtual mechanism that offers a strategic way to provide technical assistance to stakeholders using expert staff regarding the treatment of substance use disorder.

6. Please expand on requirements for Key Personnel. Specifically, is it acceptable for Key Personnel to be subcontractors?

Yes; Key Personnel may be subcontractors.

7. Can the submission deadline (currently June 13, 2016) be extended?

No; the submission deadline cannot be extended at this time.

8. Regarding the project plan and specifically on the schedule of the national video clinics: 4 video clinics, 25 health centers each:

* Is 4 cohorts a must or can it be less?

* Is there a min # health centers that must participate in each cohort?

* All cohorts need to start simultaneously or a staggered approach would be acceptable?

The number of participating health centers per video clinic was provided to ensure a balanced number of health centers are participating at one time and to fully support a minimum of 100 health center organizations.

The cohorts may start using a staggered approach; however, the start dates should be in close enough proximity to ensure that all work is completed within each contract performance period.

Please see the revised SOW for details.

9. Regarding the number of sites, if working with a multi-site organization, do participating satellites within the system count towards 100 FQHCs?

It is expected that the Contractor will reach a minimum of 100 health center organizations through this effort.

10. Regarding Section H3 , Security (page 14)

* What constitutes sensitive data?

Any data generated under the contract that are not considered public information.

* Who will need the special encryption on their laptops?

Per the clause, all laptops containing sensitive data.

11. Page 29, L.1.4: “Proposals shall be submitted single spaced, printable on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, paginated front to back, 12 point font (Times New Roman), 1 inch margins, with searchable features in the technical proposal and business proposal. Each page shall be numbered and each volume shall be tabbed to correspond to the table of contents. The Offeror may include 11 x 17 inch foldouts only to display graphics, flow charts, organizational charts, or drawings, which will not be counted towards the page limit for the technical volume.” Can information presented in graphics, exhibits, and tables be presented in a legible font style no smaller than the size of Times New Roman 9pt?

Yes; for those elements only a smaller font size is acceptable.

12. Page 31: For grantees struggling with implementation, is targeted onsite TA an allowable activity?

The contractor may propose activities they believe are most appropriate for capacity building technical assistance. Please note that no costs will be allowed for travel for this solicitation.

13. Page 31: Traditional Echo programs have targeted medical staff: physicians, nurses, PAs. Can a dedicated focus also include integrated behavioral health providers as part of ECHO capacity building?

In the development of the proposal to respond to this solicitation, the offeror may propose staff and team members they believe are most appropriate to participate in the technical assistance sessions.

14. Page 47: Among the inclusions in the training curriculum for the Project ECHO-like Model for SUD Capacity Building TA is: “Enhancement of HIT to improve the effectiveness of substance abuse services and increase patient engagement.” Given that there is a large body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of telehealth in the field of behavioral health, including SUD, are telehealth modalities included in the reference to HIT?

The purpose of this solicitation is for the offeror to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise with the types of health information technology (HIT) relevant to the provision of behavioral health services. Thus, the offeror can propose what they believe is most appropriate in regard to HIT for the training curriculum.