19-RFP-1155459716-HMM-DPS-Addendum 4 Temp Nursing Questions and answers.docx

DOCX document 195 KB Posted

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JJ Temporary Nursing Services New Event
Solicitation number
Doc1220113687
Issued by
Cabarrus County, Chatham County, Durham County, Sea Breeze CDP, North Carolina

About this file

This document is an addendum to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) for temporary nursing services. The RFP, numbered 19-RFP-1155459716-HMM, is seeking to secure a statewide contract for the provision of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Medical Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants I (CNA I), and Certified Nursing Assistants II (CNA II) to provide healthcare services to juveniles in the custody and care of the NCDPS Division of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention. The contract term is dependent on facility needs, with a target bid opening date of September 18, 2024.

The addendum provides additional details and responses to vendor questions, including information on the estimated budget of $200,000, the requirement to bid on all positions, and the handling of training, orientation, and confidentiality protocols for temporary staff. The RFP also clarifies that there is no mandatory subcontracting requirement, and that the contract may be awarded to multiple vendors depending on the evaluation criteria. Pricing is to be submitted as specific hourly rates, and there is a 10% Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation goal for certified HUB vendors.

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North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Purchasing and Logistics

Roy Cooper, GovernorCasandra Skinner Hoekstra, Chief Deputy Secretary
Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr., SecretaryMelissa Earp, Chief Financial Officer

Tymica Dunn, Director

ADDENDUM FOUR (4)

September 6, 2024

BID Number:19-RFP-1155459716-HMMCOMMODITY/SERVICE: 851215
ADDENDUM Number: 01USING AGENCY: NCDPS

PURCHASER: Heather Melton OPENING DATE/TIME: September 18, 2024 2:00 PMET

INSTRUCTIONS:

1
Is this a new contract or renewal of an existing contract?
Renewal
2
If there is an existing contract, could you please share the names of the current vendors and their pricing?
See Attachment
3
In order to be considered responsive for this solicitation, is it mandatory to bid on all positions?
Yes
4
What is the estimated budget for this contract?
Approximately $200,000.
5
Is it mandatory to subcontract?
Please bid as specified
6
Could you please provide information on the daily duration of shifts required for the necessary professions? For example, the number of hours per day?
36-48 hours/week
7
If available, could you please send me a copy of the last winner contract for 19-RFP-1155459716?
This contract is currently posted for bids
8
What are the expected staffing levels and nurse-to-patience ratios?
Number of staff and ratio depends on the facility size and need
9
How will training and orientation for temporary staff be handled?
Orientation may be 1 to 4 days and includes: review of policies; procedures and requirements; medication administration; PREA; intranet, NC Join (Court Services information system); and shadowing. May be hybrid.
10
Are there specific protocols for handling confidential patient information?
Yes
11
What is the duration of the contract for the temporary nursing services?
Depends on facility need.
12
Are there any additional costs or fees (e.g. overtime, travel expenses)?
No
13
“Is there an existing provider currently handling this contract for temporary nursing if so, could you share the current rates or pricing structure?”
See Attachment
14
What would be the number of awards you intend to give (approximate number)?
Depends on the evaluation criteria
15
What are the estimated funds that are estimated to be allocated for this contract?
Not known at this time
16
What is the tentative state date of this engagement?
Section 1.1 – Beginning on the date of final contract(s) execution
17
Is this a new contract or are there any incumbents? If there is an incumbent, could you please let us know the incumbent name and pricing and are the incumbents eligible to submit the proposal again?
See Attachment
18
Are there any pain points or issues with the current vendor(s)?
Not having a flat rate.
19
Could you please share the previous spending on this contract, if any?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127,500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
20
Please confirm there is a 10% HUB goal. If yes, is this mandatory?
If the vendor is HUB certified.
21
Can we submit the good faith efforts if we are unable to find a subcontract?
No
22
Can we replace a subcontractor after an award?
No
23
Is it mandatory to submit the licensure from NC State Board of Nursing? If yes, do we need to provide it in our proposal response or is it required after an award?
A business license may be provided but does not take the place of required proof of licensure from the NC State Board of Nursing.
24
How many positions were used in the previous contract?
Depends on facility need and size.
25
How many positions will be required per year or throughout the contract term?
Number of positions are based on needs of the facilities.
26
If the proposed candidates are not available at the time of award, will the agency allow us to provide replacement personnel with similar or more skill sets?
Yes
27
Are resumes required at the time of proposal submission? If yes, do we need to submit the actual resumes for proposed candidates or can we submit the sample resumes?
After the award
28
Could you please provide the list of holidays? Are there any mandated Paid Time Off, Vacation, etc?
New Year’s Day, MLK Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

No mandated PTO, Vacation, etc.

29
Can we provide hourly rate ranges in the price proposal?
Specific Rates are required
30
Is it entirely onsite work or can it be done remotely to some extent/ Does the services

need to be delivered onsite or is there a possibility for remote operations and performance?

Entirely onsite work

No remote work offered.

31
Can respondents choose which skills sets that they want to place or is it mandatory to provide staffing for all job titles listed on the cost proposal page? For example, if a respondent only wants to make RN and LPN placements.
Yes
32
In section 4.2 it outlines invoicing requirements but no payment terms. Will the State accept Net 30-day or less payment terms?
Net 30
33
Section 5.4 How are vendors notified of vacancies?
Email Blast
34
Does the State plan to transition any current contract employees to new vendors to maintain continuity of care? If so, where should respondents include that in their pricing proposal?
No
35
Confirming that in the cost proposal rate you are asking for something like this? Reg-$10, On Call=$15, Call Back=$20, Total Rate=$45
Yes
36
How many contract employees are working at a given time for the State in each skill set?
Depends on facility need.
37
What, if any, have been the challenges with the vendors currently providing this service?
No Challenges
38
Is there a local vendor preference on this bid?
No
39
Is this a new initiative? If not, who are the current vendors? Please share their pricing file
Public Records Request
40
Is the vendor required to furnish any equipment, supplies or materials?
No
41
What are the historical annual spending volumes in this project?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
42
What is the estimated budget for this project?
Approximately $200,000.
43
Can you clarify the insurance requirements?
Certificate of Insurance and Business License
44
Please share the incumbent vendors and their pricing?
Public Records Request
45
What is the budge for this bid? Or the estimated annual spending in the pas under this contract for similar services?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
46
Is there any challenge fulfilling the needs with the existing contracts for related services or any specific improvements you are looking for?
Maintaining Scheduled Contract.
47
Is there any preference for the local vendor?
No
48
What is the exact work location and working hours?
Data Unavailable
49
What are the overtime terms and orientation process if required for any role?
Orientation may be 1 to 4 days and includes: review of policies; procedures and requirements; medication administration; PREA; intranet, NC Join (Court Services information system); and shadowing. May be hybrid. Yes. At the same flat hourly rate.
50
Please share the type of background check and drug test required
The Vendor and its personnel are required to provide or undergo background checks at Vendor’s expense prior to beginning work with the State
51
Will there be a kick-off meeting once the contract is awarded?
No
52
Section 1.1, Purpose and Background: Are these services currently being provided by a contractor/vendor? If so, please provide the name of the incumbent provider and incumbent provider and copies of their public contract documentation.
Public Records Request
53
Section 1.1, Purpose and Background: Please provide the total current contract spend
Not available
54
Section 1.1, Please provide the current number of vacancies by position
Not available
55
Section 1.1., Please provide the number of Certified Nursing Assistants who currently pass medications.
0
56
Section 4.11, Questions to Vendors: Please advise on how respondents should answer if they are not yet staffing in North Carolina. Are respondents able to answer “yes” if we will ensure that our CNAs are properly qualified on the registry to administer medications.
Yes
57
Section 4.11, Questions to Vendors: Are CNAs required by NC law to be registered on the state registry in order to administer medications?
Yes
58
Section 5.3, Tasks/Deliverables: To help vendors better understand and quote the drug spend, please provide the number of youths on medications currently.
Not available
59
Section 5.3, Tasks/Deliverables: Please provide the volume of vacancies and placements in the last year.
Not available
60
Section 5.5, Locations: To help respondents better understand the size of the contract, please provide the average daily census at each facility listed.
Not available
61
Section 5.5, Locations: How many staff and what type of staff are currently shared between facilities?
None
62
Attachment A: Would the State consider an Actual Cost-Plus Vendor Hourly Admin Fee model? This would allow for flexibility in rates for critical regions, high demand times, etc.
No
63
Attachment H: Candidate Requirements: As we are not yet staffing candidates in this process, is the intention for respondents to sign and return this document to simply acknowledge that we will require each candidate employee to fill out and sign that document in the program?
Yes.

Candidate requirements may be submitted once awarded

64
Attachment J and Attachment K: These attachments are required to be submitted with proposals. Is the intention for respondents to sign and return this document to simply acknowledge that we will utilize these guidelines in the program?
Yes
65
What is the estimated budge for this RFP? If unknown, please specify previous spending.
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
66
Is this a new requirement? If not, please provide the current vendor(s) providing the service and how are the current servings being procured? Apart from ed of tenure, is there any other reason to release this solicitation? Are there any pain points?
Public Records Request
67
Please provide the list of all the attachments and forms which is necessary to attach to the proposal
All the attachments/forms are attached in the RFP in the sourcing tool. Call helpdesk at 1-888/211-7440 opt 2 with any problems.
68
Do we need to submit the Certificate of Insurance and Business License with the proposal?
Yes
69
What is the average length of the assignment?
13 weeks
70
Could you please specify the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) needed for this contract, broken down by each job titles?
Data unavailable
71
Is there any preference to the local vendor while evaluating the proposal?
No
72
Please provide a copy of the proposal of all current vendors providing staffing services, including rate/cost sheets
Public Records Request
73
Please define the exact proposal format.
74
Is this contract being released under master contract 30-23095?
Na
75
If we are one of the awarded vendors for the contract RFP No. 19-RFP-015305-BET, do we still need to submit a bid for this current solicitation? If so, is this a rebid of the RFP No. 19-RFP-015305-BET contract, or is it for a new contract?
Yes – Resubmit
76
The portal states the solicitation title as "Temporary Medical Services," but the provided attachments refer to "Temporary Nursing Services." Could you please clarify this discrepancy
Temporary Nursing Services
77
Attachment E: Customer Reference Form Do we need to provide references for similar settings/contracts where we have provided similar services, or can we provide any other settings references where we have placed similar job titles?
References from other adolescent or pediatric health care providers are accepted.

Yes, particularly if the environment housed juveniles.

Refer to section 4.6. Vendors shall provide at least three (3) references for which company has provided services of similar size and scope.

78
Technical Format Can you please provide the format for the technical response, including any additional information that needs to be included?
Na
79
Kindly clarify if we need to provide any equipment’s or goods under this contract.
No
80
Attachment H: Candidate Requirements As per our understanding, this attachment is required after the award. Can we submit it with only the solicitation number and vendor name, leaving the rest of the fields blank? Please confirm
Yes
81
Attachment K: Monthly Evaluation Form As per our understanding, this attachment is required after the award. Can we submit it with only the vendor’s name and leave the rest of the fields blank? Please confirm.
Yes
82
Section 3.4 Evaluation Criteria According to the solicitation document on Page 13, under the EVALUATION METHOD, can we provide answers to all the stated requirements in a separate file and upload it to the Portal under 5.3 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, along with all attachments mentioned on Page 10, Section 2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS? Please confirm.
Yes
83
Section: 5.5 Locations Could you please specify the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) required for this contract, broken down by job title and each location listed in Section 5.5 (Location)?

Data Unavailable

84
Section 4.4 HUB Participation As a self-certified Minority-Owned HUB contractor in the State of NC, do we still need to meet the 10% utilization goal for diverse firms as 1st or 2nd tier subcontractors? Additionally, is it mandatory for us to include a subcontractor?

If you are certified HUB vendor then you being identified as the HUB vendor.

No, not mandatory.

85
Attachment D: HUB Supplemental Vendor Information Please confirm what needs to be provided under PART II: PROCUREMENT OF GOODS – SUPPLIERS. Based on our understanding, should we write "N/A" under Part II?

Please complete if you are HUB certified

86
Section: 4.3 Financial Stability Do we need to provide financial audited statement while filling the Attachment G?

Complete Attachment G – date needed for current audit

87
Evaluation Method Do we need to provide a technical response addressing the Evaluation Method criteria, including Project Organization (Section 5.6), Vendor Technical Approach (Section 5.7), Cost (Section 4.1 & Attachment A), and Vendor Experience (Section 4.5)? Please clarify
Yes
88
Section: 2.7 Proposal Contents Do we need to include all attachments and required signed documents specified under Section 2.7 Proposal Content in the technical response, in addition to addressing the evaluation method? If yes, can we upload this file, which contains both the Section 2.7 Proposal Content and the response to the Evaluation Method criteria, under 5.3 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION? Please confirm.

Yes

89
Portal Question Based on our understanding, Section 5.2 ALTERNATE RESPONSE only needs to be completed if we are submitting alternative options. If we are not providing any alternate responses and are only submitting our primary response under Sections 5.1 and 5.3, can we leave Section 5.2 blank? Will leaving this section blank result in a compliance issue, or should we upload a Word document stating "Not Applicable" in this section? Please clarify.

Yes

90
Section: 2.7 Proposal Contents Under Section 2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS, is the list of items and attachments provided a proposal format we need to follow, or is it a checklist that we should adhere to?
Yes, list of items in the proposal
91
Portal Question According to the Portal, can we submit responses related to the checklist and other content in Section 5.3 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, which will not be provided under Section 5.1 RETURN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT? Please confirm. Additionally, is there anything else required beyond the list of items and attachments specified on Page 10 of the solicitation document?
Yes
92
Reference Attachment H: Are candidates required to be submitted to be at proposal submission?
Candidate requirements may be submitted once awarded
93
Section .6: Will our proposal still be considered if our North Carolina Nursing Pool License is pending?
No
94
Do we need to submit the first page and page # 1 &2 of the RFP with our response or as a separate attachment?
With your response
95
Section 2.7. states “Completed and signed version of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the RFP. “ Please clarify do we need to submit the whole RFP with the execution pages
Yes
96
Due to the lack of clear guidelines on the required information and the sequence for submission, we kindly request the agency to provide detailed instructions to ensure all vendors can submit their responses accurately and effectively. (e.g., provide a detailed section L/Instruction to Offerors)
Please contact the eProcurement helpdesk at 1-888-211-7440 opt 2 for guidance
97
Kindly clarify in which section of our response do we need to include section 4.11 - QUESTIONS TO VENDORS and 6.1 - CONTRACT MANAGER of the RFP?
Yes
98
Section 4.5 VENDOR EXPERIENCE: Do we need to submit resumes of the recruiters or resumes of key personnel? If we need to provide resumes of the candidates? If yes in which section of our response?
Candidate requirements may be submitted once awarded
99
Section 3.4 Evaluation Criteria: What are the weightage of each of the criteria as mentioned in the Evaluation method?
Please bid as specified
100
Section 4.4 HUB PARTICIPATION: We are an NMSDC certified MBE firm, Is HUB subcontracting mandatory for us to get awarded?
Not mandatory
101
Is this a statewide bid or department wide bid?
Statewide
102
Is this a new RFP or a re-compete? If re-compete please provide the information of the incumbents?
Public Records Request
103
What is the historical spend for this project?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
104
How many resources will be required during the contract term? How many resources were utilized in this project previously?
Depends on facility need.
105
Is PDF a suitable version for the proposal submission?
Yes
106
Is there any preference for NC based local vendors?

No

107
Can you please provide the incumbent vendors along with the incumbent hourly rates for RN, LPN, Med Tech, CNA 1, and CNA 2 service lines?
Public Records Request
108
What was the total annual expenditure of the current contract for FY 22-23, and 23-24?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
109
Can you please disclose the annual expenditures for FY 23-24 for all service lines being requested (RN, LPN, Med Tech, CNA 1, and CNA 2)?
Data unavailable. Past cost for FY 2021 $127.500; FY 2022 – 195,000.
110
Why did the State cancel the last RFP, 19-RFP-639494044-HMM? This bid is separate from any previous bids
Canceled Bid
111
What is the anticipated start date for the new contract?
TBD
112
What will be the anticipated job openings for 9 facilities listed in this RFP?
Depends on facility need.
113
What specific nursing services are required, such as general nursing care, mental health services, chronic disease management, or specialty care?
Depends on facility need.
114
Section 2.7 States that we must include: "a) Completed and signed version of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the RFP." In the top right of many pages of the RFP there is a line for "Vendor," is this for printed name or does it need a signature in that space for each instance it appears?
Printed
115
Are there any specific health programs or initiatives that the nursing staff will need to support or implement?
Depends on facility need.
116
Are there any health promotion or disease prevention programs that need to be implemented?
Depends on facility need.
117
Are there any specialized services (e.g., substance abuse treatment, reproductive health services) that need to be provided?
No
118
What is the average daily population of inmates, and how does this fluctuate?
Depends on facility need.
119
What are the required qualifications and certifications for nursing staff, including any preferred specializations?
NC Licensure
120
How many fulltime, part time, and per diem staff members are required to meet the facility's needs?
Data unavailable
121
Are there any seasonal or situational peaks in demand for healthcare services?
Depends on facility need.
122
What is the turnover rate for nursing staff in the facility, and what strategies are in place to manage it?
Training and Evaluations
123
Are there any mandatory staffing ratios or levels required by state or federal regulations?
Depends on facility.
124
What are the procedures for coordinating care with external healthcare providers or hospitals?
Contracted Services
125
How many vendors do you plan to award the bid to?
Data unavailable
126
What is the expected timeline to award the bid?
To be determined
127
What is the expected timeline for staffing to be fully operational upon contract award?
5 business days
128
Who are the incumbent suppliers?
Public Records Request
129
What is your current agency usage by discipline?
Data unavailable
130
Who has the adult corrections NC DPS contract?
This bid is for NCDPS Juvenile Justice
131
In reference to RFP Section 5.2 Specifications, could the State please clarify the scope/job description of the Certified Medical Technician? Does the State intend to hire Certified Medication Aides to fulfill this role? Please provide more information and clarification on this position.
See Attachment
132
In reference to RFP Section 5.2 Specifications, can the state provide formal job descriptions available with the required state licensure expectations?
See NC State Human Resources
133
Regarding RFP section 5.2Specifications, can the State please clarify if there is there a state certification or license that allows CNA's or Medication Technicians to pass medication? If so, please provide acceptable documentation.
Yes
134
In reference to RFP Section 5.2 Specifications, vendors will be tasked with staffing RN, LPN, Med Tech and CNA positions. What managerial and supervisory structure will the State have in place relative to staff we assign?
Reference RFP 5.4 D
135
Under RFP section 5.3 Tasks/Deliverables, subsection C, the State lists "Manage Clinic" for a variety of deliverables. Could the state please clarify what duties this entails, and what the scope of this responsibility is outside of normal operating functions?
Scope of responsibility could be unlicensed/ licensed personnel.

Medical Office Assistant duties.

136
Regarding RFP section 4.4, HUB Participation, could the State please clarify the requirements surrounding the 10% HUB subcontracting requirement. Does this responsibility fall on the State or the Vendor?
For Certified HUB vendors
137
Regarding RFP section 4.4, HUB Participation, can the State clarify if the responsibility for subcontracting falls on the vendor, can the State please provide more specific evaluation information regarding how subcontracting will affect proposal evaluations?
No
138
Regarding RFP section 1.1 Contract term, is the State willing to entertain contract revisions/exceptions?
No
139
Regarding RFP section 1.1 Contract term, to what extent will contract revisions/exceptions impact award scoring and award decisions?
na
140
Regarding RFP section 4.2 Invoices, is the State receptive to Net 30 payment terms?
Yes
141
Regarding RFP section 4.12 Agency Insurance Requirements Modification, does the State require any particular types/levels of insurance coverage?
naW
142
Regarding RFP section 5.3 Tasks/Deliverables, what is the extent of security personnel that the State will provide in terms of staff and patient/resident safety?
1:8, staff to students
143
Regarding Attachment K: The labor categories referenced on the form include RN, LPN and Medical Assistants; however, this does not align with the labor categories on Attachment A (RN, LPN, Med Tech, CNA I and CNA II). Can the state please clarify how we should interpret this discrepancy? A Medical Assistant or Certified Medical Assistant is another commonly requested position and is creating confusion.
Attachment K revised
144
Regarding RFP section 1.0 Purpose and Background, can the state provide a response as to why this solicitation is being re-issued?
The award was made prematurely without the approval of Department of Administration, Division of Purchase & Contract (P&C). Any awards above delegation requires P&C approval.
145
Regarding RFP section 2.0 General Information, can the State please clarify how many awards does the state intend on making for this contract?
Data unavailable
146
Regarding RFP section 5.2, can the state please explain how on-call and call-back staffing situations are to be utilized under this contract? What is the scope of work expectation per each labor category for on-call services? How frequently do on-call and call-back situations arise for temporary staff?
RN only. On-call = Available after scheduled working hours. Call-back= Return to Facility.
147
Regarding RFP section 5.4 DPS Responsibilities, are state approved holidays eligible for holiday billing rates (1.5x)?
No
148
Regarding RFP section 5.4 DPS Responsibilities, are approved overtime hours eligible for overtime billing? If so, how should vendors propose overtime rate?
No
149
Please provide Historical Usage, by location, as identified in Section 5.5 (to include number of hours by labor type, for regular, OT, on call, call back)
Data Unavailable
150
Is there a preference in the evaluation process for bidders that are certified as HUB zone, WOSB, Small business, etc.?
No
151
Is it possible to acquire a copy of the successful proposal from previous years?
Public Records Request
152
Could you disclose the projected budget for the contract?
Not known at this time
153
Could you furnish the overall count of temporary staff engaged in the ongoing assignment?
Data Unavailable
154
Will the contract be awarded to multiple agencies or just one?
Data Unavailable
155
What are the existing rates for each discipline?
Public Records Request
156
Can you provide an estimate of number of positions needed for each discipline?
Data Unavailable
157
What are the durations of the contracts for temporary staff 8, 13, or 16 weeks?
Assignments dependent on facility need.
158
Is this a new initiative? If not, please provide the names of the current vendor(s) providing the services.
See Attachment
159
Do you accept DocuSign Signatures for original signatures?
Yes
160
Can you confirm if the total rate is the sum of the regular hourly rate, the on-call rate, and the call-back rate?
Yes
161
Requesting a copy of the last winner contract for #19-1155459716-HMM
This is the current RFQ out for bid
MAILING ADDRESS:OFFICE LOCATION:
4227 Mail Service Center3030 Hammond Business Place
Raleigh, NC 27699-4200Raleigh, NC 27603-3666
www.ncdps.govTelephone (919) 743-8141
Fax (919) 733-3731

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