CCN Next Gen Dental Special Notice.docx

Community Care Network Next Generation Dental Network Special Notice

Department of Veterans Affairs Integrated Veteran Care Veterans’ Health Administration

Date: September 5, 2025

36C10G25Q0078 FAR Part 52.215-3 (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of information and planning.

Disclaimer: The following document is NOT a solicitation or Request for Proposal. This document is for informational purposes only. The VA is requesting industry feedback on the clauses and provisions as drafted however these are not finalized and are subject to change.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL NOTICE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is issuing this Special Notice as part of market research for a potential procurement to acquire contractor services to develop and maintain a national network of high-performing, licensed dental providers and practitioners. In addition to developing and maintaining a robust dental provider network, where providers deliver standard dental services in accordance with industry standards, to include dental, surgical, complementary and integrative services, durable dental equipment, and pharmacy. The contractor shall also provide enhanced community dental care services such as appointment scheduling, case management, and other innovative, industry-recognized best practices and lessons learned. VHA looks to become the trend-setter and standard-bearer for streamlined healthcare services and to deploy an innovative healthcare model throughout the nation via the Community Care Network Next Generation (CCN Next Gen) program.

In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by VA in developing its acquisition strategy and informing, refining, and finalizing a solicitation. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, confidential, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Only electronic responses to this special notice will be accepted. The Government will not pay for any time expended or information submitted in response to this special notice. Eligibility to participate in a future acquisition does not depend upon a response to this special notice.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The VA provides care to Veterans through community providers when VA cannot provide the care needed or when Veterans are unable to access local VA dental centers. Community care is based on specific eligibility requirements, availability of VA care, and the needs and circumstances of individual Veterans. In an effort to streamline VA’s community care programs, the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act was signed into legislation on June 6, 2018, providing more choices and robust care coordination for Veterans using one consolidated program instead of multiple programs. Over time, community care program needs evolved with requirements for expanded healthcare services and improvements in customer service, accountability, health information exchange, referrals, scheduling, and provider payments. This evolution led to development of the VA Community Care Network (CCN).

The current CCN program is comprised of five (5) regional IDIQ contracts that serve as the primary vehicle through which VA purchases care from community-based providers for Veterans, covering all U.S states and territories. The VA is presently conducting market research as part of its acquisition planning process for the upcoming CCN Next Gen initiative. While the CCN program has made significant efforts to expand access and improve the quality of care for Veterans, the VA aims to further streamline and enhance community care processes and service delivery through this initiative. CCN Next Gen seeks to build upon lessons learned from previous efforts and incorporate industry best practices through comprehensive market research, innovative acquisition strategies, and in-depth analysis of acquisition and contract requirements. This special notice represents a key step in gathering insights to inform the development of a more effective, responsive, and outcomes-driven community care dental network.

The Contractor shall serve as a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) with responsibility to provide regionally managed dental services for Veterans referred to community-based dental providers. The Contractor shall (i) provide exemplary customer service; (ii) monitor and manage quality outcomes; (iii) use data and performance metrics to improve services; and (iv) process and pay claims for services ordered against the contract.

3.0 PURPOSE

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) is seeking information in support of Community Care Next Generation (CCN-Next Gen) Dental Network.

This special notice serves to inform interested vendors and industry participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA)'s intent:

· To include specific clauses and provisions in the CCN Next Generation – Dental Network solicitation. The VA intends to incorporate the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VAAR clauses and VA-specific provisions found in Attachment “CCN NG Dental Network Clauses and Provisions”. This notice is provided to ensure transparency and to give potential offerors adequate time to review and prepare for the solicitation requirements.

· To post a Request for Proposal in early in Q1 of FY26.

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested parties are invited to submit the following when responding:

4.1 Vendor Information

· Vendor Name

· Vendor Address

· DUNS Number

· Vendor Website

· Vendor Point of Contact name, telephone number, and email address.

· Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), number under which the vendor is registered in SAM.gov and/or VetBiz.gov.

· Vendor Socioeconomic Status; Business Size and Status [e.g., Large Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Small Business (SB), etc.]

· GSA or similar Governmentwide contract vehicle to include contract number, schedule, and SIN category(s), if applicable.

· The number of years in business operating under NAICS 524114, if applicable.

4.2 Vendor Responses to Instructions

Vendors shall provide responses to the CCN NG Dental Network Clauses and Provisions. Responses should reference the specific clause or provision to which the feedback pertains. General comments or recommended revisions should include sufficient context to ensure clarity.

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Vendors shall submit written feedback in response to this special notice via email in PDF format to the following point of contact:

Email: CCNNextGenInquiries@va.gov

Subject Line: “Response to Special Notice 36C10G25Q0078, Community Care Network Next Generation Dental Network.”

Submission Deadline: September 12, 2025, 3:00 PM EST Feedback shall include comments on the CCN NG Dental Network Clauses and Provisions, recommended revisions, industry best practices, potential risks, innovative solutions, and any additional input relevant to this special notice.

Formatting Guidelines:

Vendors shall not submit any documents in response to this special notice that are password protected. Any documents not in conformance with these requirements may not be reviewed.

Disclaimer: VHA reserves the right to not respond to any emails, questions, or materials submitted in response to this notice. Responses are for market research purposes only and do not obligate the Government in any way.

Proprietary Information: If your submission contains proprietary information, business sensitive or includes trade secrets, please clearly mark it as “Proprietary Information” on each applicable page. The Government will handle all submissions in accordance with applicable procurement regulations and confidentiality guidelines.

6.0 ATTACHMENTS

See attached document: Attachment 1 – CCN NG Dental Network Clauses and Provisions image1.png