36C10X22Q0128.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

General Information Document Type: Combined Solicitation/Synopsis Solicitation Number: 36C10X22Q0128 Posted Date: April 22, 2022 Questions Due:

Response Date:

April 28, 2022 May 6, 2022

Product or Service Code: U010 Set Aside: N/A NAICS Code: 611430

Contracting Office Address

Strategic Acquisition Center – Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs 5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick, MD 21703

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is a request for quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 611430, with a small business size standard of $12.0 million.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Peer Support Services within VHA Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) is seeking a non-profit entity or entities to provide established Peer Specialist Certification Training and Certification upon graduation to VA-employed Peer Support Staff.

36C10X22Q0128 | Peer Support Services within VHA Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

Table of Contents

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SECTION B – COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

B.1 BPA ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 BPA ORDERING PROCEDURES

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

B.4 COST SCHEDULE

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2021) (JUL 2020)

(DEVIATION)

C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) ...20

C.4 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.5 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA

ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

C.6 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: PEER SUPPORT STAFF COMPETENCIES—DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE &

SKILLS:

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS

E.2 EVALUATION APPROACH

E.3 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

E.4 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.5 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.6 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.7 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 2021) (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION)

SECTION B – COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

B.1 BPA ADMINISTRATION DATA

a. BPA Administration: All BPA administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

1. CONTRACTOR: TBD

2. GOVERNMENT: Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick

Contracting Officer: Kimberly Sandi Email: Kimberly.Sandi@va.gov Phone: (202) 849-0621

Contract Specialist: Dylan Nolz Email: Dylan.Nolz@va.gov Phone: (240) 215-1667

b. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award

Management, or

c. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

1. Other [X] Within 30 days upon delivery and acceptance by the

Government

d. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

mailto:Kimberly.Sandi@va.gov mailto:Dylan.Nolz@va.gov

B.2 BPA ORDERING PROCEDURES

1. The Government anticipates issuing Orders, at a minimum on an annual basis;

however, the Government may issue Orders at any time. It is anticipated that each Order will have a value in excess of the micro-purchase threshold.

Resulting orders will be Firm-Fixed Price Orders. Each Order will specify details as they relate to deliverables, performance, and other technical items.

2. Streamlined evaluation process is permitted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994. Therefore, when placing Orders, the Contracting Officer (CO) is not required to prepare formal evaluation plans, score Quotes, post notice on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website or hold discussions or negotiations with each awardee. However, the CO will maintain an internal record of why a particular BPA holder is awarded each Order.

3. Issues arising from the placement of Orders are not protestable to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) unless the protest alleges that the Order exceeded the value, scope, or period of the BPA or in the case where a single Order exceeds $10 million.

4. Only authorized Contracting Officers (CO) at the Strategic Acquisition Center – Frederick (SAC-F) may place Orders directly under the established BPA when the need for the service arises.

5. Orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold: The CO will provide each multiple-award BPA holder a fair opportunity to be considered for each order exceeding the micro purchase threshold, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold unless an exception applies.

a. The Order Request (OR) will generally allow five days for response.

b. Each OR will include, at a minimum:

1. The response due date and instructions for response;

2. Number of courses, total number of attendees per course, and requested course completion date; and

3. Any additional information deemed necessary by the CO.

c. In general, quotes will be evaluated by ability to deliver the course by the requested completion date and Price. Other evaluation factors may be used if deemed appropriate by the CO. Such factors will be made known to the contractors as provided within the Order request.

d. If a BPA holder is unable to submit a response, it must notify the CO in writing as soon as practicable. A brief written statement as to why the

BPA holder is unable to submit a response is required. Failure to submit a response without sufficient justification may be considered negative past performance information, which may jeopardize the BPA holder from future Orders.

e. Upon completion of the OR evaluation, the CO will issue an Order to the contractor(s) whose quote is most advantageous to the Government considering the evaluation factors specified in the order and a determination by the CO that the proposed price is fair and reasonable. In the event that issues pertaining to an OR cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the CO, the CO reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the OR. In such event, the contractor will be notified, via letter or email, of the CO's decision and this decision shall be final and conclusive. Such shall not be subject to the "Disputes" clause or the "Contract Disputes Act."

f. No individual order issued under this BPA shall exceed a total value of

$50,000.00.

g. The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases made under this BPA.

Options

In accordance with FAR 17.2, Orders/Orders may contemplate the use of options.

Inclusion of options at the Order level will be properly documented and approved in accordance with the FAR and agency procedures and will be clearly stated in the OR and resulting Order. FAR 52.217-9 will be included in any Orders that include options.

Invoicing

1. All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management.

2. Specific invoicing instructions will be identified at the Order level.

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

a. Introduction

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Peer Support Services within VHA Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) is seeking a non-profit entity or entities, in accordance with Public law 111-163, to provide established Peer Specialist Certification Training and Certification upon graduation to VA-employed Peer Support Staff.

The need for certified Peer Specialists has grown since the profession began back in 2008. From the beginning, it was put into law that this training could only be provided by a non-profit entity using the criteria as set by the VA. The need for this training has spread to more VHA points of care and programs in the recent years. There are requests coming in from Departments such as Primary Care, etc. so the need to expand the training while keeping it true to the needed competencies and skills as defined by the OMHSP is a balance that must be kept.

b. Scope

The Contractor shall provide established training that teaches the following competencies, domain knowledge and skills. The training shall include various types of teaching approaches such as didactic, multi-media presentation, role playing and/or experiential form of learning.

• Recovery Principles

• Peer Support Principles

• Cultural Competence

• Communication

• Recovery & Personal Wellness Goals

• Whole Health Approach to Services

• Managing Crisis & Emergence Situations

• Community Integration/Reintegration

• Group Facilitation

• Advocacy

• Use of Recovery Tools

• Workplace Skills

• Professional Development & Self-Care

1. Services: Peer Specialist certification training shall include didactic, experiential, and multimedia modalities, covering the competencies that VHA has designated as required for peer support staff and creating an engaging experience for the trainees. The competencies are identified in Attachment A. The skill-based competencies shall have an experiential component that includes role playing and provides for demonstration of those skills in order to establish successful demonstration of the competencies. These should be delivered as face-to-face training; however, if there are environmental factors that lead to VHA restricting travel (i.e., COVID surges), then virtual training with required video engagement throughout the course shall be provided in lieu of face-to-face training and meet all requirements of this contract under those specific circumstances.

2. The VHA competencies that do not require the face-to-face experiential modality may be provided through in-person training or through completion of workbook materials, manuals, or online learning conducted prior to the experiential training.

The training faculty shall verify satisfactory completion of all assignments.

3. Upon completion of all training, trainees must demonstrate mastery of the Peer

Specialist competencies and skills via a comprehensive examination. The Contractor shall administer the comprehensive examination in two segments.

The first segment shall be performance-based and demonstrate mastery of the competencies and skills learned in the face-to-face training. The following shall be completed as performance-based training at the face-to-face training:

• Being a role model;

• Instilling hope;

• Being an advocate;

• Understanding how roles of ethnicity/race/spirituality/gender/gender/sexual orientation/local community/misc. subcultures may influence recovery;

• Effective listening and asking questions skills;

• Communication styles/verbal and nonverbal communication;

• Conflict resolution skills;

• Basic understanding of group dynamics and interactions;

• Managing internalized stigma;

• Managing environmental stigma;

• Using recovery workbooks and other self-help instruments;

• Problem solving using solution-focused strategies;

• Telling your personal recovery story/being mindful of whom you’re addressing;

• Ethics, boundary issues and dual relationships;

• Working effectively with professionals on an interdisciplinary team;

• Crisis prevention/using resources early, crisis intervention, understanding suicide prevention;

• How to appropriately address challenging situations with Veterans who are under the influence of substances, angry, in psychosis or non-verbal state;

• Peer specialist self-care as a healthcare professional to include identifying when and how to seek support from others.

The second segment of the examination shall be administered to measure the competencies and skills that do not require a face-to-face experiential modality after completion of the training or at a later time agreed upon and acceptable to VHA for administration at the peer support staff’s home facility. Peer support staff must pass the examination with a score determined by and agreeable to both the Contractor and OMHSP.

c. Task statement

The Contractor shall deliver Peer Specialist Certification Training for up to 15 VHA trainees per training. The training shall be dedicated to VHA employees. Upon completion of all training, a comprehensive examination of all trainees shall be conducted. Should a trainee fail to pass the initial examination, the vendor shall provide the trainee the opportunity re-take the examination once within 30 days of course completion at no additional cost.

Certification shall be issued to all trainees who have successful completed all training and passed the final examination with a score determined by and agreeable to both the Contractor and OMHSP.

The training shall include all services outlined in Section B.3 of this performance statement and include all knowledge and skills for each competency as specified in Attachment A.

Delivery of training shall be available in virtual or in-person or a combination of the two.

Delivery of virtual training shall be as robust and interactive as in-person delivery. All virtual training shall be delivered via a platform provided by the Contractor. The platform shall be accessible to trainees via VHA-issued equipment (please note that some online platforms are not accessible due to firewall restrictions).

Determination of in-person or virtual training will be made by VHA and communicated to the Contractor upon request to schedule the training. VHA will provide a list of all trainees no less than 15 business days prior to the scheduled training.

The Contractor shall contact all trainees within 3 business day of receipt of trainee list.

Initial contact shall include, but is not limited to:

• Calendar invitations for all dates o Link for course access o Course platform registration instructions (if applicable)

• Applicable pre-course information and/or requirements (e.g. pre-course readings/assignments, etc.)

• Course materials

• Attendance requirements

The Contractor shall provide a primary trainer and at least one (1) back-up trainer that meet all Key Personnel requirements outlined in Section B.3.h.

d. Deliverables and Delivery Schedule

Deliverable Description Quantity Due Date Training Delivery of Peer Specialist

Certification Training for no less than 8 and no more than 15 trainees per course.

1 course per specified number of trainees (number of trainees to be specified at the order level)

As agreed upon between the Government and Contactor.

Final Trainee list and disposition

List of trainees to include: no shows, Graduates, Peer Specialist Certifications

1 list per course Due within 10 business days of the end of each class.

Issuance of Certificate

Issue Certificate of completion and Certification

1 per Trainee To each trainee on Graduation Day

e. Period of Performance. The period of performance for this contract will consist of a

12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods and will start from the date of the award.

f. Type of Contract. Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

g. Place of Performance. Contractor’s facility and/or Contractor-provided virtual platform.

h. Key Personnel.

Trainer (primary and all back-ups) -

Possess in-depth knowledge of the following:

1. All the domains listed on Attachment A;

2. Specific knowledge of Military and Veteran cultures;

3. Expert knowledge of VHA peer support staff skills and competencies;

4. Expert knowledge of supervision and management of peer specialist certification trainers;

5. Preferred: military Veteran and/or staff who are military Veterans;

6. Preferred: Certified Peer Specialist.

7. Preferred: A minimum of two (2) years delivering Peer Support Certification

Training.

8. Preferred: A minimum of five (5) years as a trainer.

Substitution of Key Personnel

All contractor requests for approval of key personnel substitutions hereunder will be submitted in writing to the COR, or Authorized Designee, and the CO at least 15 calendar days in advance of the effective date, whenever possible, and will provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed key personnel substitute, and any other information requested by the CO necessary to verify the acceptability of the proposed substitution. New personnel will not commence work until all necessary security requirements have been fulfilled and resumes provided and accepted.

i. Travel. Not Applicable.

j. Material Other Direct Costs. Not Applicable

k. Government-Furnished Information, Equipment, and Facilities. Not Applicable

l. Security Requirements. Not Applicable

m. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

Requirement Performance Standard

Surveillance Method

Outcome

Delivery of Services

Services shall be provided in accordance with the Task Order (TO) 100% of the time

100% inspection.

The COR will review Services for timeliness according to the established criteria

The Government will not pay for services that do not conform or do not meet performance standards or have not been properly rendered.

The Contractor will be given an opportunity to correct non-conforming services at no cost to the Government if the services are nonconforming or the contract requirement is unacceptable.

B.4 COST SCHEDULE

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION UNIT COST

0001 Veteran Peer Support Trainee

Ordering Period: Base POP Begin: 06-13-2022 POP End: 06-12-2023

0002 Veteran Peer Support Course Final Trainee List and Disposition Ordering Period: Base POP Begin: 06-13-2022 POP End: 06-12-2023

Not Separately Priced (NSP)

0003 Veteran Peer Support Course Certificate Issuance Ordering Period: Base POP Begin: 06-13-2022 POP End: 06-12-2023

NSP

1001 Veteran Peer Support Trainee Ordering Period: 1 POP Begin: 06-13-2023 POP End: 06-12-2024

1002 Veteran Peer Support Course Final Trainee List and Disposition Ordering Period: 1 POP Begin: 06-13-2023 POP End: 06-12-2024

NSP

1003 Veteran Peer Support Course Certificate Issuance Ordering Period: 1 POP Begin: 06-13-2023 POP End: 06-12-2024

NSP

2001 Veteran Peer Support Trainee Ordering Period: 2 POP Begin: 06-13-2025 POP End: 06-12-2026

2002 Veteran Peer Support Course Final Trainee List and Disposition Ordering Period: 2 POP Begin: 06-13-2025 POP End: 06-12-2026

NSP

2003 Veteran Peer Support Course Certificate Issuance Ordering Period: 2

NSP

POP Begin: 06-13-2025 POP End: 06-12-2026

3001 Veteran Peer Support Trainee Ordering Period: 3 POP Begin: 06-13-2026 POP End: 06-12-2027

3002 Veteran Peer Support Course Final Trainee List and Disposition Ordering Period: 3 POP Begin: 06-13-2026 POP End: 06-12-2027

NSP

3003 Veteran Peer Support Course Certificate Issuance Ordering Period: 3 POP Begin: 06-13-2026 POP End: 06-12-2027

NSP

4001 Veteran Peer Support Trainee Ordering Period: 4 POP Begin: 06-13-2027 POP End: 06-12-2028

4002 Veteran Peer Support Course Final Trainee List and Disposition Ordering Period: 4 POP Begin: 06-13-2027 POP End: 06-12-2028

NSP

4003 Veteran Peer Support Course Certificate Issuance Ordering Period: 4 POP Begin: 06-13-2027 POP End: 06-12-2028

NSP

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(JAN 2021) (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L.

115–91).

(3) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[X] (1) 52.203–6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (OCT 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

[] (2) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (JUN 2020) (41 U.S.C.

3509).

[] (3) 52.203–15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

[X] (4) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (5) [Reserved]

[] (6) 52.204–14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[] (7) 52.204–15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (8) 52.209–6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (JUN 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[] (10) [Reserved]

[] (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-3.

[] (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (MAR 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-4.

[] (13) [Reserved]

[] (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

[] (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-7.

[X] (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (17)(i) 52.219–9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iv) Alternate III (JUN 2020) of 52.219–9.

[] (v) Alternate IV (JUN 2020) of 52.219–9.

[] (18)(i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

[] (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

[] (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[] (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (22)(i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C 632(a)(2)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

[] (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C.

637(m)).

[] (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[] (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17))

[X] (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

[] (28) 52.222–19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JUL 2020)

(DEVIATION) (E.O. 13126).

[X] (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

[X] (30)(i) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

[] (ii) Alternate I (FEB 1999) of 52.222-26.

[X] (31)(i) 52.222–35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JULY 2014) of 52.222-35.

[X] (32)(i) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C.

793).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JULY 2014) of 52.222-36.

[X] (33) 52.222–37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[X] (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act

(DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

[X] (35)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[X] (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

[] (37)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA- Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C.6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (40)(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2015) of 52.223-13.

[] (41)(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-14.

[] (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (MAY 2020) (42 U.S.C.

8259b).

[] (43)(i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (OCT 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-16.

[X] (44) 52.223–18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving

(JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

[] (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (46) 52.223-21, Foams (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (47) (i) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

[] (48) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (JAN 2021) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

[] (49)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION) (19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

[] (ii) Alternate II (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION) of 52.225-3.

[] (iii) Alternate III (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION) of 52.225-3.

[] (50) 52.225–5, Trade Agreements (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

[X] (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

[] (52) 52.225–26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (OCT 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

[] (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C.

5150).

[] (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

[X] (55) 52.229–12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (JUN 2020).

[] (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

[] (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (JAN 2017) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

[X] (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

[] (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017)(15 U.S.C.

637(d)(13)).

[] (63)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

[] (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

[] (iii) Alternate II (FEB 2006) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[] (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

[] (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (NOV 2020).

[] (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

[] (9) 52.226–6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (JUN 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records—Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor's directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the

Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (JUN 2020) (41 U.S.C.

3509).

(ii) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(iii) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L.

115–91).

(iv) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

(v) 52.219–8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219–8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(vi) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(vii) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

(viii) 52.222–35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(x) 52.222–37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xi) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xiii)(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(B) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xiv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xv) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015) (E. O. 12989).

(xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (NOV 2020).

(xviii) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

(xix)(A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xx) 52.225–26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (OCT 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xxi) 52.226–6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (JUN 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of Clause)

C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days.

(End of Clause)

C.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR

2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five (5) years.

(End of Clause)

C.4 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Clause)

FAR

Number

Title Date

52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

NOV 2021

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

AND REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF

WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

JUN 2020

52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON

POSTCONSUMER FIBER CONTENT PAPER

MAY 2011

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE OCT 2018

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE

MAINTENANCE

AUG 2020

52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL

BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS

NOV 2021

C.5 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA

ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

(a) The Contractor agrees to comply with any provision or clause that is incorporated herein by reference to implement agency policy applicable to acquisition of commercial items or components. The following provisions and clauses that have been checked by the Contracting Officer are incorporated by reference.

[X] 852.203–70, Commercial Advertising.

[] 852.209–70, Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

[] 852.211–70, Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals.

[] 852.214–71, Restrictions on Alternate Item(s).

[] 852.214–72, Alternate Item(s). [Note: this is a fillable clause.]

[] 852.214–73, Alternate Packaging and Packing.

[] 852.214–74, Marking of Bid Samples.

[] 852.215–70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors.

[] 852.215–71, Evaluation Factor Commitments.

[] 852.216–71, Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–72, Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–73, Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.216–74, Economic Price Adjustment—Medicaid Labor Rates.

[] 852.216–75, Economic Price Adjustment—Fuel Surcharge.

[] 852.219–9, VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements.

[] 852.219–10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.219–11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.222–70, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards—Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.228–70, Bond Premium Adjustment.

[] 852.228–71, Indemnification and Insurance.

[] 852.228–72, Assisting Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in Obtaining Bonds.

[X] 852.232–72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

[X] 852.233–70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution.

[X] 852.233–71, Alternate Protest Procedure.

[] 852.237–70, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance.

[] 852.246–71, Rejected Goods.

[] 852.246–72, Frozen Processed Foods.

[] 852.246–73, Noncompliance with Packaging, Packing, and/or Marking Requirements.

[X] 852.270–1, Representatives of Contracting Officers.

[] 852.271–72, Time Spent by Counselee in Counseling Process.

[] 852.271–73, Use and Publication of Counseling Results.

[] 852.271–74, Inspection.

[] 852.271–75, Extension of Contract Period.

[] 852.273–70, Late Offers.

[] 852.273–71, Alternative Negotiation Techniques.

[] 852.273–72, Alternative Evaluation.

[] 852.273–73, Evaluation—Health-Care Resources.

[] 852.273–74, Award without Exchanges.

(b) All requests for quotations, solicitations, and contracts for commercial item services to be provided to beneficiaries must include the following clause:

[] 852.237–74, Nondiscrimination in Service Delivery.

(End of Clause)

C.6 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance.

At least 30 days prior to the Contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement’s skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract. If the employee of the Contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties.

(End of Clause)

FAR

Number

Title Date

852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER OCT 2020

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: PEER SUPPORT STAFF COMPETENCIES—DOMAIN

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Recovery Principles

• Demonstrates understanding of wellness from a whole health perspective that includes a focus on a Veteran’s health, home, purpose, and sense of community.

Demonstrates understanding of SAMHSA’s guiding principles of recovery and demonstrates the ability to use these principles in the peer specialist’s work.*

• Recognizes that there are multiple pathways to an individual’s recovery and wellness.*

• Demonstrates understanding of the stages in the recovery process and what is helpful and not helpful to individuals at each stage.*

• Demonstrates understanding of the philosophy and principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.

• Demonstrates understanding of a peer specialist’s roles in psychosocial rehabilitation.*

Peer Support Practices

• Conveys hope that change and recovery are possible.*

• Develops collaborative relationships with Veterans as part of a treatment team to assist Veterans’ engagement with services that are beneficial to their recovery.*

• Demonstrates understanding of the role of a peer specialist at each stage in a

Veteran’s recovery.

• Shares stories about personal recovery experiences in relation to current struggles faced by the Veteran that the peer specialist is supporting.*

• Demonstrates capability in determining when and how much of one’s personal recovery story to share and with whom to make the self-disclosure in order to be helpful and not triggering for a Veteran.*

• Models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.*

• Describes own personal wellness practices and assists Veterans to discover wellness practices that work for them.*

Cultural Competence

• Demonstrates understanding of how race, ethnicity, spirituality, gender, sexual orientation, military background, socioeconomic status, and other subcultural influences can impact an individual’s belief systems, interpersonal interactions, and approach to recovery.

• Demonstrates understanding of own personal values and culture and how these may contribute to beliefs, judgments, and biases in how to approach the peer specialist’s work.*

• Demonstrates capability in interacting sensitively and effectively with individuals from various cultural backgrounds.*

• Tailors services and support to meet the preferences and unique needs of Veterans and their families.*

Communication

• Uses respectful, strengths-oriented language in interpersonal interactions with

Veterans, Veterans’ families, and colleagues as well as in documentation of the peer specialist’s work.*

• Recognizes when to ask questions or share personal experiences and when to listen.*

• Asks open-ended questions that allow more information to be shared and can allow an individual to discover his/her own inner wisdom.*

• Listens to others with careful attention to the content and emotion being communicated.*

• Demonstrates understanding and validates others’ experiences and feelings.*

• Communicates in a timely manner with other members of a Veteran’s treatment team and shares all relevant information needed to assist the Veteran with his/her goals and current needs.*

Recovery and Personal Wellness Goals

• Demonstrates understanding of the peer specialist’s role in supporting clinical treatment goals.

• Assists Veterans to articulate personal goals for recovery and personal wellness through the use of individual and group meetings. *

• Assists Veterans to identify their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences and use them to improve their lives in the life domain areas of home, health, community, and purpose.*

• Assists Veterans to accurately identify barriers to achieving their goals and collaboratively brainstorm strategies for moving past the barriers.*

• Helps Veterans to identify options and participate in all decisions related to establishing and achieving their goals.*

• Assists Veterans to access the services and resources that will help them to work on and accomplish their goals.* Monitors Veterans’ progress on their recovery goals and reports progress and any new problems to the interdisciplinary treatment team.*

Whole Health Approach to Services

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of Whole Health principles and tools (e.g., Personal Health Inventory).

• Assists Veterans to develop an understanding of the holistic approach to recovery and personal wellness which includes physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellness.*

• Supports the development of healthy behavior that is based upon the Veteran’s choice.*

• Knows basic information and/or demonstrates the ability to access resources to learn general information about the health conditions that the Veterans have so that the peer specialist can assist the Veterans and participate in interdisciplinary treatment team discussions in meaningful ways.*

• Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma in Veterans, Veterans’ families, colleagues, and him/herself.*

• Actively resists re-traumatization of others by being mindful of what the peer specialist shares about his/her personal experiences, working to create a safe environment, and collaborating with others in a honest and trustworthy manner.*

• Knows about services and resources in the VA health care system that can be accessed to address a Veteran’s needs and interests regarding holistic health and wellness and meaningful roles and activities.

Managing Crisis and Emergency Situations

• Supports Veterans by using tools (ex. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), SAMHSA’s Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery, etc.) to gather information that will assist other treatment team members in completing and documenting the Veterans’ advanced directives.*

• Strives to create a safe environment when meeting with Veterans.*

• Recognizes signs of distress and threats to safety among Veterans and in their environments and completes safety screenings for Veterans when appropriate.*

• Provides reassurance and support to Veterans in distress and works collaboratively with colleagues to connect the Veterans with clinical providers’ services when needed.*

• Knows suicide prevention strategies and when and how to engage clinical providers for further assistance when needed.

• Knows strategies for effectively dealing with challenging situations with Veterans who are under the influence of substances, angry, and/or in a psychotic or nonverbal state.*

• Reports suspicions of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority in a timely manner.

• Collaborates with colleagues to develop and implement a plan to ensure the peer specialist’s personal safety when meeting with Veterans on station or in the community.

Community Integration/Reintegration

• Demonstrates the ability to use structured questionnaires or tools, selected in collaboration between the peer specialist and supervisor, to assist Veterans in discovering their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences regarding goals related to their purpose and sense of community.*

• Develops and maintains up-to-date information about available community resources…