36C24119Q0041-001.docx

36C24119Q0041

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

523-19-1-7044-0001 36C24119Q0041 11-06-2018 Jacob Linxweiler 603-314-4418 11-30-2018

4:00PM

Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Manchester 718 Smyth Road Manchester

NH

03104 X 524298 $15 Million X N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs VA Boston Healthcare System 105 S. Huntungton Ave Jamaica Plain

MA

02130 Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Manchester 718 Smyth Road Manchester

NH

03104

All invoices from the Contractor shall be submitted electronically as per VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Request http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp

See CONTINUATION Page This solicitation is for non-personal services for Medicaid application assistance and processing within the VA Boston Healthcare System.

The Government intends to award a firm fixed-price contract with one base year plus four option years. Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, supervision, labor, equip-ment, materials, licenses, and certifications necessary to provide this service pursuant to the Performance Work State-ment Offerors should follow instructions included in 52.212-1 and Evaluation Process in Section E DOL Wage Determination 15-4047 (Rev.-8) dated 7/10/2018 and Wage Determination 15-4053 (Rev.-8) dated 7/10/2018 apply to this requirement.

All offers must be sent to jacob.linxweiler@va.gov by the date and time identified in block 8.

Questions received after 11/26/18 may not be answered.

$0.00 See CONTINUATION Page X X Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C241 Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Manchester

718 Smyth Road Manchester NH 03104

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. 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.

All invoices from the Contractor shall be submitted electronically as per VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Request http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

Performance Work Statement Medicaid Application Assistance Services

1. BACKGROUND

The VA Boston Healthcare System (VHABHS) is an integrated healthcare system comprised of three medical centers: Jamaica Plain Campus in Boston, MA, West Roxbury Campus in West Roxbury, MA, and Brockton Campus in Brockton, MA.

VABHS is the tertiary care facility for VISN 1 and provides services for Veteran residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. As such Medicaid applications shall not be limited to the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The primary health care service offerings are outpatient, inpatient, extended care and telehealth care. The facility will begin providing transplant services in FY18. Ensuring veteran’s access to care is a priority. For veterans that are admitted to the acute setting, we work to achieve this by ensuring veterans have access to the right care at the right time in the right setting. By improving our access to Medicaid services at the time of admission to the acute setting, we ensure that veterans will have a payer source to assist with discharge planning when they are medically ready to leave the hospital. This will help us provide an appropriate length of stay to veterans and timely transition to the next level of care.

2. MEDICAID APPLICATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES

The contractor shall provide assistance in person and remotely, as requested, with the completion of Medicaid applications. Medicaid has various names, depending on the state administering the program, as such enrollment in services for an equivalent program of a different name shall be included under this contract. The contractor shall be able to navigate the Medicaid application process to completion for states served within the VISN as noted above. The contractor shall provide personal assistance and resources to VABHS staff, patients and caregivers, who have been identified as needing to complete this application in order to access additional community based resources that Medicaid can provide. Individuals are identified through a screening process completed by VABHS staff. The contractor will make a dedicated effort to continuously follow-up on pending Medicaid applications to ensure applications are processed in a time efficient manner. The contractor will be proactive with contacting the Medicaid office to receive timely updates on the status of applications. The contractor will continue to follow-up with VHABHS staff, patients, caregivers, and the Medicaid office until a decision is made by Medicaid in regards to eligibility. This may also include appealing Medicaid decisions. Completing these applications will permit successful transitions from acute and subacute care for the many patients in need of long term care. It will also enable a reduced length of stay and decreased healthcare costs.

Medicaid refers to assistance provided by the government to individuals, including eligible low-income adults, elders and people with disabilities, who meet financial and clinical criteria. This assistance enables recipients to access a spectrum of services including long term care. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.

3. SERVICE LOCATIONS

1400 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, MA 02132

940 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02301

150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Period of Performance: One base year with the four one-year option periods.

5. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

a. It is one of the missions of the VA Boston Healthcare System to serve the Veteran through the delivery of timely quality care by staff who demonstrate outstanding quality service. Our key business drivers are quality, financial integrity, patient satisfaction, and employee satisfaction. Implementing this contract will enable excellent customer service, decreased length of stay, and decreased healthcare costs, thus improving the ability to meet our mission and incorporate key business drivers. Contractor must have significant knowledge and understanding of the Medicaid application process, including Long Term Care applications, and the ability to complete these applications in a time-efficient manner. It is imperative that the Contractor is able to travel to and from campuses and meet the patient or family at the bedside to obtain information and signatures. Contractor is expected to follow-up with the appropriate Medicaid Office during the application process until eligibility is determined. Contractor shall obtain documents required to complete the Medicaid application process, even when the patient is unable to assist. Contractor should be comfortable working with multiple vulnerable populations. Through past performance references the Contractor shall demonstrate a history of successful completion of the Medicaid application for long term care on behalf of clients. Submittals by agencies that are unable to meet the above specifications may not be considered. Contractor shall be able to assist in managing and following through on any appeals necessary with Medicaid until application is approved. Contractor shall be able to manage multiple cases concurrently.

b. The contractor shall comply with the following regulations. Regulations stated should only be used as a guide and not considered all inclusive.

i. HIPPA

ii. Release of Information Policy

iii. Privacy

iv. Computer Security

v. Medicaid

c. The following is a listing and description of Medicaid assistance to be included in the scope of this contract:

i. Medicaid Long term care (or Nursing home applications)

ii. Medicaid community based services including but not limited to PACE program, Frail Elder Services, Adult Day Healthcare, and Group Foster Homes.

d. VHABHS employees shall:

i. Screen veterans within VHABHS for eligibility for Medicaid

ii. Provide the contact information for veterans who screen positive to the contractor for completion of the application

e. Contractor shall: (Order of events)

i. Contractor shall obtain a completed and signed VA Form 5345 before speaking with the patient.

ii. Contractor shall collaborate with VA staff to ensure VA Form 5345 and any other applicable forms are entered into the patient’s medical record.

iii. Contractor shall meet with identified patient and/or caregiver at bedside within the expected timeline from admission to achieve application filing with 72 hours of admission.

iv. Contractor to provide personal assistance and resources to patients and caregivers who may not understand the application process or need help beyond financial assistances offered.

v. Contractor shall file the application within 72 hours of patient admission.

vi. Contractor to provide a focused and dedicated effort to follow up on pending Medicaid applications to ensure timely processing of cases. Communication with Medicaid office, patients, and caregivers shall continue until an eligibility determination has been issued.

f. Hours of Operations: The contractor will be available on an as needed basis from 8am to 9pm 7 days/week, excluding federal holidays.

Federal Holidays

0. New Year’s Day

0. Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

0. Washington’s Birthday

0. Memorial Day

0. Independence Day

0. Labor Day

0. Columbus Day

0. Veterans Day

0. Thanksgiving Day

0. Christmas Day

6. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

a. QUALIFICATION OF OFFERORS: Quotes shall be considered only from companies who are regularly established in the business called for, and who in the judgment of the Contracting Officer are financially responsible and able to show evidence of their reliability, ability, experience, equipment, facilities and personnel directly employed or supervised by them to render prompt and satisfactory service. Contractor shall be able to successfully assist patients and families with completing Medicaid applications immediately upon start of the contract period.

b. VEHICLES/TRANSPORTATION: Contractor is responsible for traveling to VHABHS sites as needed. The contractor will have access to shuttles between campuses (veterans receive priority).

c. CONTINUATION OF SERVICES: Offeror shall submit written contingency plans outlining how they will continue to provide services in the event there is a disruption in any segment of services provided.

d. TERM OF CONTRACT: This contract shall be effective 12 months from date of award with 4 option years.

e. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR): A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) shall be appointed to this contract. The COR is not authorized to change the scope of the work. Changes can only be made by the Contracting Officer.

f. FUEL SURCHARGE: The Government will not make additional payments for fuel surcharges under this contract.

g. INVOICES: The Contractor is to submit a monthly invoice in arrears, indicating the dates and type of service provided, along with the contract number and obligation number for which payment is due. Contractor shall receive payment for services rendered in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act.

Payment will be made upon receipt of a properly prepared, itemized invoice, validated by the COR and submitted to VA Electronic Payment System http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

h. QUALITY ASSURANCE: The Government facilities may at any time inspect and verify that the accuracy of the work compares to that indicated on the invoice. Any deviation will be deducted from the invoice price in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). Quality measures that are expected to be tracked include, but may not be limited to, turnaround time on filing an application, timeliness of accessing Medicaid payer source to assist in discharge planning, patient satisfaction, and submitting proper invoices with the correct elements.

i. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Prior to work commencing a Business Associate Agreement shall be completed by the successful offeror and executed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In accordance with VHA Directive 0710 all Contractor personnel providing services under this contract shall be the subject to a background screening and must receive favorable adjudication from the VA prior to contract performance. The level of screening for this contract is: Special Agency Check (SAC). Any employee whose background investigation yields unfavorable results shall be removed immediately from performance under this contract. In the event the screening is not completed prior to contract performance, the Contractor shall be responsible for the actions of those individuals performing under the contract.

j. BADGES: All Contractor personnel shall be required to wear VA provided identification (I.D.) badges at all times while on the VA grounds. The Contractors shall be required to coordinate with COR to obtain the VA provided ID badges. All VA provided ID badges shall be returned at the end of the contract, upon completion of service, or upon request of the COR.

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION INITIATION

Contract Period: Base

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID INITIATION

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID CONFIRMATION OF CONVERSION

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION INITIATION

Contract Period: Option 1

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID INITIATION

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID CONFIRMATION OF CONVERSION

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION INITIATION

Contract Period: Option 2

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID INITIATION

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID CONFIRMATION OF CONVERSION

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION INITIATION

Contract Period: Option 3

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID INITIATION

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID CONFIRMATION OF CONVERSION

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION INITIATION

Contract Period: Option 4

MEDICAID LONG TERM CARE APPLICATION CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID INITIATION

CONVERSION FROM COMMUNITY TO LONG TERM CARE MEDICAID CONFIRMATION OF CONVERSION

Page 1 of Page 1 of

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS Clauses that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

The following clauses are incorporated into 52.212-4 as an addendum to this contract:

C.1 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS (JUN 2016)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Covered contractor information system means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information.

Federal contract information means information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public Web sites) or simple transactional information, such as necessary to process payments.

Information means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

Information system means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information (44 U.S.C. 3502).

Safeguarding means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems.

(b) Safeguarding requirements and procedures. (1) The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems. Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

(i) Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).

(ii) Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

(iii) Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.

(iv) Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

(v) Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

(vi) Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

(vii) Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

(viii) Limit physical access to organizational information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals.

(ix) Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

(x) Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems.

(xi) Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

(xii) Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

(xiii) Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems.

(xiv) Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

(xv) Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

(2) Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

(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 52.222-49 SERVICE CONTRACT LABOR STANDARDS—PLACE OF PERFORMANCE UNKNOWN (MAY 2014)

(a) This contract is subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, and the place of performance was unknown when the solicitation was issued. In addition to places or areas identified in wage determinations, if any, attached to the solicitation, wage determinations have also been requested for the following: Suffolk County MA Plymouth County MA. The Contracting Officer will request wage determinations for additional places or areas of performance if asked to do so in writing by 8/30/2018.

(b) Offerors who intend to perform in a place or area of performance for which a wage determination has not been attached or requested may nevertheless submit bids or proposals. However, a wage determination shall be requested and incorporated in the resultant contract retroactive to the date of contract award, and there shall be no adjustment in the contract price.

(End of Clause)

C.5 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond base period of performance. The Government's obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond base period of performance, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of Clause)

C.6 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

The Contractor shall not make reference in its commercial advertising to Department of Veterans Affairs contracts in a manner that states or implies the Department of Veterans Affairs approves or endorses the Contractor’s products or services or considers the Contractor’s products or services superior to other products or services.

(End of Clause) C.7 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-11 VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

(b) Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6, or the limitations on subcontracting requirements in the FAR clause, as applicable. The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to Contractor's offices where the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor's compliance with this requirement.

(c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs.

(d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

(End of Clause)

C.8 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2012)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

(1) Contract financing payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001.

(2) Designated agency office has the meaning given in 5 CFR 1315.2(m).

(3) Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the Accepted electronic data transmission methods and formats identified in paragraph (c) of this clause. Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests.

(4) Invoice payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001.

(5) Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the contractor under this contract.

(b) Electronic payment requests. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the contractor shall submit payment requests in electronic form. Purchases paid with a Government-wide commercial purchase card are considered to be an electronic transaction for purposes of this rule, and therefore no additional electronic invoice submission is required.

(c) Data transmission. A contractor must ensure that the data transmission method and format are through one of the following:

(1) VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System. (See Web site at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.)

(2) Any system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) and chartered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The X12 EDI Web site (http://www.x12.org) includes additional information on EDI 810 and 811 formats.

(d) Invoice requirements. Invoices shall comply with FAR 32.905.

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances below, the contracting officer directs that payment requests be made by mail, the contractor shall submit payment requests by mail through the United States Postal Service to the designated agency office. Submission of payment requests by mail may be required for:

(1) Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States;

(2) Classified contracts or purchases when electronic submission and processing of payment requests could compromise the safeguarding of classified or privacy information;

(3) Contracts awarded by contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to national emergencies;

(4) Solicitations or contracts in which the designated agency office is a VA entity other than the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas; or

(5) Solicitations or contracts in which the VA designated agency office does not have electronic invoicing capability as described above.

(End of Clause)

C.9 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

The contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform this work. He/she shall take all reasonable precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. He/she shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his/her employees fault or negligence, and shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of Massachusetts. Further, it is agreed that any negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants and employees, shall not be the responsibility of the contractor hereunder with the regard to any claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability resulting there from.

(End of Clause) C.10 VAAR 852.271-70 NONDISCRIMINATION IN SERVICES PROVIDED TO BENEFICIARIES (JAN 2008) The contractor agrees to provide all services specified in this contract for any person determined eligible by the Department of Veterans Affairs, regardless of the race, color, religion, sex, or national origin of the person for whom such services are ordered. The contractor further warrants that he/she will not resort to subcontracting as a means of circumventing this provision.

(End of Clause)

C.11 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)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.12 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/PRIVACY

1. GENERAL

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

2. ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

a. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

b. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness.

d. Custom software development and outsourced operations must be located in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S. may be an evaluation factor.

e. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor's employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.

3. VA INFORMATION CUSTODIAL LANGUAGE

a. Information made available to the contractor or subcontractor by VA for the performance or administration of this contract or information developed by the contractor/subcontractor in performance or administration of the contract shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the prior written agreement of the VA. This clause expressly limits the contractor/subcontractor's rights to use data as described in Rights in Data - General, FAR 52.227-14(d) (1).

b. VA information should not be co-mingled, if possible, with any other data on the contractors/subcontractor's information systems or media storage systems in order to ensure VA requirements related to data protection and media sanitization can be met. If co-mingling must be allowed to meet the requirements of the business need, the contractor must ensure that VA's information is returned to the VA or destroyed in accordance with VA's sanitization requirements. VA reserves the right to conduct on site inspections of contractor and subcontractor IT resources to ensure data security controls, separation of data and job duties, and destruction/media sanitization procedures are in compliance with VA directive requirements.

c. Prior to termination or completion of this contract, contractor/ subcontractor must not destroy information received from VA, or gathered/ created by the contractor in the course of performing this contract without prior written approval by the VA. Any data destruction done on behalf of VA by a contractor/subcontractor must be done in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements as outlined in VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management and its Handbook 6300.1 Records Management Procedures, applicable VA Records Control Schedules, and VA Handbook 6500.1, Electronic Media Sanitization. Self-certification by the contractor that the data destruction requirements above have been met must be sent to the VA Contracting Officer within 30 days of termination of the contract.

d. The contractor/subcontractor must receive, gather, store, back up, maintain, use, disclose and dispose of VA information only in compliance with the terms of the contract and applicable Federal and VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies. If Federal or VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies become applicable to the VA information or information systems after execution of the contract, or if NIST issues or updates applicable FIPS or Special Publications (SP) after execution of this contract, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to implement the information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies in this contract.

e. The contractor/subcontractor shall not make copies of VA information except as authorized and necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on contractor/subcontractor electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the contractor/subcontractor needs to be restored to an operating state. If copies are made for restoration purposes, after the restoration is complete, the copies must be appropriately destroyed.

f. If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.

g. If a VHA contract is terminated for cause, the associated BAA must also be terminated and appropriate actions taken in accordance with VHA Handbook 1600.01, Business Associate Agreements. Absent an agreement to use or disclose protected health information, there is no business associate relationship.

h. The contractor/subcontractor must store, transport, or transmit VA sensitive information in an encrypted form, using VA-approved encryption tools that are, at a minimum, FIPS 140-2 validated.

i. The contractor/subcontractor's firewall and Web services security controls, if applicable, shall meet or exceed VA's minimum requirements. VA Configuration Guidelines are available upon request.

j. Except for uses and disclosures of VA information authorized by this contract for performance of the contract, the contractor/subcontractor may use and disclose VA information only in two other situations: (i) in response to a qualifying order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) with VA's prior written approval. The contractor/subcontractor must refer all requests for, demands for production of, or inquiries about, VA information and information systems to the VA contracting officer for response.

k. Notwithstanding the provision above, the contractor/subcontractor shall not release VA records protected by Title 38 U.S.C. 5705, confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and/or Title 38 U.S.C. 7332, confidentiality of certain health records pertaining to drug addiction, sickle cell anemia, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or infection with human immunodeficiency virus. If the contractor/subcontractor is in receipt of a court order or other requests for the above mentioned information, that contractor/subcontractor shall immediately refer such court orders or other requests to the VA contracting officer for response.

l. For service that involves the storage, generating, transmitting, or exchanging of VA sensitive information but does not require C&A or an MOU-ISA for system interconnection, the contractor/subcontractor must complete a Contractor Security Control Assessment (CSCA) on a yearly basis and provide it to the COR.

4. INFORMATION SYSTEM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

a. Information systems that are designed or developed for or on behalf of VA at non-VA facilities shall comply with all VA directives developed in accordance with FISMA, HIPAA, NIST, and related VA security and privacy control requirements for Federal information systems. This includes standards for the protection of electronic PHI, outlined in 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart C, information and system security categorization level designations in accordance with FIPS 199 and FIPS 200 with implementation of all baseline security controls commensurate with the FIPS 199 system security categorization (reference Appendix D of VA Handbook 6500, VA Information Security Program). During the development cycle a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) must be completed, provided to the COR, and approved by the VA Privacy Service in accordance with Directive 6507, VA Privacy Impact Assessment.

b. The contractor/subcontractor shall certify to the COR that applications are fully functional and operate correctly as intended on systems using the VA Federal Desktop Core Configuration (FDCC), and the common security configuration guidelines provided by NIST or the VA. This includes Internet Explorer 7 configured to operate on Windows XP and Vista (in Protected Mode on Vista) and future versions, as required.

c. The standard installation, operation, maintenance, updating, and patching of software shall not alter the configuration settings from the VA approved and FDCC configuration. Information technology staff must also use the Windows Installer Service for installation to the default "program files" directory and silently install and uninstall.

d. Applications designed for normal end users shall run in the standard user context without elevated system administration privileges.

e. The security controls must be designed, developed, approved by VA, and implemented in accordance with the provisions of VA security system development life cycle as outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-37, Guide for Applying the Risk Management Framework to Federal Information Systems, VA Handbook 6500, Information Security Program and VA Handbook 6500.5, Incorporating Security and Privacy in System Development Lifecycle.

f. The contractor/subcontractor is required to design, develop, or operate a System of Records Notice (SOR) on individuals to accomplish an agency function subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (as amended), Public Law 93-579, December 31, 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and applicable agency regulations. Violation of the Privacy Act may involve the imposition of criminal and civil penalties.

g. The contractor/subcontractor agrees to:

(1) Comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) and the agency rules and regulations issued under the Act in the design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function when the contract specifically identifies:

(a) The Systems of Records (SOR); and

(b) The design, development, or operation work that the contractor/ subcontractor is to perform;

(1) Include the Privacy Act notification contained in this contract in every solicitation and resulting subcontract and in every subcontract awarded without a solicitation, when the work statement in the proposed subcontract requires the redesign, development, or operation of a SOR on individuals that is subject to the Privacy Act; and

(2) Include this Privacy Act clause, including this subparagraph (3), in all subcontracts awarded under this contract which requires the design, development, or operation of such a SOR.

h. In the event of violations of the Act, a civil action may be brought against the agency involved when the violation concerns the design, development, or operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function, and criminal penalties may be imposed upon the officers or employees of the agency when the violation concerns the operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function. For purposes of the Act, when the contract is for the operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function, the contractor/subcontractor is considered to be an employee of the agency.

(1) "Operation of a System of Records" means performance of any of the activities associated with maintaining the SOR, including the collection, use, maintenance, and dissemination of records.

(2) "Record" means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and contains the person's name, or identifying number, symbol, or any other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a fingerprint or voiceprint, or a photograph.

(3) "System of Records" means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

i. The vendor shall ensure the security of all procured or developed systems and technologies, including their subcomponents (hereinafter referred to as "Systems"), throughout the life of this contract and any extension, warranty, or maintenance periods. This includes, but is not limited to workarounds, patches, hotfixes, upgrades, and any physical components (hereafter referred to as Security Fixes) which may be necessary to fix all security vulnerabilities published or known to the vendor anywhere in the Systems, including Operating Systems and firmware. The vendor shall ensure that Security Fixes shall not negatively impact the Systems.

j. The vendor shall notify VA within 24 hours of the…