36C24121Q0659.docx

36C24121Q0659

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

523-21-4-7048-0016 36C24121Q0659 08-09-2021 Johanne Menard 413-685-5109 08-24-2021

08:00 AM

EDT

00241 Department of Veterans Affairs

VA CENTRAL WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS HCS

Acquisitions-90 421 North Main Street Leeds

MA

01053-9764 X Y 621610 $16.5 Million N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Northampton 421 North Main Street

LEEDS

MA

01053 00241 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Central Western Massachusetts HCS Acquisitions-90 421 North Main Street Leeds

MA

01053-9764

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center P.O. Box 149971 Austin

TX

78714-9971 See CONTINUATION Page This solicitation is a request for quote (RFQ) for Medical Companion Services. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Basic Purchasing Agreement (BPA) with one base year & four possible option years. Contractor shall provide all necessary supervision, personnel, labor, equipment, and materials necessary to provide medical companion services for VA Boston Healthcare System pursuant to the Performance Work Statement described herein.

Offerors should carefully follow instructions included in 52.212-1 and for evaluation criteria specified in Section E (52.212-2 & Basis for Award). Pricing should be identified in B.2 Price/Cost Schedule attached to the RFQ.

Wage Determination 2015-4047, dated 4/8/21, applies.

All quotes shall be emailed to Johanne.Menard@va.gov.

Any quotes not compliant with RFQ requirements will not be considered. THIS SOLICITATION IS LIMITED TO SMALL BUSINESS.

See CONTINUATION Page X X

JOHANNE MENARD

NCO115L1-74134

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

36C24121Q0659

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.1 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Medical Companion Services

1. GENERAL

1.1 Services

The primary intent of this contract is for the provision of Medical Companion Services to the VA Boston Healthcare System (HCS). Contractor will furnish the use of Home Health Aides (HHA) Services (not to exceed 24 hours) to Veterans who have no social supports available at the time of surgery/procedure that requires an anesthetic. HHA will henceforth be referred to as Companions. Companions will provide (1) Clinical Observation or (2) Clinical Observation and Transportation for Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation. The contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, liability insurance and support to provide services above.

1.2 Period of Performance

This contract shall be for a period of one year. The period of performance will begin September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022, with four (4) possible option years.

1.3 Places of Performance

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 VA Boston HCS has a no ride, no procedure, policy in place for Veterans with a planned procedure that requires anesthesia and/or sedation. Current policy ties up medical beds, increases Veterans risk to unnecessary hospital acquired infections, is expensive, and is not a Veteran centric model of care. The Medical Companion Program (MCP) is designed to provide peri-procedural supervision and transportation for Veterans who lack an appropriate caregiver and are scheduled for a procedure that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

3. SCOPE

3.1 The contractor shall be available to provide Medical Companion Services to Veterans for their scheduled appointments, procedures, and will provide post-procedural observation. Contractor shall provide Medical Companion Services five (5) days per week, Monday through Friday, (not including federal holidays and weekends), up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, for the term of this contract. Most requests for service will occur between the hours of 05:00 a.m. and 18:00 p.m. This is a new requirement so there are no statistics available to determine quantities; We expect a minimum of five (5) events per month, however, it could be much higher. The contractor shall provide VA Boston HCS with the communication method of contacting the Contractor on a twenty-four (24) hour per day basis. The primary VA Medical Centers serviced under this contract include, but are not limited to, the medical centers in section 1.3 Place of Performance above. Services may only be requested by authorized VA staff. The VA will provide an updated list of those individuals authorized to place requests annually to contractors.

3.2 CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.2.1 Services Within the Home

3.2.1.1 Contractor’s services are not to exceed 24 hours of care.

3.2.1.2 Contractor will meet with identified Veteran at their home within the expected timeline for the procedure as delineated on the Referral for Care Form.

3.2.1.3 Contractor to provide transportation from Veteran’s home to the designated medical center of procedure. See 1.3 Places of Performance. See 3.2.3 for requirements for driving VA patients.

3.2.1.4 Contractor will stay on the medical center grounds/premise throughout length of procedure and will provide medical sign-out and transportation back to Veteran’s home for post-op clinical observation, length of time as ordered and delineated on referral.

3.2.1.5 The contractor will complete total number of hours of services as ordered. If services end early, contractor will request either (a) Veteran to sign an Early Termination Letter or (b) include on Summary of Services Form the name and relationship of caregiver that contractor provided warm handoff of service to.

3.2.1.6 The contractor will provide support as needed including, but not limited to, activities of daily living care, in addition to post-op clinical observation.

3.2.1.7 The contractor will include (if applicable) Early Termination Letter with invoicing for service.

3.2.1.8 The Contractor and Veteran sign and date Summary of Services Form to be submitted to MCP social worker within seven (7) days of services rendered.

3.2.1.9 The contractor will abide by all their agency rules, behavior and performance standards.

3.2.1.10 The contractor will provide services to the Veteran alone, and cannot conjoin care with other agency patients, private pay clients, and under no circumstances will have children or other family or friends involved during hours ordered for care.

3.2.1.11 The contractor shall observe the patient and any indication of a significant change in the patient’s condition shall be communicated immediately to the MCP Social Worker serving the patient or 911 (as per 3.2.4.4).

3.2.2 Services at Huntington House, Jamaica Plain Campus

3.2.2.1 Contractor’s services are not to exceed 24 hours of care.

3.2.2.2 Contractor will meet with identified Veteran at the Medical Center within the expected timeline for discharge as delineated on the Referral for Care Form.

3.2.2.3 Contractor will provide medical sign-out. If Veterans surgery is at West Roxbury Medical Center, the contractor will provide post-op transportation back to Huntington House; if Veteran’s surgery is at Jamaica Plain campus, the contractor will escort the Veteran to the Huntington House; no transportation needed as same campus.

3.2.2.4 The contractor will complete the total number of hours of services as ordered. If services end early, contractor will request Veteran to sign an Early Termination Letter.

3.2.2.5 The contractor will provide support as needed including, but not limited to, activities of daily living care, while providing post-op clinical observation.

3.2.2.6 The contractor will provide (if applicable) Early Termination Letter with Summary of Services Form to MCP social worker.

3.2.2.7 The contractor will provide services to the Veteran alone, and cannot conjoin care with other agency patients, private pay clients, and under no circumstances will have children or other family or friends involved during hours ordered for care.

3.2.3 Requirements for Driving VA Patients

3.2.3.1 The contractor shall provide non-emergent medical transportation for ambulatory patients.

3.2.3.2 Trips may originate and terminate at Places of Performance, see 1.3, the Huntington House, a patient’s residence, or other locations as determined by VA authorized staff.

3.2.3.3 The contractor and any subcontractors will operate in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract, applicable federal and state regulations, rules, statutes and industry-accepted quality standards identified in this Performance Work Statement.

3.2.3.4 No trips requests will be made directly by patients. All transportation requests will originate from authorized VA staff.

3.2.3.5 The Contractor shall ensure that requests for services are received from authorized VA staff. Services rendered in response to requests from other than authorized staff shall be at the risk of the Contractor and any costs related thereto shall be borne by the Contractor.

3.2.3.6 The VA Medical Centers providing services do not close during times of inclement weather. Contractor should make the necessary arrangements to have modes of transportation ready for transports as requested. In case of inclement weather, the decision as to whether a Veteran will be transported will be made mutually by the Veteran, surgical team, and the Contractor.

3.2.3.7 If a patient being transported declines to be properly belted; he/she will not be transported. The MCP social worker will be notified promptly. If the patient removes the securing devices during the trip, the driver will notify the MCP social worker upon arrival at destination. The Contractor is not required to transport any Veteran who refuses to be properly secured while being transported.

3.2.3.8 Contractor drivers shall ensure proper loading/unloading techniques are followed at all times. Only Veterans who are ambulatory and require transfer assistance will be serviced. Veterans using motorized wheelchairs, motorized scooters or who are bedbound will not be referred for transportation services.

3.2.3.9 Contractor shall provide “through the door” assisted service for Veterans to and from their designated procedures. Veterans shall be picked up on the ward, in their homes, in the clinics, or at other areas designated by the VA authorized staff and taken to the destination or procedure. Patients shall be attended by the companion at all times.

3.2.3.10 The Contractor may not transport non-VA persons or family members or private-pay patients along with Veteran as referred under this contract. No Veterans en-route in any transport shall be transferred from the original vehicle to another vehicle at a location other than the destination address supplied by the VA authorized staff, unless extraordinary, urgent need situations arise (e.g., vehicle breakdown). All such events must be reported to the MCP social worker. Drivers shall not make non-emergent stops for any reason during any patient transport under this contract.

3.2.3.11 The contractor shall have a contingency/backup plan in the event the contractor is unable to perform services or have services performed as required. The contractor shall immediately notify the MCP social worker and provide justification for non-performance (such as when an alternate provider cannot be identified) and initiate the contingency/backup plan.

3.2.3.12 Should the contractor encounter any problems with transporting of patients, such as accidents, safety problems, patients un-belting themselves and other such incidents, they shall contact the MCP Social Worker within one (1) hour of the incident by telephone and, if requested, in writing by close of business the next working day. During irregular tour of duty (4:01 pm to 7:29 am), they shall telephone the MCP Social Worker and report incidents to the Patient Call Center at 1 800-865-3384.

3.2.3.13 Contractor shall not text message while driving.

3.2.3.14 Vehicles

3.2.3.14.1 The Department of Veterans Affairs reserves the right to inspect contractor's vehicles or require documentation of compliance with contract specifications, State laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines governing passenger vehicles. Inspections of contractor vehicles or equipment shall in no way constitute a warranty by the Department of Veterans Affairs that the contractor's vehicles and equipment are properly maintained.

3.2.3.14.2 The Department of Veterans Affairs reserves the right to restrict the Contractor's use of equipment and vehicles which are in need of repair, unclean, unsafe, damaged on the interior or exterior body, and are not in compliance with contract requirements. The restriction of such equipment and vehicles shall not relieve the Contractor from performing in accordance with the strict intent and meaning of the contract without additional cost to the government.

3.2.3.14.3 All vehicles shall be equipped with properly functioning heater and/or air conditioning, with adequate capacity to maintain the comfort level of the patient during transport.

3.2.3.14.4 All vehicles shall be well maintained in a clean and orderly condition, shall be smoke free, and provide proper ventilation for the patient.

3.2.4 Companion Qualifications and Conduct

3.2.4.1 Contractor will abide by all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws.

3.2.4.2 Contractor will abide by all agency rules and regulations pertaining to privacy, behavior and conduct.

3.2.4.3 Contractor will assist patient with picking up medications as needed at VA pharmacy.

3.2.4.4 Contractor will call 911 in the event of a medical emergency.

3.2.4.5 Contractor shall be proficient in speech, writing and reading of English language.

3.2.4.6 Contractor will be comfortable traveling to and from patient’s home, Huntington House and VA campuses, as required.

3.2.4.7 Contractor to be comfortable working with vulnerable populations.

3.2.4.8 Contractor will treat Veterans with respect and dignity while providing care.

3.2.4.9 Contractor shall be able to provide proper identification of agency badges with names to Veterans upon request.

3.2.4.10 Contractor shall not use intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or controlled substances while on duty.

3.2.4.11 Contractor will not smoke while on duty.

3.2.4.12 Contractor will not solicit or accept tips from patients.

3.2.4.13 Contractor shall conduct themselves professionally and maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness.

3.2.5 Contractor Responsibilities

3.2.5.1 Contractor to provide a focused and dedicated effort to follow up on pending referrals to ensure timely processing of cases.

3.2.5.2 Contractor will be available to answer patient’s questions or concerns about upcoming services by phone as needed.

3.2.5.3 Contractor will be able to manage multiple referrals concurrently.

3.2.5.4 Contractor will provide all documents required for invoicing (Summary of Service Form, Early Termination Letter if applicable) within 7 business days of completion of service performed.

3.2.5.5 Contractor will assure all employees are current with licensure and trainings, including but not limited to, the American Red Cross Adult CPR course and have on file a current certificate (renewed annually) to be made available to the Contracting Officer or VA MCP Social Worker upon request.

3.2.5.6 Contractor shall be responsible for appropriate driver screening and selection criteria when employing drivers. Such screening shall include but not limited to testing drivers for prohibited drug use and alcohol misuse.

3.2.5.7 Contractor shall provide staff who can provide transportation within approximate 30-mile radius of location of Places of Performance outlined in Section 1.3 above.

3.2.5.8 Sufficient insurance must be secured by Contractor to sufficiently cover their staff and the Veteran as required by Massachusetts law.

3.2.5.9 Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing all vehicles, personnel, vehicle fuel and nametags/badges.

3.2.5.10 During the contract period of performance, if the Contractor proposes to add on or replace personnel to perform contract services, the Contractor shall submit the required evidence of training, certifications, licensing and any other qualifications to the designated VA MCP Social Worker. At no time shall the Contractor utilize add-on or replacement personnel to perform contract services who do not meet the qualifications under the terms and conditions of this contract.

3.3 FEDERAL HOLIDAYS - The following Federal Holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs:

3.3.1 New Year’s Day

3.3.2 Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

3.3.3 Washington’s Birthday

3.3.4 Memorial Day

3.3.5 Juneteenth Day

3.3.6 Independence Day

3.3.7 Labor Day

3.3.8 Columbus Day

3.3.9 Veterans Day

3.3.10 Thanksgiving Day

3.3.11 Christmas Day

3.3.12 Any holiday specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

4. INVOICING

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

4.2 PAYMENTS - Payments will be paid monthly, in arrears, upon receipt of a proper invoice for services performed during the previous month in accordance with the terms of this contract. All invoices shall be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the month in which services were provided.

4.3 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. A single, consolidated invoice will be prepared for all facilities and submitted monthly in arrears

4.4 A properly prepared invoice will contain:

4.4.1 Invoice Number and Date

4.4.2 Contractor’s Name and Address

4.4.3 Accurate Purchase Order Number

4.4.4 Total Applications completed

4.4.5 Unit Price Charged

4.4.6 Extended Price

4.4.7 Price Broken Down by Location

4.4.8 Dates service performed

4.4.9 Location of service performed

5. DELIVERABLES

Provided at Start of Contract

5.1 Insurance Coverage - Contractor shall provide documentation of insurance policies to sufficiently cover their staff and the Veteran as required by Massachusetts law at the start of the contract and whenever new Companions are added as required in 3.2.5.7.

Provided Upon Completion of Service

5.2 Summary of Services This document is provided by the contractor to VA Boston MCP social worker. A single, consolidated invoice will be prepared for each Veteran encounter/service provided and submitted within 7 days of completion of services.

A properly prepared Summary of Services invoice will contain:

5.2.1 Veteran Name and Date Service Performed

5.2.2 Location of Service Performed

5.2.3 Contractor’s Name and Address

5.2.4 Total Hours of Services Provided

5.3 Early Termination Letter This document is provided by the contractor to VA Boston MCP social worker with invoicing if the Veteran requested to terminate services before hours ordered were completed. A properly prepared Early Termination Letter will contain:

5.3.1 Veterans name, signature, initials and date

5.3.2 Companion name, signature and date

5.4 Companion Information - The contractor will be able to provide name and contact phone number of the companion prior to initiation of service date and annually thereafter. If requested, the contractor will be able to provide companion qualification, a valid non-restricted operator’s license in accordance with Federal, State, and local Government requirements for their place of operation for the services they are performing for this contract and current vehicle insurance information and registration information. It is the contractor's responsibility to assure all proper safety equipment in companion’s car is operational including, but not limited to, safety belts.

6. QUALITY ASSURANCE

6.1 The contractor will be monitored annually on the following measures:

6.1.1 Timely invoicing – The Contractor is to submit monthly invoice in arrears (by the 15th day of the following month), indicating the dates and type of service provided.

6.1.2 Overall patient satisfaction rating of services – At least 70% of patients surveyed must be satisfied with services received.

6.1.3 Completion and return of deliverable (Summary of Services Form, Early Termination Letter if applicable, insurance coverage, and companion information)

6.1.4 Referral acceptance and services completion percentage rate – The contractor is required to complete at least 90% of all accepted referrals for services in a timely manner.

6.1.5 Patient Safety - The contractor shall observe the patient and any indication of a significant change in the patient’s condition shall be communicated immediately to the MCP Social Worker serving the patient or 911 (as per 3.2.4.4).

B.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-01-2021 POP End: 08-31-2022

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation and Transportation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-01-2021 POP End: 08-31-2022

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 09-01-2022 POP End: 08-31-2023

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation and Transportation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 09-01-2022 POP End: 08-31-2023

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 09-01-2023 POP End: 08-31-2024

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation and Transportation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 09-01-2023 POP End: 08-31-2024

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 09-01-2024 POP End: 08-31-2025

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation and Transportation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 09-01-2024 POP End: 08-31-2025

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 09-01-2025 POP End: 08-31-2026

Medical Companion Services

Home Health Aides to provide Clinical Observation and Transportation for up to 24 hours to Veterans who have scheduled procedures that require anesthesia/and or sedation.

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 09-01-2025 POP End: 08-31-2026

B.2 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Contractor agrees to the following terms of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) EXCLUSIVELY WITH the Department of Veterans Affairs:

B.3 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is hereby established between and the Department of Veterans Affairs under the following terms and conditions incorporated in this BPA:

Primary Point of Contact:

Alternate Point of Contact:

DUNS NUMBER:

Cognizant Office (Include complete address):

Department of Veterans Affairs

VA CENTRAL WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS HCS

Acquisitions-90 421 North Main Street Leeds MA 01053-9764

B.4 PRICING

Contract Services as listed below, with associated pricing, can be ordered under this BPA. The Contractor shall be allowed to vary within the categories for successful and efficient task completion not to exceed funded values of each order awarded under this agreement. As proposed, the Contractor will apply applicable extended/tier pricing to all categories used in the performance of orders issued under this Agreement. Orders may be awarded on a basis only. All Calls/Orders placed against this BPA are subject to the terms and conditions of the referenced BPA, the Contractor's proposal and this Agreement, except where noted below. Contractor's proposal dated is hereby referenced.

B.5 GENERAL SERVICES ORDERS

a. The BPA holder shall furnish all the necessary qualified personnel, materials, facilities and management resources to furnish the services set forth in the Statement of Objectives (SOO) or the Performance Work Statement (PWS) within the terms specified and at the price(s) stated.

b. It is understood and agreed that the BPA holder shall provide Fixed-Price proposals when requested by the Contracting Officer (CO). The contractor's proposal shall be priced using labor rates and labor categories here in provided. The CO will issue Fixed Priced Orders upon completion of negotiations of contractor proposals.

B.6 NONPERSONAL SERVICES

a. In performance of this contract, the BPA holder will provide services as required by program offices to support management of their overall mission. This will be based upon the order's performance work statement for the specific effort. Orders will be formally issued to the BPA holder as opposed to individual BPA holder employees.

b. The services required under the Agreement constitute professional and management services within the definition provided by FAR 37.201. Under this Agreement the Government will obtain professional services, which are essential to the Department of Veterans Affairs mission but not otherwise available within Department of Veterans Affairs.

c. The Government will neither supervise BPA holder employees nor control the method by which the BPA holder performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual BPA holder employees. It shall be the responsibility of the BPA holder to manage their employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services. If the BPA holder feels that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the BPA holder's further responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer immediately.

d. These services shall not be used to perform work of a policy/ decision making or management nature. All decisions relative to programs supported by BPA holders will be the sole responsibility of the Government. Support services will not be ordered to circumvent personnel ceilings, pay limitations, or competitive employment procedures.

B.7 AUTHORIZED LIMITS

The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that individual BPA Orders placed against this Agreement may reach $150,000.00/per Order. This Order Limit may be increased by mutual agreement of the parties as necessary, in whole or part. The authorized Ceiling Limit of the Agreement is set at $900,000.00 over the period covered by the Agreement; this ceiling is also not a guarantee. The Ceiling Limit may also be raised in association with Order Limit increases or other conditions which, by mutual agreement of the parties, maybe considered necessary. Authorization for individual orders above the stated order and/or Ceiling Limits must be coordinated through the Contracting Officer before larger valued orders can be issued and prior to commencement of work. All unauthorized work, regardless of amount, will be processed through the ratification process.

B.8 OBLIGATION OF FUNDS

This BPA does not obligate any funds. The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized orders actually issued under the BPA by the Contracting Officer.

B.9 AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS

Individuals Authorized to Place Orders:

DVA authorizes the following entities to place orders:

B.10 ORDER FORMAT

Orders will be placed against this BPA via e-mail, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), FAX, or in hardcopy format. Each individual BPA Order will describe the tasks, services and deliverables required.

B.11 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

The primary Contracting Officer (CO) for this Agreement is:

JOHANNE MENARD

Johanne.Menard@va.gov The Primary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for projects under this Agreement is:

The Secondary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for projects under this Agreement is:

The Primary and/or Secondary COR will be responsible for technical monitoring of the contractor's performance and deliveries. The COR and the Contractor's Representative shall work together to ensure that all contractual requirements are being met. The COR will interpret specifications or technical portions of the work. The COR is not authorized to perform, formally or informally, any of the following actions:

(1) Promise, award, agree to award, or execute any contract, contract modification, or notice of intent that changes or may change this contract;

(2) Waive or agree to modification of the delivery schedule;

(3) Make any final decision on any contract matter subject to the Disputes Clause;

(4) Terminate, for any reason, the contractor's right to proceed;

(5) Obligate in any way, the payment of money by the Government. Only a warranted Contracting Officer is authorized to obligate funds on this or any other contract action.

The contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing if the COR has taken an action (or fails to take action) or issues directions (written or oral) that the contractor considers to exceed the above limitations.

The contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer information copies of all correspondence to the COR.

B.12 TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

The Government will reimburse the cost of travel required in conjunction with performance of orders issued under this contract. Reimbursement for travel is limited to that which is required in the performance of the order. Specific Government direction to attend meetings or gather information shall be reimbursed on a cost reimbursable basis only. Local travel or the relocation of BPA holder personnel from other geographic areas for the purpose of staffing an order, are not subject to reimbursement. The Government will not pay travel charges for travel to and from the BPA holder employee's home and the DVA Office or to and from one company building to another (either within a company or to and from a prime to a sub company). Travel costs subject to reimbursement are limited to travel occurring at the direction of the Government, performed in conjunction with a specific requirement for a trip authorized in the order. Any administrative/clerical support travel costs shall be considered and approved by the Contracting Officer on a case-by-case basis.

B.13 INVOICES

a. Inspection and acceptance shall be accomplished as follows: The Government, for all services furnished under any resulting order, hereby designates the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) in the program office as the point of final inspection and acceptance. The BPA holder will submit each invoice, including all back-up data, to the COR for review and signature. When the COR receives an accurate and complete invoice, he/she will return a signed copy to the BPA holder within five (5) working days. If the invoice is incomplete or inaccurate, the COR will return the unsigned invoice to the BPA holder for correction. The COR will then forward the signed invoice to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for payment. Final payment for each order will be accomplished by final invoice accompanied by a receiving report.

b. An itemized invoice shall be submitted to the COR at least monthly or upon expiration of this BPA, whichever occurs first, for all deliveries made during a billing period and for which payment has not been received. Copies of delivery tickets shall support these invoices. "Approved-for-payment" invoices will be submitted to the payment address specified on each individual order issued under this BPA.

B.14 PRECEDENCE

The Terms and conditions included in this BPA apply to all purchases made pursuant to it. In the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of this BPA and the Contractor's invoice, the provisions of this BPA will take precedence.

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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 NOTICE LISTING CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following clauses are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" contained in this document. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1) C.2 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes .

(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.3 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.

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

[X] 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.4 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.5 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

(End of Provision) C.6 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (OCT 2020) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it ‘‘does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument’’ in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204–26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212–3, Offeror Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items.