36C24121R0099 0001.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) None Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 1 90C 1 VA Center Augusta

ME

04330 Heather.Smith6@va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 1 90C 1 VA Center Augusta

ME

04330 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24121R0099 05-14-2021

X X X

This solicitation is amended to accomplish the following:

To answer questions submitted in response to this solicitation.

The information in this amendment is incorporated into Solicitation Number 36C24121R0099 and the resultant contract.

Offerors must sign and return a copy of this with their proposal submitted in response to this solicitation.

The time of Receipt of Proposals REMAINS at June 04, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Amendment #001 This solicitation is hereby amended as follows:

1. The following information is incorporated into this solicitation and resultant contract as a response to the following:

QUESTION: Who is the incumbent contractor currently performing services and the contract number?

ANSWER: Alternative Transportation Services, VA241-15-D-0042 STATEMENT: AOD – The paragraph state that AODs will call in trip requests. However, there is no mechanism for an AOD to produce a consult to accompany the request. This presents an issue at the time of payment. The reimbursement can be delayed or worse if there is no consult or alternative in place.

RESPONSE: To reduce delays in payment on AOD requests, the Contractor may create a form for their drivers’ that documents the change of custody. The form shall state the date/time, pick up and drop off location, patient name, last four, and must be signed by both the driver and the AOD or VA Clinician releasing custody of the patient. This form must be submitted to the transportation office. This is in addition to confirmation emails provided by the AOD for each trip.

STATEMENT: Escorts - The paragraph calls for Escorts to be transported at no additional cost. Please provide regulatory guidance to support this requirement.

RESPONSE: Free transport is required for patient escorts, in limited situations, in accordance with the Performance Work Statement. This can be for a number of reasons including but not limited to patient safety, comfort, assistance, or mental health reasons.

STATEMENT: Pg. 8 B.11 Trip confirmation and passenger appointments - The paragraph suggests that all passengers must be contacted directly in the event that the automated system does not get an electronic confirmation. There are several reasons this is problematic toward the goal of passengers getting to their appointments. First, hard of hearing, mobility limited or sight impaired patients may not be able to answer a phone call. In all of these cases the passenger would suffer and be forced to reschedule their appointment. This delay may present a medical condition to worsen.

Historically, all booked passenger appointments received a confirmation calls, and a driver is dispatched to the pick-up location. This ensured that all passengers had the best opportunity to get care.

Again, the inability to contact a passenger should not cancel transportation to a medical appointment. This policy should include the physical effort to get the passenger and the pick/up rate and mileage should be reimbursed weather or not the passenger takes the ride.

RESPONSE: In accordance with the PWS, direct follow up confirmation is required when automated systems are not able to confirm the patient transport. If a direct confirmation for a trip is not received the VA transportation office must be notified to determine whether the trip should be cancelled. Final determination will be made by the VA transportation office. No payment will be made for unconfirmed trips without VA approval.

QUESTION: Page 8. C9 Before the contract start date, will drivers be required to pass drug and alcohol tests administered as part of a drug-free workplace program?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for appropriate driver screening when employing drivers as required by state and federal transportation laws. Records of screening methods shall be made available upon request.

QUESTION: Before the contract start date, will drivers be required to obtain a CORI and SORI record check annually?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for appropriate driver screening when employing drivers in accordance with state and federal laws. Records of various screening methods shall be made available upon request. No annual requirement is stated in the PWS.

QUESTION: C9 Before the contract start date, will carrier interstate DOT licensing be necessary?

ANSWER: No, a DOT number is not required for vehicles as part of this contract. Vehicles must be registered as stated in PWS.

QUESTION: C9 Before the contract start date, will carrier DPU licensing be necessary?

ANSWER: The contractor shall operate in accordance the applicable federal and state regulations, rules and statutes.

STATEMENT: Pg. 10 E. Orders – The requirement to collect last 4 of social security is in direct conflict with the Information Security Officer’s directive to avoid use of any part of the patient’s social security number. Please clarify.

RESPONSE: At this time the VA is continuing to use the last four as part of their patient identifier. Implementation of a new system is ongoing. The Contractor is not being asked to collect information but to utilize patient identification information provided by the VA in the orders, consults, and requests for trips for invoicing purposes.

QUESTION: Pg. 11 E.11 This paragraph should include the payment of no-go trips as described in the aforementioned statement attached to Pg. 8 B.11 above. This policy is described on pg. 19 of Billed for Responses run. (BFR). Will it be included in the next addendum?

ANSWER: Billed for Responses runs when a patient is a no-show will be paid at the base rate only when a trip confirmation has been received or approved by the VA transportation office.

QUESTION: Pg. 11 E13 Can Google map mileage be considered an approved equal?

ANSWER: No, trip mileage shall be determined in accordance with the current Microsoft Bing Map internet version.

QUESTION: Pg. 12. H. Are vendors required to obtain authorization for vehicles and badging for drivers who service Mass Port locations (i.e. Logan Airport)?

ANSWER: Yes, in limited circumstances the VA may request drop-off at Logan Airport. Historically, this request has averaged two trips per month.

STATEMENT: Pg. 16. O. Infection Control Compliance – In the event of a state, local or national emergency the costs associated with infection control compliance are typically unforeseen and un-budgeted. Therefore these extraordinary costs would need to be reimbursed by the VA.

RESPONSE: In accordance with the statement of work, extraordinary costs including, but not limited to, PPE, sanitization supplies, testing and vaccinations are the responsibility of the Contractor.

QUESTION: Pg. 17 P.4 Invoicing – can invoices be submitted on a bi-weekly basis and paid no later than 15 days after submission.

ANSWER: Invoices may be submitted on a bi-monthly basis. Per guidelines, invoices are considered paid on time if paid 30 days after the agency has received a proper invoice. If an invoice does not have all the information the agency requires, the invoice is not “proper.”

STATEMENT: Pg. 18 Please compare and contrast “Care in the Community” runs to the contracted work.

RESPONSE: “Care in the Community” runs refer to trips to medical facilities outside of the VA network.