36C24521R0047 0001 Amendment.docx

36C24521R0047

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

36C24521R0047 06/11/2021 Crystal S. Hinton, Contracting Officer 410-637-1530 06/17/2021

EDT

36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Crystal Hinton, Contracting Officer (90C) 209 West Fayette Street, Suite 611 Baltimore MD 21201 X X 532283 $35 Million N/A X 36C512 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Crystal Hinton, Contracting Officer (90C) 10 N. Greene Street Baltimore MD 21201 36C512 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Crystal Hinton, Contracting Officer (90C) 209 West Fayette Street, Suite 611 Baltimore MD 21201

PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

FSC e-Invoice Payment Invoice must be submitted electronically http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135 See CONTINUATION Page Home Oxygen Services for Baltimore, VAMHCS Contractor Performance Period: 5 Years Period of Performance 10/01/2021-09/30/2026.

Performance Work Statement page 5.

Price/Cost Schedule, page 33.

See CONTINUATION Page X Crystal Hinton FAC-C Level II Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

36C24521R0047

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

a. CONTRACTOR _________________________________

b. GOVERNMENT: Crystal S. Hinton, Contracting Officer 36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Contracting Officer (90C) 209 West Fayette Street, Suite 611 Baltimore MD 21201

Post Award Orientation: The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as required by Procurement Policy memorandum (PPM) 2019-01. https://www.va..gov/oal/docs/business/pps/ppm201901.pdf

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.

PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

FSC e-Invoice Payment Invoice must be submitted electronically http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

Performance Work Statement for Home Oxygen

b. Disposable oxygen cannulas on hand for a change weekly with a supply in reserve always until the Contractors next scheduled visit.

c. Disposable masks for change/wash weekly with a supply in reserve always (when masks are prescribed in lieu of nasal cannulas).

d. 25-50 ft. of oxygen connecting tubing will always be replaced monthly with an equivalent section of tubing in reserve (to be included in initial setup) until the Contractors next scheduled visit.

e. Trach Collar and accessories (e.g. tubing and large volume nebulizer) with a supply on hand allowing for change every seven (7) days and a supply in reserve until the Contractors next scheduled visit.

f. Safety holders will be provided at no charge for all veterans with a prescription for four (4) or more cylinders.

g. Ventilator rental and supplies necessary for both with humidification and without humidification

h. Nebulizer supplies – disposable kits to attach to the compressor

4. VAMHCS will drop ship the inventory either directly to the vendor or to the beneficiary. Contractor will provide occasional pick up at the VAMHCS in Baltimore, delivery to the patient, set-up, and patient education for government furnished CPAP and BiPAP equipment. The initial set-up will be performed by a Respiratory Therapist. Follow-up visit by the Respiratory Therapist will occur at one month and 3 months following the initial set-up and yearly thereafter. All visits will be conducted by a Respiratory Therapist.

a. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), specialty PAP devices, CPAP masks and necessary accessories will be provided to the vendor by the VA. These devices shall be delivered and setup by a credentialed Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist when prescribed by a physician at the VA and should be delivered within 10 business days of receiving the prescription from the VA with the exception of when a beneficiary is requiring a specialty PAP device for respiratory failure and is to be discharged from a hospital or the VA, the device shall be delivered on the same day the beneficiary is discharged. If the beneficiary requires oxygen as prescribed by the physician, an oxygen adapter will be included with the PAP device.

b. PAP devices that are malfunctioning shall be reported to the contractor either by the Respiratory Therapist or the beneficiary and the Home 02 Coordinator(s) will be notified by the contractor to acquire a prescription/consult for an evaluation or replacement of the PAP device. Once the consult is obtained, it will be forwarded to the contractor via encrypted email or fax for the respiratory therapist to schedule an appointment with the beneficiary for this service. The Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist must perform this service within 48-72 hours unless the PAP therapy device is for respiratory failure. Then the service should be performed the same day as reported. “The Contractor shall have a well-established communication system with access to twenty-four (24) hour emergency services via answering service, beeper, or two-way radio and the demonstrated capacity to provide maintenance to or replacement equipment at the beneficiary’s home within six (6) hours of a call”.

c. The Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will document the compliance and effectiveness of the beneficiary’s therapy through the remote access, by home visit or by using a commercially available third-party service within 30 days of the initial setup, at 90 days and then yearly. Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will document within the remote access under “notes” of any steps taken to improve compliance or effectiveness and will be communicated to the VA Home 02 Coordinator(s), who will communicate with the physician. The Respiratory Therapist will visit the beneficiary at this time, if necessary, to assist with improving compliance and effectiveness by re-educating or performing a mask refit. If a mask refit is necessary, the Home 02 Coordinator(s) will be notified to obtain a physician’s prescription to allow the beneficiary to receive another mask in order to assist with improving compliance and/or reducing leakage.

d. The Respiratory Therapist will document the compliance and effectiveness of the beneficiary’s therapy through the remote access within 90 days of the initial setup. The compliance is defined as per the Medicare criteria - at least four (4) hours each night for 70% of the nights. Documentation of compliance begins after 31 days of usage, but before 90 days of usage. The Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will document within the remote access under “notes” of any steps taken to improve compliance or effectiveness and will be communicated to the VA Home 02 Coordinator(s). The Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will visit the beneficiary at this time, if necessary, to assist with improving compliance and effectiveness by re-educating or performing a mask refit. If a mask refit is necessary, the Home 02 Coordinator(s) will be notified to obtain a physician’s prescription to allow the beneficiary to receive another mask to assist with improving compliance and/or reducing leakage.

e. If it is determined that a good faith effort has not been made to become compliant with the therapy at 90 days, the Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will document within the remote access under “notes” of any steps taken to improve compliance or effectiveness and this will be communicated to the VA Home 02 Coordinator(s). This information will be communicated to the sleep physician in the EMR at the VA. The Respiratory Therapist will visit the beneficiary at this time, if necessary, to assist with improving compliance and effectiveness by re-educating or performing a mask refit. If a mask refit is necessary, the Home 02 Coordinator(s) will be notified to obtain a physician’s prescription to allow the beneficiary to receive another mask to assist with improving compliance and/or reducing leakage.

f. For those patients who don’t meet the criteria for compliance, the Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist will document and communicate with Home O2 coordinators the compliance and effectiveness of the beneficiary’s therapy at 6 months. If a good faith effort has not been shown by the beneficiary to be compliant with therapy, the physician may make the determination to remove PAP therapy machine. This will be communicated to the Home 02 Coordinator(s) by the physician who will also document in the beneficiary’s EMR at the VA.

g. If the Respiratory Therapist or a technician supervised by the Respiratory Therapist’s documentation suggests that the PAP therapy is ineffective at any time after the initial setup, this will be communicated to the Home 02 Coordinator(s) who will alert the sleep physician in the beneficiary’s EMR. For beneficiaries whose compliance with the therapy has been deemed adequate by the physician, the beneficiary will contact the Contractor for replacement PAP therapy supplies within the time frame as stated in this contract above. The beneficiary will be encouraged to contact the Contractor with any issues, concerns or questions at any time. A physician’s prescription is required for all visits by the respiratory therapist for re-education, mask refit, troubleshooting and/or machine malfunctions.

a. A fire-risk assessment must be conducted on all new patients prescribed oxygen therapy who smoke and a reassessment will be conducted when renewing an oxygen prescription, or at any time there is a change in the patient’s oxygen therapy (e.g. equipment). The Contractor must also provide educational and/or warning information for patients and their families and/or caregivers on the hazards of smoking while oxygen is in use. The educational materials must be provided upon initial delivery and every six (6) months thereafter.

b. The Contractor must document the presence of smoke detectors and verify that the patient was instructed to test all smoke detectors monthly. In any home where smoke detectors are not present, the Contractor must notify the COR. The Contractor must verify the presence of a fire extinguisher, explain the importance of having one readily available, and recommend one is purchased if not present. The Contractor must assess and report any safety concerns related to patient smoking behaviors and use of oxygen therapy at each visit to the patient’s home. All safety concerns must be reported to the COR immediately if possible or within twenty-four (24) hours. In summary, a checklist should be provided to the COR that is signed by the Contractor and the Veteran and documents: (1) “No Smoking, Oxygen in Use” signs are posted; (2) Smoke alarm is present and alarm sounds when tested; (3) Veteran has been instructed to remove the cannula, shut-off the oxygen supply and wait for oxygen to dissipate prior to smoking; (4)Verification that Veteran has been instructed to test all smoke alarms monthly; and (5) Veteran and family or cohabitants are given educational materials regarding the hazards of smoking and using an open flame near oxygen.

c. Thermal fuses on every concentrator and portable changed annually. Thermal fuses to be supplied by the Contractor.

d. Mandatory requirements for use of thermal fuses are as follows: a. Thermal fuses must be provided for all patients on home oxygen therapy unless there is a documented clinical contraindication (e.g., patients using heated humidity, patients with flow rates in excess of 25 Liters per minute, patients with behavioral conditions that make use of thermal fuses impractical). If thermal fuses are not provided due to clinical contraindication, this must be documented in the patient’s medical record. b. Two thermal fuses must be provided and installed in each home oxygen delivery system (one at the patient end and one at the oxygen source). This must be done for the patient’s primary oxygen therapy equipment as well as any portable oxygen therapy equipment. c. Thermal fuses are not required for portable pulse dose/intermittent oxygen therapy equipment when the equipment does not have a continuous flow setting. d. Thermal fuses provided must work regardless of their orientation in the oxygen tubing (bidirectional) or have a design that prevents them from being installed in the wrong orientation (e.g., source end of thermal fuse has threads or bayonets that make backwards installation impossible). e. Existing unidirectional thermal fuses that are capable of being installed in the wrong orientation must be replaced at the next scheduled home oxygen visit or sooner if possible. f. At the time of installation, education must be provided to the patient describing the proper use and placement of thermal fuses, including that a thermal fuse does not make it safe to smoke, be near people who are smoking, or be near any source of sparks or flame while using oxygen. g. Thermal fuses must be replaced at the end of their expected life per manufacturer’s guidelines. h. Thermal fuses must be replaced if actuated or involved in a fire.

e. Mandatory requirements for reporting fires involving home oxygen delivery systems All incidents of fires involving home oxygen delivery systems shall be reported using the VHA Patient Safety Information System. Do not include patient or provider identifiable information in the report. When classifying incidents of fires related to home oxygen delivery systems in JPSR, the following classification must be used in the Event Classification section. Event Type: Environmental Events Event Sub-Type: Burn incurred from any source in course of patient care process Event Detail: Burn or fire related to home oxygen delivery system The following information must be collected and reported by the VHA facility when a home oxygen fire occurs. Section 1: To be collected by the home oxygen vendor and provided to the local VHA facility or provided by the local VHA facility if a third-party oxygen vendor is not used. a. What was the reported cause of the fire (primary ignition source)? b. Where did the fire originate (e.g., kitchen, bedroom, vehicle, patio, store)? c. What date and time did the fire occur? d. What was the first item that ignited (e.g., nasal cannula, clothing, bedding)? e. Describe the extent of injury to the patient, family, and others. f. Describe the extent of property damage. g. How many thermal fuses were in use and where were they installed in the home oxygen delivery system or tubing? Section 2: To be collected by the local VHA facility. h. Has the patient experienced a home oxygen related fire before? i. Provide the patient’s full problem list from the electronic health record. j. Provide the patient’s full medication list (medication names) from the electronic health record. k. Describe any other information that contributes to understanding of the event.

10. Reports

a. The Contractor will provide a written, quarterly report meeting all Joint Commission Standards for improving organizational performance. The report will be submitted during the first month of each quarter. (The Joint Commission standards may be accessed at http://www.jointcommission.org/)

Incident Report - Reporting special incidents found or occurring during a home visit, to include finding patients in need of emergency medical assistance, safety hazards that do not fall into the category of presenting immediate life-threatening danger to the patient or Contractors staff, inability to contact a patient within a reasonable period of time, and any other incident meeting the Contractors written policy for incident reporting according to accreditation standards.

Customer Satisfaction - In accordance with Joint Commission standards, the Contractor will collect data on service satisfaction from contracted patients and their families from each facility on a quarterly basis. A copy of survey results will be submitted to COR’s or designee in Quarterly reports.

Infection Control/Communicable Diseases - Report will include data related to the Contractor’s ongoing Infection Control Program.

Performance improvement - The Contractor will collect data on important processes and outcomes related to patient care and organizational functions.

b. The Contractor will provide the following emergent patient safety reports, within five (5) business days of the action, throughout the contract period.

Sentinel Events - The Contractor is required to inform the Home Oxygen personnel (personnel are to be specified at a later date upon award) within one business day of a sentinel event (as defined by The Joint Commission) that occurs during the performance of this contract that involves VAMHCS beneficiaries.

Refusal of service - All beneficiaries have the right of refusal of service. In the event a beneficiary refuses service or orders the equipment to be removed from the home, the Contractor will comply with the beneficiary’s wishes, however in addition to a written report; the Contractor will report the specifics of the refusal to the COR by telephone within 1 hour. If the refusal occurs during a home visit, the Contractor’s staff will make an attempt to notify the COR or designee of the refusal during the home visit.

c. The Contractor will report suspected incidents of patient abuse or neglect by family members or caregivers immediately (within 24 hours during business hours) to the COR or designee, as well as to the appropriate adult protective agency. The Contractor will follow all state and local laws in reporting suspected incidents of abuse or neglect.

11. The Contractor will be responsible for notifying the COR or designee by telephone at time of set- up if any alteration to the beneficiary's home is necessary to accommodate the oxygen equipment, including electrical work.

12. The Contractor is responsible for making every effort to establish appointments with VA beneficiaries when initiating set ups and deliveries. Deliveries will not be left unattended at the beneficiary’s home. If after three (3) attempts to reach the beneficiary by phone the Contractor must mail a certified letter to the beneficiary. If the certified letter returns as undeliverable, the COR for VAMHCS will be notified by the Contractor. If the Contractor has not made valid and documented attempts to contact the VA beneficiaries for set ups and or deliveries, the Government reserves the right to call in a third party and bill the Contractor if the Contractor fails to perform for any due month.

13. Infection Control/Communicable Diseases Requirements The Contractor must have a current plan for surveillance, prevention, and control of infection. The plan must meet current Joint Commission standards.

The Contractor will provide a list of names to the Home Oxygen Coordinator or designee of all Veterans exposed to communicable diseases by contracted staff during an identified incubation period. The type of exposure will also be identified.

The Home Oxygen Coordinator or designee will consult with VAMHCS Infection Control staff regarding the need to contact exposed patients and/or complete any needed medical follow-up.

Contractor shall abide by all CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, cleaning of equipment and materials, and personal protection equipment regarding COVID-19 or any future named virus/disease. Updated guidelines can be found on the CDC website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html.

14. Assessment Requirements The Contractor may be asked to perform an assessment of the beneficiary’s home and environment in accordance with Joint Commission standards and maintain documentation of assessments in the individual Veteran file or folder. If this occurs, copies may be sent to VAMHCS Respiratory Therapy as requested. Storage and access will be determined by Respiratory and the COR as appropriate.

The Contractor will notify the COR/designee or prescribing physician during the home visit if the Contractor’s staff determines that the presence of oxygen in the home presents such a danger that the oxygen must be removed, or in the case of an initial set-up, not placed in the home.

The Contractor will notify the COR or designee in writing by the next business day of any unsafe conditions observed in the VA beneficiary’s home that preclude the installation or continuance of oxygen service. Unsafe conditions may include, but are not limited to, fire safety hazards, oxygen safety hazards, patient abuse by family or caregivers, or any instance that places the patient or Contractor’s staff in immediate danger. The Contractor will furnish written documentation of the safety hazard to the COR or designee within five (5) business days of the incident.

The Contractor will check the adequacy of the electrical outlets in the patient’s home and immediately report unsafe conditions to the COR or designee. The VA will not be responsible or liable for any unsafe electrical conditions caused by the Contractor. Any alterations to the Veteran’s residence will be the responsibility of the veteran. If ordered equipment cannot be safely installed, the COR or designee may provide an alternative oxygen delivery system after approval until new prescription can be obtained. If no alternative is available, the COR or designee will notify the prescribing VA physician within 48 hours.

15. Discontinuation of Service The government will notify the Contractor in the event of an order to discontinue oxygen service to any beneficiary covered under this contract. Notification will be by telephone and/or facsimile. Payment will be pro-rated based upon the notification date of discontinuance of service. The Contractor will notify the government within next business day of a patient death, or upon finding a patient has moved out of the service area.

The Contractor will remove equipment from the beneficiary’s residence at the earliest possible time but no later than five (5) business days unless approved by Prosthetics. The date and time of equipment pickup will be coordinated with the patient and/or next of kin and/or significant other. The Contractor will make every effort to meet the beneficiary’s or beneficiary’s families’ requests for pickup times. The Contractor will honor the beneficiary’s or family’s requests to pick-up equipment before or after funerals or family gatherings relative to beneficiary funerals. The Contractor will treat such requests with the utmost courtesy and give such requests the highest priority.

16. Employee Certification

a. The Contractor will develop, maintain, and make available for review personnel folders on all employees performing under this contract. Additionally, the Contractor will furnish to the VA copies of all licenses and copies of all renewed licenses for its employees for all states served under this contract.

b. Contractor must provide and document employee orientation, ongoing employee education, and on-going assessment of employee competency for all employees involved with the delivery/recovery of equipment covered under this contract according to Joint Commission Standards.

c. The Contractor will provide COR or designee with a list of all employees currently competent to perform delivery/recovery and patient education services at the time the contract is awarded. COR or designee will inspect employee files at the time of the inspection of Contractor premises and vehicles.

d. The Contractor will educate, evaluate, and document employee education in strict accordance with current Joint Commission standards.

e. Only employees that have been properly trained and who have demonstrated competency may perform equipment deliveries, recoveries, and patient education on the equipment.

f. The Contractor will be staffed and have sufficient supplies to render satisfactory and courteous service at all times to the beneficiary. The Contractor will be responsible for the acts and omissions of his/her employees, his/her sub-Contractors or satellite offices and their employees. Sub-Contractors are required to adhere to the requirements of this contract.

17. Traveling Requirements The Contractor will be responsible for coordinating all services for veterans who travel or move outside jurisdiction of this contract. VAMHCS will notify the Contractor by fax or phone call, where the veteran is traveling, and mode of transportation. However, VAMHCS will not be responsible for the additional cost of transportation when oxygen is needed. The Contractor will discharge the veteran for services and discontinue billing. The Contractor will be responsible for instructing the patient on how to safely travel with oxygen and how to appropriately respond in an emergency and perform the following:

a. Privately Owned Vehicle – The Contractor will assist the Veteran in preparing a travel plan, identify locations, etc. (logistics) along Veteran’s route where oxygen refills can be obtained and coordinate billing for services and refills as appropriate. There will be no fee for this logistical service.

b. Airline – The Contractor will assist the Veteran with prior arrangements to have oxygen available at point of destination for the duration of visit and to coordinate billing for services and refills as appropriate.

For veterans who temporarily relocate from the VAMHCS area (i.e. warmer climate for winter months and/or vacations), accommodations will be made to assist Veterans so as not to interrupt services. The Contractor will be responsible for coordinating all services for Veterans including travel. The Contractor will discontinue billing for the period of temporary relocation and notify the Home Oxygen Coordinator within 48 hours of travel. The Contractor will inactivate the Veterans Patient Account Folder, including the original prescription for oxygen. The Contractor may also pick up the home equipment prior to the Veteran’s temporarily relocation as appropriate. Upon returning, the Veteran will be responsible to notify the Contractor and services will be reestablished. The Contractor will immediately notify the Home Oxygen Coordinator in 24 hours of the Veteran’s return. This action will reinstate the Veteran in the Home Oxygen program and be treated as a new initial setup of oxygen services with updated documentation in the Veterans Patient Account Folder. The Veteran is responsible for all cost incurred for oxygen services during the period of temporary relocation.

18. Contractor-Owned Concentrators: The Contractor will furnish, install, and service all oxygen equipment to dispense oxygen and supplies ordered under this contract. All equipment is to be current state-of-art model and all supplies are to be new. A label with the Contractor’s name and emergency telephone number where they can be reached 24 hours/day will be affixed to all equipment.

Standards and guidelines are as follows:

a. The American Respiratory Care Foundations for Respiratory Equipment Used in the Home.

b. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

c. The Joint Commission Standard for Home Care, current year standard.

a. Phase-in of home oxygen services performed under a contract will be completed within 45 calendar days of award.

b. Prior to commencement of phase-in, VAMHCS shall provide the Contractor with a list of current patients, to include:

· Name

· Address

· Phone Number

· Point of Contact if other than patient

· List of Contractor-owned equipment at each patient’s residence

· Current prescription

PHASE-OUT REQUIREMENTS

In the event that the Government does not choose to exercise its option to renew the contract, or the last option has expired, the Contractor recognizes that the services under this contract are vital to the Government and must be continued without interruption. Upon expiration, another contractor may be awarded the subsequent contract to continue these vital services. The contractor providing services under this contract will not remove any equipment from the patient’s home until the new contractor has installed replacement equipment. If this involves additional time beyond the expiration date, the Contractor will be paid on a pro-rated basis in accordance with Continuity of Services clause. Therefore, the Contractor agrees to (1) furnish phase-out continued patient services coverage for up to 90 days (if required) after this contract expires and (2) uses its best efforts and cooperation to effect an orderly and efficient transition to successor contractor.

22. Equipment Specifications:

The oxygen concentrators will be Underwriter Laboratory (UL) approved and must at a minimum meet the following specifications:

Electrically powered (115 volts).

There will be a battery-operated audible alarm to indicate a power failure.

The oxygen concentrator will not perform below the manufacturer’s specification.

Hour meter and OCI indicator The oxygen concentrator will be grounded internally or plug into a three-prong wall outlet appropriate for the VA beneficiary’s home (outlet adaptors are not acceptable).

26. GOVERNMENT-OWNED EQUIPMENT PICK-UP & REPAIRS

Contractor shall pickup Government-owned equipment at the location specified, i.e., the beneficiary's home or VAMHCS, and deliver to the location specified by the VA. The Contractor shall provide a visual and functional inspection of the equipment to ensure that it is working properly. If not, the same shall be immediately reported to the Prosthetics Department for replacement or repair. The veteran or caregiver shall sign a work ticket verifying that the inspection was completed. This work ticket must be attached to the invoice for payment to be processed. Inspections shall be completed at six (6) month intervals from initial set-up. Minor adjustments shall be made to the equipment at no additional charge.

If Government-owned equipment needs repair, the patient/caregiver shall contact the Contractor. Contractor shall advise and obtain further guidance from the Home 02/CPAP coordinators. If Contractor-owned equipment is removed for repair, replacement item(s) shall be delivered at the time non-operational items are removed from the home. Contractor shall meet manufacturer’s requirements in regard to preventative maintenance and service. Contractor agrees to maintain an equipment management file for all VA-issued equipment. These records shall remain the property of the VAMHCS and would be turned over to the CO or COR upon contract expiration.

c. Type, hours on concentrator *Serial Numbers kept on file should be for VA owned equipment only. Serial Numbers for the rented equipment will be the vendor’s responsibility and kept on file in the vendor’s main office.

d. Inspection results of liter flow rate in monitoring patient compliance (as compared to prescription).

e. Inspection compliance of intake filters (exchange or clean by patient).

Follow-up education and/or reinforcement of compliance documented.

f. Revised plan of service as needed.

g. A report will be developed by Contractor, signed and dated by the contract staff and the VA beneficiary/care giver, and a copy will be left with the beneficiary. The reports will be legible and attached to the invoice. All reports will be submitted to the COR or designee in alphabetical order, with the monthly bills by the 10th business day of the month following service.

PATIENT EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS