P01_Statement of Need_Pastoral Education Services.docx

STATEMENT OF NEED

National Chaplain Service (NCS) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Accreditation

GENERAL INFORMATION

Because spirituality is an important dimension of health for many Veterans and their families, it must be addressed in all components of VHA’s mission, including patient care, research, emergency preparedness and health care education. Chaplains provide expertise in health care ethics and meet with the Veterans’ families and loved ones. In addition, chaplains educate VHA health care providers about the role of chaplains and the importance of spiritual care (SC) contributions to the holistic care of Veterans. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a basic qualification requirement for appointment as a VA Chaplain (Ref: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G67). Chaplain Clinical Pastoral Educators provide to healthcare professional trainees. Office of the National Chaplain Service (NCS)

1.0 Scope of Work:

The NCS has a need for annual Association of Clinical Pastoral (ACPE) Center Membership, issuance of twenty (20) level I/II CPE units and issuance of ten (10) Certified Educator Candidate Fees.

2.0 Background:

The Office of the National Chaplain Service (NCS) is advancing the benchmark of excellence and value of SC in health care and reimagine the way VA CPE. Under the current VA Chaplain Qualification Standards two (2) CPE accrediting organizations Association of Clinical Pastoral (ACPE) and Institute of Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT). The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), recently severed affiliation with ICPT and this CPE program may no longer be offered in VA. The NCS established an ACPE accredited CPE center in 2023 and has four certified ACPE educators on staff. These staff provide clinical pastoral education and certified educator candidate opportunities for current VA Chaplains for the purposes of basic qualification of grandfathered staff and the clinical and professional advancement of the occupation at large.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

3.1 Shall provide Accreditation Center Membership subject to National Chaplain Service compliance and administration of clinical pastoral education as per the terms and conditions of ACPE accreditation and issuance of CPE units.

3.2 Shall provide twenty (20) level I/II CPE units for issuance to trainees who have completed the ACPE required curricula under the supervision of VA certified ACPE educators to be awarded.

3.3 Shall provide ten (10) Certified Educator Candidate slots for selection and supervision by VA certified ACPE educators.

4.0 Government Furnished:

Contractor will not require access to government facilities or information systems. VA will provide ACPE certified educators in the provision of educating ACPE CPE students or Certified Educator Candidates (CECs). VA will provide copies of any documents necessary for the continued accreditation of the NCS CPE Center, the award of level I/II CPE units or CECs.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

5.1 Annual Accreditation Center Membership from date of center accreditation for a 12-month period and invoiced 30 days prior to expiration of membership for renewal.

5.2 Twenty (20) level I/II CPE units available for issuance from date of award for a 12-month period and invoiced per each within 30 days of issuance of CPE unit.

5.3 Ten (10) Certified Educator Candidate slots available for selection from date of award for a 12-month period and invoiced per each within 30 days of notification of selection of CEC.

6.0 Travel:

Any incurred travel expenses incurred are the responsibility of the contractor.