36C24719Q0139-001.doc

ATTENDING VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER

STATEMENT OF WORK

1. GENERAL.

1.1. DESCRIPTION OF WORK.

1.1.1. The contractor shall provide an attending Veterinarian Medical Officer (VMO) to oversee animal care and husbandry program for WJB Dorn VA Animal Facility.

1.1.2. This requirement is for contract personnel performing under this contract shall perform services under the control and general supervision of the Chief of Research and/or the Contracting Officer Technical Representative.

1.1.3. Performance Measures.

1.1.3.1. Outcome. The contractor will provide qualified veterinarian to oversee the management of WJB VA Animal Program for VA animals housed at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center Research Animal Facility (small animals), University of South Carolina Animal Facility (large animals) and other required responsibilities. Ensuring that the environment is consistent with AAALAC and USDA standard as would be appropriate to have such research animals in a ready usable condition 24 hour per day.

1.1.3.2. Standards. Performance evaluation factors will be monitored that are not quantified by numerical measurements which include: assisting in the (1) achievement of facility accreditation, (2) resolution of compliance issues

1.1.3.3. How Measured. The Chief of Research and/or COTR will monitor provider performance through government information systems and records, customer service information, contractor reports, and time sheets.

1.2. QUALIFICATIONS.

1.2.1. Be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM).

1.2.2. Advanced PhD degree in either of the field sciences (Biology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology or Physiology).

1.2.3. Minimum (7) years of experience in a managing research small and or large research animal facility

1.2.4. Knowledge Department of Veterans Affairs animal care policies and clear understanding AAALAC accreditation standards related to the use of animals in research, teaching and testing.

1.2.5. Experience in a BL2 or 3 research facility.

1.2.6. Supervisory and administrative management experience.

1.2.7. Should have a minimum of 15 years in small and large animal care

1.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

1.3.1.

Base Year: January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 Option Year 1: January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 Option Year 2: January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021 Option Year 3: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022 Option Year 4: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 Contractor shall support this effort at approved WJB Dorn VA Animal Facility and University of South Carolina Animal Facility as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and mutually agreed to by the Contractor. Monday through Fridays, including weekends and holidays as required. If the work is performed at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the COR will provide adequate on-site workspace and automated data processing (ADP) equipment for Contractor personnel.

1.4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL SERVICES.

1.4.1. Contractor shall ensure the contract Veterinarian performance under this contract. Personnel working on this contract should have experience in areas including: accreditation maintenance, member of appropriate animal research committee, providing medical treatment when needed, training of animal care personal, and consultation with staff on safety, animal care and husbandry for small and large animals.

1.4.2. The Contractor will be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor will provide the following for these personnel: workers compensation, professional liability insurance, health examinations, income tax withholdings, and social security payments.

1.4.3. The parties agree that the Contractor, its employees, agents and subcontractors will not be considered VA employees for any purpose and will be considered employees of the Contractor. The responsibility for any leave, including any sick leave, professional development or vacation time, is the responsibility of the contractor. The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided, but retains no control over the medical, professional aspects of services rendered (e.g., professional judgments, diagnosis for specific medical treatment).

1.5. SPECIFIC TASKS.

1.5.1. The contract Veterinarian is responsible for the provision of veterinary medical care and oversight of animal husbandry for the Research Animal Facility. This involves providing routine care as well as specialized medical and surgical care for the large number and variety of animals required for the station’s multi-disciplinary program of medical research and education. Responsible for the oversight and maintenance of the necessary veterinary and husbandry records and documentation to insure compliance with all local, state, and Federal standards, rules, directives, regulations and laws, pertaining to the acquisition, care and use, and disposition of animals at this station. The Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) is to insure all animals used in research protocols are handled in a humane and caring manner;

1.5.2. Serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC);

1.5.3. Provide consultations with research staff to determine the most suitable animal model for achieving desired research goals, and utilizing procedures that minimize pain and distress to the animals. Assist in preparation of annual reports, animal research program description, etc.

1.5.4. Implements a plan of disease surveillance within the animal facility to prevent the introduction of diseases, and to detect any diseases as soon as possible to minimize the impact on animal health as well as investigator research projects;

1.5.5. Provide medical treatment to animals, as necessary, as well as providing guidance on proper surgical and postoperative measures taken to encourage a rapid recovery from anesthesia;

1.5.6. Ensures that the animal facility per diem charges and staff expenditures are consistent with good fiscal management principles; and

1.5.7 Interacts with a variety of regulatory and accrediting officials to coordinate effective animal care and use programs.

1.5.8 Provides specialized expertise and collaborates in the evaluation and interpretation of experimental findings in laboratory animals used in various research projects conducted by research investigators.

1.5.9 Diagnoses a wide variety of disease and conditions common to laboratory animals and can diagnose diseases of particular public health or animal health significance. The incumbent will perform and evaluate a wide variety of diagnostic procedures commonly used in laboratory animal medicine. These procedures include serology, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, toxicology, or other related diagnostic tools. The COR will provide adequate on-site workspace and all necessary equipment for Contractor.

1.5.10 Consults, guides, and advises researchers on comparative biology and medicine, technology, husbandry, medical and surgical care, and the selection, procurement, preparation and use of laboratory animals to facilitate the development of biomedical research protocols and the successful submission of requests for research project support.

1.5.11 Advise local managers on important issues that affect animal research policies in the facility. Modify existing standard operating procedures and policies to meet changing disease and research challenges as they arise.

1.6 Monitoring

1.6.1 Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) will designate appropriate VAMC personnel to monitor Contractor employee(s) work hours/services through one or a combination of the following mechanisms:

a.

Research Investigators being served will monitor Contractor employee to ensure that services called for in the contract have been received by WJB Dorn VA Animal Facility and University of South Carolina Animal Facility, Columbia South Carolina. The COTR will be responsible for verifying contract compliance. Any incidents of Contractor non-compliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.

b.

Chief of Research or designee will review QM/PI monitoring data and authorized veterinarian timecard monthly. A copy of the timecard will be maintained by the COTR for certification of payment upon receipt of invoice.

c. Documentation of services performed shall be reviewed prior to certifying payment. The COTR will perform periodic spot checks and document with the using service to ensure reports monitoring. VAMC will pay only for services performed at the WJB Dorn VAMC, Columbia, South Carolina and in strict accordance with the schedule of price/costs. Contract monitoring and record keeping pro WJB Dorn VA Animal Facility and University of South Carolina Animal Facility, Columbia South Carolina procedures shall be sufficient to ensure proper payment and allow audit verification that services were provided.

1.7 Destruction of Government Property

1.7.1 Subject to the terms of the contract and the circumstances surrounding the particular case, the contractor may be liable for shortages, loss, damages, or destruction of Government property. The contractor may also be liable when the use or consumption of Government property unreasonably exceeds the allowances provided for by the task order, the bill of material or other appropriate criteria. The contractor shall investigate and report to management at the VA Medical Center all cases of loss, damage or destruction of Government property in its possession or control as soon as the facts become known or when requested by the property administrator at the VA Medical Center. A report shall also be furnished when completed and accepted products or end items are lost, damaged, or destroyed while in the contractor’s possession or control. The contractor shall require any of its subcontractors possessing or controlling Government property accountable under the contract to investigate and report all instances of loss, damage, or destruction of such property.

1.8 Contractor Furnished Property

1.8.1 Contractor Furnished Items and Services. The Contractor shall furnish all necessary items and services required to perform this contract in accordance with the terms of this PWS and the contract except for those items or services specifically stated to be Government furnished. The Contractor shall furnish stethoscopes.

1.9 Payment

1.9.1. Payment will be made monthly in arrears for services rendered after receipt of a proper invoice. The VA Medical Center will establish and maintain a record keeping system that will record the hours worked by the contractor’s employee. A Contractor’s employee must be present at the VA facility and must be actually performing the required services in accordance with contract specifications in order to receive compensation. Monitoring of Contractor’s time will be demonstrated through sign-in/sign-out sheets.

Please contact OB10 at the phone number or email address listed below to begin submitting your electronic invoices to the VA Financial Services Center (FSC) for payment processing, free of charge. If you have questions about the e-invoicing program or OB10, please contact the FSC.

OB10 e-Invoice set-up information: 1-877-489-6135

OB10 e-Invoice email: VA.REGISTRATION@OB10.COM

FSC e-Invoice Contact: 1-877-353-9791

FSC e-Invoice email: VAFSCCSHD@VA.GOV

Web Address: HTTP://WWW.FSC.VA.GOV/EINVOICE.ASP

1.9.2. Invoices must contain the following information:

a. Contract Number

b. Invoice Number

c. Contractor’s Name and Address

d. Accurate Purchase Order Number

e. Total Amount Due

f. Dates of Services

g. Names of Physicians and tour of duty worked

h. Invoice must mirror the contract line items

1.9.3.

The WJB Dorn VAMC will pay only for services actually performed and in strict accordance with the Schedule of price/costs shown in the contract.

1.9.4 Invoices rendered by the Contractor to the VAMC for services furnished a VAMC patient or beneficiary shall be billed under the terms of this contract. Neither the beneficiary, his insurer nor any third party shall be billed.

2.

Data Security Information Gathered or Created or Created in Performance of Services

2.1.

Information, including, but not limited to, veteran individually-identifiable information (iii) and personal healthcare information (PHI), gathered or created by the Contractor in the performance of this contract is the exclusive property of VA and must be received, gathered, stored, backed up, maintained, used, disclosed and disposed of in accordance with the terms of this contract and applicable federal and VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies, including VA Directive and Handbook number 6500.

2.2 The Contractor shall provide access to VA information only to employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only: (1) to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in this contract, (2) to perform necessary maintenance functions for electronic storage or transmission media necessary for performance of this contract, and (3) only to individuals who first satisfy the same conditions, requirements and restrictions that comparable VA employees must meet in order to have access to the same VA information. These restrictions include the same level of background investigations, where applicable.

2.3 ALL VA III AND PHI INFORMATION STORED ON BOTH VA AND NON-VA EQUIPAMENT MUST BE ENCRYPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT ACT (FISMA). Federal standards established by U.S. Department of Commerce apply, including Federal Information Processing Standard 200 (FIPS200), and National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-37, Guide for the Security, Certification and Accreditation. Contractors and subcontractors shall document compliance and make the document available upon request of the Contracting Officer or COTR. Contractor and subcontractors shall allow physical inspection by VA personnel to assess its physical and environmental security controls.

2.4 Contractor and its subcontractors must ensure that VA III and PHI is secure at all times and will ensure proper security is used on contractor or subcontractor computers with VA III or PHI information is stored. To avoid risk of loss or theft, VA III and PHI shall NOT be transferred by contractor or its subcontractors to paper, diskettes, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, external computer drives, computer notebooks, home computers or any other medium, and shall NOT be removed from the contractor for subcontractor site under any circumstances without specific written authorization of the VA Information Security Officer. The authorized VA III or PHI recipient shall back up files to protect their loss. Back-ups shall be locked and secured. VA III and PHI shall NOT be transferred between contractor or subcontractor computer unless permission is granted by VA for such transfer of data and secure encrypted transmission methods approved by the VA Information Security Officer are utilized. Contractor employees shall be required to sign VA National Rules of Behavior before they can be authorized access to VA information systems.

2.5 The Contractor shall immediately (on the date of discovery of the incident) report any incident of theft, loss or comprise of VA sensitive information to the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative and any other VA Official designated by the Contracting Officer. This report shall be in writing and contain the fullest explanation possible and all the details of the incident available to the contractor. VA must receive notice from the contractor on the date contractor discovers incident.

2.6 HIPPA Compliance. The Contractor must adhere to the provisions of Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the National Standards to Protect the Privacy and Security of Protected Health Information (PHI)

2.7 Security Considerations: A security clearance will not be required for this acquisition.

2.8 Contractor Access to Federal Facilities: The medical providers working under this contract shall be issued an employee badge titled as “Contractor” which will be worn during duty hours. The contracted employee will receive additional security information during the credentialing process.

3.

Access Automated Data Processing Files:

In performance of official duties, the Contractor’s employee(s) have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data, which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a), and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, Veterans Affairs statutes and policies. The Contractor’s employee(s) are responsible for (1) protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion and (2) following all applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in a computer access agreement which the Contractor’s employee(s) sign.

4.

Contract Administration Data:

The contracting officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under this contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes, which will affect price, quantity, or quality of performance of this contract. In the event the contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the contracting officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

5.

Designation of Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative:

A VA Medical center representative of the Contracting Officer shall be designated to represent the Contracting Officer in furnishing technical guidance and advice regarding the work being performed under this task order. The foregoing is not to be construed as authorization to interpret or furnish advice or information to the Contractor relative to the financial or legal aspects of the task order. Enforcement of these segments is vested and is the sole responsibility of the WJB Dorn VAMC Contracting Officer.

6.

KEY PERSONNEL AND TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTIONS:

6.1. The Contractor shall assign to this task order key personnel that will perform under this contract.

6.2. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that all vacancies are staffed within a

30-day timeframe. The contractor shall provide a written quality control plan regarding staffing this requirement continuously throughout the life of this task order to include personnel substitutions and temporary emergency substitutions.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

The following minimum Quality Assurance Plan applies. The Government may modify inspection methods in accordance with site specific requirements.