36C24720Q0979 0002.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

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6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

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10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

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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

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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)

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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) 508A

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 7 2957 CLAIRMONT ROAD NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta

GA

30329 508A

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 7 2957 CLAIRMONT ROAD NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta

GA

30329 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24720Q0979 08-26-2020

X

See CONTINUATION Page X This amendment is to provide questions and answers.

There are no other changes as a result of this amendment.

Don Grier

CONTINUATION PAGE

What are the exact specialties for the 3 FTE Specialty RN’s? (i.e. ER, OR, ICU etc.)

Answer: The VA does not always know in advance what needs will arise during daily nursing operations. The VA utilizes contract staff to augment FTE vacancies of fulltime staff for multiple reasons and some we cannot plan for. However, vendors will be given ample time for the recruiting process.

How often do candidates rotate CBOC’s? Do they get assigned to one and stay there?

Answer: No. Once the facility has filled the vacant FTE with a fulltime employee, the contract staff’s assignment will end, or if need elsewhere, they will be reassigned to a location that is acceptable to the candidate and the vendor.

Which positions work 8 hour shifts and which work 12-hour shifts? Would candidates that work 12-hour shifts be required to work one 8-hour swing shift every pay period to reach 80 hours?

Answer: Yes, candidates that work 12-hour shifts will be required to work two 8-hour shifts and two 12 hour shifts every pay period to reach 80 hours. Typically, our primary care nurses work 8 hour shifts and other units/departments will assign tours based on the needs of the that unit, which is determined by the Nurse Manager.

Is this a new requirement? If so, what companies currently have the contract and what pricing are they currently covering at?

Answer: No. The contract number and contractors are:

36C24720C0071 – Guillaume Group, LLC, 36C24720C0073 – Pro Med Healthcare 36C24720C0074 – Global Dynamics, LLC 36C24720C0075 – Global Empire, LLC

Is this solicitation due to the COVID crisis?

Answer: No Please clarify what CLIN’s 0001 is for?

Answer: CLIN 0001 is the total hours needed for the contract.

Will the 5 FTE General RNs, 3 FTE Specialty RNs, 2 FTE LPNs, and 5 FTE NAs primary place of work be at, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033?

Answer: No. The Atlanta VA Health Care System (AVAHCS), has several Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS), and the 5 FTE General RNs, 3 FTE Specialty RNs, 2 FTE LPNs, and 5 FTE NAs may be placed at any of the clinics based on the needs/vacancies of the Atlanta VA.

Please clarify who the key personnel are. Is it the 5 FTE General RNs, 3 FTE Specialty RNs, 2 FTE LPNs, and 5 FTE NAs?

Answer: Yes.

Referencing section 2.7.4. Is the VA Medical Center @ 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033?

Answer: Yes.

Does the VA Medical Center consist of the all the locations list in Section 1 General?

Answer: Yes.

What specialty will the 3 FTE specialist RN’s be required to work in?

Answer: The VA does not always know in advance what needs will arise during the course of daily nursing operations. The VA utilizes contract staff to augment FTE vacancies of fulltime staff for multiple reason and some of which we cannot plan for. However, vendors will be given ample time for the recruiting process when staffing requests are made.

What specialty will the 2 FTE LPN’s be required to work in?

Answer: Primary Care If a primary company SDVOB would like to subcontract with a VOB will they need to include a teaming agreement in the RFQ?

Answer: No, the subcontractor does not need to be included in proposal.

In the technical section: Along with the key medical personnel do I need to include the admin staff?

Answer: The admin staff is not considered key personnel.

Page 19, “requires contingent staff to augment Full Time Employee Equivalent (FTEE) clinical staff to the Atlanta VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) Nursing/Patient Care Services Department in support of all inpatient, outpatient, critical and acute care areas”. This entire proposal including this description reads as an as needed per-diem/short term assignment contract. Please advise if there are currently 5 FTE openings for M/S RNs, 3 FTE openings for Specialty RNs (and which specialty are open), 2 LPN, and 5 CNAs.

Answer: Please submit one complete CV for each FTE required B3 has OT/Holiday hours for all RN, Specialty RN, and CNA, however not for LPN; please confirm there is no allotted OT/Holiday hours for LPNs on this contract.

Answer: LPNs will be utilized for primary care and that department does not work on holidays or have a need for OT.

Does the Atlanta VA view this as a Per Diem heavy contract requirement?

Answer: No.

Currently the CLIN for specialty RNs encompasses all specialty RN job descriptions within the PWS and does not have each price line itemed out by unit. There are very different pay rates for various specialties, and we request the VA line item out pricing for each specialty RN in order to show fair market research per specialty Answer: Please provide a blended rate for specialty and general.

We request the VA provide us with actually specialty requirements. Since submission of resumes is part of the technical, and those RNs are considered key personnel, industry needs to know what the actual needs are in order to properly recruit and support a competitive position of nurses available for real time needs at the VA.

Answer: Please refer to the SOW provided.

Most RN job descriptions state “(3) years current experience in an XXX setting exclusive of agency assigned tours of duty …. and must have worked within the last six months in an XXX setting.” Please provide the VAs definition of the phrase “exclusive of agency setting”; industry interprets this as, no agency work nor contract/locum/travel work in the last three years, rather these nurses have to have been full-time employees of a hospital system and willing to leave their job to provide support at the VA. If any candidate is currently or previously at the VA on contract assignment in the last three years, or at an alternate agency/facility, that these people would be ineligible for placement at the VA per this definition.

Answer: There are certain tours of duty that are exclusive to agency staff only and not available for our general staff (Exclusive of agency setting). The VA requires a minimum of three years recent work history in the specialty and no less than a 6-month break in that service.

Most job descriptions state “unrestricted registered nurse license from the state of Georgia", however, on page 34 it states “Personnel assigned by the contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall be currently certified or licensed, as appropriate, in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.” Please advise the required licensure requirements for RNs providing service on this contract.

Answer: The requirement is an unrestricted registered nurse license from the state of Georgia (United States) Most job descriptions state “unrestricted registered nurse license from the state of Georgia". Please note that Georgia is a member of the NCSBN NLC, Nurse Licensure Compact. There are 32 states that have reciprocity with Georgia. Please confirm in the event that the VA is requiring a GA license that it understands that 32 states are also acceptable per the State’s involvement with NLC.

Answer: The requirement is an unrestricted registered nurse license from the state of Georgia (United States).

The number of Specialty RN job descriptions drastically outnumbers the 3 Specialty FTEs required; please provide and actual number of which units requires key personnel FTE.

Answer: The VA may acquire vacancies in any of the Specialty RN job descriptions and in any of the units of the facility.

Per the PWS, page 19 “The contractor shall provide Registered Nurse (RN) and associated subspecialties, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) services to cover for Nursing and CNA vacancies or lack of available full-time employees while recruitment and hiring are in process in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined herein, to the AVAHCS. AVAHCS facilities include, but not limited to and then it outlines 13 geographically spread locations. However further in the solicitation on page 33 it states, “PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: On-site at Atlanta VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033, location annotated in section 2.2 or other leased or government owned facility where patient care services are provided by AVAHCS.” Can the VA provide clarification? Where are these individuals expected to work? To assume industry has the ability to deploy all these specialties all over the area, without definition of need per location/true location coverage, creates massive difficulty in recruitment efforts.

Answer: The Atlanta VA has 14 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS), listed under General. However, all of these locations are still considered as the Atlanta VA. When vacancies occur, the request for contract staffing will include the location and address of the CBOC or will be identified as Main Campus 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033.

Most job descriptions for RN do not provide a minimum education; please confirm a minimum education requirement for each specialty. Most states “Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or in related field or a Master’s Degree in Nursing or in related field is highly preferred." Does this mean an Associates is baseline education requirement, with BSN/MSN preferred? Please advise/confirm.

Answer: The VA requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree for RNs.

Many job descriptions for the RNs do not show a tour of duty or shift opening requirements. Can you please provide this to us for each RN unit/specialty?

Answer: The tours of duty are determined by the Nurse Managers and is based on the needs of the unit/floor at the time. When a staffing request is forwarded to the vendor, the tour required will be identified in that request to backfill.

Per page 33, “Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the key personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.” Industry interprets this as you require commitment letters from proposed key personnel in the technical response. Please confirm if the VA is requiring commitment letters of key personnel nursing staff proposed in the Technical response.

Answer: No, the government does not require commitment letters for key personnel Page 36 states “The contractor is required to ensure that its subcontractors for provisions of Health care services contain the requirements set by the State of Pennsylvania” we assume this is an error and the VA means Georgia?

Answer: Yes, that is an error, and the VA means the state of Georgia.

Page 38 states “Results of a contractor developed Facility Staffing Guide Exam completed within 1 year of submission” – can the VA provide some more information and definitive insight on what this means. We have never seen this requirement in a VA contract for healthcare services previously.

Answer: This section has been deleted.

Page 19 states “Current Resume or current employment history for all others” Can the VA explain who is included in “all others” for resumes to be provided.

Answer: This section has been deleted.

Page 119 states “The offeror shall submit all of the information without any company identifying information and letterhead on their offer other than cover sheet. The Government will consider an offeror’s compliance with these instructions to be indicative of the type of conduct that it may expect from the offeror during contract performance. Therefore, failure to comply with these instructions may be grounds for exclusion of the offer from further consideration." Can the VA provide more definition? Does the VA want to ensure that NO logos nor the company name is in any portion of the technical, including contingency plan and QCP? Does the VA want us to merely refer to ourselves as “company”? Please advise how we can accomplish this in the commitment letters from key personnel and Past Performance.

Answer: The Contracting Office does not want any company logos, watermarks or headers/footers in your proposal with the exception of the cover sheet. You are allowed to identify your company within your proposal.

Page 119 states “Provide documentation that confirms satisfactory and relevant experience/past-performance providing the same type or similar type temporary staff. within the past three (3) years. Provide contract number and point of contact name and phone number." Is there a minimum number of PP examples the VA requires? Is there a maximum number? Are we able to utilize our subcontractors relevant Past Performance in submission?

Answer: No, there is not a minimum or maximum past performance examples required. No, you should only use the prime contractor’s relevant past performance.

The PWS states "The contractor(s) shall provide 5 FTE General RNs, 3 FTE Specialty RNs, 2 FTE LPNs, and 5 FTE NAs to the Atlanta VA Health Care Center (AVAHCS), 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033." Are the 5 FTE General RNs Primary Care RNs? If not, please clarify what specialties are needed.

Answer: In most cases but can also be general inpatient.

Can you clarify what specialty RNs are needed?

Answer: The VA does not always know in advance what needs will arise during the course of daily nursing operations. The VA utilizes contract staff to augment FTE vacancies of fulltime staff for multiple reason and some of which we cannot plan for. However, vendors will be given ample time for the recruiting process. The VA may request contract staff to cover any of the RN descriptions.

Please confirm that all 15 FTEs are going to be located at Clairmont...if not, please clarify where each RN will be needed.

Answer: The Atlanta VA has 14 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS), listed under General. However, all of these locations are still considered as the Atlanta VA. When vacancies occur, the request for contract staffing will include the location and address of the CBOC or will be identified as Main Campus 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033. (Please see locations under General) Please clarify what CV packages you are expecting. Are you looking for the 15 stated above only?

Answer: Yes.

How much of the credentialing process will the VA outsource to the vendor?

Answer: Other than the candidate completing the required credentialing/vetpro paperwork, which will be provided to the vendor, the VA will handle the credentialing process once the credentialing documents are forwarded to the COR from the vendor. However, the credentialing process for the VA does not remove the vendors responsibility to ensure their candidates meet the minimal education, licensure, and certification, such as ACLS, BLS, background investigation etc. Please see section 4.9.THE JOINT COMMISSION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS in the PWS How much of the approval process will the VA outsource to the vendor?

Answer: Other than the candidate completing the required credentialing/vetpro paperwork, which will be provided to the vendor by the VA, the VA will handle the credentialing/vetpro process. However, the credentialing process for the VA does not remove the vendors responsibility to ensure their candidates meet the minimal education, licensure, and certification, such as ACLS, BLS, background investigation etc. Please see section 4.9.THE JOINT COMMISSION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS in the PWS.

Assuming the VA will outsource both processes, where does the VA want to participate in the credentialing and approval processes?

Answer: Other than the candidate completing the required credentialing/vetpro paperwork, which will be provided to the vendor by the VA, the VA will handle the credentialing/vetpro process. However, the credentialing process for the VA does not remove the vendors responsibility to ensure their candidates meet the minimal education, licensure, and certification, such as ACLS, BLS, background investigation etc. Please see section 4.9.THE JOINT COMMISSION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS in the PWS.

If the VA does not want to outsource both processes, what is the expectation and timeline for the vendor of the VA to conduct the credentialing process?

Answer: Once a candidate is selected, the vendor will have 7 days to submit the vetpro/credentialing documents completed by the candidate. The VA will provide the required documents to be completed by the candidate. The credentialing process is only required for LPNs and RNS, because they are licensed. This process usually takes 15 to 30 days. However, this does not replace the vendors responsibility to conduct their background investigation, ensure candidates credentials are in place, such as BLS, ACLS, Licensing etc. before candidates are submitted for consideration for an assignment.

What is the expectation and timeline for the vendor of the VA to conduct the approval process?

Answer: Once a request for contract staffing is submitted to the vendor by the government and the vendor submits resumes to the Government for review and potential selection, we will provide a decision within 3 –4 business days.

What is the expectation and timeline for the vendor of the VA to conduct interviews of healthcare providers?

Answer: Please refer to the PW under section (Qualifications).

What is the expectation and timeline for the vendor of the VA to conduct the security clearance of the healthcare providers?

Answer: Please refer to the PWS under section (Qualifications).

In terms of managing of the FTE count, what is the schedule for each type of specialty nurse to be onsite providing services for their specific specialty?

Answer: Please refer to the SOW provided.

In terms of bill rates, nurses have a variety bill rates in the market based upon specialties, even “general RNs”. Does the VA have an exact count, by type, of when in the overall schedule each type of specialty nurse will be required?

Answer: No this will be based on the vacancies as they occur.

Is the winning bid based upon the lowest price?

Answer: No, best value.

On a percentage basis for winning the bid, where does quality of healthcare providers rank?

Answer: Technical and past performance is rated higher than price.

Is overtime rate and holiday rate the same?

Answer: Yes, the overtime and holiday rates are the same.

Med/Surg RN: 1.3.1.2. All registered nurses shall have at least three (3) years current experience in an acute care, medical/surgical unit in an urban, academic Medical Center setting exclusive of agency assignments and must have worked within the last six (6) months in the above settings. By "agency" do you mean PRN or traveled (13 week) assignments? If I have Nurses who have been on multi-year assignments would you consider that an agency assignment?

Answer: When the VA refers to exclusive of agency, it is defined as a requirement that pertains only to contract/ staffing.

ER RN: 1.3.3.6. Agency nurses are preferred to have the Certification of Emergency Nursing (CEN) through the Board of Certifications for Emergency Nurses (BCEN). Nurses with Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) certifications through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACN) with ED experience will also be considered current and (must have worked within the last six months). By "agency" do you mean PRN or traveled (13 week) assignments? If I have Nurses who have been on multi-year assignments would you consider that an agency assignment?

Answer: Agency meaning contract staff.

ICU RN: 1.3.4.5. Agency nurses assigned to the MICU/SICU/CCU can expect to work twelve (12) hours shifts including no less than rotating weekends and holidays. How many weekends will the nurses rotate per month?

Answer: Agency nurses will be required to work every other weekend, which equals two weekends out of the month

1.3.4.7. Agency nurses are preferred to have the Nurses with Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) certifications through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation (AACN) CCRN certificate current and (must have worked within the last six months). Will they accept a nurse without this certification?

Answer: Possibly, depending on experience.

The PWS only lists the CCNE and ACEN as the acceptable accreditation agencies. What about the ANCC? Most tenured nurses will have ANCC certification.

Answer: Yes, ANCC will be considered also.

For the Dialysis RN, do we have an idea of what kind of schedule they would be on? Nothing is noted in PWS. Same for GI RN, Interventional Procedure RN, Primary Care Rn, Post-acute care RN, Psych RN, and LPN.

Answer: Monday through Friday, day tours.

For the OR RN, it talks about a circulation nurse. Is this going to be for both positions? Define circulation.

Answer: Circulation RN coordinates the care for patient, prep for case, assist w/ anesthesia, ID patient, position patient correctly for surgery, make sure all request for patient by surgeon have been met.

Please clarify the on-call requirement for ER RN and ICU RN.

Answer: There is no on call for ER RNs or ICU Is this for backfill only, or are all the hours per the CLINs required?

Answer: Yes, this is for backfill only If filling of the positions is for backfill only, how soon after notification by the govt will a candidate need to be presented?

Answer: 5 Business days As there are a number of RN subspecialties described in the PWS section 1.3, could the govt let us know which subspecialties are being classified at General vs Specialty.

Answer: All RN subspecialties other than Primary care, Long Term Care, Psych, and Med/Surg are considered specialty.

What is being considered Key Personnel? Is the govt requiring names for all potential nursing candidates?

Answer: Key Personnel are those contractor personnel whom are essential to performance of the Contract requirements and/or were considered or included by the contractor in development of solicitation response, including individuals in key management, staffing, and related positions. Names are only required during the backfill process.

What are the evaluation criteria for Technical? Past Performance?

Answer: Please see the “ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS” page of the solicitation.

Are candidates only required to be credentialed once, regardless of which facility a candidate will be working at?

Answer: Candidates require credentialing only once and it is not dependent upon the CBOC location they are assigned. As long as they have been credentialed by the Atlanta VA.

Is this a new requirement or is there an existing contract? If the latter, can the govt provide the contract number?

Answer: There are currently 4 contracts. The contract numbers and contractors are:

36C24720C0071 – Guillaume Group, LLC, 36C24720C0073 – Pro Med Healthcare 36C24720C0074 – Global Dynamics, LLC 36C24720C0075 – Global Empire, LLC

Should resumes submitted have name excluded?

Answer: No, names should be included on the resumes.

Do you require resumes for all positions or one resume for each occupation?

Answer: We require a resume for each candidate submitted for a particular assignment/position to be filled.

What’s the Basis for award, i.e. Best value, etc.?

Answer: Best value.

Is there a particular occupational code/labor category the government is preferred for this solicitation? If there is, is it mandatory or at the discretion of the contractor?

Answer: There’s no particular occupational code/labor category required by the VA.

Is there an incumbent? If so, can you provide company name and contract number?

Answer: 36C24720C0071 – Guillaume Group, LLC, 36C24720C0073 – Pro Med Healthcare 36C24720C0074 – Global Dynamics, LLC 36C24720C0075 – Global Empire, LLC

If there is an incumbent, are there currently any vacancies?

Answer: Yes

It is noted that we are to identify and provide the names/roles/documentation of proposed key personnel in the technical portion of our submission. Can you provide clarification on who the key personnel are?

Answer: Key personnel are the personnel needed to fulfil the requirements of the contract.

Of the four contracts awarded to incumbents, are all nursing positions currently filled? Or are there vacancies at this time?

Answer: There are vacancies at this time

Are you and your team looking for a certain number of past performances? Is there a min/max number you’re looking for? And does private industry past performance apply?

Answer: No, there is not a minimum or maximum past performance examples required. Yes, verifiable private industry past performance.

2.1.1 License: Please clarify licensure requirements. Is a “current unrestricted nursing (RN/ LPN) license from the state of Georgia (United States)” required or will VA accept any active/valid state license?

Answer: The VA will only accept a current unrestricted nursing (RN/ LPN) license from the state of Georgia (United States).

Would the VA consider multiple CLINs to cover all nursing modalities (General, Med/Surg, OR/PACU, ER, ICU, LTC, Dialysis, Cath Lab, GI, OR, IR, PC, PACU, Psych, etc.) and include shift differentials for any evening or overnight coverage requirements?

Answer: All nursing modalities (General, Med/Surg, OR/PACU, ER, ICU, LTC, Dialysis, Cath Lab, GI, OR, IR, PC, PACU, Psych, etc.) are covered under either General or Specialty and the VA does not provide for shift differentials, however, the vendor may decide to provide this benefit for its employees outside of any financial arrangement with the VA.

Are you able to provide an estimated total number of staff and/or hours currently being provided by incumbents?

Answer: Approximately 20.

Is the government going to require that the contractor submits names, roles, and resumes, licenses, of proposed staff and positions listed in section 1.3?

Answer: Yes When the contractor receives a staffing request from the VA to fill a position, the contractor must ensure that all candidates meet the requirements outlined in the PWS. Please refer to the PWS (Qualifications Section).

Will the government please provide the name of the current contractor or contractors, contract number, and contract value?

Answer: 36C24720C0071 – Guillaume Group, LLC, 36C24720C0073 – Pro Med Healthcare 36C24720C0074 – Global Dynamics, LLC 36C24720C0075 – Global Empire, LLC

Will there be a transition period and ramp up if awarded to a new contractor? If so, how long?

Answer: If a transition period is needed. 1-3 months.

How many contractors will be awarded?

Answer: One.

Will the contractor be required to have an onsite visit or kick off meeting, other than the staff provided on the contract?

Answer: No, a site visit is not required but there will be a kick-off meeting.

The PWS requires 3 Specialty RN FTE and details numerous Specialty areas as follows:

Operating Room RN Emergency Department RN Intensive Care Unit Long Term Care/Nursing Home Dialysis RN Cardiac Catherization Lab/Electrophysiology RN GI Lab RN Interventional Procedure RN Primary Care RN Post Anesthesia RN Psychiatric/Mental Health RN Will the government please break out the hours per specialty area expected?

Answer: Contract staff are requested and placed based on the unit and tour that a vacancy occurs. The government does not know in advance what vacancies will occur and the hours listed per FTE is anticipated based on historical data. The VA does not always know in advance what needs will arise during daily nursing operations. The VA utilizes contract staff to augment FTE vacancies of fulltime staff for multiple reasons and some we cannot plan for. However, vendors will be given ample time for the recruiting process.

Will the government please provide a location breakdown for each position if it is other than 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033?

Answer: Please refer to the PWS section 1.2.

Will the government please identify in section 1.3 what is considered specialty and general nursing areas?

Answer: Specialty Nursing is any area of nursing that is not Primary Care, Long-Term care, or Med/Surg and where nurses are not required to have specialized training, such as ICU, ED, Dialysis etc.

Under technical heading on the second Page 17 of 142: Is section B2 supposed to be B3?

Answer: Yes.

The Background states that VA requires “contingent staff to augment FTEE clinical staff.” Does this mean that all positions under this requirement are coverage positions?

Answer: Yes, please refer to PWS Qualifications section 2.2

Does the government require 1 full time nurse for each position or a pool of qualified nurses to provide services as needed?

Answer: A pool of qualified nurses is preferable; this will allow for expedited replacements if contract staff are removed for any reason covered in the PWS.

What is the typical weekly schedule for each Labor Category?

Answer: The schedule of all contract staff is determined by the Nurse Manager and based on the needs of the units/floors at the time of the assignment.

Are the LPNs expected to have any overtime hours?

Answer: No, LPNs will be utilized by primary care clinics and they do not work overtime or holidays.

The offeror shall submit all of the information without any company identifying information and letterhead on their offer other than cover sheet. The Government will consider an offeror’s compliance with these instructions to be indicative of the type of conduct that it may expect from the offeror during contract performance. Therefore, failure to comply with these instructions may be grounds for exclusion of the offer from further consideration. If the offeror wishes to propose our management staff, would you like us to redact the company name where we work?

Answer: No, you can state the company name.

Offeror shall complete section B.2. Identify unit price per hour and extended price for the base period and replicate this for the option and provide a grand total for the base period and all option periods. For the B.2. Pricing sheet, the hourly rate for the CLIN 0001,1001,2001 should be left blank since it would be an average rate of the below CLIN’s. Can the stated portion CLIN0001,1001,2001 be left blank and remain compliant?

Answer: Yes.

Will the USG consider delaying this effort?

Answer: No.

Pricing Table (Pages 15-18) - do the lettered CLINS (0001AA, 1001AA, etc.) roll-up into the first CLIN (0001, 1001, etc.)?

Answer: 0001AA is the SUB-CLIN for the base year, 1001AA is the SUB-CLIN for the option year and so forth.

PWS, General - Are the required personnel (5 FTE General RNs, 3 FTE Specialty RNs, 2 FTE LPNs, and 5 FTE NAs) working immediately as fulltime equivalents, or are they 'on-call' as VA personnel need to be replaced? Trying to understand if these employees will be immediately put to use or if they are on stand-by until someone needs to be backfilled.

Answer: They are on stand-by until someone needs to be backfilled, however. If there are any vacancies at the time of the award, they will start immediately to cover that vacancy. Please refer to the PWS under General 2.2.

PWS, 1.3 Services Provided, Registered Nurse (Page 19+) - you ask for 5 general RNs and 3 Specialty RNs, however, you list thirteen (13) specialties. How will the USG determine which Specialty RNs they need on this contract? Are there Specialty RNs that are a higher priority/that the USG would rather have? How should the contractor determine which Specialty RNs to select for this proposal?

Answer: At any given time, vacancies may occur in any of the specialties and the USG will need qualified contract staff to cover the vacant FTE until it can hire the appropriate staff or until the incumbent returns to full duty. The VA does not always know in advance what needs will arise during daily nursing operations. The VA utilizes contract staff to augment FTE vacancies of fulltime staff for multiple reasons and some we cannot plan for. However, vendors will be given ample time for the recruiting process to backfill.

PWS, 2.3.7.2. Medical Liability - Should this read 'the State of Georgia?

Answer: Yes.

PWS, 2.5 Key Personnel, et al. - What Personnel does the USG consider Key?

Answer: Key personnel are personnel needed to fulfill the requirements of the contract.

PWS 2.6.1. - Can the USG elaborate on the 'the orientation/ compliance file' listed in this paragraph? It is not listed anywhere else that we can find in the RFP.

Answer: See PWS section 3.9.4 and 3.9.5.

PWS 2.6.1.6. - Does the USG Expect a resume for each of the fifteen FTEs we would provide for this program?

Answer: Yes

PWS 2.6.1.7. - You also ask for a resume for 'all others.' Who are the 'all others?' Key personnel?

Answer: This section has been deleted.

Instructions to Offerors - Under Technical, the USG requires Key Personnel to '...meet VAMC credentialing and privileging requirements identified in VHA Handbook 1100.19 and this solicitation.' What credentialing and privileging requirements are there? Are they listed in the RFP somewhere? Does the USG expect that the Program Manager for this effort is a Medical Professional? Or is the list under the Technical Paragraph for the 15 FTEs we would provide under this effort?

Answer: All licensed medical staff must undergo the VA “Credentialing Process.” This is a process that investigates the educational, licensing, and certifications of all medical staff to verify the authenticity of that information. It also investigates the history of licensing to ensure there is no history of criminal activities. The required documents/checklist need to verify this information will be provided to the vendor at the time of the award. However, the credentialing process for the VA does not remove the vendors responsibility to ensure their candidates meet the minimal education, licensure, and certifications, such as ACLS, BLS, background investigation. Please refer to the PWS 3.9.THE JOINT COMMISSION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS.

Since the contract employees are not considered VA employees, what services and privileges are excluded for them?

Answer: VA paid time off, VA paid benefits and/or VA paid staff awards.

What about Parking? Would they be entitled to employee parking or are they required to park in visitor parking?

Answer: Yes, all contract staff will be allowed to take advantage of employee parking.

Are there any exceptions to years of experience? For example, can recent graduates be hired for roles if all they lack is the 3 years

Answer: Yes it will be at the managers discretion upon review of the resume.