36C24820Q0760 0003.docx

36C24820Q0760 0003

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

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

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

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

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

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

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

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

15C. DATE SIGNED

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

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

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

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

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

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

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

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

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

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

06-10-2020

NONE

36C248 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8)

8875 Hidden River Pkwy Suite 525 Tampa FL 33637

36C248 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8)

8875 Hidden River Pkwy Tampa FL 33637 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24820Q0760 05-18-2020

X

The purpose for amendment 0003 to this solicitation is as follows:

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the above referenced solicitation in block 9A, the solicitation is hereby amended to address a vendor's question (reference page two (2)and three(3)).

Cyrouse Himid Houshyani Contracting Officer

NC0815L2-65122

CONTINUATION PAGE

SOLICTATION NUMBER 36C24820Q0760

AMENDMENT 0003

Question 1. Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent contractor providing services?

Answer #1. This is a new requirement Question 2. If there is an incumbent contractor, please provide the name of the contractor and the prior solicitation number or contract award number.

Answer #2. See response to question number one (1) above.

Question 3. The Contractors Quality Control Program detailed 2.23 on page 22 of the solicitation. Will the government provide us forms or an outline as to how to complete?

Answer #3. The Government will not provide forms or outline of a quality control program. It shall be considered as a part of any quoter’s response to the solicitation as stated in section 2.23, subparagraphs of section, located on pages Twenty (20) through Twenty-One (21) of the solicitation listed herein.

Question 4. We are currently providing a similar service to the VA here in Washington, DC. If when we arrive to the veterans home and discover that the veteran cannot walk down stares or if it is a two person transfer or perhaps a hoyer lift is needed who will the driver contact to notify the VA that the specific request needs additional personnel or equipment. How do we the contractor invoice for our time and services for this trip?

Answer #4. This is a performance based work statement, as such, minimum assistance such as helping a beneficiary up and down stairways may be required, however, nowhere in the Performance Work Statement is it stated that services are requested for veterans that cannot walk down stares or requires a two person transfer or perhaps a Hoyer lift. Such services shall be considered out of the scope of work for this contract.

Veterans requiring (2) person assist or required specialized equipment (Hoyer lift) are handled separate from this contract. In any event, if the contractor’s employee arrives at the Veteran’s home and finds out that special equipment is needed, they should notify the VA ambulatory surgery unit (ASU) immediately.

Trips that are considered dry runs and referenced rates are addressed in “Dry Runs,” section 2.18 page 19 and “Rates,” section 2.19, page 19.

Question 5. The solicitation is requesting two and perhaps three different services to be provided by the contractor. 4.2 In-Home Care (HHA or CNA) on page 25 of 99. The services here in these sections are describing in home care for 24 hours, monitor vital signs every 4 hours, perform dressing changes if ordered by the surgical team, monitor drain lines or cathetors, ensure medications are taken, bathing, dressing, meal preparation. These services would require a certified nursing assistant and the wound dressing would require a licensed practical nurse. An HHA will not have the proper training to provide these services. In section B.2 Price Schedule there does not appear to be a section to provide pricing for these services. Can we attached our own price sheet to include these services or will you provide another form?

Answer #5 Section 4.2.3 is hereby deleted herein and replace it with the following: Monitor wound and ensure that there are no obvious changes to the surgical dressing. If there are changes, the Contractors employee shall contact the VA Surgical Section at the number provided on the discharge paperwork Monday-Friday 8 AM – 4PM. After hours contactor shall contact the VA Operator at (813) 972-2000, Press zero (0) for the operator and ask for the Surgical Resident on Call. If it is determined that the patient requires transport to the ER then the contractor shall transport the veteran or call 911, based upon the severity of the situation.

Question 6. 2.1.7 Basic Life Support (BLS) on page 13 of 99. This solicitation is requiring all the drivers to have their own Basic Life Support certificate?

Answer #6 Yes Question 7. Scheduled Trip on page 18 of 99. 2.11.1 Short trip, 2.11.2 Long Distance Trip, 2.11.3 Unscheduled Trip, 2.11.4 Urgent Services and 2.11.5 Routine Services are all listed here. In section B.2 Price Schedule I would assume we are providing our pricing for the Routine Service when the VA give us the 24 to 48 hour notice of a veteran who needs the service? Would the other potential trips just be billed to the government on an as needed basis at the time of the request?

Answer #7 As per Factor 4: Price, page 80, 2nd sentence, “The prices stated in the Price Schedule are to be all inclusive of services.”

Question 8. 4.1.11 If the contractor is only transporting the patient to their home and not providing in home care, the contractor shall deliver education on discharge instructions and request utilization of teach back technique for return demonstration from the individuals receiving post-op care instructions. This sounds like the role of a registered nurse consulting with a patient once they get home. A driver certainly could not advise the veteran on his discharge paperwork ? Please clarify.

Answer 8. Section 4.1.11 is hereby deleted herein and replaced with the following: If the contractor is only transporting the patient to their home and not providing in home care, the contractor shall deliver pre-printed discharge instructions which will be provided to the driver by the surgery staff. The contractor shall ensure the he/she understands where the instructions are in the document and who to call with questions/concerns. The contractor shall relay the information to the receiving beneficiary as well as confirm they understand. If the team agrees with this response and it is medically sound of what you are trying to convey let me know.

Question 9. 4.5 Administrative

4.5.1 Quality Improvement meetings and 4.5.2 Staff Meetings. Are these meeting going to be virtual meetings IE zoom or face time or are they going to be face to face meetings?

Answer # 9 4.5.2 is hereby deleted herein and replaced with the following: The Contractors shall attend staff meetings if requested by the VAMC Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff, or designee. These meetings shall be conducted via conference call or face to face as both parties agree to.

Question 10: Will we the contractor be exposed to any veterans with positive Covid 19 virous ? If so, we will not be able to transport them to the VA.

Answer #10 All patients are tested for COVID 19 2 days prior to surgery. All results are back in 1 hour. No contractors will be transporting patients with positive results.

11. Certificates of Completion of Cyber Security and Patient Privacy Training Course. Are these courses the government will provide us with to complete or do we the contractor have to purchase and complete on our own?

Answer #11 The Government COR will provide the contractor access to complete training.

12. The Service Contract Act Wage Determination for this solicitation indicates Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing of $4.54 per hour. Is this still applicable to the drivers, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurse that we may have to provide? I see a homemaker but no certified nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse as an occupation listed? I also see a bus driver and Shuttle Bus Driver listed as an occupation. For the driver, which occupation are you instructing us the contractor to use for pricing?

Answer #12 Section 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (AUG 2019), section 60, (i), (c), (3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67)., Section under Employee class and Monetary Wage-Fringe Benefits is hereby deleted herein and replace with the following:

13. Are we expected to provide service during Holidays and if we are, will the government pay us time and half for those day?

Answer 13: In as much, the Government does not conduct routine surgeries on holidays, however, a surgery may be scheduled prior to an upcoming holiday. Reference section three (3), 3.1.2. of the Performance Work Statement. A beneficiary may require 24 hours services which may fall into a holiday. As per Factor 4: Price, page 80, 2nd sentence, “The prices stated in the Price Schedule are to be all inclusive of services.”

Question 14. Are all employees of the contractor required to be US Citizens?

Answer #14 Interested parties shall refer to section 2.1.12. Citizenship Related Requirements: page 13.

Question 15. Who is responsible for providing medical supplies should they be necessary? For example, if a patient needs bandages changes, who is providing those?

Answer #15 Interested parties shall refer to section 4.19. and 4.1.10., on page 23, as this section addresses questions concerning medical supplies needed post-surgery.