D.7 Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf

Request for proposal (RFP) Number: 36C24825R0029

Questions & Answers

# QUESTION ANSWER

1 If all quantities annual, please review quantities for LIN XX14 as given there are 1800 O2 patients of which 400 are liquid (not part of LIN xx14) the quantity appears low. Please confirm that all quantities are annual.

Yes, all estimated quantities are annual.

2 Regarding the 5 year requirement page 30 Section 1.90 - Would this include subcontractor experience as it does not appear to specify, "The Contractor shall have at least five (5) calendar years’ experience in successfully administering basic and complex home oxygen, aerosol therapy, cough assists and ventilator care to adult and geriatric patients and experience in providing Home Oxygen and Medical equipment and supplies for gas Oxygen (02), liquid 02, portable and stationary concentrators, assists and ventilators. The Contractor staff shall include Licensed Respiratory Therapists (RCP) required for complex setups, i.e.

oxygen over 4 LPM, cough assists and ventilators. "Does that include subcontractors/ teams in the 5-year experience?

The contracted vendor has the responsibility to ensure services provided by the subcontracted vendor can meet the requirements of the contract.

3 iii: Invoice Submission pg.6 “For an initial or restart delivery a one-time setup fee will apply for delivery of all equipment ordered.

(e.g. a VA-owned concentrator with portable B tank and H backup tank, a one-time setup fee will apply)”. Does this fee apply to the vendor’s owned equipment as well?

Yes, VA-owned Equipment must be utilized first – however in certain circumstances if vendor owned equipment is used the initial or restart delivery one-time fee still applies.

4 iii: Invoice Submission pg. 6 “Invoices for services rendered, oxygen, supplies and medical equipment ordered by the NF/SGVAHS preferably will be provided on CD-ROM disc, mailed or hand carried to

If the contracted vendor can send the billing information via secure email that is acceptable. However, the contractor should know the VA utilizes a specialized excel macro the following address”: Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service (121) 1601 S.W. Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 (352) 548-7181. Does this mean that invoices cannot be emailed via secure email? They have to be printed, mailed or hand delivered to the VA?

program for the processing of invoices. Supporting documentation must be in PDF form. Final bill for payment is submitted via Tungsten.

5 LIN 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001 - H/M

Tank Setup PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE:

6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies. Does this item apply to every back up cylinder setup with a concentrator and as a primary oxygen source?

All oxygen patients regardless of equipment issued MUST have a H/M tank setup.

6 Is this a monthly rental or is this a one-time setup fee?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001 – “H/M Tank Setup”, is a one-time fee.

7 LIN 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003 -

Setups/Restarts PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies.

Does this apply to every equipment setup, prescription revisions, VA and vendor owned equipment

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, and 4003 - “Setups/Restarts”.

This fee applies to new setups or restarts for VA-Owned or Vendor Owned equipment regardless of how many are listed on the order.

May also apply to change in equipment per prescription revisions.

8 LIN 0005, 1005, 2005, 3005, 4005 - E

Cylinder (4-ft tall); PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies.

Does this line item refer to an oxygen refill for the E cylinder or is this a monthly rental of the cylinder? If it is a monthly rental, how does the vendor bill for the cylinder refill if there is no additional CLIN for this?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0004,1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004 – “Portable System Rental” regardless of cylinder size is a monthly rental fee – LIN 0005,1005, 2005, 3005, and 4005 – “E Cylinder (4-ft tall)” refills.

9 LIN 0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, 4006 - D

Cylinder (2-ft tall); PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies.

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0004,1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004 – “Portable System

Does this line item refer to an oxygen refill for the D cylinder or is this a monthly rental of the cylinder? If it is a monthly rental, how does the vendor bill for the cylinder refill if there is no additional CLIN for this?

Rental” regardless of cylinder size is a monthly rental fee - LINs 0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, and 4006 – “D Cylinder (2-ft tall)”; is for refills.

10 LIN 0009, 1009, 2009, 3009, 4009- Liquid Oxygen Bases PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies. The estimated quantity seems very high based on historical data. Can you confirm the number of patients receiving liquid oxygen bases?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. The estimated number of patients requiring liquid bases for LINs 0009, 1009, 2009, 3009, and 4009- “Liquid Oxygen Bases” can vary month to month depending on the evaluations of the Medical Home Oxygen Clinics for Gainesville VAMC, Lake City VAMC and Jacksonville OPC.

11 LIN 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, 4007 - M6

Cylinder (1-ft tall); PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies.

Does this line item refer to a refill for the M6 cylinder or is this a monthly rental of the cylinder? If it is a monthly rental, how does the vendor bill for the cylinder refill if there is no additional CLIN for this?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0004,1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004 – “Portable System Rental” regardless of cylinder size is a monthly rental fee - LINs 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, and 4007 – “M6 Cylinder (1-ft tall)” is for refills.

12 LIN 0015, 1015, 2015, 3015, 4015 -

Unscheduled Pickup PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies.

What constitutes an unscheduled pickup?

A0001. LINs 0015, 1015, 2015, 3015, and 4015 – “Unscheduled Pickup” is there is not a discontinued order. An example of an unscheduled pickup: a veteran calls for all or some of the equipment to be picked up against medical advice (AMA). An against medical advice form should be signed by the veteran as supporting documentation and the ordering Home Oxygen Clinical Staff Notified.

13 LIN 0016, 1016, 2016, 3016, 4016 -

Support for Cough-Assist

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 -

Medical and Surgical Instruments, Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0016, 1016, 2016, 3016, and 4016 – “Support for

Equipment, and Supplies. What type of support is required for the Cough Assist?

Cough-Assist” represents a monthly visit fee to ensure the cough assist is set as ordered, used as prescribed and all required supplies are provided.

14 LIN 0018, 1018, 2018, 3018, 4018 -

"Veteran" Relocate (Coverage/Shipping)

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 -

Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies. What is covered with this veteran relocation fee?

Refer to 5.1 Veteran/Patient Relocation for additional information. Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LIN 0018, 1018, 2018, 3018, and 4018 - "Veteran" Relocate (Coverage/Shipping)” includes all required equipment to assist veterans in relocating.

15 LIN 0019, 1019, 2019, 3019, 4019 "Out of Area" Per Contract Coverage

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 -

Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies. Is this a monthly rental or a one-time fee per delivery out of service area?

A0001. LINs 0019, 1019, 2019, 3019, 4019 "Out of Area" per Contract Coverage”. Also, refer to

3.0 Care Plan in the SOW, regarding veterans that live outside our catchment but receiving care through NFSG VHS. If coverage provided by contracted vendor for these LINs would be an additional fee per delivery.

16 B.4 (1) Description of Service (pg. 26) The Contractor shall furnish, provide, install and maintain medical oxygen equipment, high pressure cylinder, 50 psi air compressors, POCs, concentrators (if VA owned concentrators, POCs not available) and/or liquid systems, portable systems, emergency back-up systems and all required supplies to eligible VA patients as required by the NF/SGVAHS. If the vendor is expected to provide vendor owned equipment when there is no VA owned equipment, there are no LIN items to support this requirement for POC, Concentrators, Self Fill Units, and

Issuance of non-VA owned equipment must first be approved by the COR and if a rental fee is required an additional LIN for that item may be provided. All changes to the contract (including additional LINs) authorization for travel not included in the contract will be done through official modification process first prior to the order since only the CO has authorization to make changes to the contract.

Ventilators. Will the government be adding LIN items to support this requirement?

17 1.2 Objectives (pg. 26) The contractor shall install and maintain all VA owned equipment including providing all related supplies. Will the VA provide all supplies to the contractor?

VA does not provide supplies.

Supplies are expected to be included in delivery of equipment, portable system rental and follow-

up. Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule. LINs 0003-4003; 0004- 4004; 0010-4010; 0014-4014;

0016-4016; 0017-4017.

18 If the contractor has to provide the supplies for VA owned equipment, how will the contractor bill for these supplies since there are no LIN items to support this need?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0014,1014, 2014, 3014, and 4014; LINs 0016,1016, 2016, 3016, and 4016; 0017,1017, 2017, 3017, and 4017 – include required supplies.

19 Can the government provide a list and quantity of all VA owned equipment and vendor owned equipment?

We can request a list of current vendor’s owned regulators/carry bags/carts or storage crates, etc., on our patients. We can provide a list of All VA Owned Equipment as we monitor inventory levels.

20 1.9 Contractor Qualifications (pg. 29). The Contractor shall possess all licenses, permits, accreditations, and certificates as required by local, state and federal law. Is the contractor required to have an Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) license prior to the award of contract?

In Florida an oxygen vendor (Home Medical Equipment -HME) provider must be accredited by an AHCA-recognized accrediting organization to obtain or renew their license. All requirements must be met prior to the award.

1.9 Contractor Qualifications (pg. 29). The

Contractor staff shall include Licensed Respiratory Therapists (RCP) required for complex setups, i.e. oxygen over 4 LPM, cough assists and ventilators. Does this contract require an RT to set up any liter flow over 4 lpm? If so, will the government add a LIN to support the requirement for Respiratory Therapist time? There is only an emergency therapist fee as a LIN.

Yes, an RCP is required for any liter flow of 4 liters or complex equipment, ventilators and cough assists. Refer to Revised price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0006,1006, 2006, 3006, and 4006; LINs 0017,1017, 2017, 3017 and 4017 include the cost for the RCP, equipment setup and supplies. The contractor will utilize LINs 0012,1012, 2012, 3012, and 4012 “Emergency RCP/RCP Follow-up”.

22 1.10 (e) Provision of Home Oxygen.

Cost(s) will be prorated upon setup and discontinuance with equipment pickup no more than one billing cycle. Failure to perform the specified switch-outs will result in a forfeit of payment for every day thereafter until the switch-out is complete.

Does this indicate that billing stops on the Discontinue Date and not the date of notification? If we are notified by a family member to pick up equipment, must we obtain a discontinue order prior to picking up the equipment?

Billing Stops on the day the contractor receives the discontinuation order from the Home Oxygen Clinic. If notified by the veteran to pick up equipment the contractor must obtain an Against Medical Advice and this would be an unscheduled pick-up.

A family member cannot request the removal of equipment unless the veteran is deceased. For this case, the contractor will notify the COR and ordering Home Oxygen Clinic so a discontinue order can be sent.

23 1.10 (g) Provision of Home Oxygen.

Supplies: The number of supplies provided shall be sufficient until the next scheduled visit. The cost of supplies will be at no additional charge and shall be included in the initial setup, monthly or quarterly visit fee. This indicates the supplies should be included in the initial setup, monthly or quarterly visit fee. However, there is no LIN for the monthly or quarterly visit fee. Will the government be adding LIN for these services so supplies will be covered when being provided to government owned equipment?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0014,1014, 2014, 3014, and 4014 “Maintenance of VA Equipment/Quarterly and After Hours”; 0017,1017, 2017, 3017, and 4017 “Initial setup/Monthly SVC VA-Ventilator”; 0016,1016, 2016, 3016, and 4016 “Support for Cough Assist”.

24 1.12 (b) Equipment Specification. Rental of Portable Oxygen Concentrator (for travel) - Battery operated concentrator to deliver 90% or higher concentration of oxygen at continuous flow rate of 3LPM and pulse dose flow rate up to 6LPM. HCPC code:

E1392. Will there be VA owned portable concentrators available for travel purposes? If there is no VA owned portable concentrator available, there is no LIN to support the requirements for the vendor to provide the equipment.

Yes, this VA Owns Portable Oxygen Concentrators for travel and for issuance per prescription (consult) from the home oxygen clinical staff.

25 2.1(a) Ventilators. Initial setup/Monthly ventilator visits fee is all inclusive:

equipment usage for compliance, 30-day month supply of tubing filters, HMEs;

ventilator check/maintenance (Including back up vent). This indicates there should be a fee for an initial setup and monthly visits to ventilator patients. There is no LIN listed for this; will the government be adding this to support the requirement?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0017, 1017, 2017, 3017, 4017 will be used for the initial setup and monthly visits. LINs changed to read: “Initial setup/Monthly SVC VA- Ventilator”.

26 2.1 Ventilators. The contractor shall provide rental of Ventilators (approved equivalent) when VA-Owned ventilator equipment is not available. There is no LIN available for a vendor-owned ventilator. Will the government be adding this in to support the requirement?

Issuance of non-VA owned equipment must first be approved by the COR and if a rental fee is required an additional LIN for that item may be provided. All changes to the contract (including additional LINs) authorization for travel not included in the contract, will be done through official modification process first prior to the order since only the CO has authorization to make changes to the contract.

27 3.0 (a) Care Plan. For equipment issued, a care plan shall be completed by a licensed Respiratory Therapist in 24 hours for all complex setups and 78 hours for basic.

Does this indicate that if a technician performs the setup, then a Respiratory Therapist must return to the home to complete a care plan within 24 or 48 hours, based on the type of setup? If so, will there be a LIN added to support this requirement?

All complex setups require an RCP to set up, it is expected for a care plan to be completed within 24 hours. RCP is not required to complete a basic setup, a follow-up telephone call within 78 hours is acceptable for a care plan. No additional LIN will be added.

28 3.0 (b) Care Plan. Prescription renewals/changes shall be reviewed by the contractors. licensed RCP with the patient.

Are these reviews to be done over the phone by the Respiratory Therapist? If so, will there be a LIN item added to support this requirement?

It is expected that a follow-up phone call for renewals/changes be completed by the RCP. No additional LIN will be added for a Phone-Call.

29 5.1 VETERAN/PATIENT RE-LOCATION.

The contractor shall provide contractor owned equipment for veterans/patients relocating to another VAMC location, unless otherwise approved by the COR for

The contractor shall provide contractor owned “portable oxygen” equipment for veterans/patients relocating to another VAMC location, unless otherwise approved the veteran/patient to utilize VA-owned equipment. Will the government be adding the required LIN items to support this need (vendor owned concentrator 5 & 10 lpm, portable concentrator, conserving regulator & ventilator)?

by the COR for the veteran/patient to utilize VA-owned “portable oxygen concentrator – POC”.

30 5.1 VETERAN/PATIENT RE-LOCATION.

The contractor shall inform the veteran/patient, care giver or veteran/patient representative and both parties must agree in writing and sign that the veteran/patient, care giver or veteran/patient representative will be financially responsible for any/all non-returned contractor equipment. Recovery of contractor-owned equipment will be at no cost to the VA. Will the government allow the vendor to obtain credit card information upfront and place a hold on the card until the vendor’s owned equipment is returned?

Refer to 5.1 VETERAN/PATIENT RELOCATION, in SOW. The majority of the equipment issued to relocate is government owned. For contractor owned equipment, the contractor can ask for credit card information to ensure that the equipment is financially safeguarded.

31 14 Home Oxygen Contract Roles & Responsibilities. Arrangements for air travel are the responsibility of the patient.

The contractor is responsible for arranging for services when VA patient travels outside the contract catchments area (excluding air travel). Contractor will notify and obtain pre-approval from the COR on all patient travel. Does this mean that if the veteran is travelling by plane, that a portable concentrator will not be provided or ordered by the VA?

This VA will provide a Portable Oxygen Concentrator if ordered by the home oxygen clinic.

32 Regarding estimated monthly patient volume, on page 27 section 1.3 (Scope), the solicitation describes the monthly average of patients to be 1800. As this relates to the Number Supplies/Services on page 9-12, the patient count appears to be:

1) LIN 0009 Liquid Base Rental 5000 annually/12 months = 416.66 patients per month. 2) LIN 0014 Maintenance of VA Equipment 3400/12 = 283.33 per month, Adding the 2 amounts, the total is 699.99 patients per month. Is there another item number that describes additional patients

Refer to section 1.3 (Scope) in the SOW. It describes the monthly average: 1800 is an estimated patient base for this home oxygen program NOTE: Total patients serviced under this contract will vary month to month. Eligible VA patients as required by NF/SG are added and discharged and depending on ordered equipment requirements.).

arriving at the estimated 1800 patient per month?

33 Regarding Portable System Rental. On page 9 of the solicitation, LIN 0004 Portable System Rental, is this for portable concentration? If not, what is this item describing?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LIN 0004 describes a portable oxygen cylinder, regulator, carry bag or wheeled cart and supplies to enable use i.e. tank wrench, nasal canula.

Page 26 – 1. Description of Services: 1st paragraph, mid-paragraph. Basic systems consist of equipment capable of providing supplemental oxygen up to 4 liters per minute (LPM) with interface. Complex system consists of all equipment required to provide supplemental oxygen 5 LPM or more with appropriate interface….

Page 29 – 1.9 Contractor Qualifications: 1st paragraph, last sentence. “The Contractor staff shall include Licensed Respiratory Therapists (RCP) required for complex setups, i.e. oxygen over 4 LPM, cough assists and ventilators.”

Page 35 - 3.0 Care Plan: c. “ At home training is required for all prescription equipment changes (i.e. B tank via OCD regulator to E tank via continuous regulator) or change in complexity (i.e.

Basic 3LPM to Complex 4LPM).” Since the Government’s description of a Basic and Complex oxygen system/setup in PWS 1.

and 1.9 is not consistent with the complexity example in PWS 3. c, would the Government clarify whether the definition of a Complex setup is oxygen liter flow over 4 LPM or an oxygen liter flow equal to and over 4 LPM ?

Refer to 3.0 Care Plan (c), in the SOW. Changed to read: At home training is required for all prescription equipment changes (i.e. B tank via OCD regulator to E tank via continuous regulator) or change in complexity (i.e. Basic 3LPM to Complex OVER 4LPM).

34 Page 30 -1.92 Location. “The contractor shall have a physical location at award of the contract which houses the service office, warehouse, dispatch of vehicles, and other functions related to the performance of the contract within the North Florida/South Georgia VA catchment

No, it does not need to be in place prior to the award.

areas.” Can the government clarify whether a physical location has to be in place prior to the award to be eligible for award?

35 Page 33 - 2.1. Ventilators: a. “Initial setup/Monthly ventilator visits fee is all inclusive: equipment usage for compliance, 30-day month supply of tubing, filters, HMEs; ventilator check/maintenance (including back up vent).” Is it the Government’s requirement for an RCP to perform 5 ventilator home visits prior to and during the first month of service (pre-set up home inspection/caregiver ability assessment, initial setup, and an additional 3 weekly home visits during the first month of service?

Refer to 2.1 Ventilators in the SOW.

Note added: “Follow up weekly visits minimally for the first month MAY be required to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to home (at no additional charge) then monthly thereafter”.

36 If yes to the question above, would the Government consider adding a line item for the RCP visit for these purposes?

A0001. LINs 0012, 1012, 2012, 3012, and 4012. Changed to read:

“Emergency RCP/RCP Follow-up”.

37 Page 35 - 3. Care Plan: b. “Prescription renewals/changes shall be reviewed by the contractor’s licensed RCP with the patient.”

Would the Government require an RCP complete a face-to-face home visit with renewals/changes or would a telephonic communication “phone visit” meet the Government’s requirements?

Telephone or VVC are acceptable.

38 If a face-to-face RCP home visit is required to review renewals/changes, would the Government consider adding a line item for an RCP visit for these purposes?

A0001. LINs 0012, 1012, 2012, 3012, and 4012. Changed to read:

“Emergency RCP/RCP Follow-up” is to be used if face-to-face RCP is required.

39 c. “At-home training is required for all prescription equipment changes (i.e., B tank via OCD regulator to E tank via continuous regulator) or change in complexity (i.e., Basic 3LPM to Complex 4LPM).” Would the Government allow for this “at home training” to be performed for prescription changes related to equipment

Yes, a qualified oxygen technician may complete basic equipment prescription changes.

changes (i.e. B tank via OCD to E tank via continuous regulator) to be done by a qualified oxygen technician?

40 Page 42 - 7. Scheduling Home Visits: c.

“Quarterly equipment checks shall reassess equipment compliance, educational needs, equipment maintenance.” Can a qualified oxygen technician perform these reassessments/quarterly equipment checks?

Yes, but not for Ventilator or Cough Assists.

41 Should equipment noncompliance and re-education needs be identified by the technician during a quarterly visit? Does the Government require a licensed RCP to perform a follow-up visit to address the non-compliance and re-education needs?

No, if non-compliance and re-education needs are identified they should be reported to the ordering home oxygen clinic. The ordering clinic will determine the next step.

42 If yes, would the Government consider adding a line item for an RCP visit for these purposes?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. If an RCP visit is determined to be required use LINs 0012 , 1012, 2012, 3012, and 4012.

Changed to read: “Emergency RCP/RCP Follow-up”.

43 Page 32 – 1.12 Equipment Specification.

Note: VA-owned Equipment will be used except when not available or feasible. Item

a. Monthly Rental Concentrators – an electrical device that employs sieves and physical separation to deliver 90% or higher concentration of oxygen at flow rates up to 5 lpm. Item b. Rental of Portable Oxygen Concentrator (for travel) - Battery-operated concentrator to deliver 90% or higher concentration of oxygen at a continuous flow rate of 3LPM and pulse dose flow rate up to 6LPM. Would the Government consider including a line item for contractor-owned equipment rental, such as 5 LPM and 10 LPM concentrators, ventilators, and portable concentrators?

No, historically we don’t need to rent from the contractor. If inventory gets low, we place an order for equipment.

44 Page 32 – 1.12 Equipment Specification.

Item g. Monthly Rental of H/K Tank only (Equal to 282 cubic ft.) with Stand, appropriate regulator, and all related

Refer to 1.12 Equipment Specification (g), in the B.4 Revised SOW provided in Amendment disposables are included. Would the Government consider including a line item provided for this Tank Rental of H/K Tank?

A0001. Changed to read: “Setup of H/K Tank

45 Page 32 – 1.12 Equipment Specification.

Item h. E-Cylinder System with standard regulator, flowmeter, handcart, and all disposable supplies. Would the Government consider including a line item for the E Cylinder System Rental?

No. Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, 4004 – “Portable System Rental” (any size portable oxygen tank).

46 There is no line item for emergency visits for the equipment failure of the VA-owned equipment. Would the Government consider including a line item for emergency visits to patients for VA-owned equipment failures?

Yes. Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0014, 1014, 2014, 3014, and 4014.

Changed to read: “Maintenance of VA Equip/Quarterly and After Hours”.

47 There is no line item for Respiratory Therapist visits. Would the Government consider including a line item for Respiratory Therapist visits for VA-owned equipment?

RT visits are included, refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001.

LINs 0017,1017,2017,3017,4017.

Changed to read: “Initial setup/Monthly SVC VA-ventilator”.

48 On Page 26, 1.1 “Background” states “All efforts in support of the requirement are carried out in accordance with Joint Commission standards.” On Page 29-30,

1.9 “Contractor Qualifications” states “Contractor shall meet or exceed these and the Joint Commission Accreditation for Healthcare Standards”. On Page 30, 1.91 “Accreditation” states “Contractor shall maintain this accreditation through the life of the contract and evidence of accreditation shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer (CO) and COR prior to contract award and at the time of option exercise.” There is conflicting information in the Statement of Work (SOW) regarding JCAHO Accreditation. Does the prospective contractor need to be accredited OR meet accreditation standards?

Yes. Refer to 1.1 Background.

NF/SG is Accredited via JC for homecare stands it is required for our contracted vendor to be JC accredited. 1.91 Language updated, see B.4 Revised SOW.

49 On Page 29, under “Contractor Qualifications” the last paragraph should read “Cough Assists” instead of “Assists”?

Refer to B.4 Revised SOW 1.9 “Contractor Qualifications” changed from “assists” to “cough assists”.

50 There are no LINs for Rental of Contractor- Owned Concentrators OR Rental of Contractor-Owned Ventilators in the Price / Cost Schedule?

NF/SG PSAS owns their concentrators, ventilators and cough assists, self-fill units.

Inventory is managed by the contractor to maintain adequate supply.

51 Price / Cost Schedule Quantity Discrepancies.

• LIN 0002-4002 H/M Refills/Switch outs

Estimate 400 / Year Actual 180 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0003-4003 Setups / Restarts Estimate 200 / Year Actual 516 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0004-4004 Portable System Rental

Estimate 20,000 / Year Actual 10,600 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0005-4005 E-Cylinder Refills Estimate 16,005 / Year Actual 10,600 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0006-4006 D-Cylinder Refills Estimate 10,000 / Year Actual 2,050 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0007-4007 M6 Cylinder Refills Estimate 20,000 / Year Actual 13,225 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0009-4009 Liquid Base Rental Estimate 5,000 / Year Actual 2,700 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

• LIN 0010-4010 Liquid Portable Rental

Estimate 5,000 / Year

These are only estimates.

Quantities utilized for patients can increase or decrease throughout the life of the contract. All changes to the contract (including additional LINs) authorization for travel not included in the contract, will be done through official modification process first prior to the order since

Actual 4,000 / Year (Average of Last 3 Months Invoices)?

52 LIN 0019-4019. “Out of Area” Per Contract Coverage. Is this a “flat” rate for all “Out of Area” services covered? This is disadvantageous for potential contractors as they would only be able to charge one rate whether the patient is 2 miles outside the contract coverage area or 200 miles outside the contract coverage area.

Yes, refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0019, 1019, 2019, 3019, and 4019 “Out of Area” Per Contract Coverage”, there is a flat rate intended to cover the cost of mileage outside the contract coverage area.

53 Will the Government accept the completed Price/Cost Schedule (Section B.2) in Microsoft Excel format, provided that all LINs, pricing structure, and calculations mirror the solicitation’s SF 1449 layout exactly? If acceptable, would the Government consider providing an Excel version of the pricing table?

To keep it fair and standardized we will only accept the completed Revised B.2 price/cost schedule PDF provided in Amendment A0001.

54 Several LINs such as LIN 0012 (Emergency RCP Visit) and LIN 0015 (Unscheduled Pickup) are listed with “MO” as the unit. Should these be “EA” (Each) to reflect the nature of one-time services?

Yes. Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0012, 1012, 2012, 3012, and 4012; LINs 0015, 1015, 2015, 3015 and 4015.

“MO” changed to “EA”.

55 Clarification of Monthly Quantities vs.

Patient Counts… Some LINs, such as Portable System Rental (e.g., 0004), show very high monthly quantities (20,000 MO).

Do these quantities represent total months across all patients or maximum patient count per month? Can the Government confirm the estimated average monthly patient base associated with each rental

LIN?

These are only estimates.

Quantities utilized for patients can increase or decrease throughout the life of the contract. All changes to the contract (including additional LINs) authorization for travel not included in the contract, will be done through official modification process first prior to the order since

56 How should contractors distinguish when to use LIN 0003 (Setups/Restarts) versus LIN 0018 (“Veteran” Relocate)? Would relocations within the contract catchment area require use of both?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. If the veteran moves within the catchment area, it is not considered a relocation. It would be a restart only. Use of LINs 0003,1003, 2003, 3003, and 4003 is expected (“Setups/Restarts”).

57 For LIN 0014 (Maintenance of VA Equipment – Quarterly), is pricing based per patient, per piece of equipment, or per service visit? Will an estimated inventory or volume baseline be provided?

Refer to Revised B.2 price/cost schedule provided in Amendment A0001. LINs 0014,1014, 2014, 3014 and 4014 “Maintenance of VA Equipment / Quarterly and After Hours” is per visit regardless of the amount or type of equipment(s).

Yes, the contracted awarded vendor will be provided with a patient list, equipment per patient and inventory in stock.

58 For LINs such as 0004 (Portable System Rental), does the quantity reflect the number of patients per month or total months of service (e.g., 1 patient for 12 months = 12 units)?

The quantity is an annual estimate of the number of units. Patients may have more than one Portable System.

End of Vendor questions and answers