36C24925Q0252.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

626-25-3-2066-0185

36C24925Q0252 05-09-2025

Elizabeth Trimm 615-225-5613 05-23-2025

3PM CDT

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 9 (90C)

NCO 9

1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 204

Murfreesboro TN 37129

X 100

X

492210

$34 Million

N/A

X

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System-TVHS

1310 24th Ave South

Nashville TN 37212

90C

Network Contracting Office 9

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office (90C)

1639 Medical Center Parkway Suite 204

90C

FSC e-Invoicing Payment http://www.fsc.va.gov/fsc/einvoice.asp

Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135

Invoice must be submitted electronically

Setup 1-877-489-6135

See CONTINUATION Page

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) has a requirement for Lab Courier services in accordance with the Performance

Work Statement (PWS).

Wage Determination No 2015-4647, Revision 27, dated 12/23/24 will be in effect unless updated prior to award of contract.

Questions are due NLT May 16, 2025 10AM CDT.

Quotes are due NLT May 23, 2025 3PM CDT.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

Elizabeth Trimm

Contracting Officer

36C24925Q0252

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

B.3 Performance Work Statement

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023)

C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.3 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

C.4 VAAR 852.211-76 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – REIMBURSEMENT FOR DATA

BREACH COSTS (FEB 2023) ALTERNATE I (FEB 2023)

C.5 VAAR 852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR CERTIFIED

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (JAN 2023)

(DEVIATION)

C.6 VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023)

(DEVIATION)

C.7 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV

2018)

C.8 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020) ... 55

C.9 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.10 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (JAN 2025)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: WDOL 2015-4647 R27 12.23.24 TN Davidson Rutherford

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

E.2 52.201-1 ACQUISITION 360: VOLUNTARY SURVEY (SEP 2023)

E.3 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

E.4 52.204-29 FEDERAL ACQUISITION SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY ACT

ORDERS—REPRESENTATION AND DISCLOSURES (DEC 2023)

E.5 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

E.6 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.7 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (OCT 2018)

E.8 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.9 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2021) TAILORED

E.10 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Elizabeth Trimm, Contracting Officer 36C249

Network Contracting Office 9 (90C)

NCO 9

1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 204

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment

Requests.

https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/ http://www.fsc.va.gov/fsc/einvoice.asp

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/ http://www.fsc.va.gov/fsc/einvoice.asp

B.2 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/PRIVACY

1. GENERAL

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as

VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

2. ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

a. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

b. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and

Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive

Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a

Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security

Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and

National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness.

d. Custom software development and outsourced operations must be located in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S. may be an evaluation factor.

e. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor's employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.

3. VA INFORMATION CUSTODIAL LANGUAGE

a. Information made available to the contractor or subcontractor by VA for the performance or administration of this contract or information developed by the contractor/subcontractor in performance or administration of the contract shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the prior written agreement of the VA. This clause expressly limits the contractor/subcontractor's rights to use data as described in Rights in Data -

General, FAR 52.227-14(d) (1).

b. VA information should not be co-mingled, if possible, with any other data on the contractors/subcontractor's information systems or media storage systems in order to ensure

VA requirements related to data protection and media sanitization can be met. If co-mingling must be allowed to meet the requirements of the business need, the contractor must ensure that

VA's information is returned to the VA or destroyed in accordance with VA's sanitization requirements. VA reserves the right to conduct on site inspections of contractor and subcontractor IT resources to ensure data security controls, separation of data and job duties, and destruction/media sanitization procedures are in compliance with VA directive requirements.

c. Prior to termination or completion of this contract, contractor/ subcontractor must not destroy information received from VA, or gathered/ created by the contractor in the course of performing this contract without prior written approval by the VA. Any data destruction done on behalf of VA by a contractor/subcontractor must be done in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements as outlined in VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management and its Handbook 6300.1 Records Management Procedures, applicable VA Records Control Schedules, and VA Handbook 6500.1, Electronic Media

Sanitization. Self-certification by the contractor that the data destruction requirements above have been met must be sent to the VA Contracting Officer within 30 days of termination of the contract.

d. The contractor/subcontractor must receive, gather, store, back up, maintain, use, disclose and dispose of VA information only in compliance with the terms of the contract and applicable

Federal and VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies. If Federal or VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies become applicable to the VA information or information systems after execution of the contract, or if NIST issues or updates applicable FIPS or Special Publications (SP) after execution of this contract, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to implement the information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies in this contract.

e. The contractor/subcontractor shall not make copies of VA information except as authorized and necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on contractor/subcontractor electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the contractor/subcontractor needs to be restored to an operating state. If copies are made for restoration purposes, after the restoration is complete, the copies must be appropriately destroyed.

f. If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.

g. If a VHA contract is terminated for cause, the associated BAA must also be terminated and appropriate actions taken in accordance with VHA Handbook 1600.01, Business Associate

Agreements. Absent an agreement to use or disclose protected health information, there is no business associate relationship.

h. The contractor/subcontractor must store, transport, or transmit VA sensitive information in an encrypted form, using VA-approved encryption tools that are, at a minimum, FIPS 140-2 validated.

i. The contractor/subcontractor's firewall and Web services security controls, if applicable, shall meet or exceed VA's minimum requirements. VA Configuration Guidelines are available upon request.

j. Except for uses and disclosures of VA information authorized by this contract for performance of the contract, the contractor/subcontractor may use and disclose VA information only in two other situations: (i) in response to a qualifying order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) with VA's prior written approval. The contractor/subcontractor must refer all requests for, demands for production of, or inquiries about, VA information and information systems to the VA contracting officer for response.

k. Notwithstanding the provision above, the contractor/subcontractor shall not release VA records protected by Title 38 U.S.C. 5705, confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and/or Title 38 U.S.C. 7332, confidentiality of certain health records pertaining to drug addiction, sickle cell anemia, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

If the contractor/subcontractor is in receipt of a court order or other requests for the above mentioned information, that contractor/subcontractor shall immediately refer such court orders or other requests to the VA contracting officer for response.

l. For service that involves the storage, generating, transmitting, or exchanging of VA sensitive information but does not require C&A or an MOU-ISA for system interconnection, the contractor/subcontractor must complete a Contractor Security Control Assessment (CSCA) on a yearly basis and provide it to the COR.

4. INFORMATION SYSTEM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

a. Information systems that are designed or developed for or on behalf of VA at non-VA facilities shall comply with all VA directives developed in accordance with FISMA, HIPAA, NIST, and related VA security and privacy control requirements for Federal information systems. This includes standards for the protection of electronic PHI, outlined in 45 C.F.R. Part 164, Subpart

C, information and system security categorization level designations in accordance with FIPS

199 and FIPS 200 with implementation of all baseline security controls commensurate with the

FIPS 199 system security categorization (reference Appendix D of VA Handbook 6500, VA

Information Security Program). During the development cycle a Privacy Impact Assessment

(PIA) must be completed, provided to the COR, and approved by the VA Privacy Service in accordance with Directive 6507, VA Privacy Impact Assessment.

b. The contractor/subcontractor shall certify to the COR that applications are fully functional and operate correctly as intended on systems using the VA Federal Desktop Core Configuration

(FDCC), and the common security configuration guidelines provided by NIST or the VA. This includes Internet Explorer 7 configured to operate on Windows XP and Vista (in Protected Mode on Vista) and future versions, as required.

c. The standard installation, operation, maintenance, updating, and patching of software shall not alter the configuration settings from the VA approved and FDCC configuration. Information technology staff must also use the Windows Installer Service for installation to the default

"program files" directory and silently install and uninstall.

d. Applications designed for normal end users shall run in the standard user context without elevated system administration privileges.

e. The security controls must be designed, developed, approved by VA, and implemented in accordance with the provisions of VA security system development life cycle as outlined in NIST

Special Publication 800-37, Guide for Applying the Risk Management Framework to Federal

Information Systems, VA Handbook 6500, Information Security Program and VA Handbook

6500.5, Incorporating Security and Privacy in System Development Lifecycle.

f. The contractor/subcontractor is required to design, develop, or operate a System of Records

Notice (SOR) on individuals to accomplish an agency function subject to the Privacy Act of

1974, (as amended), Public Law 93-579, December 31, 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and applicable agency regulations. Violation of the Privacy Act may involve the imposition of criminal and civil penalties.

g. The contractor/subcontractor agrees to:

(1) Comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) and the agency rules and regulations issued under the Act in the design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function when the contract specifically identifies:

(a) The Systems of Records (SOR); and

(b) The design, development, or operation work that the contractor/ subcontractor is to perform;

(1) Include the Privacy Act notification contained in this contract in every solicitation and resulting subcontract and in every subcontract awarded without a solicitation, when the work statement in the proposed subcontract requires the redesign, development, or operation of a

SOR on individuals that is subject to the Privacy Act; and

(2) Include this Privacy Act clause, including this subparagraph (3), in all subcontracts awarded under this contract which requires the design, development, or operation of such a

SOR.

h. In the event of violations of the Act, a civil action may be brought against the agency involved when the violation concerns the design, development, or operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function, and criminal penalties may be imposed upon the officers or employees of the agency when the violation concerns the operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function. For purposes of the Act, when the contract is for the operation of a SOR on individuals to accomplish an agency function, the contractor/subcontractor is considered to be an employee of the agency.

(1) "Operation of a System of Records" means performance of any of the activities associated with maintaining the SOR, including the collection, use, maintenance, and dissemination of records.

(2) "Record" means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and contains the person's name, or identifying number, symbol, or any other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a fingerprint or voiceprint, or a photograph.

(3) "System of Records" means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

i. The vendor shall ensure the security of all procured or developed systems and technologies, including their subcomponents (hereinafter referred to as "Systems"), throughout the life of this contract and any extension, warranty, or maintenance periods. This includes, but is not limited to workarounds, patches, hotfixes, upgrades, and any physical components (hereafter referred to as Security Fixes) which may be necessary to fix all security vulnerabilities published or known to the vendor anywhere in the Systems, including Operating Systems and firmware. The vendor shall ensure that Security Fixes shall not negatively impact the Systems.

j. The vendor shall notify VA within 24 hours of the discovery or disclosure of successful exploits of the vulnerability which can compromise the security of the Systems (including the confidentiality or integrity of its data and operations, or the availability of the system). Such issues shall be remediated as quickly as is practical, but in no event longer than 3 days.

k. When the Security Fixes involve installing third party patches (such as Microsoft OS patches or Adobe Acrobat), the vendor will provide written notice to the VA that the patch has been validated as not affecting the Systems within 10 working days. When the vendor is responsible for operations or maintenance of the Systems, they shall apply the Security Fixes within 3 days.

l. All other vulnerabilities shall be remediated as specified in this paragraph in a timely manner based on risk, but within 60 days of discovery or disclosure. Exceptions to this paragraph (e.g.

for the convenience of VA) shall only be granted with approval of the contracting officer and the

VA Assistant Secretary for Office of Information and Technology.

5. INFORMATION SYSTEM HOSTING, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, OR USE

a. For information systems that are hosted, operated, maintained, or used on behalf of VA at non-VA facilities, contractors/subcontractors are fully responsible and accountable for ensuring compliance with all HIPAA, Privacy Act, FISMA, NIST, FIPS, and VA security and privacy directives and handbooks. This includes conducting compliant risk assessments, routine vulnerablity scanning, system patching and change management procedures, and the completion of an acceptable contingency plan for each system. The contractor's security control procedures must be equivalent, to those procedures used to secure VA systems. A

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) must also be provided to the COR and approved by VA

Privacy Service prior to operational approval. All external Internet connections to VA's network involving VA information must be reviewed and approved by VA prior to implementation.

b. Adequate security controls for collecting, processing, transmitting, and storing of Personally

Identifiable Information (PII), as determined by the VA Privacy Service, must be in place, tested, and approved by VA prior to hosting, operation, maintenance, or use of the information system, or systems by or on behalf of VA. These security controls are to be assessed and stated within the PIA and if these controls are determined not to be in place, or inadequate, a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) must be submitted and approved prior to the collection of PII.

c. Outsourcing (contractor facility, contractor equipment or contractor staff) of systems or network operations, telecommunications services, or other managed services requires certification and accreditation (authorization) (C&A) of the contractor's systems in accordance with VA Handbook 6500.3, Certification and Accreditation and/or the VA OCS Certification

Program Office. Government- owned (government facility or government equipment) contractor-operated systems, third party or business partner networks require memorandums of understanding and interconnection agreements (MOU-ISA) which detail what data types are shared, who has access, and the appropriate level of security controls for all systems connected to VA networks.

d. The contractor/subcontractor's system must adhere to all FISMA, FIPS, and NIST standards related to the annual FISMA security controls assessment and review and update the

PIA. Any deficiencies noted during this assessment must be provided to the VA contracting officer and the ISO for entry into VA's POA&M management process. The contractor/subcontractor must use VA's POA&M process to document planned remedial actions to address any deficiencies in information security policies, procedures, and practices, and the completion of those activities. Security deficiencies must be corrected within the timeframes approved by the government. Contractor/subcontractor procedures are subject to periodic, unannounced assessments by VA officials, including the VA Office of Inspector General. The physical security aspects associated with contractor/ subcontractor activities must also be subject to such assessments. If major changes to the system occur that may affect the privacy or security of the data or the system, the C&A of the system may need to be reviewed, retested and re- authorized per VA Handbook 6500.3. This may require reviewing and updating all of the documentation (PIA, System Security Plan, Contingency Plan). The Certification Program

Office can provide guidance on whether a new C&A would be necessary.

e. The contractor/subcontractor must conduct an annual self assessment on all systems and outsourced services as required. Both hard copy and electronic copies of the assessment must be provided to the COR. The government reserves the right to conduct such an assessment using government personnel or another contractor/subcontractor. The contractor/subcontractor must take appropriate and timely action (this can be specified in the contract) to correct or mitigate any weaknesses discovered during such testing, generally at no additional cost.

f. VA prohibits the installation and use of personally-owned or contractor/ subcontractor-owned equipment or software on VA's network. If non-VA owned equipment must be used to fulfill the requirements of a contract, it must be stated in the service agreement, SOW or contract. All of the security controls required for government furnished equipment (GFE) must be utilized in approved other equipment (OE) and must be funded by the owner of the equipment. All remote systems must be equipped with, and use, a VA-approved antivirus (AV) software and a personal (host-based or enclave based) firewall that is configured with a VA-approved configuration. Software must be kept current, including all critical updates and patches. Owners of approved OE are responsible for providing and maintaining the anti-viral software and the firewall on the non-VA owned OE.

g. All electronic storage media used on non-VA leased or non-VA owned IT equipment that is used to store, process, or access VA information must be handled in adherence with VA

Handbook 6500.1, Electronic Media Sanitization upon: (i) completion or termination of the contract or (ii) disposal or return of the IT equipment by the contractor/subcontractor or any person acting on behalf of the contractor/subcontractor, whichever is earlier. Media (hard drives, optical disks, CDs, back-up tapes, etc.) used by the contractors/ subcontractors that contain VA information must be returned to the VA for sanitization or destruction or the contractor/subcontractor must self-certify that the media has been disposed of per 6500.1 requirements. This must be completed within 30 days of termination of the contract.

h. Bio-Medical devices and other equipment or systems containing media (hard drives, optical disks, etc.) with VA sensitive information must not be returned to the vendor at the end of lease, for trade-in, or other purposes. The options are:

(1) Vendor must accept the system without the drive;

(2) VA's initial medical device purchase includes a spare drive which must be installed in place of the original drive at time of turn-in; or

(3) VA must reimburse the company for media at a reasonable open market replacement cost at time of purchase.

(4) Due to the highly specialized and sometimes proprietary hardware and software associated with medical equipment/systems, if it is not possible for the VA to retain the hard drive, then;

(a) The equipment vendor must have an existing BAA if the device being traded in has sensitive information stored on it and hard drive(s) from the system are being returned physically intact; and

(b) Any fixed hard drive on the device must be non-destructively sanitized to the greatest extent possible without negatively impacting system operation. Selective clearing down to patient data folder level is recommended using VA approved and validated overwriting technologies/methods/tools. Applicable media sanitization specifications need to be pre-approved and described in the purchase order or contract.

(c) A statement needs to be signed by the Director (System Owner) that states that the drive could not be removed and that (a) and (b) controls above are in place and completed. The

ISO needs to maintain the documentation.

6. SECURITY INCIDENT INVESTIGATION

a. The term "security incident" means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action that breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/ subcontractor shall immediately notify the

COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/ subcontractor has access.

b. To the extent known by the contractor/subcontractor, the contractor/ subcontractor's notice to VA shall identify the information involved, the circumstances surrounding the incident

(including to whom, how, when, and where the VA information or assets were placed at risk or compromised), and any other information that the contractor/subcontractor considers relevant.

c. With respect to unsecured protected health information, the business associate is deemed to have discovered a data breach when the business associate knew or should have known of a breach of such information. Upon discovery, the business associate must notify the covered entity of the breach. Notifications need to be made in accordance with the executed business associate agreement.

d. In instances of theft or break-in or other criminal activity, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of jurisdiction, including the VA OIG and Security and Law Enforcement. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors and their employees shall cooperate with VA and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor shall cooperate with

VA in any civil litigation to recover VA information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident.

7. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR DATA BREACH

a. Consistent with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 5725, a contract may require access to sensitive personal information. If so, the contractor is liable to VA for liquidated damages in the event of a data breach or privacy incident involving any SPI the contractor/subcontractor processes or maintains under this contract.

b. The contractor/subcontractor shall provide notice to VA of a "security incident" as set forth in the Security Incident Investigation section above. Upon such notification, VA must secure from a non-Department entity or the VA Office of Inspector General an independent risk analysis of the data breach to determine the level of risk associated with the data breach for the potential misuse of any sensitive personal information involved in the data breach. The term

'data breach' means the loss, theft, or other unauthorized access, or any access other than that incidental to the scope of employment, to data containing sensitive personal information, in electronic or printed form, that results in the potential compromise of the confidentiality or integrity of the data. Contractor shall fully cooperate with the entity performing the risk analysis.

Failure to cooperate may be deemed a material breach and grounds for contract termination.

c. Each risk analysis shall address all relevant information concerning the data breach, including the following:

(1) Nature of the event (loss, theft, unauthorized access);

(2) Description of the event, including:

(a) date of occurrence;

(b) data elements involved, including any PII, such as full name, social security number, date of birth, home address, account number, disability code;

(3) Number of individuals affected or potentially affected;

(4) Names of individuals or groups affected or potentially affected;

(5) Ease of logical data access to the lost, stolen or improperly accessed data in light of the degree of protection for the data, e.g., unencrypted, plain text;

(6) Amount of time the data has been out of VA control;

(7) The likelihood that the sensitive personal information will or has been compromised

(made accessible to and usable by unauthorized persons);

(8) Known misuses of data containing sensitive personal information, if any;

(9) Assessment of the potential harm to the affected individuals;

(10) Data breach analysis as outlined in 6500.2 Handbook, Management of Security and

Privacy Incidents, as appropriate; and

(11) Whether credit protection services may assist record subjects in avoiding or mitigating the results of identity theft based on the sensitive personal information that may have been compromised.

d. Based on the determinations of the independent risk analysis, the contractor shall be responsible for paying to the VA liquidated damages in the amount of $37.50 per day per affected individual to cover the cost of providing credit protection services to affected individuals consisting of the following:

(1) Notification;

(2) One year of credit monitoring services consisting of automatic daily monitoring of at least

3 relevant credit bureau reports;

(3) Data breach analysis;

(4) Fraud resolution services, including writing dispute letters, initiating fraud alerts and credit freezes, to assist affected individuals to bring matters to resolution;

(5) One year of identity theft insurance with $20,000.00 coverage at $0 deductible; and

(6) Necessary legal expenses the subjects may incur to repair falsified or damaged credit records, histories, or financial affairs.

8. SECURITY CONTROLS COMPLIANCE TESTING

On a periodic basis, VA, including the Office of Inspector General, reserves the right to evaluate any or all of the security controls and privacy practices implemented by the contractor under the clauses contained within the contract. With 10 working-day's notice, at the request of the government, the contractor must fully cooperate and assist in a government-sponsored security controls assessment at each location wherein VA information is processed or stored, or information systems are developed, operated, maintained, or used on behalf of VA, including those initiated by the Office of Inspector General. The government may conduct a security control assessment on shorter notice (to include unannounced assessments) as determined by

VA in the event of a security incident or at any other time.

9. TRAINING

a. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems:

(1) Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems;

(2) Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training and annually complete required security training;

(3) Successfully complete the appropriate VA privacy training and annually complete required privacy training; and

(4) Successfully complete any additional cyber security or privacy training, as required for

VA personnel with equivalent information system access [to be defined by the VA program official and provided to the contracting officer for inclusion in the solicitation document - e.g., any role-based information security training required in accordance with NIST Special Publication

800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements.]

b. The contractor shall provide to the contracting officer and/or the COR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Contractor Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required.

c. Failure to complete the mandatory annual training and sign the Rules of Behavior annually, within the timeframe required, is grounds for suspension or termination of all physical or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training and documents are complete.

(End of Clause)

B.3 Performance Work Statement

1.0 Description of Requirement

The Vendor shall provide courier services to transport laboratory specimens to and from the

Veteran Administration (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) listed below to the designated services at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Alvin C. York

Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 and TVHS Nashville Medical

Center, 1310 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212 main campuses. The Courier Service process must be in accordance with ANSI/AAMI Standard 79, appropriate Department of

Transportation (DOT) regulations, Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1106, and TVHS Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the most current posting, in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.0 Scope of Work

VA TVHS requires lab specimen courier services. The Vendor shall provide all necessary management, labor, equipment, vehicles, transportation, information security (HIPAA), and insurance to provide courier services to and from the TVHS Murfreesboro and Nashville Medical

Centers to and from the CBOC addresses cited under “Places of Performance.”

The VHA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) provide a variety of outpatient primary care and specialty care services in communities closer to where eligible veterans reside, thus improving convenience, equity of access in rural/underserved areas, efficiency and effectiveness of care, and access to care for all eligible veterans. These outpatient services may include primary care, preventive care, immunizations and vaccinations, prescription of medications, social work, dental, radiology, mental health counseling and group therapy, laboratory testing, women’s care, physical therapy, and referral to specialists. It should be noted that the type of medical services available at a CBOC can vary from clinic to clinic.

All work is to be performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations or ordinances, including any specified regulations for information security (HIPAA), dangerous goods, diagnostic specimens, and bio-hazardous materials.

3.0 Period of Performance

TVHS seeks a long-term Courier Service contract. The contract term will be broken down in the ordering periods in the price/cost schedule. This requirement will be awarded as a firm-fixed priced contract with five (5) one (1) -year ordering periods (OP).

Ordering Period 1 June 01, 2025 – May 31, 2026

Ordering Period 2 June 01, 2026 – May 31, 2027

Ordering Period 3 June 01, 2027 – May 31, 2028

Ordering Period 4 June 01, 2028 – May 31, 2029

Ordering Period 5 June 01, 2029 – May 31, 2030

4.0 Places of Performance

4.1 Main Campuses

Alvin C. York VA Medical Center

3400 Lebanon Pike

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Nashville VA Medical Center

1310 24th Avenue South

Nashville, TN 37212

4.2 Community Based Outpatient Clinics

Albion Street VA Clinic

1818 Albion Street, Suite 114

Nashville, TN 37303

Athens VA Clinic

1320 Decatur Pike

Athens, TN 37303

Charlotte Avenue VA Clinic

1919 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 300

Nashville, TN 37203

Chattanooga VA Clinic

6401 Shallowford Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421

Clarksville VA Clinic

782 Weatherly Drive

Clarksville, TN 37043

Dover VA Clinic

1406 Donelson Parkway

Dover, TN 37058

Fort Campbell VA Clinic

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital

650 Joel Drive

Fort Campbell, TN 42223

Gallatin VA Clinic

419 Steam Plant Road

Gallatin, TN 37066-3027

International Plaza VA Clinic

2 International Plaza Drive, International Plaza, Suite 300

Nashville, TN 37217-5150

Meharry Medical Center

100 DB Todd Boulevard

Nashville, TN 37208

Pointe Centre VA Clinic

1208 Pointe Centre, Pointe Centre Properties, Suite 100

Chattanooga, TN 37421-3989

Tullahoma VA CBOC

225 Von Karman Road

Arnold Air Force Base, TN 37389

5.0 Hours of Operations

TVHS VA Medical Center normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to

4:30 PM Local Standard Time. The VA Laboratory is open 24/7.

5.1 Federal Holidays

Recognized Holidays: The following federal holidays set by law (5 U.S.C. §6103), or as approved by the CO. The following are recognized United States (US) federal holidays:

New Year’s Day - January 1st

Martin Luther King’s Birthday - 3rd Monday in January

President’s Day - 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day - Last Monday in May

Juneteenth - June 19th

Independence Day - July 4th

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October

Veterans Day - November 11th

Thanksgiving Day- Last Thursday in November

Christmas Day - December 25th

Any other day designated by the President as a national holiday. When one of the holidays falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a legal holiday. When holiday falls on a

Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a legal holiday by US Government agencies.

6.0 Estimated Quantities

The quantities referenced in the Price Schedule are estimated quantities based on VA historical needs. The estimated quantities are not a guarantee to the vendor but could be equal to, lesser than, or greater than estimated quantities referenced.

7.0 Service Contract Requirement

Vendor shall provide hourly wages in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor Wage

Determinations and FAR PART 22.10 (Service Contract Labor Standards) including Health and

Welfare Benefits.

The following position is applicable: 31043 Driver Courier

8.0 Definitions and Acronyms:

CBOC: Community Based Outpatient Clinic

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report

Contracting Officer (CO) – The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Vendor performs in accordance with and adheres to the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken.

CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System, which is the official

Government reporting system for Vendor past performance on awards.

DOT: U.S. Department of Transportation

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

OSHA: U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration

POP: Period of Performance

QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

VA: Veteran Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs

PWS: Performance Work Statement

9.0 Daily Courier Service

Daily Courier services include the transportation of diagnostic specimens and all laboratory specimens (blood/body fluids). Items will be secured (locked) at-all-times while in the possession of the Vendor.

Daily Courier services between the TVHS Murfreesboro and Nashville Healthcare System and

CBOCs shall be provided Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays or any day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a federal holiday. Federal

Holidays are listed in Section 5.1.

Daily Courier services shall be to and from the designated Laboratory pickup and delivery points as specified below between the TVHS Alvin C. York VA Medical Center and Community Based

Outpatient Clinics:

(1) TVHS Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, building 117/

Floor 1 / Room 139Q for daily (Monday through Friday) pick-up of lab specimen bags to deliver to designated CBOC(s).

(2) Athens VA Clinic: 1320 Decatur Pike, Athens, TN for daily (Monday through Friday) 1

PM EST delivery and pick up lab specimen bags.

(3) Chattanooga VA Clinic: 6401 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga for daily (Monday through

Friday) 2 PM EST delivery and pick up lab specimen bags.

(4) Pointe Centre VA Clinic: 1208 Pointe Centre, Pointe Centre Properties, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN (TBD).

(5) Tullahoma VA Clinic: 225 Von Karman Road, Arnold Air Force Base, TN for daily

(Monday through Friday) 2 PM CST delivery and pick up lab specimen bags.

(6) TVHS Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, 3400 Lebanon Pike, Murfreesboro, TN, building

117/ Floor 1 / Room 139Q for 3 PM CST daily delivery of lab specimens from Athens, Chattanooga, Pointe Centre, and Tullahoma CBOC.

Daily Courier services shall be to and from the designated Laboratory pickup and delivery points as specified below between the TVHS Nashville VA Medical Center and Community Based

Outpatient Clinics:

(1) TVHS Nashville VA Medical Center, 1310 24th Avenue South, Nashville, Specimen

Processing, Room A-17 for daily (Monday through Friday) pickup of lab specimen bags to deliver to designated CBOC(s).

(2) Albion Street VA Clinic: 1818 Albion Street, Suite 114, Nashville, TN, TBD.

(3) Charlotte Avenue VA Clinic: 1919 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN for daily

(Monday through Friday) 2:30 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(4) Clarksville VA Clinic: 782 Weatherly Drive, Clarksville, TN for daily (Monday through

Friday) 1 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(5) Dover VA Clinic: 1406 Donelson Pkwy, Dover, TN for daily (Monday through Friday) 1

PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(6) Fort Campbell VA Clinic: Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, 650 Joel Drive, Fort

Campbell, TN for daily (Monday through Friday) 1 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(7) Gallatin VA Clinic: 419 Steam Plant Road, Gallatin, TN for a daily (Monday through

Thursday) 1 PM delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags. On Fridays, a 3 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(8) International Plaza VA Clinic: 2 International Plaza Drive, International Plaza, Suite 300, Nashville, TN for a daily (Monday through Friday) 2 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(9) Meharry Medical Clinic: 100 DB Todd Blvd, Nashville, TN for daily (Monday through

Friday) 2:30 PM CST delivery and pickup of lab specimen bags.

(10) TVHS Nashville VA Medical Center, 1310 24th Avenue South, Nashville, Room A-17 for

3 PM daily delivery of lab specimens from Clarksville, Charlotte, Dover, Fort Campbell, Gallatin, International Plaza and Meharry CBOCs.

Due to the geographical region coverage and proximity of certain CBOCs, it is anticipated that some deliveries and pickups to the VA Medical Center will occur after normal business hours.

Most exterior entrances to the Medical Centers are locked between 6 PM and 6 AM the next day; outside normal business hours, decreasing access. The vendor shall use the facility’s

Emergency Department entrance (or alternate location designated by signage) to access the

Nashville Medical Center and the Urgent Care Center entrance to access the Alvin C. York

Medical Center. The Vendor personnel shall limit their movement within TVHS facilities to necessary and designated areas.

Anticipated daily maximum transport requirements for each CBOC are:

• Lab – up to two (2) loaded specimen tote bag per CBOC.

• Miscellaneous boxes – two (2) per CBOC.

• An equivalent number of empty totes and bags will travel from the main campus back to each CBOC daily.

• Totes are approximately 16 inches high x 30 inches long x 20 inches wide. They may vary in size.

Due to the time-sensitive nature of the laboratory specimens, the TVHS VA Medical Center requires the following same day delivery timeframe from the following CBOCs.

• Laboratory deliveries to TVHS VA Medical Centers from the designated CBOCs must be delivered by 3 PM Local Time on the same day as it is picked up.

Pickup at the TVHS main campus Laboratories for routine CBOC deliveries will occur after 8:00

AM Central Time.

The Vendor shall provide the COR with a copy of delivery routes within five (5) business days of award. Additionally, the Vendor shall provide the COR with updated copies of delivery routes five (5) business days prior to the effective date of any changes to the established delivery routes.

The Vendor shall deliver and pick-up empty containers for each location and deliver and pick-up a fully packed container for the return trip.