36C24927Q0035.docx

DRAFT

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 9 (90C)

NCO 9

1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 204 Murfreesboro TN 37129

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Ramona Bonness ramona.bonness@va.gov Phone calls not accepted

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

James H. Quillen VA Medical Center

Corner of Lamont ST and Veterans Way

Mountain Home TN

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research purposes. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

Services Required: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQ VAMC) requires a full range of Anesthesiology Services be provided in a private hospital, office, or clinic environment to Veterans.

There is currently an active contract in place for these services. It is anticipated that it will take approximately 5-6 months to award a new contract.

Purpose and Objectives: Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition methodology.

NAICS Code: 621111 and sized standard is $16 Million.

NOTE: Respondent claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status must be registered and verified through the Small Business Administration at https://search.certifications.sba.gov/. Additionally, all Offerors responding to a solicitation must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of proposal submission.

Project requirements: Contractor will provide locum tenens anesthesiology services at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) in Mountain Home, Tennessee. The contractor shall provide board-certified anesthesiologists to support the facility’s surgical and procedural operations, including on-call coverage during evenings, weekends, and federal holidays. Services include, but are not limited to:

· Pre-operative evaluations

· Administration of anesthesia during surgical and procedural cases

· Post-anesthesia care and monitoring

· Emergency and urgent anesthesia services

· Participation in interdisciplinary care planning

· All staff must complete mandatory VA training, including but not limited to HIPAA, infection control, patient safety, and cybersecurity.

Performance Work Statement: See attached for a DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Anticipated Period of Performance: Period of performance is projected to be for a period of five (5) years with ordering periods but is subject to change.

SOURCES SOUGHT QUESTIONNAIRE

Company Name ___________________________________________

POC ___________________________________________

Phone Number ___________________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________________

UEI ___________________________________________

1. Is your firm considered a Small Business? The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is tentatively 621111; the small business size standard for this NAICS code is $16 Million.

A size standard, which is usually stated in number of employees or average annual receipts, represents the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business for Small Business Administration and federal contracting programs. The definition of "small" varies by industry. Is your business considered any of the following?

[ ] yes [ ] no Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)**

[ ] yes [ ] no Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)**

[ ] yes [ ] no Historic Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZONE)

[ ] yes [ ] no Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

[ ] yes [ ] no Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)

[ ] yes [ ] no Small Business (SB)

**If you responded ‘yes’ to SDVOSB or VOSB, submit a copy of your current Vendor Information Pages (VIP) Certificate.

2. Does your firm have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)?

[ ] yes [ ] no

3. Have you provided Outpatient Clinic Services under NAICS 621111 to a Federal Agency in the past? If so, please list experience.

4. In your opinion, what are the risks associated with this effort? Comment on any current or potential technical, cost, schedule, or performance risks that you would like to make the Government aware of that concern Anesthesiology Services and/or this requirement.

5. Provide any additional feedback that you feel is relevant (i.e., problems or any other issues experienced with similar contracts).

Note: Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in responses.

Please e-mail your questionnaire response with the above information to Ramona Bonness (ramona.bonness@va.gov) with the subject line "Sources Sought Notice: Anesthesiology Services 36C24927Q0035” by 11:00am CT on November 16, 2026.

Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published to the System for Award Management. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

SEE BELOW DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT FOR REQUIREMENT DETAILS. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ACTUAL SOLICITATION.)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Onsite Anesthesiology Physician Services

1. GENERAL:

1.1. Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide Board Certified Anesthesiology Physician. Anesthesiology Physician Services on site in accordance with the specifications contained herein to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center.

1.2. Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish services at:

James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Corner Lamont & Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority

1.4. Policy/Directives/Handbooks. The contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance. The policies listed below can be accessed electronically at the following: VA Publications VHA Publications

1.4.1. VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources (HCR) Contracting – Buying Title 38 U.S.C. 8153

1.4.2. VHA Directive 1003.04: VHA Patient Advocacy

1.4.3. VHA Directive 1065: Productivity and Staffing Guidance for Specialty Provider Group Practice

1.4.4. VHA Directive 1088(1): Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients

1.4.5. VHA Directive 1100.18: Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards

1.4.6. VHA Directive 1100.20: Credentialing of Health Care Providers

1.4.7. VHA Directive 1100.21: Privileging

1.4.8. VHA Directive 1192.01: Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program for VHA Health Care Personnel

1.4.9. VHA Directive 1220(1): Facility Procedure Complexity Designation Requirements to Perform Invasive Procedures in Any Clinical Setting

1.4.10. VHA Directive 1605.01: Privacy and Release of Information

1.4.11. VHA Directive 1907.01: VHA Health Information Management and Health Records

1.4.12. VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Reports

1.4.13. Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended: http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm

1.5. Acronyms/Definitions: Terms used in this contract shall be interpreted as follows unless the context expressly requires a different construction and/or interpretation. In case of a conflict in language between the Definitions and other sections of this contract, the language in this section shall govern.

1.5.1. ABA: American Board of Anesthesiology http://www.theaba.org/

1.5.2. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.3. ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.5.4. ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists

1.5.5. BLS: Basic Life Support

1.5.6. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.7. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.8. Clinical Privileging: Clinical Privileging is the process by which a practitioner, licensed for independent practice; e.g., without supervision, direction, required sponsor, preceptor, mandatory collaboration, etc.; is permitted by law and the facility to practice independently, to provide specific medical or other patient care services within the scope of the individual’s license, based upon the individual’s clinical competence as determined by peer references, professional experience, health status, education, training and licensure. Clinical privileges must be facility-specific and provider-specific, and within available resources.

1.5.9. CME: Continuing Medical Education

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

1.5.11. COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative: A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor 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.

1.5.12. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.13. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.14. Credentialing: Credentialing is the process of obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a health care provider to provide care of services in or for the VA health care system. Credentials are documented evidence of licensure, education, training, experience or other qualifications.

1.5.15. CR: Contract Report

1.5.16. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.17. EHR: Electronic Health Record - electronic health record system used by the VA

1.5.18. FTE: Full Time Equivalent. VA’s standard definition is for full-time working the equivalent of 80 hours every two weeks, 2080 hours per year. However, providers may propose using their standard FTE definition.

1.5.19. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.20. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.21. Key Personnel: The individuals specified in this contract who are essential to work performance.

1.5.22. NPI: National Provider Identifier: NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers).

1.5.23. NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System

1.5.24. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.25. PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.5.26. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.27. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.28. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.29. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.30. VetPro: is VHA’s mandatory credentialing software platform to document the credentialing of VHA health care providers. This system facilitates completing of a uniform, accurate, and complete credentials file.

1.5.31. VHA: Veterans Health Administration

1.5.32. VISN: Veterans Integrated Services Network

1.5.33. VistA: Veterans Information Systems Technology Architecture

2. QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1. Staff/Facility

2.1.1. License: The Contractor’s physician(s) assigned by the Contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall have a current license to practice medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia when services are performed onsite on VA property.

All licenses held by the key personnel working on this contract shall be full and unrestricted licenses. Contractor’s physician(s) who have current, full and unrestricted licenses in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered for the purposes of this contract.

2.1.2. Board Certification: Contractor’s physician(s) shall be Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) or the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) and be currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalency. ABA Board Eligible will not be accepted. All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must be kept up to date at all times. Documentation verifying current certification shall be provided by the Contractor to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.

2.1.3. Credentialing and Privileging: Credentialing and privileging is to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21 referenced above. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that proposed physician(s) possesses the requisite credentials enabling the granting of privileges. No services shall be provided by any Contractor’s physician(s) prior to obtaining approval by the Facility Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.

2.1.3.1 Credentials Requested/PIV Card: Must possess and maintain a valid Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card for access to VA facilities and systems. The assistant will be required to complete credentialing during this assignment. An application package will be provided by the VA to be completed by the candidate. This includes a curriculum vitae, current references, a signed release of information from the candidate, and a statement that the candidate does not have any physical or mental health condition that would adversely affect his/her ability to carry out assigned duties, and additional credentialing forms. The candidate will also be required to make an application through the VETPRO Internet process. The candidate shall need to be enrolled in VETPRO by VA personnel. The website address is: https://fcp.vetpro.org. Our facility ID number is: 0621

2.1.3.2 If a Contractor’s physician(s) and/or other contract provider(s) are not credentialed and privileged or has credentials/privileges suspended or revoked, the Contractor shall furnish an acceptable substitute without any additional cost to the government.

2.1.4. Technical Proficiency: Contractor’s physician(s) shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government’s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor shall provide documents upon request of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history for all Contractor’s physician(s) and Contractor’s physician(s) shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.

2.1.5. Continuing Medical Education (CME)/ Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor shall provide the COR copies of current CMEs as required or requested by the VA facility. Contractor’s physician(s) registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME to remain current. Contractor shall report CME hours to the credentials office for tracking. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging. Failure to provide shall result in loss of privileges for Contractor’s physician(s).

2.1.6. Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): Contractor shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all training must be completed by the contractor’s physician(s) as required by the VA. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor. VA required training is primarily obtained through VA training sites (CSOD and TMS) during duty hours.

2.1.7. STANDARD INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES (PPD, IMMUNIZATIONS, ETC.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following for physicians within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.

2.1.7.1. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor’s physician(s) upon hire in accordance with CDC guidance. (This is applicable to all health care workers). A negative chest radiographic report for active tuberculosis shall be provided in cases of positive TST or IGRA results.

2.1.7.2. MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.7.3. VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.7.4. ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.7.5. INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician has a medical contraindication to the vaccine they shall be required to wear a mask during the Influenza season. {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.7.6. OSHA REGULATION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor’s physician(s) {This is applicable to all health care workers}; provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series and hepatitis B surface antigen test results following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident.

2.1.7.7. The facility shall notify the Contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. Contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel (as published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return.

2.1.8. National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical facilities). The Contractor shall have or obtain appropriate NPI and if pertinent the Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) be provided to the Contracting Officer with the proposal.

2.1.9. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all Contractor’s physician(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it’s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.10. Citizenship related Requirements:

2.1.10.1. The Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall comply with any and all legal provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended; its related laws and regulations that are enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor as these may relate to non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract or subcontract for the Contractor while providing services to Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals.

2.1.10.2. While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation their status, as a result of their failure to maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of their admission into the United States. Additionally, the Contractor is required to comply with all “E-Verify” requirements consistent with “Executive Order 12989” and any related pertinent Amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations.

2.1.10.3. If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its Agency regulations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may, at its discretion, require that the foreign national who failed to maintain their legal status in the United States or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of the laws administered by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor, shall be prohibited from working at the Contractor’s place of business that services Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; or other place where the Contractor provides services to veterans who have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and shall form the basis for termination of this contract for breach.

2.1.10.4. This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

2.1.10.5. The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors response to the RFP using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.11. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

2.1.11.1. Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at https://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed Contractor’s physician(s) are not listed. Contractor should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMP’s may also be imposed against the Contractor that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries.

2.1.11.2. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed.

2.2. Clinical/Professional Performance: The qualifications of Contractor personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Facility COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the facility COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his designee. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract.

2.3. Non-Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all Contractor’s physician(s) shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

2.4. Indemnification: The Contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against, all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, arising out of or resulting from the fault, negligence, or act or omission of the Contractor, its agents, or employees.

2.5. Prohibition Against Self-Referral: Contractor’s physicians are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor’s or their own practice(s)

2.6. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contractor’s physician(s) shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.

2.7. No Employee status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor’s physician(s) furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract:

2.7.1. Workers’ compensation

2.7.2. Professional liability insurance

2.7.3. Health examinations

2.7.4. Income tax withholding, and

2.7.5. Social security payments.

2.8. Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover Contractor or Contractor’s physician(s). When a Contractor or Contractor’s physician(s)has been identified as a provider in a tort claim, the Contractor shall be responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a Contractor’s (or Contractor’s physician(s)) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and/or insurance carrier.

2.9. Key Personnel:

2.9.1. The VA Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) for the services required is 4160 (two full-time equivalent board-certified anesthesiologists).

2.9.2. The minimum number of Board-Certified Anesthesiology physicians required to be on site on a daily basis is 1 to be on site at the same time as defined in paragraph Hours of Operation in this section.

2.9.3. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing coverage to the VA during periods of vacancies of the Contractor’s personnel due to sick leave, personal leave, vacations and additional coverage as required. In the event a scheduled physician is unable to complete an assigned shift, the contractor shall provide replacement physician coverage within 2 hours and notify the Contracting Office Representative (COR) immediately of the schedule change.

2.9.4. Personnel Substitutions: During the first ninety (90) calendar days of performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within 30 calendar day (s) after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After 90 days, the Contractor shall submit the information required below to the CO at least 30 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

2.9.4.1. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The CO will notify the Contractor within 30 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

2.9.4.2. For temporary substitutions where the key person shall not be reporting to work for 15 consecutive workdays or more, the Contractor shall provide a qualified replacement for the key person. The substitute shall have comparable qualifications to the key person. Any period exceeding two weeks will require the procedure as stated above.

2.9.4.3. The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. Should the VA COS or designee show documented clinical problems or continual unprofessional behavior/actions with any Contractor’s physician(s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said Contractor’s physician(s) .The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor’s physician(s) conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

2.9.4.4. Contingency Plan: Because continuity of care is an essential part of the Facility’s medical services, the Contractor shall have a contingency plan in place to be utilized if the Contractor’s physician(s) leaves Contractor’s employment or is unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

3. VA HOURS OF OPERATION/SCHEDULING

3.1. VA Business Hours: OR weekdays and time: Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 5:30pm. On-Call weekdays and time: Monday – Friday, 5:30pm – 7:00am. Weekend Call: Saturday – Sunday, 24-hour coverage (10-hour shifts).

3.1.1. Patients must be seen by a Contractor’s physician(s) on-site at the facility in a timely manner in accordance with VA Rules and Regulations on clinic wait times and consultation completion. Contractor shall notify the COR at least monthly about any obstacles to meeting this performance measure.

3.1.2. Off-hours Coverage: Contractor must make the Contractor’s physician(s) available on call during all hours when the facility clinic is closed, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

3.1.2.1. On-call contractor’s physician(s) must be available at all times for phone consultations with VA residents and physicians.

3.1.2.2. On-call providers must be available within 15 minutes by phone and on-site, within 30 minutes.

3.2. Federal Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs:

· New Year’s Day

· President’s Day

· Martin Luther King’s Birthday

· Memorial Day

· Juneteenth

· Independence Day

· Labor Day

· Columbus Day

· Veterans Day

· Thanksgiving

· Christmas

· Any day specifically declared to be a national holiday.

NOTE: Holidays falling on Saturday are typically observed on Friday, holidays falling on Sunday are typically observed on Monday.

4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. Clinical Personnel Required: The Contractor shall provide Contractor’s physician(s) who are competent, qualified per this performance work statement and adequately trained to perform assigned duties.

4.1.1. Contractor’s physician(s) shall be responsible for signing in and out when in attendance. Time sheets will be used by the COR to confirm hours/day and services provided against the contractor’s invoices.

4.2. Standards of Care: The Contractor’s physician(s)’ care shall cover the range of Anesthesiology services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art health care facility and the standard of care shall be of a quality, meeting or exceeding currently recognized national standards as established by:

4.2.1. American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Guidelines:

https://www.asahq.org/standards-and-guidelines

4.2.2. The professional standards of the Joint Commission (TJC): http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/standards.aspx

4.2.3. The standards of the American Hospital Association (AHA): http://www.hpoe.org/resources?show=100&type=8 and;

4.2.4. The requirements contained in this PWS

4.3.

4.3.1.

4.3.2.

4.4. MEDICAL RECORDS

4.4.1. Authorities: Contractor’s physician(s) providing healthcare services to VA patients shall be considered as part of the Department Healthcare Activity and shall comply with the 5 U.S.C.552a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records) 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records), Title 5 U.S.C. § 522a (Records Maintained on Individuals) as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (HIPAA).

4.4.2. HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA in order for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a health care provider for treatment of VA patients. Based on this exception, a BAA is not required for this contract. Health records generated by this contract or provided to the Contractors by the VA are covered by the VA Privacy Act system of records entitled ‘Patient Medical Records-VA’ (24VA10A7). Contractor generated VA Patient records are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contractor shall ensure that all records pertaining to medical care and services provided to VA patients are captured in the VA electronic health record system as required by VA policy as discussed in 4.4.4.

4.4.3. Disclosure: Contractor’s physician(s) may have access to patient medical records for the purpose of providing medical care and services to VA patients and performing services under the contract; however, Contractor shall obtain permission from the VA before disclosing any patient information outside VA. VA authorizes the Contractor to discuss patient health information for coordination of care with community health care providers in compliance with VA regulations, HIPAA and VHA Directive 1605.01, Privacy and Release of Information. The VA will provide the Contractor with a copy of VHA Directive 1907.01, Health Information Management and Health Records and VHA Directive 1605.1, Privacy and Release of Information. The penalties and liabilities for the unauthorized disclosure of VA patient information mandated by the statutes and regulations mentioned above, apply to the Contractor.

4.4.4. Professional Standards for Documenting Care: Care shall be appropriately documented in medical records in accordance with standard commercial practice and guidelines established by VHA Directive 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records and all guidelines provided by the facility.

4.4.5. Release of Information: The VA shall maintain control of releasing any copies of patient health information or health records and will follow policies and standards as defined but not limited to Privacy Act requirements. Contractor will not release or disclose copies of records and will refer all such requests to the Release of Information Department at the VA facility were assigned.

4.4.6. Management for Medical Records: National Archives and Records Administration record disposition requirements are found in RCS 10-1 Chapter 6, 6000 series.

4.5. Direct Patient Care: estimated _95___% of the time involved in direct patient care.

Contractor shall be responsible for:

4.5.1. Scope of Care: Contractor’s physician(s) (as appropriate and within scope of practice/privileging) shall be responsible for providing Anesthesiology care, including, but not limited to:

4.5.1.1. Clinic and Surgical Care: Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide clinical Anesthesiology services. Contractor’s physician(s) shall be present on time for any scheduled clinics/surgeries as documented by physical presence in the clinic or operating room (OR) at the scheduled start time.

4.5.1.1.1. Operative Services: Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide comprehensive clinical anesthesiology services including patients undergoing cardiac surgery, orthopedic joint replacement, and major vascular, thoracic, neurosurgical, plastic, ENT, urologic and ophthalmologic operations. There are 7 procedure rooms.

4.5.1.1.2. Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide clinical care of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, electrophysiology, gastrointestinal and radiological suites.

4.5.1.1.3. Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide primary coverage for all patients in the surgical intensive care, short stay unit, acute and chronic pain management services, diagnostic trans esophageal echocardiography for medical and surgical patients, and emergency airway management.

4.5.1.1.4. Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide consultative services at the patient’s bedside if the patient is not ambulatory, and in the clinic setting if the patient is able to report to the outpatient clinic.

4.5.1.2. Medications: Contractor’s physician(s) shall follow all established medication policies and procedures. No sample medications shall be provided to patients.

4.5.1.3. Discharge education: Contractor’s physician(s) shall provide discharge education and follow up instructions that are coordinated with the next care setting for all Anesthesiology clinical or surgical patients.

4.5.1.4. Communication of Test Results: Mechanisms must be in place to provide notification of test results for patients receiving care in accordance with VHA Directive 1088, Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients.

4.5.2. ADMINISTRATIVE: estimated _5__% of time not involved in direct patient care

• All staff must complete mandatory VA training, including but not limited to HIPAA, infection control, patient safety, and cybersecurity.

4.5.2.1. QA/QI documentation: The Contractor’s physician(s) shall complete the appropriate QM/PI documentation pertaining to all procedures, complications and outcome of examinations.

4.5.2.2. Patient Safety Compliance and Reporting: Contractor’s physician(s) shall follow all established patient safety and infection control standards of care. Contractor’s physician(s) shall make every effort to prevent medication errors, falls, and patient injury caused by acts of commission or omission in the delivery of care. All events related to patient injury, medication errors, and other breeches of patient safety shall be documented in the medical record of those impacted and disclosed to the patient or surrogate. As soon as practicable (but within 24 hours) Contractors shall notify COR of incident and submit an entry in the VA Patient Safety Reporting System, following up with COR as required or requested.

4.6. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT(QI)

4.6.1. Quality Management/Quality Assurance Surveillance: Contractor’s physician(s) shall be subject to Quality Management measures, such as patient satisfaction surveys, timely completion of medical records, and Peer Reviews. Methods of Surveillance: Focused Provider Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Provider Practice Evaluation (OPPE). Contractor performance will be monitored by the government using the standards as outlined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and methods of surveillance detailed in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP shall be attached to the resultant contract and shall define the methods and frequency of surveillance conducted.

4.6.2. Patient Complaints: The CO will resolve complaints concerning Contractor relations with the Government employees or patients. The CO is final authority on validating complaints. In the event that The Contractor is involved and named in a validated patient complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse.

4.6.3. The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor’s conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

4.6.4. Performance Standards:

4.6.4.1. Measure: Provider Quality Performance

Performance Requirement: All Contractor’s physician(s) shall perform in accordance with clinical standards Standard: OPPE documentation for all (100%) staff providing services under the contract. All staff (100%) meet clinical standards of care.

Acceptable Quality Level: _80__% meet Standards Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling. OPPE data pertinent to care performed for each provider working under this contract. OPPE data will review the following elements:

A. Patient Care Performance B. Medical/Clinical knowledge C. Practiced Based Learning and Improvement D. Interpersonal and Communication Skills E. Professionalism F. System Based Practice Frequency: yearly

4.6.4.2. Measure: Qualifications of Key Personnel

Performance Requirement: All Contractor’s physician(s) shall be Board Certified in accordance with American Board of Anesthesiology Standards.

Standard: All (100%) Contractor’s physician(s) are Board Certified (ABA Board Eligible anesthesiologist will not be accepted).

Acceptable Quality Level: 100% Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling of qualification documents Frequency: biennially

4.6.4.3. Measure: Scope of Practice/Privileging

Performance Requirement: Contractor’s physician(s) perform within their individual scopes of practice/privileging.

Standard: All (100%) Contractor’s physician(s) perform within their scope of practice/privileges 100% of the time.

Acceptable Quality Level: 100% Contractor’s physician(s) perform within their scope of practice/privileges 100% of the time.

Surveillance Method: Random Sampling of records.

Frequency: annually

4.6.4.4. Measure: Patient Access

Performance Requirement: The Contractor shall provide Contractor’s physician(s) in accordance with the operating hours and VA clinical schedule outlined in this PWS.

Standard: All (100%) Contractor’s physician(s) are on time and available to perform services.

Acceptable Quality Level: Contractor’s physician(s) is on-time and available to perform services 100% of the time Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection of Time and Attendance Sheets Frequency: Daily

4.6.4.5. Measure: Patient Safety

Performance Requirement: Patient safety incidents shall be reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System. All incidents reported immediately (within 24 hours.)

Standard: All (100%) of patient safety incidents are reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System within 24 hours of incident.

Acceptable Quality Level: 100% of patient safety incidents are reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System within 24 hours of incident.

Surveillance Method: Periodic inspections or random sampling Frequency: PRN

4.6.4.6. Measure: Maintains licensing, registration, and certification Performance Requirement: Updated Licensing, registration and certification shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current.

Standard: All (100%) licensing, registration(s) and certification(s) for Contractor’s physician(s) shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current.

Acceptable Quality Level: 100% licensing, registration(s) and certification(s) for Contractor’s physician(s) shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current. No acceptable deviation.

Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling Frequency: biannually

4.6.4.7. Measure: Mandatory Training

Performance Requirement: Contractor shall complete all required training on time per facility policy Standard: All (100%) of required training is completed on time by Contractor’s physician(s).

Acceptable Quality Level: 95% completions Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection Frequency: annually

4.6.4.8. Measure: Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPAA

Performance Requirement: Contractor is aware of all laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPAA and complies with all standards Zero breaches of privacy or confidentiality Standard: All (100%) Contractor’s physician(s) comply with all laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPAA Acceptable Quality Level: 100% compliance Surveillance Method: Random Sampling. Contractor shall provide evidence of annual training required by facility, reports violations per VA Handbook 6500.6.

Frequency: annual

4.6.5. Registration with Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

4.6.5.1. As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates Contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the Contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, CPARS, which is maintained by the Naval Sea Logistics Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.