36C25022Q0199.docx

36C25022Q0199

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.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

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 ATTA

CHED

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. SIGNAT

URE 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

36C25022Q0199 02-22-2022 Karen Williams 614-257-5220 03-15-2022 12:00pm

EST

36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center 420 North James Road Columbus OH 43219-1834 X X 621111 $12 Million N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Health Care System 1700 E. 38th Street Marion IN 46953-4568 36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 Chalmers P. Wylie Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus OH 43219-1834

36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center Invoices to be Submitted Electronically www.ob10.com/us/en/veterans-affairs// e-Invoice Setup Info Phone 877-489-6135 877-353-9791 512-460-5429 See CONTINUATION Page Contractor is to provide Board Certified/Board Eligible Internal Medicine Physician services to provide Urgent Care (UC)/Medical Officer of the Day (MOD) coverage for the VAMC Northern Indiana Health Care System (VANIHCS) located in Marion, IN See the Schedule of Services on pages 6 through 9 and the Performance Work Statement beginning on page 10.

See CONTINUATION Page X X Karen Williams Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

1. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR’S NAME/ADDRESS/CITY/STATE/ZIP (Please print or type):

DUNS# _____________________________

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with: 52.23233, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears: 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. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Financial Services Center (VAFSC). The latest information shall be used for invoicing and payments and may change during the period of performance of this acquisition. Current Invoicing information is located at: https://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

All invoices shall include the following:

· Invoice Number

· Invoice Date

· Purchase Order Number (will always begin with 610)

5. CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONTRACT: The Contracting Officer will be the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under this resultant contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer will be authorized to make commitments or issue changes that affect price, quantity, delivery or quality of performance of this resultant contract. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered unauthorized by the local VAMC and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in cost incurred as a result thereof.

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

7. SECURE FAX: In accordance with VA Handbook 6500, the following statement is required on all fax cover sheets; if it is determined the ordering process will include a fax: “This fax is intended only for the use of the person or office to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or protected by law. All others are hereby notified that the receipt of this fax does not waive any applicable privilege or exemption for disclosure and that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please notify this office immediately at the telephone number listed above.”

8. POST-AWARD ORIENTATION: The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as required by VAAM Part M842.5.

9. MANDATORY WRITTEN DISCLOSURES: Mandatory written disclosures required by FAR clause 52.203-13 to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (OIG) must be made electronically through the VA OIG Hotline at http://www.va.gov/oig/contacts/hotline.asp and clicking on "FAR clause 52.203-13 Reporting." If you experience difficulty accessing the website, call the Hotline at 1-800-488-8244 for further instructions.

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B.2 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel to provide services necessary to perform onsite Urgent Care (UC)/ Medical Officer of the Day (MOD) physician services to eligible beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northern Indiana Healthcare Service (NIHCS), Marion Indiana (hereinafter referred to as VAMC).

The requirement is for 3.327 FTE (or 6920 hours annually) Board Certified/Board Eligible Internal Medicine Physicians to provide UC/MOD coverage for the Urgent Care department, Continued Living Center (CLC), Acute Mental Health (MH), and Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Treatment Program (SAARTP) Units which are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC)and follow the standards & guidelines set forth by American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). A contractor providing onsite Urgent Care MOD physician services shall provide services that meet or exceed the ABIM Guidelines https://www.ABIM.org.

Place of Performance: Services shall be provided on site, VAMC NIHCS, 1700 E 38th Street, Marion IN, 46953.

Pricing Instructions:

The quoter is instructed to edit the number of Sub-Line Item Numbers (SLIN) to correspond with the number of key personnel submitted for the line item number (LIN). In the SLIN’s below, enter the physician’s name and title, the estimated number of hours, the unit cost, and the estimated total annual cost for each physician.

The quoter is instructed to include all other than price and cost information supporting the proposed price as directed in Instructions to Offerors addendum to 52.212-1 and/or Section D- Contract Documents, Exhibits, or attachments, Other than Cost and Pricing Information.

The guaranteed minimum only applies to the year in which the contract is awarded. The total minimum amount, or guaranteed minimum, is 20 hours. The maximum total value of the contract, inclusive of all option years, shall not exceed 36,000 hours. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount. Individual task orders shall be funded annually. The Contracting Officer is the only authorized individual that can place task orders against this contract for the amount of services for the specific option year. The task orders will be issued annually to the contractor.

The Contractor shall propose a minimum of seven (7) key personnel to be credentialed and be available for scheduling to meet the requirements of the contract for 6920 hours annually, and to cover vacations, sick leave, vacancies, etc.

BASE YEAR: March 25, 2022 to March 24, 2023

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

TOTAL FOR BASE YEAR

Hours

OPTION YEAR 1: March 25, 2023 to March 24, 2024

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

TOTAL FOR OPTION YEAR 1

OPTION YEAR 2: March 25, 2024 to March 24, 2025

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

TOTAL FOR OPTION YEAR 2

OPTION YEAR 3: March 25, 2025 to March 24, 2026

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

TOTAL FOR OPTION YEAR 3

OPTION YEAR 4: March 25, 2026 to March 24, 2027

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

NAME:

TITLE:

TOTAL FOR OPTION YEAR 4

Total for base performance period and all option years: $______________________

The Government’s guaranteed minimum is 20 hours.

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Urgent Care/Medical Officer of the Day (MOD) Physician Services

1. GENERAL:

1.1. Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide Board Certified/Board Eligible Internal Medicine Physician Services onsite in accordance with the specifications contained herein to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Northern Indiana Healthcare System (NIHCS). The physician designation of MOD delineates the responsibility of a sole provider on duty during the prescribed hours of coverage, to service the Urgent Care department, Community Living Center (CLC), Acute/Chronic Mental Health (MH), Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Treatment Program (SARRTP) services. A contractor providing onsite Urgent Care/ MOD physician services must meet or exceed the American Board of Internal Medicine Physician Guidelines http://www.ABIM.org/.

1.2. Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish services at the NIHCS, Marion IN 1700 E 38th Street, Marion IN, 46953.

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority. Procurement conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12, Commercial Items and FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

1.4. Policy/Handbooks- The contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance:

1.4.1. VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank Reports: https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2135

1.4.2. VHA Handbook 1100.18: Reporting And Responding To State Licensing Boards: https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=9174

1.4.3. VHA Handbook 1100.19: Credentialing and Privileging: http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2910

1.4.4. VHA Directive 1100.20 Credentialing of Health Care Providers https://vaww.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=9444

1.4.5. VHA Handbook 1907.01: Health Information Management and Health Records: https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=9235

1.4.6. VHA Directive 1003.04: VHA Patient Advocacy:

https://vaww.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=5970

1.4.7. VHA Directive 1088: Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients:

https://vaww.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3148

1.4.8. VHA Directive 1101.05(02): Emergency Medicine:

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3236

1.4.9. VHA Directive 1192.01: Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program:

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=8948

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

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=8365

1.4.11. VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources Contracting – Buying: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=969&FType=2

1.4.12. VHA Directive 1907.01: VHA Health Information Management and Health Records: https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=9235

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. Definitions/Acronym: 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. ABEM: American Board of Emergency Medicine http://www.abem.org

1.5.2. ABIM: American Board of Internal Medicine http://www.abim.org/

1.5.3. ACEP: American College of Emergency Physicians

1.5.4. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.5. ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.5.6. ATLS: Advanced Trauma Life Support

1.5.7. AOD: Admitting Officer of the Day

1.5.8. BLS: Basic Life Support

1.5.9. CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: CCNE Accreditation (aacnnursing.org)

1.5.10. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.11. CR: Contract Discrepancy Report

1.5.12. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.13. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.14. CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

1.5.15. Contracting Officer (CO): 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.

1.5.16. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): 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.

1.5.17. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.18. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.19. Credentialing: Credentialing is the systematic process of screening and evaluating qualification and other credentials, including licensure, required education, relevant training and experience and current competence and health status.

1.5.20. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.21. ED: Emergency Department

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

1.5.23. FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.5.24. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.25. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.26. HR: Human Resources

1.5.27. ISO: Information Security Officer

1.5.28. Medical Emergency: a sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably result in: Permanently placing a patient's health in jeopardy, causing other serious medical consequences, Causing impairments to body functions, or Causing serious or permanent dysfunction of any body-organ or part.

1.5.29. MOD: Medical Officer of the Day

1.5.30. 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 centers).

1.5.31. NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. https://cnea.nln.org

1.5.32. Non-Contract Provider: any person, organization, agency, or entity that is not directly or indirectly employed by the Contractor or any of its subcontractors

1.5.33. NP: Nurse Practitioner

1.5.34. NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System

1.5.35. PA: Physician Assistant

1.5.36. PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support

1.5.37. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.38. PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.5.39. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.40. Privileging (Clinical Privileging): 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.

1.5.41. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.42. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.43. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.44. SAARTP: Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Treatment Program

1.5.45. Veterans Health Administration (VHA): The central office for administration of the VA medical centers through throughout the United States. The VHA is located in Washington, D.C.

1.5.46. Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) : The regional oversight for the VA medical centers.

1.5.47. VISTA (Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture) : A PC based system that will capture and store clinical imagery, scanned documents and other non-textual data files and integrates them into patient’s medical record and with the hospital information system.

1.5.48. VetPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

1.5.49. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA medical Center, for purposes of this contract, this term shall mean the Northern Indiana Healthcare Systems (NIHCS) Medical Center.

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 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: All contractor’s physician(s) shall be Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal Medicine. All contractor’s physician(s) are required to be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

2.1.3. Credentialing and Privileging: Credentialing and privileging is to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Handbook 1100.19 and VHA Directive 1100.20 Credentialing of Health Care Providers 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 Northern Indiana Healthcare System (NIHCS) Professional Standards Board, Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.

2.1.3.1 If a contractor’s physician(s) is 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 VAMC. 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 contract 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. For Urgent Care physicians Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal Medicine are required to have current BLS and ACLS certification. Physicians Board Certified/Board Eligible in Internal Medicine must be certified in BLS and ACLS. However, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU MUST FOLLOW YOUR LOCAL FACILITY’S POLICY. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor. Physicians will have time in between patient care to complete all training requirements. Training may also be conducted outside of normal tour on individual time.

2.1.7. Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests 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) {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. The TST or IGRA testing shall be repeated annually.

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 VAMC 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.

2.1.7.8 VHA Supplemental Contract Requirements for Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors

2.1.7.8.1 Contractor employees who work in or travel to VHA locations must comply with the following:

2.1.7.8.1.1 If fully vaccinated, shall show proof of vaccination.

2.1.7.8.1.1.1 Note: Acceptable proof of vaccination includes a signed record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy, a copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (CDC Form MLS-319813_r, published on September 3, 2020), or a copy of medical records documenting the vaccination.

2.1.7.8.2 If unvaccinated and granted a medical or religious exception, shall show negative COVID-19 test results dated within three calendar days prior to desired entry date. Test must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use or full approval. This includes tests available by a doctor’s order or an FDA approved over-the-counter test.

2.1.7.8.3 Documentation cited in this section shall be digitally or physically maintained on each contractor employee while in a VA facility and is subject to inspection prior to entry to VA facilities and after entry for spot inspections by Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) or other hospital personnel.

2.1.7.8.4 Documentation will not be collected by the VA; contractors shall, at all times, adhere to and ensure compliance with federal laws designed to protect contractor employee health information and personally identifiable information.

2.1.7.9 Contractor employees are subject to daily screening for COVID-19 and may be denied entry to VA facilities if they fail to pass screening protocols. As part of the screening process contractors may be asked screening questions found on the COVID-19 Screening Tool. Check regularly for updates.

2.1.7.9.1 Contractor employees who work away from VA locations, but who will have direct contact with VA patients shall self-screen utilizing the COVID-19 Screening Tool, in advance, each day that they will have direct patient contact and in accordance with their person or persons who coordinate COVID-19 workplace safety efforts at covered contractor workplaces. Contractors shall, at all times, adhere to and ensure compliance with federal laws designed to protect contractor employee health information and personally identifiable information.

2.1.7.10 Contractor must immediately notify their COR or Contracting Officer if contract performance is jeopardized due to contractor employees being denied entry into VA Facilities.

2.1.7.11 For indefinite delivery contracts: Contractor agrees to comply with VHA Supplemental Contract Requirements for any task or delivery orders issued prior to this modification when performance has already commenced.

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 centers). 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. DEA: Contractor shall provide copy of current DEA certificate.

2.1.10. 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 (Jan 2008) and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.11. Citizenship related Requirements:

2.1.11.1 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;

2.1.11.2 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.

2.1.11.3 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.

2.1.11.4 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.

2.1.11.5 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.

2.1.12. 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.

2.1.12.1 Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://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.

2.1.12.2 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 Center COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Handbook 1100.19 and VHA Directive 1100.20 Credentialing of Health Care Providers. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the VAMC 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 contract 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 contract 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): FTE is defined by VA as a minimum of 80 hours every two weeks and does not include holidays.

2.9.2. The minimum number of Board Certified /Board Eligible Internal Medicine physicians to be on site on a daily basis is at least one physician at all times.

2.9.3. It is essential that continuity of services is maintained to the maximum degree possible hence, substitution of contractor provided Physicians shall be limited to urgent/emergent absences of approved, assigned providers. 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 begin or complete an assigned shift, the contractor shall provide replacement physician coverage within 2 hours and notify the Contracting Office Representative (COR) at the Northern Indiana Healthcare System (NIHCS) immediately of the schedule change. At no time must the UC be left without a qualified physician(s) to provide clinical care in the UC.

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 7 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 2 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 7 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 3 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 VAMC’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. HOURS OF OPERATION

3.1. VA Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:00am-4:30pm

Work Schedule: Hours of coverage shall be from 4:30pm through 8:00am Monday through Friday; 4:30pm Friday through 8:00am Monday (entire weekend); and 11 Federal Holidays to service the Urgent Care department, Community Living Center (CLC), Acute/Chronic Mental Health (MH), and Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Treatment Program (SARRTP).

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

3.1.2. Contractor’s Physician(s) shall be available to be scheduled to work during all hours of operation as listed above or as required by the facility Chief of Staff or designee. Contractor physician(s) shall be available to be scheduled to work within the UC during operational hours and the CLC, Inpatient Mental Units, and SAARTP which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year including Federal Holidays. The contractor shall fill all vacant shifts which are not filled by VA staff members during non-business hours, Monday -Friday, 4:30pm – 08:00am, 24 hours on all weekends and Federal holidays.

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 Urgent Care, Inpatient Mental Health, Continued Living Center, and SAARTP services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art health care treatment facility and the standard of care shall be of a quality, meeting or exceeding currently recognized national standards as established by:

4.2.1. The American Board of Emergency Medicine

4.2.2. American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine

4.2.3. Relevant professional societies including American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), and American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM)

4.2.4. The American Board of Internal Medicine: http://www.abim.org/

4.2.5. The professional standards of The Joint Commission (TJC): Emergency Department | The Joint Commission

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