36C25023Q0820.docx

36C25023Q0820 Contract Residential Housing for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) – Battle Creek VA Medical Center The Battle Creek VA Medical Center (BCVAMC), in Battle Creek, MI. has a need for a contractor who can provide services as part of its community-based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. The HCHV program Contract Residential Services (CRS) program target and prioritize Veterans experiencing homeless who are transitioning from literal street homelessness, being discharged from institutions, including those in need of medical respite, and who recently became homeless and require safe and stable living arrangements while they seek permanent housing. The VA contemplates making a single award. The government is interested in sources that can provide up to 19 Veteran bed for male, female or transgender patients. The Proposed NAICS Code is 624221, Temporary Shelters. The procurement will be solicited utilizing FAR Parts 12, 13 and VAAR 873. This procurement will be for a 12-month base year with four option year renewals.

All questions shall be submitted in writing AFTER the solicitation is posted via email to Cierra.Joshua@va.gov . No Phone calls or Facsimiles shall be accepted.

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1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

UEI:

EFT:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

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20.

21.

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24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

36C25023Q0820 07-25-2023 Cierra Joshua/Contract Specialist 734-222-7154 08-14-2023

3PM

EDT

36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 P.O Box 492 Ann Arbor MI 48106 X 624221 $13.5 Million N/A X 36C515 Department of Veterans Affairs Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek MI 49037-7314 36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 P.O Box 492 Ann Arbor MI 48106

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Management System PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 877-353-9791 512-460-5540 X Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contract Residential Services (CRS), for the Battle Creek, VA Medical Center in in Battle Creek, MI. in accordance with the Performance Work (PWS). Please see Price Schedule starting on page 6.

This acquisition will be conducted using the procedures in FAR Part 12, 13 and VAAR 873, utilizing the authority of

38 USC 8153.

This will be a Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract.

X X 1(one) Michelle C. Ford Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

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

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): _____________________________

b. GOVERNMENT: Cierra S. Joshua, Contract Specialist

Michelle C. Ford, Contracting Officer

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 515)

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.

B.2 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM

(a) FAR 42.1502 directs all Federal agencies to collect past performance information on contracts. The Department of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to comply with this regulation. One or more past performance evaluations will be conducted in order to record your contract performance as required by FAR 42.15.

(b) The past performance evaluation process is a totally paperless process using CPARS. CPARS is a web-based system that allows for electronic processing of the performance evaluation report. Once the report is processed, it is available in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for Government use in evaluating past performance as part of a source selection action.

(c) We request that you furnish the Contracting Officer with the name, position title, phone number, and email address for each person designated to have access to your firm's past performance evaluation(s) for the contract. Each person granted access will have the ability to provide comments in the Contractors portion of the report and state whether or not the Contractor agrees with the evaluation, before returning the report to the Assessing Official. The report information must be protected as source selection sensitive information not releasable to the public.

(d) When your Contractor Representative(s) (Past Performance Points of Contact) are registered in CPARS, they will receive an automatically generated email with detailed login instructions. Further details, systems requirements, and training information for CPARS are available at http://www.cpars.csd.disa.mil/. The CPARS User Manual, registration for Online Training for Contractor Representatives, and a practice application may be found at this site.

(e) The Assessing Official will complete an interim or final past performance evaluation and the report will be accessible at http://www.cpars.csd.disa.mil/. The Contractor Representative has the option to provide comments on the evaluation, indicate if they concur or do not concur with the evaluation, sign, and then return the evaluation to the Assessing Official. The Contractor Representative has a total of 60 days following the Assessing Official’s evaluation signature date to send comments. If the Contractor Representative sends comments within the first 14 days following the Assessing Official’s signature date and the Assessing Official or Reviewing Official closes the evaluation, the evaluation will become available in PPIRS-RC within 1 day. On day 15 following the Assessing Official’s evaluation signature date, the evaluation will become available in PPIRS-RC with or without Contractor Representative comments and whether or not it has been closed by the Assessing Official or Reviewing Official. If no Contractor Representative comments have been sent and the evaluation has not been closed, it will be marked as “Pending” in PPIRS-RC. If the Contractor Representative sends comments at any time prior to 61 days following the Assessing Official’s evaluation signature date, those comments will be reflected in PPIRS-RC within 1 day. On day 61 following the Assessing Official’s evaluation signature date, the Contractor Representative will be “locked out” of the evaluation and may no longer send comments.

(f) The following guidelines apply concerning Contractor Representative use of the past performance evaluation:

(1) Protect the evaluation as "source selection information." After review, transmit the evaluation by completing and submitting the form through CPARS. If for some reason you are unable to view and/or submit the form through CPARS, contact the Contracting Officer for instructions.

(2) Strictly control access to the evaluation within your organization. Ensure the evaluation is never released to persons or entities outside of your control.

(3) Prohibit the use of or reference to evaluation data for advertising, promotional material, pre award surveys, responsibility determinations, production readiness reviews, or other similar purposes.

B.3 PRICE SCHEDULE

The total need is for up to 19 male, female or transgender beds at any given time. The quantities stated in this price schedule represent the Government’s best estimate, based on historical usage and projected need. Please note that they are only estimates and are not a guarantee of future orders. The contract minimum of any resultant Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be two (2) day. If no services are utilized, the two bed-night cost will be paid at the LIN 0001 rate. The contract maximum order will not exceed 43,345 Bed-Nights.

Note: This contract is firm fixed price and does not include an economic price adjustment mechanism. In lieu of an EPA clause, the following price schedule contains five distinct price list. Offerors shall price out base year and all option years.

Base Year: September 25, 2023 through September 24, 2024

Option Year 1: September 25, 2024 through September 24, 2025

Option Year 2: September 25, 2025 through September 24, 2026

Option Year 3: September 25, 2026 through September 24, 2027

Option Year 4: September 25, 2027 through September 24, 2028

36C25023Q0820 Contract Residential Housing for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) – Battle Creek VA Medical Center Total Price to include base and all ordering periods for all Services: $___________________

B.4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

BATTLE CREEK VA MEDICAL CENTER

CONTRACTED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES (CRS) BEDS

A. PURPOSE.

The Department Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan (515) requires Contractors to provide services as part of its community-based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. The goal of the HCHV program is to remove homeless Veterans from the street or habitation unfit for Veterans and place them in community-based, residential environments with sufficient supportive services to meet their needs and ultimately facilitate the improvement of their housing situation.

B. BACKGROUND.

Through the HCHV program, VA provides supportive services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain offers from Contractors in Battle Creek, Michigan who can provide housing, and supportive services to Homeless Veterans and/or their families in community-based Contracted Residential Services (CRS) facilities offering a safe and secure environment that supports their goals for recovery from homelessness. The Contractor shall be required to provide a therapeutic and rehabilitative milieu and attendant services targeting the underlying factors contributing to homelessness. The Contractor shall not be required to provide detoxification or other hospital level treatment.

C. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

I. BASIC SERVICES: The contractor shall provide up to 19 beds, which shall include male, female, or transgender beds, and furnish services to beneficiaries in Calhoun County in Battle Creek, Michigan for whom such care is specifically authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (herein called VA). The Contractor shall furnish each Veteran who has been approved as eligible by the VA and admitted for care under this contract with the following basic services:

a. ROOM AND BOARD: Room and Board shall be accessible to the Veteran 7 days a week and 24 hours per day. Accommodations will include a bed and other furnishings such as a dresser, storage locker or designated secured space, and personal linens (towels, pillows, blankets, and bed sheets, etc.). The Contractor shall allow Veteran to store personal belongings for at least 72 hours after formal HCHV discharge. At least three nutritious meals, 7 days a week will be provided for the Veteran. In addition, there will be availability of snacks of nourishing quality (e.g., fruits, vegetables, protein sources, etc.), between meals and bedtime for those requiring or desiring additional food, even when it is not medically indicated. There will not be more than a 14-hour span between evening meal and breakfast of the following day. Contractor shall provide alternative meals for Veterans with dietary restrictions if medically indicated (e.g., diabetic, renal and soft mechanical diets) and reasonable accommodation for Veterans with cultural/religious preferences around food (e.g., Kosher, Sikh, etc.). Food shall be prepared, served, and stored under sanitary conditions. The facility shall provide storage space in an onsite refrigerator for Veterans to store and freely access personal food. The facility shall establish and maintain sanitary procedures for washing dishes, cleaning equipment and work areas, and disposing of waste.

b. PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS: The living environments of HCHV Contract housing must include:

(1) Separate and secure sleeping arrangements (unit or wing) for each gender or Veteran Family,

(2) Separate and secure bathroom arrangements for each gender or each Veteran family,

(3) Screening procedures and criteria for sex offenders (mixed gender facility), and

(4) Common areas (lounges, laundry rooms, group rooms) with appropriate security arrangements.

Additionally, mixed gender, multifamily facilities that share entrance and common areas (living room, kitchen, dayroom, etc.) must include onsite staffing available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

c. GENDER SPECIFIC CARE PROVISIONS: The contractor shall identify sufficient residential capacity to provide up to 19 veteran beds on any given day, including residential capacity for female beds, and furnish services to beneficiaries in Calhoun County in Battle Creek, Michigan for whom such care is specifically authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(** This section of the requirement only applies to facilities that house female veterans**)

Special attention needs to be given to meeting the unique needs of homeless women veterans. These needs often include assistance with managing sexual trauma, eating disorders, and interpersonal violence. Women veterans will be receiving clinical care from a VA medical facility. They must have access to female clinical staff for additional gender-specific treatment and/or supportive services as needed.

Separate gender living facilities must meet the basic facility requirements for residents. For mixed gender facilities, the living environment of HCHV Contract housing must include:

1. Separate and secure sleeping arrangements (unit or wing) for each gender,

2. Separate and secure bathroom arrangements for each gender,

3. Screening procedures and criteria for sex offenders, and

4. Common areas (lounges, laundry rooms, group rooms) with appropriate security arrangements.

HCHV-funded programs shall maintain and adjust environments to support the safety, security, privacy and services for women veterans. Special emphasis on privacy and security should be noted. Veteran residents have a right to be treated with dignity in a humane environment that affords them both reasonable protections from harm and appropriate privacy with regard to their personal needs. The living environments of HCHV Contract Residential Services transitional housing shall include:

1. Residential room and board in an environment that promotes a lifestyle free of sexual discrimination.

2. An environment conducive to social interaction, supportive of recovery models and the fullest development of the resident’s rehabilitative potential regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

3. Separate and secure bathroom arrangements to ensure privacy for personal hygiene and grooming.

d. LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Laundry facilities and necessary detergent free of charge and adequate for residents to do their own laundry or to have laundry done at minimum one time per week.

e. THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES: Each Veteran will have an Individual Care Plan (ICP) completed by the Contractor with input from the Veteran and the VA Homeless Continuum Program Manager (or Designee). Therapeutic and rehabilitative services will be stated in the plan of care. Services which the Contractor must be able to furnish or provide shall be detailed in the QASP and will include:

I. Group Activities: Structured group activities, as appropriate, shall occur two times per month – examples include group therapy, life skills training, social skills training, financial workshops, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, vocational counseling, and physical activities as appropriate. For the purposes of this contract “House Meetings” and VA Housing Resource Groups may not be counted as a structured group activity should have a therapeutic value and facilitation shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. Should a Veteran have mental health, medical, family and/or employment obligations which directly conflicts with this requirement alternate group activates will be arranged and/or the Contractor shall clearly document efforts made to accommodate the Veteran.VA Coordination: Collaboration and coordination with VA program staff, as needed, will include coordination of supportive psychosocial services. In particular, coordinated efforts must be made with the Liaison around medical, mental health, admission and discharge needs.

II. Case Management: A thorough written Individualized Care Plan (ICP) will be developed within 72 business hours of admission for each Veteran. This will include structured individual case management, at minimum, weekly including counseling on self-care skills, adaptive coping skills, financial planning, permanent housing search, written care plan, referral for financial benefits. Additional counseling may include professional and vocational rehabilitation counseling in collaboration with VA programs and community resources. In addition, special attention will be made to address High Suicide Risk (HSR) Veterans as identified by the VA Liaison, VA Mental Health Staff and/or the contracted Case Manager. On a weekly basis the contracted case manager will be required to update the VA Liaison on Veteran progress and/or safety concerns for HSR Veterans. Contracted case manager will review the HSR Safety Plans with the Veteran on a bi-weekly basis. HSR Safety plan reviews and a copy of the Veteran’s Safety Plan will be documented in the chart. All Veterans will be referred to VA for Primary Care and Mental Health appointments and Contractors shall support Veterans in making initial and subsequent appointments. Efforts will be documented in the Veterans ICP and reviewed by the HCHV Liaison at least monthly. All Contractors shall provide proper documentation verifying services and case management efforts by all team members including, but not limited to housing, benefit and employment specialists, and program management staff. There will be an expectation that notes are written professionally in a format that utilizes the clear settings of goals and documents progress towards those goals (e.g., SNAP, SOAP, or SMART notes).

III. Staffing Ratio: Special Population Contracts (e.g., Sex Offenders, Family, SMI, Medical Respite programs, etc.) will maintain a minimum staffing requirement ratio of one full time dedicated case manager per 19 Veterans. All other programs are required to maintain low caseloads of no more than one full time dedicated Veteran case manager for up to 20 active Veteran clients. Exceptions may be granted in writing by the VA. Staff is defined as a paid professional or para-professional and does not include interns. The VA requires that case managers working with Veterans do not engage in case management of non-Veteran population unless a waiver has been granted by the VA. Each VA Liaison will have no more than two POC’s per program.

IV. Permanent Housing Search: Programs are required to provide Veterans with direct and ongoing assistance in achieving permanent housing. As a primary goal of the HCHV program, plans for Veterans’ transition to permanent housing placements must be clearly reflected in each ICP and in weekly case management notes. As part of this plan, Veterans’ housing history and needs must be assessed through a formal and thorough Housing Assessment completed within 72 business hours of program admission. Housing Assessments must identify Veterans’ housing history, strengths (i.e., positive prior rental history), and barriers (i.e., Unlawful Detainers). Should Veteran refuse to engage with program staff regarding plans for permanent housing transition, motivational interviewing and other therapeutic techniques will be used to address Veteran ambivalence. All efforts to engage Veteran regarding housing plans, options, and resources shall be clearly documented and include any therapeutic techniques utilized. Contractor staff must provide direct assistance to Veterans in developing permanent housing plans and accessing appropriate housing resources. These services shall be provided weekly through one-to-one case management. Examples of expected housing services include: 1) assistance obtaining and reviewing Veteran’s free credit report, identifying housing strengths and/or barriers associated with current credit status; 2) Creating a Tenant Portfolio with Veteran that contains all relevant documents required in the rental process, including a completed sample rental application for Veteran, income verification documents, identification, applicable subsidies, etc.; 3) Reviewing affordable housing rental options and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program offerings, and assisting Veterans with making appropriate rental inquiries and submitting completed rental applications; 4) Conducting regular and individualized housing advocacy efforts, including transportation, assistance scheduling, meeting, and communicating with property managers and landlords, and engage in troubleshooting where rental barriers or denials occur in the housing search process. All housing efforts by Contractor shall be documented clearly and presented to HCHV Liaison upon request. Mere communication with Veterans regarding housing, without subsequent Contractor staff action and follow-up, shall not on its own meet the above requirements. Sex Offender programs will have increased focus on discharge to stable or permanent housing placements as evidenced in ICP and QASP.

V. Financial Planning: Referral to and follow up on all potential financial resources the Veteran may be eligible for (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Food Stamps, NSC pension, GA, etc.). Case Managers will document all structured activities that support Veteran in developing a short- and long-term plan to understand and address their current financial situation and how to improve it. Financial planning efforts may be accomplished in group but preferably through one-on-one case management services. At minimum four financial planning activities appropriate to the Veterans individual circumstance must be documented monthly.

VI. Employment Services: Referral to all relevant employment opportunities the Veteran is eligible for and interested in, Case Managers will document all structured activities that support Veteran in applying for employment as appropriate based on needs of Veteran as identified in the assessment.

VII. Recovery: Support for an alcohol/drug abuse-free lifestyle provided in an environment conducive to social interaction and the fullest development of the resident’s rehabilitative potential. Assistance to gain and to apply knowledge of the recovery process in an environment supportive of recovery models including a focus on Harm Reduction rather than strict abstinence and supportive of a Housing First approach. Pursuant to these principles, drug testing may not be used to discharge or discipline a Veteran but may be used as a clinical intervention to modify behavior.

VIII. Occupancy: It is expected that Contractor beds will be maintained at an average minimum of an 85% occupancy rate but at a preferred rate of 90% as calculated based upon number of bed nights available per quarter. If this rate is not consistently attained a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) will be developed by the Contractor as part of the QASP and/or process improvement plan. Adjustments in contract funding may occur through modifications if occupancy is not maintained. Failure to maintain year to date occupancy rate at or above 85% may be grounds for immediate termination for convenience.

IX. Outreach: Contractor shall be responsible to engage in outreach in the community both independently and in collaboration with Battle Creek VA Medical Center’s Homeless Continuum Program Manager or Designee(s) at least two times per month. In addition, clear documentation for outreach activities must be made available to Liaison upon request during the QASP review. Contractors shall maintain occupancy by engaging in outreach services and will be knowledgeable about outreach best practices generally accepted in the community.

X. Discharge Planning: Securing permanent housing will be the primary discharge goal for every Veteran. All Veterans must have a discharge plan within two weeks of admission which integrates items included in Paragraph 5 above. Compliance with all VA regulations regarding discharges and timeliness of reporting discharges is required by Contractor. Case Managers will provide assistance with discharge planning for every Veteran and report all discharges via email within 24 business hours using a secured process (e.g., HOMES ID number). Paperwork required for discharging a Veteran from any HCHV program is required via fax within 24 business hours from known discharge. Housing needs will be assessed upon acceptance to the program (within 72 business hours as noted in Paragraph 5) and resources will be coordinated for discharge to a successful community placement throughout the duration of the Veteran’s stay. A negative discharge for undesirable behavior is a committee decision that must include the VA Liaison prior to discharge. All Veterans scheduled for discharge based on behavior must meet with the treatment team and work with team to determine most therapeutic option for Veteran. This does not include violations for safety reasons or verbal abuse. Please note: Profanity does not in and of itself constitute abuse and shall not exclusively be considered grounds for discharge. Any and all actual or threatened violence will be grounds for discharge. Veterans may be discharged for safety reasons at any time. All negative discharges will be subject to a full team debriefing, including VA Liaison, to look for opportunities missed to intervene sooner. All discharges are subject to the Contractors grievance procedures and must allow clients the opportunity to be represented by the VA Liaison in the grievance process. Reasonable efforts must be made to coordinate with the Liaison in order to schedule an appeal. Lastly, all TQI measures must be met in order to receive the highest past performance rating. These include the following:

· Bed Occupancy > 85%, preferred 90%

· Length of Stay ≤ 60 Days

· VA Benefit Applications Pending -15%

· Non-VA Benefit Applications Pending -8%

In addition, VHA National HCHV Program Office performance measures must be met each Fiscal Year (FY) in order to receive the highest performance rating. These include the following:

· HCHV1 (DC to Independent Housing) – FY23 target is 55% of Veterans Exiting HCHV Contract bed are Exited to Permanent Housing as reported by VHA HCHV Liaison (metric criteria to be shared by VHA each FY).

· HCHV2 (DC with Negative Exits) – FY23 target is no more than 20% of Veterans Exiting from HCHV Contract bed result in a Negative Exit (defined as Veterans asked to leave because of violation of program rules [excluding exits due to threatened/actual violence to self or others]; failure to comply with program requirements; or left the program without consulting staff) as reported by VHA HCHV Liaison (metric criteria to be shared by VHA each FY).

HCHV performance measures and targets are set by the VA HCHV program office and may be adjusted annually. Changes to Targets will be communicated to the HCHV Contractor at the beginning of a new Period of Performance. HCHV Liaisons will review HCHV performance measures with the Contractor on a quarterly basis.

XI. Grievance Procedures: Programs must have an internal grievance process that Veterans can use to resolve conflicts within the program. Programs must have written policies and procedures for resolving grievances, including a statement regarding the client’s right to request reasonable accommodation, and must post them in a place conspicuous and be accessible to clients. In addition, each client shall receive a copy of the grievance policies and procedures, upon intake and upon receiving a warning or discharge notice.

XII. Grievance Procedures: Programs must have an internal grievance process that Veterans can use to resolve conflicts within the program. Programs must have written policies and procedures for resolving grievances, including a statement regarding the client’s right to request reasonable accommodation, and must post them in a place conspicuous and be accessible to clients. In addition, each client shall receive a copy of the grievance policies and procedures, upon intake and upon receiving a warning or discharge notice.

XIII. Intake Packets: All Veterans must receive an intake packet within 72 business hours which includes, at minimum, the following information:

1. Description of the Contractors services

2. Grievance Policy

3. Emergency procedures

4. Patient rights and Reasonable Accommodation

XIV. Extensions- All extensions beyond 60 days must be approved in writing by HCHV Coordinator or Designee.

XV. Medication Management: Medications and narcotics shall be properly stored, controlled, issued and recorded in compliance with physician’s orders. Contractor shall establish procedures for insuring Veterans confidentiality in the storage of and keeping of records concerning medication. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) cannot be used to rule out Veterans participation in an HCHV Program. This includes prescribed use of Vicodin, morphine, methadone oxygen, etc. Reasonable accommodation for individuals in MAT is required provided the requested accommodation does not require major financial or administrative commitments that would be considered an “undue burden.” Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

i. Arranging for the individual to take medication at their clinic, physician’s office, or another off-site location – when consistent with the individual’s treatment plan.

ii. Storing an individual’s MAT medication in a lock box in the program and having the individual be personally responsible for it.

iii. Arranging to have the housing facility keep MAT medications in a locked cabinet (Copies of Inspection Packet requirements relating to medication management are available upon request).

XVI. Timeliness of Response- Contractor is expected to have a dedicated phone line for VA inquiries and referrals. Return calls from the program are expected within 4 hours during business hours Monday through Friday. This includes calls from VA Staff or the Liaison to the program.

i. Critical Incident Reporting- All critical incidents will be reported within 24 hours. This includes the following:

1. Falls

2. Assault (to Veteran or Staff)

3. Elderly/Dependent Adult Abuse or Neglect

4. Sexual Assault

5. Fire (Veteran Involved)

6. Medical/Psychiatric Emergency (911 Calls)

7. Hospitalization

8. Suicide or Suicide Attempt

9. Homicide

10. Death

11. Infectious Control (TB, etc.)

12. Active Substance Abuse

13. Observation/ Possession of Weapons

D. DOCUMENTATION: The Contractor shall provide treatment and discharge planning reflecting a team assessment of health, social and vocational needs and the involvement of the Veteran, the VA staff and appropriate community resources in resolving problems and setting goals. An individual case record will be created for each referred Veteran. Case records shall be maintained in security and confidence as required by the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 CFR part 2) and the Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records (38 USC 7332). Case records and data normally maintained and included in a medical record as a function of compliance with State or community licensing standards will be made available on a need-to-know basis to appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs staff members involved with the treatment program of the Veterans concerned. The Contractor shall comply with applicable requirements of the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 CFR Part II) and the Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records (38 USC 7332). The files shall include:

· Reasons for referral

· All essential identifying data relevant to the resident and his/her family including a socio-cultural assessment, weekly progress reports or notes, and documentation of any case management interventions or patient care conferences

· For sites who implement Medication Management/Monitoring- Copies of any medical prescriptions issued by physicians, including orders, if any, for medications to be taken. Contractor must be in compliance with HCHV inspection requirements

· Case management notes written in a professional manner (i.e., SMART, SOAP, SNAP) will include the following: 1) A written and thorough Housing Needs Assessment, 2) Financial Plan, 3) Discharge Plan, and Individual Care Plan with attendant goals and documented activity indicating Veteran and Case Manager is actively working on identified goals.

· QASP Compliance Tool and all attendant supporting documentation demonstrating Contractor compliance with Contract

· Final summaries on each resident who leaves the program, to include reasons for leaving, the resident’s future plans, and follow-up locator information.

· Extension approval if relevant

· Waivers as appropriate

Contractor shall be required to maintain daily sign-in sheets signed by Veterans, psychosocial assessment, Individual Service Plans, progress notes for each Veteran, documentation of Veteran participation in daily group activities, and entry of Veteran data into HMIS system.

Contractors shall agree to participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) which is a local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness. Each Continuum of Care (CoC) is responsible for selecting an HMIS software solution that complies with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD's) data collection, management, and reporting standards. HMIS Guides and Tools can be accessed using the link below.

https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hmis/hmis-guides/#hmis-data-and-technical-standards

The Contractor shall comply with the principles listed in 38 CFR 17.707(b) to provide housing and supportive services in a manner that is free from religious discrimination.

E. RULES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The Contractor shall have reasonable rules governing day-to-day life and activities in the facility. Such rules clearly inform Veterans of the obligations upon which their continued participation in the program depends and the consequences for non-compliance. Veterans will be provided a copy of the rules at intake or upon Veterans request. In addition, Contractor shall post the rules in a location readily accessible to clients and visitors. These rules must include detailed Patient Rights and the procedures that the Contractor has in place to protect the Veterans rights and dignity. Veterans must be permitted to exercise these rights without fear of reprisal. If requested, Contractors must reasonably accommodate Veterans whose compliance with program rules is limited by the Veterans’ physical or mental disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including those requirements covering reasonable accommodations for disabilities and the use of assistance animals, and the Michigan Fair Housing And Anti-Discrimination Laws and all other applicable State or Federal laws. Contractor must equally apply all rules, policies and procedures to Veterans, unless a Veteran has asked for a reasonable accommodation due to his/her disability.

1. PROCEDURES FOR NEGATIVE DISCHARGE OR SANCTION: Contractor must post rules in the Veterans Case Manager’s Office and provide Veteran with the rules which specify the reasons or conditions for which a Veteran may be sanctioned or discharged, including those behaviors which constitute gross misconduct and are grounds for immediate discharge from the program and those which would prompt a written warning if violated and potential discharge if violated repeatedly. Contractor shall describe the formal appeal procedures through which clients may appeal program regulations, sanctions or discharges. This information must be provided to clients in writing upon intake and must be clear and easily understandable by clients.

This information will include:

· Immediate contact with VA liaison

· Timely due process provisions which should include two warning notices for violations which do not result in immediate discharge prior to issuance of a discharge notice and an opportunity for a case conference after warning is issued to the client

· Notice of, and access to, formal appeal procedures

· Notice of the conditions or process for re-admission to the program.

· Reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate referral to another facility or appropriate level of care as needed

· This does not apply to Veterans who are discharged for danger to self or others

F. ADDITIONAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

1. PERSONNEL: The Contractor shall employ sufficient personnel to carry out the policies, contract responsibilities, and the program for the facility. Case management staff must have appropriate and commensurate coverage for staff using authorized and unauthorized leave (e.g., holidays, sick leave, family care, etc.). There must be, at a minimum, one staff member on duty on the premises or residing at the facility and available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, there is an expectation that there is an administrative/clinical Designee that will be available for consultation for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Contractor shall assign personnel that by education, training and when required, certification or licensure qualified to provide the Basic Services and Supplemental Services required by this PWS.

Staff Training: Contractor shall provide at least one staff person on-site at all times who has had training and orientation on the following topics. Staff shall receive and document—at a minimum—one-time training per year on these subjects.

· CPR

· First Aid

· Crisis intervention

· Cultural sensitivity

· Sexual harassment

· Sensitivity to wider issues of homelessness

· Universal Precautions (disease transmission prevention)

· Child abuse/neglect reporting laws (if shelter provides services to children)

· Adult abuse/neglect reporting laws

· Harm Reduction philosophy

· Suicide Prevention

· Medication management

· State and Federal Fair Housing Law and ADA Requirements

· Conflict resolution

· De-escalation techniques

· Search and Seizure/Probable Cause in the Shelter Setting

Contractor shall perform criminal background checks on all staff members that work with children. Contractors shall agree not to hire Staff who is currently enrolled in a VA Homeless Program or who have ended participation in a VA Homeless Program within the past two years. Contractor must have a policy prohibiting staff from establishing sexual relationships with program clients.

The Contractor must identify each person functioning as “Key Personnel” under this contract and provide to the VA a description of the services to be provided by such person, together with a resume summarizing that person’s relevant skills and experience.

During the first ninety (90) calendar days of contract performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. Within 14 days after substitutions necessitated by situations described above, the Contractor shall provide resumes for the substitute key personnel. For substitutions proposed by the Contractor after the initial 90 calendar day period, the Contractor shall provide resumes for the substitute personnel, together with any other additional information requested by the Contracting Officer, at least 15 days before the substitution is to occur. The Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of all required information if the VA refuses to accept the substitute key personnel. The VA reserves the right to refuse or revoke acceptance of key personnel if personal or professional conduct, or lack of required skills or experience, jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility.

Temporary substitutions of key personnel shall be permitted in accordance with the Contractor’s contingency plan. The Contractor’s contingency plan to be utilized if personnel leave Contractor’s employment or are unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and…