36C25024Q0010 - RFQ - HCHV CERS - Ft. Wayne - NIHCS.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SUBJECT: HCHV CERS – Ft. Wayne – NIHCS

GENERAL INFORMATION

DOCUMENT TYPE: Combined Solicitation/Synopsis

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 36C25024Q0010

POSTED DATE: 09/05/2023

RESPONSE DATE & TIME: 09/15/2023 @ 14:00 EST

SERVICE CODE: G099

NAICS CODE: 624221

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Veteran Affairs – NCO 10

3140 Governor’s Place Blvd., Ste 210 Kettering, OH 45409

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Allen County, IN

DESCRIPTION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 36C25022Q0745 is hereby issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). This document incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04 effective June 2, 2023.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 624221, with a small business size standard of $13.5 million. The LINS associated with this Combined Synopsis Solicitation are contained within the attached SF1449. For extended descriptions, characteristics, and minimum needs please refer to the attached.

Period of performance is October 01, 2023 – September 30, 2028, (five (5), 12-month ordering periods)

Evaluation Criteria is in SECTION E – FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services

The FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial, FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, and FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition. Please see attached for additional applicable terms and conditions which govern this action.

Vendors shall submit their responses by the date/time advertised in block 8 of the SF1449. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

Quotes and questions shall only be accepted via email to the Contract Specialist at jennifer.bowden@va.gov

IMPORTANT NOTE: Electronic documents shall be submitted in .pdf, .doc, or .xls and restricted to emails of less than less than 10MB as that is maximum single email size allowable. Communication containing documents in any other format may be blocked or stripped by the Government's server and may not be received by this office. Files in .zip format or file(s) exceeding 10MB may not be received by this office. It is the contractor’s responsibility to verify that submissions are received.

mailto:jennifer.bowden@va.gov

PAGE 1 OF 1. REQUISITION NO.

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

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

TIME

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

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

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

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

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

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

SEE ADDENDUM

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

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

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

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

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

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

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

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

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

610-24-1-830-0001

36C25024Q0010

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

09-05-2023

Jennifer Bowden | jennifer.bowden@va.gov 937-268-6511 x3041 09-15-2023

14:00 EDT

36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 3140 Governor’s Place Blvd. Suite 210

Kettering OH 45409-1337

X

624221

$13.5 Million

N/A

X

36C610

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Northern Indiana Health Care System

Ft. Wayne IN 46805

36C250

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO 10) 3140 Governors Place Blvd. Suite 210

Kettering OH 45409-1337

Department of Veterans Affairs

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

See CONTINUATION Page

The contractor shall provide a quote for a community-based residential care center for homeless male and female veterans in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Price/Cost Schedule

Period of performance will be 10/1/2023 - 9/30/2028 Subsequent contract will be five (5) one (1) year ordering periods

This acquisition will be conducted using the procedures in FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, using FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

This will be a Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

X 1

36C25024Q0010

Table of Contents

SECTION A

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

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT – HCHV CERS – Ft. Wayne – NIHCS

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

(DEC 2022)

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

C.3 FAR 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

C.4 FAR 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.5 FAR 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

C.6 FAR 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.7 FAR 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

C.8 VAAR 852.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (DEC 2022)

C.9 VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING--CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR

SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (NOV 2022)

C.10 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018)

C.11 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

C.12 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

C.13 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAR 2023)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAR 2023) E.2 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES

E.3 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

E.4 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

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

E.5 FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

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

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

E.8 FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEC 2022)

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: TBD

b. GOVERNMENT: Department of Veterans Affairs | Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 3140 Governor’s Place Blvd. Suite 210 | Kettering OH 45409-1337 Jennifer Bowden, Contract Specialist | jennifer.bowden@va.gov

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with 52.232-33, 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.

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

AMENDMENT NO DATE

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

7. 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 have trouble accessing the website, call the Hotline at 1- 800-488-8244 for further instructions.

mailto:jennifer.bowden@va.gov

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

Contractor shall provide Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) for up to fifteen (15) (11-male, 4-female) homeless veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders in a residential care center for Ft. Wayne VA Hospital | 2121 Lake Ave. | Ft. Wayne, IN 46805.

Period of Performance: October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2028.

Place of Performance: Work will be performed at the Contractor’s facility located in the VA NIHCS catchment area (see the PWS for a description of the catchment area).

The guaranteed minimum only applies to the fiscal year in which the contract is awarded. The total minimum, or guaranteed minimum, for the resultant contract is one (1) bed. The contract maximum, inclusive of all ordering periods, including the possibility of up to a six (6) month extension under FAR Clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services, shall not exceed 7,341 bed days.

Reimbursement will be made to the contractor by issuance of individual task orders during the life of the contract. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to place task orders against this contract.

Ordering Period 1: October 1 2023 through September 30, 2024

LIN DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES EST QTY UNIT RATE PER BED

NIGHT

ESTIMATED

TOTAL

1001 HCHV CERS for up to 11 homeless male veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

4,026 BED

NIGHTS

1002 HCHV CERS for up to 4 homeless female veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

1,464 BED

NIGHTS

ORDERING PERIOD

1 TOTALS _____________

Ordering Period 2: October 1 2024 through September 30, 2025

LIN DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES EST QTY UNIT RATE PER BED

NIGHT

ESTIMATED

TOTAL

2001 HCHV CERS for up to 11 homeless male veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

4,015 BED

NIGHTS

2002 HCHV CERS for up to 4 homeless female veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

1,460 BED

NIGHTS

ORDERING PERIOD

2 TOTALS _____________

Ordering Period 3: October 1 2025 through September 30, 2026

LIN DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES EST QTY UNIT RATE PER BED

NIGHT

ESTIMATED

TOTAL

3001 HCHV CERS for up to 11 homeless male veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

4,015 BED

NIGHTS

3002 HCHV CERS for up to 4 homeless female veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

1,460 BED

NIGHTS

ORDERING PERIOD

3 TOTALS _____________

Ordering Period 4: October 1 2026 through September 30, 2027

LIN DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES EST QTY UNIT RATE PER BED

NIGHT

ESTIMATED

TOTAL

4001 HCHV CERS for up to 11 homeless male veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

4,015 BED

NIGHTS

4002 HCHV CERS for up to 4 homeless female veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

1,460 BED

NIGHTS

ORDERING PERIOD

4 TOTALS _____________

Ordering Period 5: October 1 2027 through September 30, 2028

LIN DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES EST QTY UNIT RATE PER BED

NIGHT

ESTIMATED

TOTAL

5001 HCHV CERS for up to 11 homeless male veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

4,026 BED

NIGHTS

5002 HCHV CERS for up to 4 homeless female veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders

1,464 BED

NIGHTS

ORDERING PERIOD

5 TOTALS _____________

GRAND TOTAL _____________

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT – HCHV CERS – Ft. Wayne – NIHCS

The VA Northern Indiana Health Care Systems (VANIHCS) has a requirement for a community-based residential care center for homeless veterans. Contractor(s) shall provide Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Treatment and Rehabilitative Services for up to fifteen (15) (11-male, 4-female) homeless veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders in a residential care center located Metro Statistical Area (MSA) 2760 for Ft. Wayne VA Hospital | 2121 Lake Ave. | Ft. Wayne, IN 46805. The contract for this requirement will be a Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract with five (5), one-year ordering periods.

The daily occupancy rate at the fifteen (15) bed facility may fluctuate dependent upon rate of demand for service. Programs with the ability to house life-time registered sex offenders is not required; however, priority will be given to programs that can accept veterans on the life-time sex offender registry.

The VA Northern Indiana Health Care Systems (VANIHCS) has a requirement for a community-based residential care center for homeless veterans. Contractor(s) shall provide Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Treatment and Rehabilitative Services for up to fifteen (15) (11-male, 4-female) homeless veterans with mental illness and/or substance use disorders in a residential care center located Metro Statistical Area (MSA) 2760 for Ft. Wayne VA Hospital | 2121 Lake Ave. | Ft. Wayne, IN 46805. The contract for this requirement will be a Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract with five (5), one-year ordering periods.

The daily occupancy rate at the fifteen (15) bed facility may fluctuate dependent upon rate of demand for service. Programs with the ability to house life-time registered sex offenders is not required; however, priority will be given to programs that can accept veterans on the life-time sex offender registry.

PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Background

a. Through the HCHV Program, VA provides Veterans case management services and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. The Contractor shall provide care, treatment, and rehabilitative services to Homeless Veterans in community-based treatment facilities offering a safe and secure environment that supports their rehabilitation goals.

The Contractor shall be required to provide a safe, therapeutic, and rehabilitative milieu and attendant services.

b. The term residential care center may refer to a variety of housing options including, apartment style housing, group home, or institutional setting. The type of veterans to be cared for under this contract will require care and treatment services over and above the level of room and board.

B. Services to be Provided

a. All veterans placed by VA staff in the facility must be eligible veterans for VA health care as described by the Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines. All veteran residents shall be capable of self-preservation and performance of all ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). In an emergency, veteran residents shall have sufficient capacity to recognize physical danger, the judgment that requires to immediate egress from the group residence, the capacity to follow a prescribed route of egress, and have the physical ability to accomplish such egress.

b. Contractor shall provide community-based residential care, treatment, and rehabilitative services for up to fifteen (15) (11-male, 4-female) homeless veterans, who may have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder diagnosis, in a residential care center.

C. Applicable Documents

• VHA Handbook 1162.09 Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program (http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3006)

• VA patient’s Bill of Rights, 38 U.S. C 17.34a (http://www.va.gov/health/rights/patientrights.asp)

• Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Agency: NFPA #101 (www.nfpa.org)

• Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records: 38 U.S.C. 5701

(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2010-title38/USCODE-2010-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5701/content-detail.html); and 38 U.S.C. 7332 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title38/USCODE-2011-title38-partV-chap73-subchapIII-sec7332/content-detail.html)

• Disclosure of Patient Records: Records protected by 38 U.S.C. 5705; its implementing regulations at 38 U.S.C. 17.500-511; VHA Directive 98-016, 4b. (1) (d), 4.6(2)(c) and 4.6(4). These records may be disclosed only as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 5705 and the VA regulations. Disclosure of these records in violation of 5705 is a criminal offense under 38 U.S.C. 5705(e):

(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2013-title38/pdf/USCODE-2013-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5705.pdf)

PART II: WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirement

a. Contractor shall furnish each veteran authorized care under this contract with the following basic services:

1. Contractor shall have a facility obtained (either leased/rented/owned) and made fully operational prior to the effective date of this contract (October 1, 2023). The facility must pass the life safety inspection prior to any services rendered.

2. Contractor shall be staffed 24-hours per day, 7 days a week; and can place Veteran same day as referral from HCHV VA staff.

3. Veterans may be on physician ordered special diets. Veterans shall have appetizing, nutritional meals provided in a setting that encourages social interaction. Nutritious snacks between meals and bedtime are also available for those requiring or desiring additional food when it is not medically contraindicated. Veterans shall have at least one hot meal other than breakfast. The Contractor shall maintain a written monthly meal plan. This plan shall be posted in a common area one week prior and during the month of which it applies. Many veterans are either undernourished or have poor eating habits because of their chronic psychiatric disorders, which could be alcohol/drug abuse related behaviors.

4. Laundry facilities for residents to do their own laundry with no cost to the veterans. Machines shall be maintained and in good condition to ensure availability of service.

5. Dining areas must be comfortable and adequate size to seat the maximum number of residents in the facility.

6. Common living areas must be comfortable and adequate in size to accommodate the maximum number of residents in the facility.

7. The facility shall maintain one (1) functional lavatory (bathing and/or shower facility) for every six

(6) people living in the facility.

8. Bedrooms shall measure at least 100 square feet for a single room, or 25 square feet additional for each resident double occupancy room (or in a multi-resident room). Male and female residents http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3006 http://www.va.gov/health/rights/patientrights.asp http://www.nfpa.org/ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2010-title38/USCODE-2010-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5701/content-detail.html http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2010-title38/USCODE-2010-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5701/content-detail.html http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title38/USCODE-2011-title38-partV-chap73-subchapIII-sec7332/content-detail.html http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title38/USCODE-2011-title38-partV-chap73-subchapIII-sec7332/content-detail.html http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2013-title38/pdf/USCODE-2013-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5705.pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2013-title38/pdf/USCODE-2013-title38-partIV-chap57-subchapI-sec5705.pdf shall have secure separate sleeping quarters. Bedrooms shall contain no more than four beds.

Floor plan of facility/units shall be available for review and approval prior to award. NOTE: The complex nature of certain residents may dictate the need for single occupancy in a bedroom.

Facility must have a minimum of two (2) single occupancy rooms. One (1) male and one (1) female minimum. Bedrooms shall contain a suitable bed furnished by the facility with, mattress, pillow, sheets/blankets, and towels. The facility shall be responsible for laundering the linens and towels at least weekly and keeping them in good condition. Mattresses must be kept in good condition and replaced as needed.

9. The Contractor will offer a “low-demand environment” meaning Veterans will be offered mental health and substance abuse services but their participation in these services will not be contingent on their acceptance or continued stay in the facility.

10. Narcotic medication shall be kept in a secured locked location within a supervised area.

11. Facility shall have safe and functioning systems for: heating and cooling, hot and cold water, electricity, plumbing, sewage, food preparation (unless food is prepared off site), laundry, artificial and natural light, and ventilation. The residence shall be climate controlled to be heated not below 65 degrees F in the winter and cooled not above 75 degrees F in the summer.

12. All facility areas shall be kept clean and sanitized weekly. Chores may be assigned to veterans, but facility staff must ensure areas are cleaned to sanitary standards.

13. A storage locker or designated secured space must be provided to each veteran.

14. Contractor must allow veteran to store personal belongings up to 72-hours after formal HCHV discharge.

15. Therapeutic, Rehabilitative, and Recovery Services shall be determined by the individual resident in conjunction with the contracted facility staff and in consultation with the VA Liaison. The Contractor shall develop an individualized Care Plan (ICP) with the veteran and include the VA Liaison. Such plans shall be developed based on a psychosocial assessment, completed by contracted facility staff and shall follow Commission of Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards. Services which the Contractor shall be able to furnish include:

i. Case management and professional counseling services shall address self-care skills, adaptive coping skills mental health/substance abuse treatment needs, vocational rehabilitation counseling, in collaboration with VA program or contracted community resources. A through written Individualized Care Plan (ICP) will be developed within 2 weeks 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 Veterans 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 Veteran’s will be referred to VA for Primary Care and Mental health appointments and Contractor will support in making initial and subsequent appointments. Efforts will be documented in the Veterans chart and reviewed by the VA Liaison at least monthly. There will be an expectation that notes will be written professionally in a format that utilizes the clear setting of goals and documents progress towards those goals (e.g., SNAP, SOAP, or SMART notes). Examples of case management include but are not limited to assisting veterans with resources/agencies in the community, housing assistance, employment assistance, obtaining identification documents, applying for food stamps. Case management services shall be provided during the day shift hours, Monday through Friday.

ii. Outreach activities shall be used to identify homeless veterans that need HCHV Contract Residential Services. These locations can be at local homeless shelters, missions, soup kitchens, street locations, halfway houses, rehab centers, treatment facilities, or other places (i.e., parks, outdoor areas). Case management and outreach shall be provided by a trained professional holding a minimum bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a related field of study. Outreach services will be provided both day and evening shift hours at a minimum of 8 hours per week. A weekly log documenting the places and times that outreach occurred will be submitted to VA liaison weekly.

iii. 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 2 weeks of program admission. Housing Assessment must identify Veteran’s housing history, strengths (i.e., positive prior rental history), and barriers (i.e., unlawful detainers/evictions). 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. These services shall be provided weekly through one-to-one case management. Examples of expected housing service include:

1. assistance obtaining and reviewing Veteran’s free credit report, identifying housing strengths and barriers associated with current credit status

2. Reviewing affordable housing rental options and making appropriate rental inquiries

3. Assisting in completing rental applications

4. Assisting in contacting property managers and scheduling meetings. A tenant portfolio for each program participant will be required. At minimum it will contain a completed sample rental application for Veteran, income verification documents, photo identification, social security card, DD214 and or birth certificate, and free credit report.

iv. The Tenant Portfolio will be completed within 30-days of admission. 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.

v. Financial Planning: referral and follow up on all potential financial resources the Veteran may be eligible for (e.g., Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Food Stamps, NSC pension etc.) Case Manager 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 preferable thorough one on one case management services. At minimum two (2) financial planning activities appropriate to the Veteran’s individual circumstance must be documented monthly. A budget sheet identifying veterans’ income and debts will be completed monthly with each veteran and given to VA Liaison upon request.

vi. Recovery: Support for an alcohol/drug abuse free lifestyle provided in an environment conductive to social interaction and the fullest development of the resident’s rehabilitative potential. 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.

vii. Professional counseling services shall be provided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or similar licensure as approved by the VA Contracting Officer Representative. Counseling services, including individual and group sessions, shall be provided for a minimum of twenty hours each week, based upon the individual needs of the residents.

viii. Structured group activities: Shall be conducted twice per month. These may include physical activities when appropriate. Activities of structured groups may consist of group therapy, social skills training, vocational counseling, and physical activities as appropriate. VA Resource groups and “House Meetings” do not meet this requirement. Contractor will submit sign in sheets to the VA Liaison for each group activity along with the description of the group activity.

ix. With the Collaboration with the VA program staff, shall provide supportive psychosocial services.

x. Supportive social services, in collaboration with the VA case managers, or other community contract resources.

xi. Instruction and assistance with health and personal hygiene maintenance.

xii. Monitoring of medications, if instructed and is necessary.

xiii. Assistance in learning and development of responsible living patterns to achieve a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning, upgraded social skills, and improved personal relationships.

xiv. Support for an alcohol/drug abuse free lifestyle may include participation of Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotic Anonymous meetings.

b. The contract facility shall have a current occupancy permit or license required by the authority having jurisdiction.

c. Contractor shall conduct treatment and discharge planning for the veteran. To resolve any problems and to set goals, a team assessment shall be used to reflect the health, psychosocial, vocational needs, and as appropriate the involvement of residents’ families and community resources. This shall be done in coordination with VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contract Residential Liaison.

d. Contractor shall provide and arrange transportation to VA appointments and other appointments in the community for the veteran. If VA staff determines that adequate public transportation is not available or appropriate for a Veteran, the Contractor shall arrange for alternative transport by car or taxi. The contractor shall incur the cost of the transportation for the Veteran. The facility shall be located on a bus line and have access to areas that provide employment opportunities for those Veterans who are able to be employed. The Contractor shall be expected to help the Veteran access public transportation, including providing information and instructions necessary to enable Veterans to utilize public transportation.

e. Contractor must provide designated onsite office space to VA contract approved personnel such as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and/or VA clinical personnel. The office space must afford the VA representative and Veteran(s) privacy and confidentiality when meeting.

f. The office must include a desk, desk chair, at least one office chair for the client to sit in, locking file cabinet, noise/sound control capabilities (i.e.: sound machine, music player), a desk top telephone to make local as well as long distance calls, and the office must have internet access capability. The VA representative (COR or otherwise) is expected to be onsite regularly.

B. Special Care Requirements

a. “Imperative” Levels of Care

1. A program of therapeutic and rehabilitative mental health services shall be designed to promote a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning, and to assist VA staff in transitioning veterans into independent housing.

2. Contractor shall include supportive health care that shall include the instruction and/or information related to personal hygiene to all veterans that may need care.

3. Individual adjustment services including social diversion, recovery focused, recreational and spiritual opportunities.

4. Full attention shall be given to motivation and education of veterans to achieve and maintain independence in the activities of daily living and self-care.

5. Pest Prevention

i. There shall be a Pest Preventative Treatment plan in place; pest preventative treatment plans shall include prevention and remedy methods for the treatment of pests, such as bed bugs, rodents; and shall render prevention/treatment of such pests with pest control industry standard practices. The COR shall monitor the Contractor’s facility to ensure compliance with this protocol and successful results. Contractor shall maintain an emergency housing contingency plan in the event of an infestation that renders the facility unfit for habitation.

C. Responsibility and Legal Obligations

a. Contractor and facility staff shall conform to all regulations, Federal, State and local governing the performance of contracted services.

b. The Contractor shall employ sufficient personnel to carry out the policies, responsibilities, and programs of the facility. In residential treatment facilities/group homes, there must be an administrative staff member or designee of equivalent professional capability on the premises, or resides at the house 24-hours a day, seven (7) days a week. When a supervised residential setting is linked to a geographically distinct rehabilitation and/or socialization day program, sufficient professional healthcare personnel must be identified to provide the necessary therapeutic activities and to ensure a meaningful integration. Contractor shall make available to the VA, documentation/information deemed necessary by the VA to conduct utilization review audits for the mandated national evaluation study as required by section 2 of Public Law 110-6; to verify quality of patient care for veterans, to accuracy of financial records.

c. Contractor shall comply with the VA patient’s Bill of Rights as set forth in section 17.34a, Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations.

d. Contractor under this program must meet the following VA standards, based on regulations promulgated by Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 17.53b

D. Residential Standards

a. Both residential and ambulatory care settings shall meet the following:

1. The standards of the Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA #101)

2. The fire and safety code imposed by the State law

3. City, State, and Federal requirements concerning licensing and health codes, including construction, fire, maintenance, and sanitation regulations

4. All residential treatment settings shall meet ADA (Americans with Disability Act) requirements

(www.ada.gov)

5. All residential treatment settings must be licensed as required for the particular setting under State or Federal authority

b. In the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall take safety precautions involving the

Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer Representative. This is necessary to protect the lives and health of the occupants in the buildings. The Contracting Officer or his/her designee shall notify http://www.ada.gov/ the Contractor of any noncompliance with the foregoing provisions and the action to be taken. Once the Contractor shows the receipt of notice, they shall immediately correct the conditions to which attention has been directed. Such notice, when served on the Contractor or his/her representative at the site of the work, shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes aforesaid. If the Contractor fails or refuses to comply promptly, the Contracting Officer may issue an order stopping all or any part of the work and hold the Contractor in default.

E. Accreditation and Licensing

a. Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is desirable, but not required. Where applicable, the residential treatment center shall have a current occupancy permit issued by the authority having jurisdiction.

F. Personnel

a. Contractor shall employ Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and sufficient personnel to carry out the policies, responsibilities, and operate the Program for the facility. There must be, at a minimum, at least one administrative staff member, or designee of equivalent professional capability, on duty on the premises or residing at the facility and available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

b. Contractor shall assign to this contract personnel that by education and training (and, when required, certification or licensure) are qualified to provide the Basic Services and Supplemental Services required by this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

c. Key personnel are defined as “professional staff,” such as: LCSW and/or facility Director. 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 fourteen (14) days after substitutions necessitated by situations described above, the Contractor shall provide resumes for the substitute key personnel to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

d. For substitutions proposed by the Contractor after the initial ninety (90) calendar day period, the Contractor shall provide resumes for the substitute personnel, together with any other additional information requested by the Contracting Officer (CO) and or Contracting Officer Representative (COR), at least fifteen (15) days before the substitution is to occur. The Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative (COR) 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.

e. Temporary substitutions of key personnel shall be permitted in accordance with the Contractor’s Contingency Plan. The Contingency Plan shall include, at minimum, an outline of how the Contractor shall maintain the full day-to-day operations of the program and provide ongoing clinical care to Veterans during periods when temporary substitutions are required and or there are inadequate staffing levels. The Contractor’s Contingency Plan to be utilized if personnel leave Contractor’s employment or is unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract must be submitted as part of the Contractor’s offer. The Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall be notified of any temporary substitutions within one

(1) business day.

G. Referrals

a. Contractor is responsible for verifying the Veteran's eligibility for VA healthcare services. NIHCS is responsible for determining eligibility of Veterans prior to referral to the Contractor for treatment. A written or verbal referral (hard copy, fax or e-mail are acceptable) from the COR shall be provided to the Contractor for each Veteran referred under the contract.

b. It is understood that the Contractor shall not be paid for care provided to a referred Veteran beyond the period authorized in the referral, unless an extension of the authorization is provided in writing by the VA Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

c. The initial referral period for a Veteran may be up to 180 days (6 months), depending upon the needs of the Veteran as mutually determined by the Veteran, the Contractor’s staff, and Contracting Officer Representative (COR). An extension of the referral period up to a total of nine (9) months may be authorized by the COR, based on clinical assessment and if funding is available. Treatment periods more than 9 months for individual Veterans must be authorized by the Chief of Social Work through the COR.

d. It is understood that the type of Veterans to be cared for under this contract shall require care and treatment services over and above the level of room and board. To be eligible for placement in Contract Residential beds, all Veterans must be homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless and be eligible for VA healthcare services.

e. Contractor shall provide housing and/or services to special Veteran populations (e.g.: medically compromised Veterans, seriously mentally ill Veterans, Veterans who have abused drugs or alcohol for many years, and/or Veterans who have been involved with the legal system).

H. Evidence of Insurance Coverage

a. Before commencing work under the contract, the Contractor shall furnish the Contracting Officer a certification within 30-days indicating that the coverage outlined in this contract has been obtained, and that it may not be changed or cancelled without written notice.

I. Records and Reporting

a. The Contractor shall notify the authorizing VA hospital and VA program liaison immediately when a medical emergency may occur, thus requiring the hospitalization of any resident receiving care at VA expense. It is agreed that the veterans shall be admitted to VA Northern Indiana Health Care System facility when feasible. If hospitalization of a non-emergency nature is required, it is agreed that admission to the VA hospital shall be accomplished consistent with eligibility criteria, as determined by VA. Contractor shall notify Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Contract Residential Liaison immediately in the event of a veteran’s illness or injury requiring medical care and/or hospitalization.

Contractor shall also provide a daily occupancy report to HCHV Contract Residential Liaison.

b. In the event of a beneficiary receiving residential treatment dies, the residential treatment center shall promptly notify the Department of Veterans Affairs office and VA program Liaison, authorizing admission and immediately assemble, inventory, and safeguard the veteran’s personal effects. The funds, deposits, and effects left by the deceased veteran at the residential treatment center, shall be delivered by the residential treatment center to the person or persons entitled. The Contractor shall adhere to the laws currently governing the residential treatment center for making disposition of funds and effects left by veterans, unless the beneficiary dies without leaving a will, heirs, or next of kin capable of inheriting. When disposition has been made, the itemized inventory with a notation identifying the recipient of the belongings shall be immediately forwarded to the VA office. If no such person is identified, the property and funds shall become the property of the United States in trust. In these cases, the residential treatment center shall forward any property and funds in its possession to the appropriate VA office and hold them (except articles of clothing necessary for proper burial) under safeguard until instructions are received from the VA concerning disposition.

c. Absences of the patient from the residential treatment center more than 72 hours will be not reimbursable except with the prior approval of the COR. The COR shall determine if the absence is unauthorized. If a patient referred under this contract is found to be absent in an unauthorized manner, the payment for veteran services would be continued at that contract facility for a maximum period of three (3) days. There should be an active outreach attempt of the facility staff to return the veteran to the residential care center, and a strong likelihood that the patient will return.

Management of program dropouts will be an element of the quality assurance review of this program.

d. Contractor shall maintain an individual clinical record on each veteran placed under this contract. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the “Confidentiality” of certain medical records (38 USC 7332), and (42 CFR, Part II). All case records shall be maintained with such security and confidentiality as required and shall be made available on a need-to-know basis to appropriate staff members involved with the treatment program of the veterans concerned. In addition to reasons for referral, the clinical record maintained by the contract facility shall include:

1. All essential identifying data relevant to the resident and his/her family, including a psychosocial assessment, completed by facility staff.

2. Treatment plans/ICP shall be completed by facility staff, in collaboration with VA Contract

Residential Liaison, and shall include data relating to the resident’s admission, anticipated length of stay, targeted goals and objectives for constructive changes and discharge planning. Treatment Plans must meet CARF regulations whether the facility is CARF accredited.

3. A summary of all medical prescriptions issued by physicians, including orders, and if any medications need to be taken.

4. Reports of periodic reevaluations by program staff, to include any measures of movement toward rehabilitation goals, with particular focus on the attainment of self-help skills.

5. Final summaries on each resident who leaves the program, which includes a description of beneficial changes found during the residential period, reasons for leaving, the resident’s future plans, and follow up locator information. Contractor shall provide a copy of final summary to HCHV Contract Residential Liaison and veteran within one week of the veteran leaving the Residential Treatment Center.

6. Upon discharge or death of the resident, medical records on all beneficiaries shall be retained by the Residential Treatment Center for a period of at least three (3) years following termination of care.

J. Confidentiality of Patient Records

a. In performance of this contract, Contractor shall not be a part of VA for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 552a, 38 U.S.C. 5701 and 7332. Contractor shall obtain needed records from VA only with signed consent by veteran.

b. Records created by Contractor while performing this contract are the property of VA, and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with federal law, regulations, and policy. Access to data shall be limited to the minimum necessary for performance of the contract.

Contractor shall take steps to ensure that access is limited to those employees who need access to the data to perform the contract. Contractor shall not copy information contained in the system, either by printing to paper or by copying to another digital format, without the express permission of VANIHCS Release of Information Office, except as is necessary to make single copies in the ordinary course of providing patient care. Contractor shall not comingle the data from the system with information from other sources. Contractor shall report any unauthorized disclosure of VA information to the VANIHCS Privacy Officer.

c. If this contract is terminated for any reason, Contractor shall provide the VA with all individually identified VA patient treatment records or other information in its possession, as well as any copies made pursuant to paragraph (2), above within seven (7) days of the termination of the contract.

d. Certain information available from the database and other records created by the Contractor under this Contract are medical quality assurance records protected by 38 U.S.C. 5705; its implementing regulations at 38 U.S.C. 17.500-511; VHA Directive 98-016, 4b. (1) (d), 4.6(2)(c) and 4.6(4). These records may be disclosed only as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 5705 and the VA regulations. Disclosure of these records in violation of 5705 is a criminal offense under 38 U.S.C. 5705(e).

e. Contractor shall follow all VA policies regarding the retention of records. In the alternative, Contractor may deliver the records to VA for retention.

f. Any changes in the law or regulations governing the information covered by this contract during the term of this contract shall be deemed to be incorporated into this contract. The Contractor shall educate its employees and Subcontractors of the requirements of this section, and shall advise its employees and Subcontractors of any changes as they occur. On the Contractor’s request, the VA shall provide trainers who can education the Contractor’s employees and Subcontractors, of their obligations under this section.

g. The Contractor shall make its internal policies and practices regarding the safeguarding of medical and/or electronic information available to federal agencies with enforcement authority over the maintenance of those records upon request.

K. Inspection and Acceptance

a. It is agreed that the Department of Veteran Affairs shall have the right to inspect the residential treatment center and all appurtenances by an authorized representative(s) designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

b. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of a social worker, dietitian, nurse, and an engineering service safety officer, shall conduct an initial inspection…