36C25218Q9813-0002000.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE

OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 10-12-2018 36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee

WI

53214-1476 36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee

WI

53214-1476 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25218Q9813 09-24-2018

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to:

Fri, October 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. CT Reference Solicitation 36C25218Q9813 to provide Nursing Services (RN) to the Tomah VAMC:

This amendment extends the hour and date for receipt of Offers to Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. CT.

See continuation pages for questions and answers submitted in response to the soliciation.

BECKY CINCOTTA

CONTRACTING OFFICER

I. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS:

· Are there incumbent(s) currently providing these or similar services? If so, are you able to provide an overview of the vendors and services being provided?

This is a new requirement at the Tomah VAMC. Currently, Premier Medical Staffing Services is performing RN services on an “as needed” basis for up to 2.0 FTE. The Government will not provide contract employee information at this time.

· What is the governments expectations for per diem on this contract? Will it be exclusively for backfill of contracted staff or an additional service to supplement the permanent VA employees? If it is an additional service to the FTE contracted staff, can you provide an estimate of hours needed?

The Government does not anticipate any “as needed” under this contract, except for additional hours covered under the overtime CLIN.

· Can the contractors work consecutive days (block schedules), or will there be a set schedule in place?

The Tomah VAMC will work with the chosen providers to try and accommodates personal needs; however, the providers are expected to work the schedule set by the Tomah VAMC.

· Will there be the potential for on call or call back requirements?

No.

· Please confirm ACLS is required for Acute Medical and Mental Health Nurses and not required for CLC-Long Term Care Nurses. Will you accept candidate submissions that don’t currently possess ACLS but, in writing, is willing to obtain prior to start of assignment.

Per the PWS, ACLS is required for RNs working in the Acute Medical and Mental Health Units. ACLS is not required for RNs working on the CLC Long Term Care Units; only BLS. These certifications must be obtained prior to candidate submission and be from an organization recognized by the American Heart Association.

· Are there any additional certifications required for the Mental Health Nurses not included in the solicitation?

No.

· On average, how long does the Tomah VA to clear a candidate through the entire background process?

3 to 5 weeks depending on when all the required paperwork is submitted and completed properly; also dependent on timely candidate reference responses

· Can a candidate start the assignment with VetPro pending?

No, VET-PRO must be completed prior to a candidate starting.

· In addition, licensed nursing staff (RNs) will undergo orientation consisting of one, 8-hour shift in each unit area the professional intends to work; up to 32 hours (Acute Medicine, Mental Health, CLC). Is the 8 hr shift per unit orientation in addition to the required 3-day new employee assessment? Is this Compensated?

Yes, the unit orientation is in addition to the 3-day new employee orientation and will be compensated.

· The PWS states that these positions are full-time equivalents and the estimated number of hours in the bid schedule are full time, however, II Work Hours states that “Contract nursing services shall supplement full time Tomah VAMC staff on an episodic/temporary basis, depending on vacancies, vacations, resignations, and illnesses to ensure required staffing levels are maintained.” So since these are coverage positions, are you able to guarantee that these nurses will be working at least 40 hours per week? What is the minimum number of hours they would be working each week due to this being coverage work?

The hours in the Price Schedule for Acute and Long Term Care will be 40 hours per week. The Mental Health unit is a 3-12 hour shifts or 36 hours per week.

“Contract nursing services shall supplement full time Tomah VAMC staff on an episodic/temporary basis, depending on vacancies, vacations, resignations, and illnesses to ensure required staffing levels are maintained.” This amendment removes this sentence from the solicitation.

· What information is required to be included in the Past Performance References?

For Past Performance References, please include a brief description of the services providing including the # of FTE/level of effort, the agency and facility the services were provided, the performance period, and the contract/order value.

· When you refer to the need for Acute Medical RNs are you asking for MedSurge RNs?

The RN needs to be able to work in the Acute Medical Unit as well as the Rehabilitation Unit.

· Will this RFP accept responses from a newly-established certified SDVOSB company under an SBA-approved Small Mentor Protégé Program without a Joint Venture Agreement?

In order to be eligible for award, the offeror must be listed and as verified as an SDVOSB in the Veterans Information Pages (VIP) website.

· On page 75, there is an RN Mental Health Price Breakdown. What is the difference between provider compensation vs. base hourly rate? Is the provider compensation simply the base dollar amount to the RN without other benefits? Yes.

· Can you clarify if the base hourly rate is equivalent to a per diem rate? No, the base hourly rate is the rate that would be charged for a local candidate or candidate that would not need any additional travel expenses.

· Also on page 75, overhead and profit appear to be combined together. Would you like us to delineate further between the two or continue to combine them in our proposal?

At this time, it is not necessary, but you may if you want to.

· How many resumes is sufficient to be submitted for each specialty (e.g. Mental Health RN vs Long Term Care RN, etc.)?

There is no required number of resumes to be submitted for each specialty; however, there should be enough candidates to cover the required CLINS listed in the Price Schedule. Each initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms and conditions from a technical and price standpoint.

· Do the nurses have to be employees or can independent contractors participate as well?

The nurses should be employees of the offeror.

· Is there a page limit on technical capability?

The technical response, excluding candidate qualification documentation, shall be no longer than 30 pages.

· What are the technical capability requirements?

The solicitation outlines all technical capability requirements.

· Are there Past Performance Questionnaires?

There is not a Past Performance Questionnaire included in the solicitation for offerors to submit.

· KEY PERSONNEL & PERSONNEL SUBSTITUTIONS – Has the government determined which positions are key personnel? Does the contractor have to designate any of the personnel as key?

The contractor must identify and submit at least enough candidates to fulfill the needs of the Government (see Price Schedule). If more candidates are submitted than required, the Government may identify its preferred candidates to perform under the contract. Contractor may identify a few additional candidates to be back-ups/substitutes. Back-ups/substitutes must meet all VA credentialing and background investigation requirements prior to providing services.

· Signed Prevention & Management of Disruptive Behavior (Attachment C) for all key personnel – If key personnel are not designated, is this Attachment not required?

This Attachment is required for all submitted candidates.

· Listing of all Key Personnel who will be performing services under the contract. Indicate whether RNs are qualified to work Acute Care, Community Living Center (or both) and Mental Health (or all) for each RN submitted. Can this information be provided after award?

No, this must be submitted with the offer.

· Copies of Qualification Documents for all Key Personnel: Curriculum Vitae (CV); National Provider Identification (NPI); active/unrestricted Licenses; and current BLS and ACLS (see section B.4.4 Qualifications). Can this information be provided after award?

No, this must be submitted with the offer.

· Hourly rate breakdowns for shift differentials and travel/lodging. – Please provide the historical data for travel/lodging for each position.

Most prior services have been provided by local candidates so travel/lodging did not apply. Refer to the Government Travel Regulations and research the Tomah, WI area.

· PWS section III, para. 5 and Section B. Para 7.(c) discuss additional credentialed contract staff. PWS Section III, para. 5 states, “In the case of an unplanned shift with less than a 24-hour advanced notification, the contractor will initiate contact with the established pool of credentialed contract staff and advise VA within 2 hours of requested shift time as to availability of provider(s) to fill the unscheduled shift. “ and Section B, para. 7(c) states, “Prior to rendering services, substitutes must be credentialed and privileged by the medical facility and obtain a medical staff appointment, in accordance with VA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations.

0. Will the government please clarify if the contractor can put qualified substitute nurses through the VA vetting/onboarding process over and above the number of FTE requested in this solicitation?

Yes, per a previous response, the contractor may provide a few additional qualified substitute nurses to go through the VA vetting/onboarding process.

0. Will the government please clarify the need for medical staff appointment?

RNs are credentialed and perform services in accordance with an approved “scope of practice” by the facility.

“In the case of an unplanned shift with less than a 24-hour advanced notification, the contractor will initiate contact with the established pool of credentialed contract staff and advise VA within 2 hours of requested shift time as to availability of provider(s) to fill the unscheduled shift. This amendment removes this sentence from the solicitation.

Section B, para. 7(c) states, “Prior to rendering services, substitutes must be credentialed and privileged by the medical facility and obtain a medical staff appointment, in accordance with VA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations. This amendment changes this sentence to the following: “Prior to rendering services, substitutes must be credentialed by the medical facility and obtain an approved Scope of Practice from the medical facility, in accordance with VA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations.

· Section B.4, Para. 5(d) – Are the NPI numbers required for each nurse prior to the start of work? Will proof of NPI application meet contract requirements?

Yes, NPI numbers required for each nurse prior to the start of work. No, providers must have an NPI number because it is required as part of the VET-Pro application.

· Section B.4, Para. 5(b) – Will the government provide the “Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior” (PMDB) training to the nurses? If so, will this training be compensated as work time?

This course is provided as part of the required computer bases orientation work and will be provided during the onboarding and orientation process.

· Section B.4, para 17 (c) states, “The contractor shall have an established program to monitor 100% of adverse events (including patient injury or death, medication errors, drug reactions, or unusual situations in which the patient may be involved) associated with care of VA patients. The contractor shall collect and report the program information on a quarterly basis. The contractor shall notify the VA of adverse events (as defined above) involving VA patients during primary care services.”

Can the government please clarify the process of adverse event notification to/from the vendor when the vendor is not on-site directly observing their employees on a 24/7/365 basis?

The contractor will be informed by the Contracting Office of any adverse events that occur and that it has knowledge of. Contractor shall require its employees to immediately report all adverse events involving its employees to be reported to them. The contractor shall notify the VA immediately of all reported adverse events (as defined above) involving VA patients and contractor employees.

This amendment changes “primary care services” in this sentence to “nursing services”.

· Section E.1, a.(3)(10) - Is there a format the government prefers for the CLIN and hourly pricing breakdown information?

Complete the Price Schedule on pages 5-11 for all CLINS. Complete the hourly pricing breakdown information tables on page 75-77.

· PWS Section III, para. 7 - Will the government consider adding a CLIN for a program manager/scheduling coordinator to provide for the required 24/7 contact requirement?

No. The only potential short-notice requests would be for overtime requests of the authorized key personnel.

II. OTHER SOLICITATION CHANGES:

This amendment changes all references of third (night) shift 2400 – 0800 throughout the solicitation to third (night) shift 2400 – 0830. As a result, PWS Section B.3 Para II (3) forth sentence will be changed from “Evening eight-hour (8) tours include a mandatory ½ hour non-paid lunch break as well as all twelve (12) hour shifts” to “All shifts include a ½ hour non-paid lunch.”

III. OFFERS DUE

This amendment extends the hour and date for receipt of Offers to Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. CT.

[End of Amendment]