36C25221Q0475.docx

36C25221Q0475 36C25221Q0475

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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.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

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

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

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

ARE

ARE NOT 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. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

36C25221Q0475 3-12-2021 Becky Cincotta 414-844-4822 3-18-2021 15:00

CST

36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 X X 561320 $30 Million N/A X 36C695 Department of Veterans Affairs Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center 5000 W. National Avenue Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 877-353-9791 512-460-5540 Contractor to provide Community Care Registered Nurse Services for the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Milwaukee VAMC) in accordance with the specifications, terms, and conditions contained herein.

Vendors must be verified and listed as SDVOSB in the Veterans Information Pages website at https://vetbiz.va.gov X X

BECKY CINCOTTA

Contracting Officer

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

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):

Point of Contact/Title _______________________________

Telephone Number _________________________________

Fax Number ______________________________________

Email ____________________________________________

DUNS Number ___________________________________

Tax ID Number ____________________________________

Vendor POC/Title to respond to Government Evaluations (CPARS) __________________________

Vendor POC Email address for use with CPARS: __________________________________

b. GOVERNMENT:

Becky Cincotta, Contracting Officer Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (36C252) 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476 Telephone: (414) 844-4822 Fax: (414) 844-4891 Email: becky.cincotta@va.gov

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--System for Award Management (31 U.S.C. 3332).

3. INVOICES: Payments shall be made monthly in arrears upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice.

a. In order to comply with the Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 (IPERA), the VA has mandated electronic invoice submission to the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC). VAFSC has partnered with Tungsten Corporation e-Invoicing network for submission of all electronic invoices to VA. Tungsten Network electronic invoicing is free to all VA vendors. In order to submit electronic invoices, all VA vendors must register with Tungsten Network by submitting an email to Tungsten Network VA.Registration@tungsten-network.com or calling 1-877-752-0900 option 2 for Enrollment.

b. Contractor shall submit an electronic invoice by the tenth (10th) of the following month services were performed to the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC) e-Invoice through the website at https://portal.tungsten-network.com/Login.aspx. For questions regarding the submission of VA electronic invoices, Tungsten Network customer service may be contacted at 1-877-489-6135.

c. The invoice sent to Tungsten Network shall accurately reflect performance and reference the vendor name and address, customer name, contract number, order number, appropriate obligation/funding, CLIN # and description of services, the quantity (number of hours), the unit price, the extended unit price, and the total invoice cost. Invoices shall also include any payment discount terms.

d. For questions regarding invoice receipt or payment, please call VAFSC directly at 1-877-353-9791. Payments shall be made monthly in arrears upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice.

e. If improper invoices are submitted, they may be rejected and cause delays in payments.

Invoice issues may also be documented in CPARS.

[End of Contract Administration]

B.2. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND PRICE

1. Authority: This procurement is being conducted under the authority of Title 38 U.S.C. 8127(d) and in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. As such, the Government will utilize simplified procedures for soliciting competition, evaluation, award documentation, and notification. Contractor shall provide services in accordance with the terms, conditions, and prices contained herein. Responses are limited to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small businesses that have been verified and are listed on the VIP website at https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/ as of the date the offer is submitted.

2. Services: Contractor will provide all technical support, management, and labor to fulfill the need for Community Care Registered Nurse (RN) Services at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center (Milwaukee VAMC), 5000 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295-0001. The Milwaukee VAMC Center has experienced a significant increase in care that is purchased in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic and requires 16 Community Care RNs (non-direct patient care) to coordinate basic to complex care with Milwaukee VAMC’s Community Care Network (CCN) partners. The contract period of performance will be from the date of award (anticipated April 5, 2021) through September 30, 2021. The Milwaukee VAMC Community Care department operates 12-hours per day, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and federal holidays. Contract RNs will be required to provide services 8-hours per day, Monday through Friday. Overtime and work on a federal holiday may be requested. The resultant contract will be a fixed price contract

3. Price Schedule: Contractor shall complete the unit price, extended price, and total price in the Price Schedule below. Hourly rates shall be all-inclusive and include per diem and travel, if necessary. Contractor is to provide firm-fixed unit pricing in the Price Schedule.

PRICE SCHEDULE

a. Date of award through September 30, 2021

PRICE

EXTENDED TOTAL

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Total for Regular Hours

PRICE

EXTENDED TOTAL

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Total for LIN Overtime/Holiday

ESTIMATED CONTRACT TOTAL (ALL LINS): $ _

f. KEY PERSONNEL: The individuals listed above are authorized to perform services under this contract.

[End of Schedule of Services and Price]

B.3. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1. POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Registered Nurse: The RN will serve as a Community Care Nurse Coordinator and will utilize their broad based clinical knowledge to manage basic, moderate, and complex care of the Veteran and the seamless transition to and from the community and to serve as a liaison to both internal and external Providers. The Community Care Nurse Coordinator functional role includes organizing and coordinating clinical components for the authorization of non-VA services in response to individual healthcare needs along the illness and care continuum and in multiple settings. The goals are to center services around the patient, to foster patient self-managed care, and maximize efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources. The Community Care Nurse Coordinator utilizes all avenues of resources available to provide safe and efficient timely coordination of quality health care and services. The Community Care Nurse Coordinator is responsible to independently plan, organize and coordinate work, solve problems, interpret to the extent to which protocols may be modified or adapted, and interpret policies and regulations. Nursing care coordination shall be performed in accordance with the American Nursing Association’s Standards of Care and Standards of Professional Performance, and within the individual nurse’s scope of license. The VA Nurse Manager(s), or appropriate nursing leadership delegate (i.e., Assistant Nurse Manager), will provide the Community Care Nurse Coordinator with clinical oversight during their tour of duty. More specific duties and responsibilities of the Community Care Nurse Coordinator are described below.

i. Practice (Practice, Ethics, Resource Utilization):

· Supports the Veterans referred for evaluation, coordinates between the Medical Center Providers and community Providers, and ensures appropriate follow-up consults are entered by the Provider.

· Coordinates patient appointments, conducts follow-up, reports test results to the appropriate Providers, and obtains records and test results from outside facilities.

· Collaborates effectively with all levels of the health care team. This includes, but is not limited to clinics, inpatient departments, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers such as pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, physical therapists, dieticians, other outpatient departments, ancillary services, community Providers, etc.

· Ensures instruction to the patient and the family is based on identified learning needs. Assesses the family’s knowledge base, health status expectations, and the potential for the family member acting as the primary caregiver if necessary.

· Assists with the development of activities and methods to ensure information is articulated and disseminated to staff.

· Provides tracking and trending of referrals related to authorizations, billing, and clinical outcomes.

ii. Scientific Inquiry (Quality of Care, Research):

· Documents patient’s progress on clinical pathways/algorithms.

· Plans care based on patient needs and health care needs, at home and in the health care setting.

· Utilizes nursing interpretations to alert physicians to significant changes or abnormalities and provides medical information about the patient’s condition, medical history and specialized treatment plan or protocol to other professionals.

· Applies critical thinking and analytical skills to identify barriers for care delivery.

iii. Additional requirements and responsibilities for Registered Nurses are listed below.

· The contract nursing staff shall complete, and document all work accurately and within assigned timeframes.

· The contract nursing staff shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a professional manner treating patients, visitors, and staff in a courteous manner. Sustained allegations of patient or coworker abuse, both verbally or physically, will result in immediate removal from the VA, and will also be reported to the Contracting Officer. These incidents may result in that contractor employee not being eligible for continued contract performance.

2. WORK HOURS

a. Milwaukee VAMC Community Care Coordination Services is a 12 hour per day (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) department. Contract RN services shall supplement full time VA staff. Contract RNs will work, at a minimum, an 8-hour shift, Monday through Friday, as required by the VA. This shift is normally from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., but may be changed if mutually agreed upon between the Nurse Manager and the RN.

b. Overtime may be necessary and is applicable for anything over 40 hours in a one week pay period worked at the VA. Overtime must be pre-approved by the Nurse Manager. Eight-hour (8) shifts include a mandatory ½ hour non-paid lunch break.

c. A standardized timecard approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is to be used for contractor staff. Timecards must be signed by Nurse Managers, Assistant Nurse Managers, or Nursing Supervisors only. Timecards signed by other than those listed above will not be accepted with invoices for payment. A list of managerial staff will be provided to the contractor after contract award and discussed with contractor staff during orientation.

3. SCHEDULING

a. RN schedules will be mutually determined by each VA facility and the contracted RN.

b. Contract RNs shall be on time for their required shift. Contract RNs shall follow any specific instructions provided by the VA department with regards to tardiness and/or absences. Contract nursing staff must also notify their contractor regarding the aforementioned circumstances, changes in scheduling availability, etc. The contractor will, in turn, notify the Contracting Officer.

c. The missing of two scheduled shifts (“no call/no show”) by contract nursing staff may be grounds to restrict/cease contractor employee from being scheduled for future contract shifts.

[End of Performance Work Statement]

B.4. SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

1. SERVICES

a. The services specified herein may be changed by written modification to this contract. The VA Contracting Officer will prepare the modification (reference FAR clause 52.212-4(c), Changes) and, prior to becoming effective, shall be properly executed. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes that affect price, quantity, or quality of performance of this 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 and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

b. This is a non-personal service contract as defined in FAR 37.101. There is no employer-employee relationship between the Government and the contractor or the contractor’s employee(s). Contractor personnel are not subject to the supervision and control of a Government officer or employee. Rather, contractor personnel perform their duties in accordance with the Performance Work Statement. Supervisory functions such as hiring, firing, directing, and counseling of contractor personnel are not performed by the Government. The healthcare provider who furnishes services under this contract is subject to Government technical oversight of the services. The Government retains the right to reject services for contractual non-performance.

c. The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided, but retains no control over the medical, professional aspects of services rendered.

d. Contractor is required to maintain medical liability insurance for the duration of this contract. Medical Liability insurance must cover the provider(s) for services in all states where services are rendered by the provider.

e. The services to be performed by the contractor will be performed in accordance with VA policies, procedures, regulations, and the medical staff bylaws of each VA facility (copies and/or links will be provided upon request). In all cases, dignity of the patient shall be given the highest regard and the precepts of the American Hospital Association’s “Bill of Rights for Patients” shall be observed.

f. Contractor shall provide the required services listed herein throughout the contract period.

g. Contractor, and its employees, shall observe all VA policies and procedures relating to infection control, Fire and Safety, Information Security, and Patient Safety (mandatory training).

h. Contractor shall, in writing, keep the Contracting Officer informed of any unusual circumstances in conjunction with the contract.

2. TERM OF CONTRACT

a. This contract is effective from the date of award through September 30, 2021, and any options to extend services, if exercised (at the Government’s discretion). Contractor shall not perform any service after September 30, 2021, without prior written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

b. Availability of Funds during a Continuing Resolution: At the beginning of each new fiscal year (October 1st) the federal government or parts thereof may be operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) and only be funded for a limited period of time rather than for the entire fiscal year. If, at any time, funds for this contract are provided under a CR, funds will only be available for performance under this contract up to and including the expiration date of the CR, and any extension thereof. The government’s obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond the expiration date of the CR, and any extension thereof, until funds are made available to the contracting officer for performance and until the contractor receives notice of availability.

3. FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

a. Contractor may be required to provide services on Federal Holidays. The 11 holidays observed by the Federal Government are: New Year’s Day (January 1st), Martin Luther King’s Birthday (3rd Monday in January), Inauguration Day (January 20th), Presidents’ Day (3rd Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day (1st Monday in September), Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), Christmas Day (December 25th) and any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

b. When one of the above designated legal holidays falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a legal holiday. When a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a holiday by U.S. Government agencies.

4. QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL

a. Contractor nursing staff must possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting.

b. Personnel assigned by the contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall be proficient in written and spoken English (38 USC 7402). Contractor’s assigned personnel must be computer literate as patient documentation is directly entered in the patient’s electronic medical record. Proficiency in the use of the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) system and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) are preferred.

c. All RNs must have completed an Associates or Bachelor’s degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited Nursing program. Registered Nurses assigned by the contractor to perform the services covered by this contract must have a current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.

d. Evidence of completion of required licensure, credentials, required training, current competencies and fingerprints/background investigations must be validated for all contractor personnel referred to perform services under this contract.

e. The Contracting Officer will be notified prior to any changes in personnel. VA reserves the right to approve the assignment of individual personnel furnished by the contractor to perform the functions specified in the contract.

f. Contractor shall not have any personnel report to duty until written notification is received from the Contracting Officer advising that the candidate(s) presented has met all requirements for performance under the contract.

g. The contracted individual(s) will be required to show two proofs of identification on their first day of work. Acceptable proofs of identification are listed below:

Acceptable PICTURE IDs:

· State-Issued Driver’s License

· State DMV-Issued ID Card

· US Passport

· Military ID/Dependents Card

· Foreign Passport

· Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Card w/Photo Acceptable NON-PICTURE IDs:

· Social Security Card

· Certified Birth Certificate

· State Voter Registration Card

· Native American Tribal Document

· Certificate of US Citizenship

· Certificate of Birth Abroad Issued by Department of State

h. Physical Requirements: The contractor must provide documentation that demonstrates that all contractor employees have a satisfactory health status including a current physical, which includes the following:

· TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative TB Blood Test (also called interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA)) for all Contractor employees as a baseline. Two TB blood tests are approved by the FDA: the QuantiFERON – TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and the T-SPOT TB test (T-Spot). Subsequent testing is not required, unless the Contractor employee has been exposed to someone with TB. CDC recommendations for TB testing for health care personnel can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/infectioncontrol/healthcarepersonnel-faq.htm

· MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor employees, i.e., at least 2 doses of vaccine are required or serologic evidence of immunity.

· VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor employees, i.e., at least 2 doses of vaccine are required or serologic evidence of immunity.

· TDAP (TETNUS/DIPTHERIA/PERTUSSIS): Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor employees. Boosters are required every 10 years.

· HEPATITIS B: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor employees; provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series (3 doses required) plus a serologic titer (1-2 months after final dose) to document immunity following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident.

· INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor employees have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor employees has a medical contraindication to the vaccine, they shall be required to wear a mask throughout the Influenza season in any VHA location, including both clinical and non-clinical areas. In additional the mask shall be worn during performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities. Contract employees in violation of this requirement may be removed from the providing services under the contract.

· MASKING FOR UNVACCINATED CONTRACT EMPLOYEE: Contract employees may remove the face mask only under the following circumstances:

- When eating or drinking (excluding elevators, hallways or common areas).

- When working in an enclosed office alone.

- When there are physical barriers or at least six feet of distance between the unvaccinated contract employee and any other contract employee, VA health care provider, patient; or other person; for example, when working in a cubicle with its open side at least six feet from anyone else.

- After existing the VHA facilities provided that at least six feet of distance between the unvaccinated contract employee and any other contract employee, VA health care provider, patient, or other person can be maintained.

· SPECIAL NOTICE: COVID-19: Due to the current pandemic, Contractor employees who enter VHA facilities shall wear a mask (either personal or facility issued). Masks must be worn in all public and patient care areas throughout the VHA facilities. Contractor employees will be screened for COVID-19, which, at a minimum, should include:

· Fever (in accordance with facility requirements)

· New or worsening cough or difficulty breathing

· New symptoms of COVID-19 are available at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

j. Any new requirements for mandatory education and/or competency reassessment, which occur during the contract period must be completed by the individual contractor employee(s) within established timeframes.

5. CREDENTIALING & PRIVILEGING

a. Credentials Requested: An application package will be provided by the Credentialing Coordinator and shall be completed by the provider(s) working under this contract and returned within three days receiving the application package. This includes, but is not limited to: Facility-specific paperwork, curriculum vitae/resume, current references, signed release of information from candidate, licenses or certifications, competencies/skills checklist, statement that candidate does not have any physical or mental health condition that would adversely affect his/her ability to carry out assigned duties, and any additional credentialing and privileging forms. An expedited credentialing process may apply during the COVID-19 National Emergency.

b. Candidate will also be required to complete an application through the VetPro Internet process within 3 business days of being enrolled in VetPro. Candidate will need to be enrolled in VetPro by VA personnel. The website address is: https://fcp.vetpro.org. The Facility ID number is 695.

c. National Provider Identifier (NPI): Prior to starting work the contracted individual or contractor may be required to provide the VA with the contracted individual's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. If the contracted individual does not have a NPI number, he/she must make application and receive the number prior to beginning work at the VA. The website for an on-line application is: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do. It may take up to a few weeks to receive the NPI number - so early application is advised. NPI number is required as part of the VetPro application.

d. In accordance with the requirements and procedures of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 – Title IV (Public Law 99-660), which established the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB), the Facility Director will ensure that all individuals who hold clinical privileges are properly screened through the NPDB.

5. APPROVAL OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

a. The VA reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any contractor employee or subcontractor employee under this contract when that individual does not qualify under the requirements of VHA Handbook 1100.19 dated October 15, 2012 and/or the specific VA Hospital/Medical Center Policy on Credentialing and Privileging or fails to perform at the proficiency level expected by the VA Facility Director.

b. In addition, the VA reserves the right to restrict the services or require dismissal any contractor employee or subcontractor employee under this contract, if personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, physical or verbal abuse, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by the patient(s). Standards of conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. The Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative shall deal with issues raised concerning contractor personnel’s conduct. The final decision maker on questions of acceptability is the Contracting Officer.

c. Dress apparel: Contractor personnel shall be required to dress in a professional manner and in accordance with VA Handbook 1850.04, Employee Uniforms at:

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=5377.

6. KEY PERSONNEL & PERSONNEL SUBSTITUTIONS

a. The contractor shall make NO changes of key personnel listed unless the change is necessitated by the individual’s illness, death, or termination of employment or if mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Officer and the contractor. The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, within 5 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (b) below. After the initial 90-day period of the contract, the contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (b) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions. The Contracting Officer must approve all substitutions.

b. The contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the contractor within 15 days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

c. 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.

7. HHS/OIG

a. To ensure that the individuals providing services under the contract have not engaged in fraud or abuse regarding Sections 1128 and 1128A of the Social Security Act regarding federal health care programs, the contractor is required to check the Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG), List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the OIG Website (https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/) for each person providing services under this contract. The listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. During the performance of this contract the contractor is prohibited from using any individual or business listed on the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Any healthcare provider or entity that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals or entities may have a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) imposed against them. By signing this offer, the Contractor certifies that all persons or entities listed in the contractor’s proposal have been compared against the OIG list and are NOT listed as of the date the offer was signed.

8. JOINT COMMISSION STANDARDS

a. Although Joint Commission accreditation is not required, the contractor shall perform the required work in compliance with Joint Commission Standards. A copy of these standards may be obtained from Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.

b. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure the contractor employees or subcontractors providing work on this contract are fully trained and completely competent to perform the required work. Contractor will gather all credentialing documents requested by the Milwaukee VAMC as well as any other documentation that the carrying out this contract may require. However, the contractor is not able to nor is the contractor required to make clinical competence determinations on behalf of the Milwaukee VAMC.

9. PERSONNEL POLICY

a. The contractor shall be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility, to the extent required by law, the contractor shall provide the following for these personnel:

i. Workers’ compensation

ii. Professional liability insurance

iii. Health examinations/immunizations/vaccinations

b. The parties agree that the contractor, its employees, agents and subcontractors shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

c. The VA shall notify the contractor of any significant communicable disease exposure as appropriate. The contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel (AIJC 1998: 26:2890354) for disease control. The contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to contractor’s or subcontractor’s employee(s) return.

10. RECORD KEEPING – CONTRACTOR

a. Contractor must establish a record keeping system of contractor employee hours worked and make this information available to the VA as needed.

11. MEDICAL RECORDS

a. Clinical or other medical records of VA veteran patients treated by contract providers under this contract are VA records.

12. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT RECORDS

a. The Contractor is a VA contractor and will assist in the provision of health care to patients seeking such care from or through VA. As such, the Contractor is considered as being part of the Department health care activity. Contractor is considered to be a VA contractor for purposes of the Privacy Act, Title 5 U.S.C. 552a. Further, for the purpose of VA records access and patient confidentiality, Contractor is considered to be a VA contractor for the following provisions: Title 38 U.S.C. 5701, 5705, and 7332. Therefore, Contractor may have access, as would other appropriate components of VA, to patient medical records including patient treatment records pertaining to drug and alcohol abuse, HIV, and sickle cell anemia, to the extent necessary to perform its contractual responsibilities. However, like other components of the Department, and not withstanding any other provisions of the sharing agreement, the Contractor is restricted from making disclosures of VA records, or information contained in such records, to which it may have access, except to the extent that explicit disclosure authority from VA has been received. The Contractor is subject to the same penalties and liabilities for unauthorized disclosures of such records as VA.

b. The records referred to above shall be and remain the property of VA and shall not be removed or transferred from VA except in accordance with 38 U.S.C.552a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records), 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records) and federal laws, rules and overtime. Subject to applicable federal confidentiality or privacy laws, the Contractor, or their designated representatives, and designated representatives of federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over Contractor, may have access to VA’s records, at VA’s place of business on request during normal business hours, to inspect and review and make copies of such records.

13. HIPAA COMPLIANCE

a. Contractor must adhere to the provisions of Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the National Standards to Protect the Privacy and Security of Protected Health Information (PHI). As required by HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has promulgated rules governing the security and use and disclosure of protected health information by covered entities, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

b. Contract Nursing staff qualify as healthcare providers for treatment and is conducting health care on VA’s behalf – therefore, no Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with VA is required.

14. DESIGNATION OF CONTRACT REPRESENTATIVE

a. An individual will be designated as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR will furnish technical guidance and advice regarding the work being performed under this contract. The foregoing is not to be construed as authorization to interpret or furnish advice and information to the contractor relative to the financial or legal aspects of the contract. Enforcement of these segments is vested in and is the responsibility of the Contracting Officer. The extent and limitations of this designation will be provided in the COR Delegation Memo.

15. CONTRACT PERFORMANCE MONITORING

a. Monitoring of contractor’s performance shall be demonstrated through clinical and administrative record reviews. COR will be responsible for verifying contract compliance. Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will designate appropriate Milwaukee VAMC personnel to monitor services through one or a combination of the following mechanisms:

i. Departments being served will monitor contractor performance to ensure that services called for in the contract have been received by Milwaukee VAMC in a timely manner. Any incidents of contractor noncompliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures will be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.

ii. Documentation of services performed will be reviewed prior to certifying payment. The COR will perform periodic spot checks and document with the using service to ensure records monitoring. VA will pay only for services actually provided, and in strict accordance with the Price Schedule. Contract monitoring and recordkeeping procedures will be sufficient to ensure proper payment and allow audit verification that services were provided.

iii. The Community Care Nurse Manager reviews monitoring data. An internal time-keeping form is maintained and reviewed for total number of hours worked per month. Contractor employees’ timesheets are reviewed against their assigned shift to verify that the services were received.

iv. Invoices are generated to VA Finance Center that forwards to service's administrative assistant for review. The administrative assistant verifies services were actually performed against the schedule and logs. Only after verification are invoices certified for payment.

v. The using service, through the COR, will provide a written statement to the Contracting Officer to include a summary of contractor actions and a statement that all requirements of the contract have been fulfilled as agreed. This summary evaluation will be submitted 15 days prior to expiration of contract (and/or prior to election of option renewals, if applicable).

b. Contractor's employee(s) may not certify bills for payment.

16. QUALITY ASSURANCE MONITORING

a. Copies of provider licensure/certification are required to be submitted to the Contracting Officer. In addition, updated Joint Commission survey results for the contractor, if Joint Commission certified, shall be forwarded to the COR upon receipt.

b. The contractor will meet or communicate with the VA Community Care staff for process review and improvement of contract performance on an as needed basis.

c. Quality factors that VA may consider when monitoring quality of care may include, but are not limited to: licensing/certification, scheduling and attendance, invoicing, medical record and care coordination documentation, and completion of required training.

d. These monitoring procedures are further illustrated in the following Performance Requirements Summary Matrix:

e. Reporting Adverse Events: 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 notify the VA of adverse events (as defined above) involving VA patients within 24 hours of having knowledge of the incident. The VA may review specific findings, conclusions, recommendations, written plans for corrective action taken in response to conclusions and recommendations and evaluation for those corrective actions.

17. PROHIBITION OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S.

a. The entire performance of the contract shall be within the borders of the United States of America, the District of Columbia and/or Puerto Rico. The contractor shall not access any VA data/information (for example, by remote computer access) from locations that are outside the above-stated borders. Furthermore, the contractor shall not send, transfer, mail or otherwise transmit any VA data/information to locations outside the above-stated borders.

18. CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION - CITIZENSHIP-RELATED REQUIREMENTS

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

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

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

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

d. Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. This certification shall be made as part of the offeror’s response to the RFQ using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

19. PAYMENT

a. Contractor’s employees must be present at the VA and must be performing the required services for the period specified within the contract or the invoices will be decreased accordingly during each billing cycle. Ultimate resolution of any work hour related dispute rests with the Contracting Officer.

b. Timesheets: Contractor employees will be required to sign-in/sign-out (including ½-hour lunch time when applicable), identifying arrival and departure times from the VA facility. All contractor employees performing under on this contract will have individual timesheets. The timesheets will be used to document the number of hours worked. The COR will reconcile the contractor invoices with VA records to ensure this monitoring requirement is being adequately observed. Invoices will reflect actual hours worked. The contractor will be reimbursed for only those number of hours identified on the timesheets. The VA pays in 15-minute increments; partial hours shall be rounded to the nearest 15-minute increment up or down using normal rounding rules.

c. The VA agrees to reimburse the contractor for services performed, minus any deductions, paid monthly, in arrears, upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice submitted by the contractor. Payments made by the VA under this contract shall constitute the total cost of services provided by the contractor. The contractor hereby agrees; that in no event, shall contractor bill, charge, collect a deposit from, seek compensation, remuneration, or reimbursement from, or have any recourse against the beneficiary, the beneficiary’s family, private insurer, Medicare or any other entity acting on the beneficiary’s behalf, for services provided pursuant to this contract. Billings rendered by the contractor to the VA for services furnished a VA beneficiary under the terms of this contract shall be billings in full. This provision shall survive the termination or ending of the contract.

d. Reduction in Services: This is a fixed quantity contract for a specified number of hours. If, at the end of the period of performance, the Government has not utilized the total number of hours required under this contract because of a change in its anticipated need, the parties will enter into a modification reducing the scope of the contract with a corresponding adjustment in the total contract price.

d. The payment for any leave, to include sick leave, annual leave, administrative leave, and holidays, are the responsibility of the contractor. The VA will not reimburse the contractor for COVID-19 related absences.

20. REQUIRED REGISTRATION WITH CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (CPARS)

a. As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed the thresholds outlined in FAR Part 42.15, and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials through an online database, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). The CPARS database information is available to all Federal agencies.

b. Each contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed the thresholds outlined in FAR Part

42.15 is required to provide to the contracting officer contact information for the contractor’s…