36C25221R0003 0001.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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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

D. OTHER

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) 12-01-2020 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

36C25221R0003 11-17-2020

X X X December 9, 2020 at 2:00pm CST The purpose of this amendment is to add Section 8 VA Transportation Service Contracts to the Performance Work Statement.

This section has been added to the PWS in red text.

Maureen Falaschi

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

**Amendment 0001: Section 8 has been added to the PWS in red text**

1. Purpose: The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (hereafter JBVA), its associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and affiliated healthcare clinics require contracted non-emergency ambulance transportation services. The contractor shall provide all vehicles, personnel, management, supplies, equipment, and necessary reporting for the provision of Stretcher Transports, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), Critical Care Transport (CCT) services, and Transport of Deceased. The contactor shall make these ambulance services available to the VA as needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7), including weekends and holidays.

2. Background: The JBVA main campus is located downtown Chicago at 820 S. Damen Ave., serving over 62,000 veterans, primarily from the Chicago metro service area and it’s four (4) Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The hospital has 200 inpatient beds and sees approximately 8,100 -inpatient admissions and 560,000 outpatient visits a year.

3. Acronyms ALS – Advanced Life Support AOD – Administrative Officers of the Day BLS – Basic Life Support CCT – Critical Care Transport CCTP – Critical Care Transport Paramedic CCEMTP – Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport CO – Contracting Officer COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation DOL – Department of Labor EMT – Emergency Medical Technician IAW – In Accordance With OO – Ordering Officer PWS – Performance Work Statement QASP – Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC – Quality Control Plan TB – Tuberculosis TJC – The Joint Commission VTS – Veteran Transportation Service

4. Scope/Requirements

4.1. Types of Ambulance Service

4.1.1. The contractor shall provide non-emergent Stretcher Transports, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Critical Care Transport (CCT) Tier 1, 2, and 3 ambulance services on an as-needed basis in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

4.1.2. The contractor shall provide Transport of Deceased services on an as-needed basis in accordance with state law.

4.2. Transport of Miscellaneous Items with the Patient

The Contractor may also be required to transport patient luggage, medical records, medication, and comfort items from pickup points to destination at no additional cost to the Government. Luggage to be transported will be restricted to suitcase and valise types. When patients are transported to the JBVA, destination is deemed to be the ER, Admissions, the clinic or service within the hospital, or directly to the ward as instructed by VA Staff.

4.3. Contractor Personnel

Contractor personnel shall be courteous and conduct themselves in a businesslike manner at all times while providing services under this contract.

4.3.1. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Critical Care Transport Paramedics (CCTPs) & Other Personnel

4.3.1.1. EMTs, CCTPs and other medical personnel (as applicable) shall at all times meet the qualifications specified in this contract as well as all applicable federal, state, and local government laws, regulations, and standards. EMTs, CCTPs and other medical personnel (as applicable) shall be certified, licensed, or otherwise officially recognized by the local, state, or regional government or public entity where the emergency service is operated or by which it is governed.

4.3.1.2. If the contractor wishes to add or replace personnel throughout the life of the contract, it shall provide evidence of required training, certifications, licensing, and any other qualifications to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for review.

4.3.1.3. All ambulance drivers shall have a valid driver’s license in accordance with state requirements for their place of operation and the services they perform. If the contractor wishes to add or replace drivers throughout the life of the contract, it shall provide a valid driver’s license to the COR.

4.3.1.4. CCTPs shall have met all state requirements for the tier in which they are performing services in (I, II, III). Proof in the form of a current certificate for the successful completion of such must be provided to the COR upon request

4.3.1.5. Investigative Requirements for Contract Personnel: Contract personnel will be subject to the same investigative requirements as those for regular VA appointees and employees. The level of investigation commensurate with the level of access to perform the performance work statement is: Special Agreement Checks (SAC). Fingerprinting for contract personnel will be conducted at JBVA. Thereafter the contracted employees will be subject annually to the same requirement, with a 90-day window to complete such requirement as provided by JBVA. The VA Security and Investigation Center (SIC) is responsible for adjudicating all background investigations for contract employees.

4.3.1.6. EMTs, CCTPs, and other contractor personnel as applicable must pass the Contractor’s background check and must not have been convicted of (or have any pending charges for) a felony for the past five years. Personnel (and Contractor) must report any new or additional charges or convictions if they arise during the course of performance under this contract so VA can review them and determine whether the employee in question needs to be discharged of his or her duties until the matter is adjudicated.

4.3.2. Tuberculosis Exposure Control Policy

4.3.2.1. The contractor shall provide the VA with a policy on tuberculosis (TB) exposure and control, to include TB decontamination.

4.3.2.2. The contractor shall have its personnel tested for TB in accordance with state guidelines and provide written confirmation to the COR that all personnel (current employees and any new hires) performing services under this contract are current in their TB test by at the start of each Ordering Period.

4.4. Contractor Equipment, Vehicles, and Inspection

4.4.1. Ambulances shall meet all applicable federal, state and local regulations and specifications, including but not limited to licensing, registration, and safety standards.

4.4.2. The VA reserves the right to inspect the contractor’s equipment and vehicles or require documentation of compliance with state laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines governing emergency medical transport vehicles (ambulances). VA inspections of contractor equipment do not constitute a warranty or guarantee that the contractor’s vehicles and equipment are properly maintained. The VA reserves the right to restrict the contractor’s use of equipment and vehicles in the performance of this contract which are not in compliance with contract requirements. The restriction of such equipment and vehicles shall not relieve the contractor from performance in accordance with the contract nor necessitate additional cost to the VA.

4.4.3. Vehicles shall be clean and maintained in good repair in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

4.4.4. The contractor shall not borrow or exchange supplies, equipment, and/or medications with the VA. Equipment attached to or in use by the patient at time of pick-up may remain with the patient during transport to ensure continuity of care. Medical Control Authorities are responsible for maintaining and supplying medication during patient transport. All VA equipment and unused medications must be returned to VA during patient drop-off or as promptly as feasible within 24 hours.

4.4.5. The contractor shall furnish all linen required for patient transport at no additional cost. Linen shall not be exchanged with linen belonging to JBVA or its CBOCs.

4.4.6. The contractor must be capable of transporting the drugs and/or equipment as required by the patient as listed in Attachment A Critical Care Transport Capabilities Confirmation. The contractor shall have the appropriate medications, up to and including CCT Tier III if necessary, based on the EMS region the ambulance provider is functioning in.

4.5. Transportation Request

4.5.1. Scheduling

4.5.1.1. A transportation request is defined as one incidence of a request for one-way service (Stretcher Transports, BLS, ALS, CCT, Deceased). No more than one patient will be transported per order unless approved by an authorized VA staff.

4.5.1.2. Transportation requests will be made through VETRIDE. Contractors must have the capability to receive orders, update ride status, and input trip costs and other required data through this portal. Contractors must have dedicated staff available to monitor this portal 24/7. JBVA Travel Program Staff will be available to assist with account setup and training for the Contractor’s Staff. In the event VETRIDE is down, other methods of communication (ie. telephone, facsimile) will be used to place Transportation requests.

4.5.1.2.1. JBVA Travel Program Staff will work with the Contractor the following business day to reconcile any transportation requests that were placed outside of VETRIDE.

4.5.1.2.2. The Contractor must update VETRIDE with any data and/or notes in real time that deviate from the original order such as invoicing for additional mileage due to a road closure, wait time, reason for no load, etc. JBVA Travel Program Staff may place a “hold” on payment of this order until it has been reconciled.

4.5.1.3. Only the following VA staff are authorized to place, cancel, or make changes to transportation requests:

· Beneficiary Travel Office Staff

· Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

· All Administrative Officers of the Day (AOD) Ordering Officers may be authorized to place orders against this contract. The Contracting Officer will furnish the Contractor with the names of individuals above, who are authorized as Ordering Officers, by separate memorandum upon issuance of the contract. The Contracting Officer will update this list throughout the life of the contract as Ordering Officers change. Ordering Officers are responsible for issuing and administering orders placed under this contract. Ordering Officers have no authority to modify any term of this basic contract. Any deviation from the terms of the basic contract must be approved in writing by the Contracting Officer responsible for this contract. The Contractor shall accept orders against this contract only from the Contracting Officer and/or authorized ordering officers. Fulfilling orders from persons other than the Contracting Officer or ordering officer may result in loss or delay in payment for supplies/services provided under such orders.

Non-authorized VA employees and private agencies (e.g. nursing homes) are not considered authorized to place transportation requests.

4.5.1.3.1. For each transportation request, the contractor will be given the patient’s name, pick-up appointment time, pickup address, caregiver/escort information (if applicable), drop-off address, and other applicable details. Orders may be confirmed via VETRIDE.

4.5.1.4. For ALL Transports – an Audit system will be put in place by the VA to include the COR or designee, Beneficiary Travel Department staff, and clinical staff to ensure appropriateness of the order and timeliness of the response.

4.5.1.5. The type of transportation service (Stretcher Transports, BLS, ALS, CCT, Deceased) required will be discussed and determined by VA clinical personnel and the contractor. The contractor shall transport the patient per its policies and standard industry practice. If the type of transportation service differs from what was agreed upon by the VA and contractor, the contractor shall submit documentation to the VA explaining its rationale.

4.5.1.6. The VA may authorize an escort (e.g. spouse, relative, guardian, etc.) to accompany the patient during medical transport if it is practicable and in the patient’s best interest. The contractor shall allow the escort to accompany the patient at no additional cost.

4.5.1.7. The contractor shall have sufficient vehicles and personnel to provide services for up to four (4) simultaneous transportation requests. Transports required may be for any mix of Stretcher Transports, BLS, ALS, or Deceased transports. One of these four simultaneous transports may require CCT capability up to Tier III. If JBVA requires ambulance services exceeding four (4) simultaneous transportation requests, the vendor will be offered to provide the services if they have sufficient vehicles/personnel available; but may decline these additional orders if sufficient vehicles/personnel are unavailable.

4.5.1.8. The number of transports under normal operating conditions will typically range from 28-38 transports each weekday and significantly less on weekends and holidays. The number of actual transports may vary throughout the life of the contract.

4.5.1.9. Response Times*

4.5.1.9.1. Orders that are scheduled by 7pm local time the day before the required services are defined as scheduled in advance. With the exceptions found in 4.5.1.9.3 below, the contractor shall arrive on time for all orders scheduled in advance.

4.5.1.9.2. For all transportation requests, with pick up at JBVA:

a. The contractor will be allotted up to a sixty (60) minute response time from time of order placement for transportation requests that are not previously scheduled in advance.

b. For an urgent transport request for a critical patient (as deemed by the physician) with pick up at JBVA, the contractor will be allotted up to a thirty (30) minute response time.

4.5.1.9.3. For transportation requests which do not have a pick-up at JBVA:

a. The contractor may be required, if requested by the VA, to dispatch ambulances on short notice for transportation request not scheduled in advance; for these transportation requests the contractor shall dispatch ambulances within fifteen (15) minutes of receiving the order;

b. Pick-up appointment times shall be agreed upon by the VA and contractor at time of order placement and be reasonable based upon travel distance, speed limits, and weather conditions. The contractor’s patient pick-up time shall not deviate by more than thirty (30) minutes.

c. The contractor’s patient pick-up time shall not deviate by more than thirty (30) minutes of the scheduled pick-up time for transportation requests scheduled in advance.

* The contractor shall not be held liable for nonperformance caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, and unusually severe weather. The contractor MUST notify the VA with as much advance notice as possible should any of these occur.

4.5.2. Cancellations

4.5.2.1. For trips in which the contractor is notified of cancellation before the vehicle is dispatched, there shall be no charge to the Government.

4.5.2.1.1. A “no show” is defined as a transportation request which is cancelled after the contractor has dispatched a vehicle, the vehicle is enroute, or has arrived at the pick-up location, and there is no longer a requirement for patient transportation. The contractor may request one-way reimbursement for no-shows. No-show reimbursement shall be based upon the base rate for the type of service requested (Stretcher Transports, BLS, ALS, CCT) and the one-way mileage (Stretcher Transports, BLS, ALS, CCT) accrued enroute to the pick-up location at time of cancellation. Mileage for no-show cancellations shall be confirmed by the contractor and reported to the VA as soon as possible from time of cancellation.

4.5.2.2. For transportation requests OUT of JBVA ONLY – The contractor will immediately dispatch a vehicle upon receipt of the order (including transportation requests in which the final destination may change prior to pick up due to the critical condition of the patient). When the contractor is notified of a cancellation prior to arrival at the JBVA campus, there shall be no charge to the Government.

4.6. Pick-Up/Drop-Off/Reporting Procedures

4.6.1. Ambulance personnel shall pick-up and deliver patients at specified locations (e.g. front door of Damen Entrance). These locations will be specified by VA staff when an order is placed and communicated to the transporting personnel.

4.6.2. When applicable, ambulance personnel shall report to the Veteran Transportation Service (VTS) Dispatcher or Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD) to (1) announce his/her arrival to pick-up and transfer the patient and (2) obtain report of pertinent information regarding the patient’s condition from the primary nurse/physician.

4.6.3. When delivering a patient, ambulance personnel shall give report to the appropriate VA healthcare staff and provide a copy of the run sheet which will be retained by the facility for inclusion to the patient’s medical record.

4.6.4. In cases where ambulance personnel must divert to a local emergency department while performing a VA authorized transport, the contractor’s dispatcher shall notify the VA Beneficiary Travel Department or Administrative Officer of the Day of the patient’s location and status as soon as this information becomes available.

4.7. Patient Welfare

4.7.1. The contractor shall be responsible for the patient’s welfare during transport. The contractor shall be held responsible for patient and/or VA property during transport. Any damaged or lost wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or personal belongings shall be replaced at the contractor’s expense.

4.7.2. The VA requires the contractor to exercise extreme caution and care in the handling of patients.

4.8. Incident Reporting

4.8.1. The contractor shall notify the COR, Requestor, Program Manager, Beneficiary Travel Department, of any accidents and/or safety problems that occur while the patient is being transported. This notification shall occur within one (1) hour by telephone. A written report of the incident shall be delivered to the COR, Program Manager, or Beneficiary Travel Department, by the close of business of the next working day.

4.8.2. The COR will monitor the service provided. The contractor shall cooperate with the COR in providing information and answering questions in a timely manner. The contractor shall promptly inform the COR of any complaints received directly from patients. If warranted, the VA may conduct incident investigations and require written response from the contractor within 48 hours of request.

4.9. Invoicing

4.9.1. Each transport shall include thirty (30) minutes of wait time; the contractor may invoice for wait times in excess of this initial thirty (30) minutes. Wait time shall begin only once the contractor has both reached the pick-up address location and the appointment time has elapsed. All wait times shall be itemized and invoiced in fifteen (15) minute intervals. For partial fifteen (15) minute intervals, zero (0) to seven (7) minutes shall be rounded down to zero (0) minutes and eight (8) to fifteen (15) minutes rounded up to fifteen (15) minutes.

4.9.2. When invoicing for mileage, the contractor shall round to the nearest mile. Mileage ending in .5 or higher shall be rounded up to the nearest mile. Mileage ending in .4 or lower shall be rounded down to the nearest mile. Payment for mileage to or from the point of care shall be limited to the VA’s calculation according to the VA’s Bing Maps API determination. Bing Maps API is optimized to determine mileage based on the shortest time of travel.

4.9.3. If unloaded mileage exceeds loaded mileage, the contractor may invoice for a flat fee only if the following also occur:

· Unloaded mileage exceeds 75 miles

· The contractor does not deviate from a route to intentionally make unloaded mileage exceed loaded mileage.

4.9.4. With the exception of “no shows” defined in 4.5.2.1.1 above and trips when unloaded mileage exceeds loaded mileage in accordance with 4.9.3, the contractor shall invoice for loaded (patient onboard) services and mileage only. The contractor shall submit an electronic invoice weekly for services of the preceding week. Electronic invoices shall be submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Service Center. These invoices shall not include patient information, but shall include the following:

· Contractor Name and Contract Number

· Current Purchase Order Number

· Dates of service

· Total amount invoiced including a summary of the total number of charges that align with the line items of this contract (ie. total number of BLS Base Rate, total BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

· An itemized list of charges or services rendered that align with the line items of this contract (ie. BLS Base Rate, BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

Additionally, a copy of the invoice along with secondary documentation shall be provided to the COR. This may be delivered via fax, email, or hand carried. The secondary documentation must include the following information:

· Contractor name and telephone number for billing questions

· Contract Number

· Current Purchase Order Number

· Dates of service

· Name of the patient

· Date and time of pick-up/drop-off

· Address for pick-up/drop-off

· Daily itemized listing of transports and charges that align with the line items of this contract. List shall include patient’s name, the last four digits of the SSN, date of transport, and pick‐up/drop‐off points.

· Total amount invoiced including a summary of the total number of charges that align with the line items of this contract (ie. total number of BLS Base Rate, total BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

4.9.5. Invoices may be paid by the Government using Purchase Order Numbers or Delivery Order Numbers.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE VA BENEFICIARIES, THIRD PARTY INSURANCES, MEDICARE OR MEDICAID TO BE BILLED FOR THE SERVICES PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT.

5. Period & Place of Performance

5.1. This contract’s ordering period shall be effective from Date of Award through December 31, 2025.

5.2. The Place of Performance is variable and may occur within the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana; ambulance services may be required to or from locations including, but not limited to the following:

5.2.1. Jesse Brown VA Medical Center to include specific Atrium Clinics, Emergency Department, pavilions, or out-buildings on the JBVA campus. The JBVA address is: 820 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612.

5.2.2. JBVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs):

5.2.3. Other VA Medical Centers, Hospitals, or CBOCs within Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12 including, but not limited to:

VA Illiana Health Care System 1900 E. Main St.

Danville, IL 61832

5.2.4. Other Non-VA Medical facilities and Community Care facilities as authorized by the VA.

5.2.5. Veteran’s residence.

5.2.6. Local airports including Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

6. Quality Control Plan

6.1. Quality Control

6.1.1. The contractor shall maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) that contains, at a minimum, the following:

6.1.1.1. A description of the company’s organizational structure including a description of the roles and responsibilities of management and supervisors.

6.1.1.2. A description of the methods to be used by the contractor for identifying and preventing deficiencies or problems in the quality of service.

6.1.1.3. A description of the specific steps the contractor will take for corrective action if needed if a deficiency or problem in the quality of service occurs.

6.1.1.4. A description of the company’s records and tracking system used to identify up-to-date background checks, applicable certifications and tests, and training of each employee performing services under this contract.

6.1.1.5. A description of the method used to provide on-time ambulance services to meet the requirements of this contract (24/7 availability and up to 4 simultaneous transports in accordance with PWS 4.5.1.7).

6.1.1.6. A description of the methods used to identify and prevent radio communication breakdowns and a detailed procedure for alternative communications in the event of electronic and mechanical breakdown of vehicle two-way radios.

6.1.1.7. A description of the method/system used to log all requests for service. The contractor shall confirm that the log indicates the date and time of service call, actual time of pick-up versus the scheduled time, name of patient requiring services, designated pick-up and delivery points, mileage, and actual waiting time at pick-up and delivery points if waiting charges are claimed. The contractor shall confirm the log will be sent to the COR monthly.

6.1.2. The Government will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract to ensure that the contractor’s QCP is adequate, and that quality is achieved through a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

6.1.3. The Government shall prepare a QASP after contract award derived from the PWS and contractor’s submitted quality control plan. The QASP is a “living document” and the Government may review and revise it at any time. However, the Government shall coordinate changes to the QASP with the contractor.

6.1.4. The QASP will specify the work requiring surveillance and the Government’s method of surveillance.

6.2. Minimum Performance Standards

6.2.1. The contractor shall maintain performance standards in accordance with the standards outlined in the table below. Failure to meet the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) may result in termination of the contract.

6.2.2. The QASP will include the standards below as well as others derived from the successful offeror’s quality control plan.

7. COVID-19 OR OTHER SIMILAR INFECTIOUS DISEASES

7.1. Contractor shall not refuse transports of COVID-19 positive or other similarly infected patients.

7.2. Contractor shall abide by all additional procedures and precautions that may be implemented by the VA based on VA-issued guidance and/or CDC recommendations. These procedures are subject to change throughout the life of the contract and will be incorporated via attachment (See S02 VTS Patient Transport PPE and Vehicle Cleaning/Disinfection SOP)

7.3. Contractor shall have written policy of steps they will take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other similarly infectious diseases by their employees and/or vehicles. This policy shall, at a minimum, include procedures of screening drivers before each shift, deliberate decontamination of their vehicles and all other preventative precautions taken by Contractor employees.

7.4. Contractor shall furnish all required PPE throughout the life of the contract.

8. VA TRANSPORTATION SERVICE CONTRACTS

The solicitation and subsequent contract include FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS). The Offeror and resultant contract awardee, by signing the offer and contract, is acknowledging they have reviewed the clause and will fully comply throughout the contract period. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to determine and pay the appropriate prevailing wage rate and fringe benefits for the location. The Government will not be held responsible for any mistakes in applying the SCLS.

VA reminds contractors of the Department of Labor Regulations which implement the SCLS and which read at 29 CFR § 4.115:

Employee coverage does not depend on form of employment contract. The Act, in section 8(b), makes it plain that the coverage of service employees depends on whether their work for the contractor or subcontractor on a covered contract is that of a service employee as defined in section 8(b) and not on any contractual relationship that may be alleged to exist between the contractor or subcontractor and such persons. In other words, any person, except those discussed in §4.156 below, who performs work called for by a contract or that portion of a contract subject to the Act is, per se, a service employee. Thus, for example, a person's status as an “owner-operator” or an “independent contractor” is immaterial in determining coverage under the Act and all such persons performing the work of service employees must be compensated in accordance with the Act's requirements.