36C25621R0176 0003.pdf

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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

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1 21

None

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 16

Central Arkansas Veterans HCS

2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg 41, Room 200

North Little Rock AR 72114 1706

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 16

Central Arkansas Veterans HCS

2200 Fort Roots Drive, Bldg 41, Room 200

North Little Rock AR 72114 1706

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25621R0176

X

X

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to answer all Questions received from contractors in response to solicitation

36C25621R0176_1 Agency Nurses for New Orleans that were received before the due date of 14 January 2022 at 3PM Central

Time.

The answers to some of the questions below include amended revisions and additions to the original solicitation that will become official upon submission of this amendment. All portions of the original solicitation that are not amended by this document, or the two previous amendments 0001 and 0002, remain as originally stated.

The due date for proposals remains as the extended date specified in amendment 0002 as 15 February 2022 at 3PM Central

Time. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Billy Morris

Contracting Officer

Below are All Questions received from contractors in response to solicitation

36C25621R0176_1 Agency Nurses for New Orleans that were received before the due date of 14 January 2022 at 3PM Central Time. The answers to some of the questions below include amended revisions and additions to the original solicitation that will become official upon submission of this amendment. All portions of the original solicitation that are not amended by this amendment, and previous amendments 0001 and 0002, remain as originally stated.

1. Page 5 – Page 8 Item – B.1 Price Schedule

The requisition calls for both Local Nurses and Travel Nurses in very specific quantities for very specific areas. If a Local Nurse is not readily available, may we substitute a

Travel Nurse for that position? By the same token if a Travel nurse is not readily available may we substitute a Local Nurse?

Answer: All quantities (Hours) in the price schedule are estimated quantities as indicated in the heading of the schedule. Local RNs shall be utilized first for the 36 hours per week to the maximum extent practicable followed by Travel RNs. Utilize

Travel nurses when Local Nurses are not available. Page 8 of the solicitation states that “The Local Registered Nurses (RNs) will be defined as any RN with a residence within a 50-mile radius of The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health

Care System (SLVHCS) at 2400 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119 utilizing Google

Maps to look up the most direct route to determine the distance.” Any nurses utilized that live beyond the 50-mile radius will be considered Travel Nurse and paid at the Travel Nurse rate.

2. Page 8 specifies that “overtime rates will be paid at the regular hourly rate proposed”, we assume this means that overtime bill rate (when approved by appropriate SLHVHS designate) will be 1.5 % of the approved regular bill rate for that position. Is that correct?

Note: there is no place on rate sheet to put OT, so it is assumed it will be 1.5X the respective regular hour bill rate?

Answer: SLVHCS will not pay overtime rates or holiday pay on this contract.

3. Page 9 Item B.2 Services

“Contractors’ personnel shall be subject to the quality assurance standards established by the Joint Commission and shall perform in accordance with ethical, professional and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures, and protocol”. The Joint Commission is the established governing authority for hospitals, and they are the recognized gold standard for the nurse staffing industry.

Most clients and established staffing programs require that their providers (agencies) be

Joint Commission certified. Being Joint Commission certified involves an arduous qualification process and requires any agency who attains Joint Commission certification to ongoing audits and assurance of compliance of standards. Will the VA require that the selected agency be Joint Commission certified?

Answer: No

And if not- will the source selection authority consider Joint Commission certification in their decision process?

4. Page 13 Item 3. Scheduling states “contract staff are required to schedule a minimum of six (6) shifts per month inclusive of weekday/weekend and at last one (1) Holiday from each of the following groups”. It is standard and customary in our industry for nurses to be paid a premium for working holidays, however, there does not seem to be a provision for Holiday Pay in the bid process. Is that something that can be reconsidered in order to be more consistent with industry standards?

Answer: SLVHCS is not considering Holiday Pay.

5. Page 13 Item 3. Scheduling and Page 14 Item 4. Tour of Duty Item 3 states that

“SLVHCS does not guarantee a set number of hours for any agency personnel”. Yet it requires that “For RNs scheduling will be available for 12-hour shifts, must be available for a minimum of 36 hours /week; for LPN’s and CNAs scheduling will be in 8 hours shifts not less than 32 hours a week” I think we must delineate between per diem nurses and Travel nurses. Travel nurses are temporarily relocating to an area from at least 50 miles and in many cases much farther away, they are renting apartments or arranging for long term lodging, to make that commitment they must be guaranteed a minimum of

36 hours a week of work.

Answer: Travel nurses will be guaranteed a minimum of 36 hours/week. Per diem nurses do not have a minimum number of hours to meet.

This amendment hereby revises the following: Page 13 Item 3. Scheduling

Paragraph 2 will be amended from:

“SLVHCS does not guarantee a set number of hours for any agency personnel.

For RNs scheduling will be available for 12-hour shifts, must be available for a minimum of 36 hours/week); for LPN and CNA scheduling will be in 8 hour shifts not less than 32 hour/week. The VA will not pay for hours not worked. Contractor shall maintain sufficient VA credentialed staff to meet service requests for uncovered shifts. Additionally, there may be opportunities for unscheduled PRN shifts. Contractor shall confirm with VA the ability to meet all scheduled coverage requirements upon award of the contract.”

To read the following:

“SLVHCS will guarantee Travel Nurses a minimum of 36 hours per week and per diem nurses do not have a minimum number of hours guaranteed. For RNs scheduling will be available for 12-hour shifts, must be available for a minimum of

36 hours/week); for LPN and CNA scheduling will be in 8 hour shifts not less than

32 hour/week. The VA will not pay for hours not worked. Contractor shall maintain sufficient VA credentialed staff to meet service requests for uncovered shifts.

Additionally, there may be opportunities for unscheduled PRN shifts. Contractor shall confirm with VA the ability to meet all scheduled coverage requirements upon award of the contract.

6. Item 4 States “SLVHCS has a need for a mix of per diem as needed and/or 4–8-week contracts”. Can we conclude that all Travel Nurses will be offered guaranteed contracts of at least 36 hours a week for a prescribed period? This will be critical to any and all providers’ ability to attract and retain Travel nurses for this project. No Travel nurse will accept an assignment without guaranteed hours.

Answer: Travel nurses will be guaranteed a minimum of 36 hours/week as amended in item 5 of this amendment.

7. Page 14 Item 4. Tour of Duty States “notification of required needs may be between 24-

48 hours”. While this requirement is certainly reasonable and customary for per diem nurses and CNAs who are standing ready (have already been through orientation and training) This amount of notice is not reasonable and customary for Traveling Nurses who typically need 7-10 days to be positioned for an assignment. Is this something that can be reconsidered in order to be more consistent with industry standards?

Answer: Travel nurses will be guaranteed a minimum of 36 hours/week and have a set schedule as amended in item 5 of this amendment. Per diem nurses are as needed. We may not know more than 24 hours in advance due to unforeseen absences.

8. Page 14 Item 3. First Paragraph on page 14 “The VA reserves the right to cancel or change any scheduled shifts of any contract personnel with at least a two-hour notice to contractor prior to cancellation of shift, with no cost to the VA.” Whereas this is customary practice in the Per Diem world and can be accommodated with no issues. It is generally not acceptable in the Travel Nurse world because Travel nurses require guaranteed hours. No Travel Nurse will accept an assignment that does not include guaranteed hours and allows for cancellations. Is this an item that can be reconsidered in order to be more consistent with the industry standards?

9. Page 16 Item 7: SLVHCS conducted Training requirements Item states; “The government requires that personnel attend the following training classes provided by

SLVHCS prior to reporting to work” This of course presents the question of when these classes will be offered? For Travel Nurses typically this type of training and orientation is provided by the facility at the start of a Travel Assignment. (Travel Nurses will not come in in advance for this) Will training and orientation be for Travel Nurses at the beginning of their respective assignment?

Answer: Travel and per diem staff are required to attend nursing orientation at the beginning of their assignment.

Typically, Per Diem Nurses and CNAs training and orientation is done in advance so that the nurses and CNAs are standing ready for when they are needed? Will that be the case for per diem nurses and CNAs for this project?

Answer: Yes, they are also required to attend nursing orientation.

Also- it would be ideal if we could orient and train enough per diem nurses prior to start of project but experience tells us that there will be attrition and fallout. Therefore, there will be an ongoing need for the availability and facilitation of training and orientation.

Can SLVHCS make this available to us?

Answer: We can not guarantee training an unlimited supply of per diem nurses.

SLVHCS will discuss how many per diem nurses are required.

10. Page 16 and 17 item 7. Item states “SLVHCS conducted training requirements we be at the contractor’s expense, with the exception for nursing service basic orientation.” This provision requires the agency to absorb 20 hours of training and orientation (more if working in multiple areas) which is excessive for our industry. Most clients require that we absorb the first 8 hours or training and orientation and allow us to bill them for any required training or orientation after that first 8 hours. This is particularly burdensome for our per diem nurses and CNAs when in fact they are not guaranteed a minimum number of actual work hours. Is this something that can be reconsidered to be more consistent with industry standards?

Answer: Agency will absorb the first 8 hours and SLVHCS provides any additional training and comprehensive orientation.

This amendment hereby revises the following on page 17 of the original solicitation under Item 7 from the following:

“SLVHCS CONDUCTED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE AT THE

CONTRACTOR’S EXPENSE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NURSING SERVICE BASIC

ORIENTATION.”

To the following: “SLVHCS CONDUCTED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE AT

THE CONTRACTOR’S EXPENSE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NURSING SERVICE

BASIC ORIENTATION. THE CONTRACTOR WILL ABSORB THE FIRST 8 HOURS

AND SLVHCS WILL PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND

COMPREHENSIVE ORIENTATION”

Page 17 Item 8. Contractors Responsibility States: “vendor will have 100% of the required staff credentialed and available to begin work within 30 days of the contract award? Per Diem – it is possible to have local per diem nurses and CNAS trained and oriented prior to the start of contract but 30 days is too long of a period between that training and orientation and will lead to nurses and CNAs going through training and orientation and them not being available 30 plus days later. It will be a waste of money for the agency and time for the client. Can this be reconsidered to allow for the lag time between training and orientation and actual work be much shorter?

Answer: 75% of staff will be credentialed and available to work at contract award.

This amendment hereby revises the following on page 18 of the original solicitation under Item 8 from the following:

Vendor will have 100% of the required staff credentialed and available to begin work within 30 days of the contract award date.

To the following:

Vendor will have 75% of the required staff credentialed and available to begin work within 30 days of the contract award date.

Travel – as mentioned earlier it will be difficult if not impossible to get a travel nurse to come in town 30 days prior to an assignment to do training and orientation. Training and orientation are typically done at the very beginning of the contract assignment for obvious logistical reasons. Can this be reconsidered in order to be more consistent with industry standards? Again- we are assuming/hopeful that Travel Nurses will be put on guaranteed hours contracts. Travelers will not agree to assignment without guaranteed hours and length.

11. Page 20 Item 14. Badges and Parking: This item pertains to parking in designated areas. This facility is located in a very dense area and public parking is difficult and expensive. Does “parking in appropriately designated parking areas” mean that our nurses and CNAs will be able to park at facility free of charge while working at facility, if they park in their appropriately designated parking areas?

Answer: Parking is not guaranteed. There may be parking available in visitor garage.

12. Page 23-32 B3 IT Contract Security This section goes into great detail about security issues as they relate to IT systems and procedures. While we understand that our nurses must be trained as to the handling of patient and confidential information at no time does patient and/or any other care related information enter into our systems.

Again, we understand the need for training of our personnel in matters related to privacy and the handling of confidential material and information and while our systems have in place strict security practices and protocols our system will not in any way interface or contain patent information of any sort.

This appear to be recognized on page 22

A. Position Sensitivity – The positive sensitivity/risk level has been designated as non-sensitive/low risk

B. Background Investigation – the level of background investigation commensurate with the required level of access is Minimum. NACI

All this to ask – what specifically will be required for us, as a contractor for nursing services, as it relates to IT systems and security?

Answer: All contract staff will complete privacy training either before or during nursing orientation. Staff will receive orientation on computerized charting system. All contract staff must be fingerprinted at New Orleans VA.

13. Re- COVID pay for nurses on assignments COVID is still prevalent among many nurses.

A positive COVID diagnosis, of course, restricts a nurse from working. Many of our clients and competitors provide COVID pay for nurses who are scheduled to work but cannot work due to a positive COVID diagnosis, for the number of shifts they must miss due to COVID. Nurses ask about this prior to accepting a contract so our policy on this as it relates to attracting nurses for your facility will be affected by our ability to attract and retain nurses for your facility. We think it would be prudent (and competitive) for you to consider a COVID policy that would allow us to bill for nurses who are scheduled to work but cannot work due to COVID. Is this something that can be considered? This would apply ONLY to nurses on guaranteed contracts (not per diem nurses) and the burden would be on the nurses to provide proof of a positive COVID test, from a third party, not an in-home test. We would of course present that proof to you.

Answer: SLVHCS will not be providing COVID pay.

14. Pg. 62 Requirements for Technical Proposal What is the page limit for the Technical side? And what does that include or not include?

Answer: We did not include a limit to the number of pages. The Technical proposal must include all items identified in (a-h) on pages 62 – 64 under the heading 3. Requirements for Technical Proposals.

15. Pg. 70 (b) The Offeror shall provide a statement with its offer which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided under this solicitation.

May the required OCI statement for the Prime and its subcontractors be included in the Pricing Volume?

Answer: Yes. You can include in the Price Volume or as a separate document.

16. Price Volume: LPTA vs BEST VALUE vs Price Realism:

In understanding of the current marketplace and the high rates of turnover in the clinical staff market, will the VA use the price realism clause to validate all rates as they are subject to the pandemic and national retention rates for clinicians throughout the industry and discourage awarding on LPTA?

Answer: This contract will not be awarded as Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

(LPTA). The solicitation specifically states on Page 72 under E.9 52.212-2

EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014) that “Past performance is more important than Technical Capability, and when combined, are more important compared to price for the purposes of determining the best value to the

Government; therefore, the Government may award to other than the lowest priced offeror if it is in the Government’s best interest to do so.”

17. Price Volume: Cost of Living Realism:

Will the VA add into the solicitation a mandated cost of living increase that is equal to the federal national average of 6% as announced by the President’s office and should be reflected in the cost volume under the annual escalation in the option years of the contract. This will protect the VA from market shifts that would lead to decreased retention.

Answer: There will be no added mandated cost of living increase in the solicitation. Each contractor must submit their pricing to include any anticipated increases anticipated over the life of the contract in their ordering period pricing.

18. Solicitation Due Date: We are requesting a fifteen (15) day extension and have the solicitation reflect a solicitation due date of February 15ᵗʰ, 2022 at 12:00pmEST.

Answer: The proposal due date was extended to 15 February 2022 at 3:00PM

Central Time per amendment 0002 that was posted on SAM on 26 January 2022.

19. Resumes Compliance and Candidate Resume: If the VA requires one resume per identified position to be compliant with the solicitation, will the contractor be awarded significant strengths if they provide additional backup resumes per identified position?

Answer: See page 73 of the solicitation under Sub-factor 1 Staffing Information.

The Government will review the staffing information submitted to verify that the offeror can provide at least a minimum number of employees for each of the identified labor categories. Offerors that have a larger pool of qualified candidates may be rated more favorably.

20. Resume Volume: Would the VA like the responses to establish a resume database that would be sharable on a Share-point site that would allow the VA to properly sort through the identified and presented resumes?

Answer: Please send all resumes in your technical proposal. We do not want links to databases or Share-point sites.

21. Technical Volume and Write-up: Will the VA accept hyperlinks to be placed I the solicitation response that would redirect the VA Review Committee to the required aspects of the proposal and solicitation.

Answer: There is no requirement in the solicitation to utilize hyperlinks.

22. Solicitation page 14 & 17 Scheduling and Contractors Responsibility: There appears to be conflicting standards on page 14 and page 17: Can the government please clarify if contractors are only responsible for providing replacements for short notice cancellations or if it is all absences?

Answer: Requirement is for all absences.

23. Can the government please confirm if damages outlined on page 14 apply only to no call/no show shifts?

Answer: Damages will not apply and the portion stating “If the Contractor fails to provide required notification and/or provide replacement personnel to perform the services within the time specified in this contract, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated damages in the amount of two

(2) hours salary for the particular position. Contractor shall be responsible for any overtime costs to the government to provide coverage for any “no call/no show” shift” will be removed from the solicitation on page 14, as well as the portion stating: “Contractor shall be responsible for any overtime costs incurred by the

SLVHCS VAMC in providing internal coverage for any short notice cancellation of scheduled vendor shifts.”

This amendment will Hereby revise the solicitation as follows on page 14

Paragraph 2:

Page 14 of the solicitation reads: “Contract nursing staff must contact their agency regarding cancellations, changes in scheduling, etc. The contractor will, in turn, contact the SLVHCS VAMC of employee cancellation and advise the name of the replacement provider. The Contractor will provide notification of cancellations at least two (2) hours prior to the beginning of a scheduled shift. If the Contractor fails to provide required notification and/or provide replacement personnel to perform the services within the time specified in this contract, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated damages in the amount of two (2) hours salary for the particular position. Contractor shall be responsible for any overtime costs to the government to provide coverage for any

“no call/no show” shift. A short notice cancellation of less than four hours shall become the vendor’s responsibility to provide a replacement provider. Notification of, or the inability to provide, a replacement provider must be made to the

SLVHCS VAMC at least two hours prior to the start of the scheduled shift.

Contractor shall be responsible for any overtime costs incurred by the SLVHCS

VAMC in providing internal coverage for any short notice cancellation of scheduled vendor shifts.”

This amendment revises this paragraph to read the following to exclude the application of liquidated damages:

“Contract nursing staff must contact their agency regarding cancellations, changes in scheduling, etc. The contractor will, in turn, contact the SLVHCS

VAMC of employee cancellation and advise the name of the replacement provider.

The Contractor will provide notification of cancellations at least two (2) hours prior to the beginning of a scheduled shift. A short notice cancellation of less than four hours shall become the vendor’s responsibility to provide a replacement provider. Notification of, or the inability to provide, a replacement provider must be made to the SLVHCS VAMC at least two hours prior to the start of the scheduled shift.”

24. Solicitation page 14 Tour of Duty: On average how much notice will contractors be given for staffing the 4-8 week-contracts? On average how much notice will be given to contractor for PRN staffing needs?

Answer: Notice is upon the awarding of contract/kickoff meeting. We can give a number of PRN staff at beginning of contract/kickoff; however, we will not know how much notice we can give as this is to assist with unexpected call ins.

25. Award Expectations Multiple versus Single Awards: Does the Government intend to award single or multiple awards for this requirement? If multiple awards are made, will requirements be competed at the Task Order level or will lot awards be assigned?

Answer: This will be a single award contract

26. Solicitation page 43-44 C.8 VAAR 852.219-77 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON

SUBCONTRACTING—CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES

ANDCONSTRUCTION. This FAR clause requires a specific Subcontracting – Certificate of Compliance be included with the offerors bid, but the instructions/evaluation criteria do not specify where it should be placed. Can offerors provide it in the Pricing Volume?

Answer: Yes, you can provide the Certificate with your price volume or provide it as a stand-alone document.

27. Solicitation page 62 Requirements for Past Performance: Can the government clarify if there is a minimum or maximum number of references to be submitted?

Answer: There is not a minimum or maximum number but item d. on page 62 is hereby amended from reading “Provide Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for

Contracts Completed in the Past Three Years: Any rating received that is older than 3 years will not be evaluated.”

To Read the following:

“Provide Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for Contracts Completed in the Past

Five Years: Any rating received that is older than 5 years will not be evaluated.”

28. Solicitation page 63 Requirements for Technical Proposal: If the offeror presents a candidate package for a health care worker who is not certified in BLS/ACLS specifically through AHA, but has agreed to get certified through that organization prior to contract start; will that be considered a compliant candidate submission at the proposal stage?

Answer: Applicant must be certified by AHA at time of application.

29. Solicitation page 64 Requirements for Price Proposal: Please confirm that the response to solicitation clause 52.212-3 will be accepted as long as offers provide their response to paragraph (b), or if the entire 17-page document is required.

Answer: Please read the Requirements for Price Proposals Carefully and comply with each item a-d. Please also follow the instructions at Clause at 52.212-3 and submit what is required in the instructions within the clause.

30. Solicitation page 63 Requirements for Technical Proposal part a. Can the government please clarify what type of “staffing information” is required for part a. of the instructions and how it differs from the items requested in parts b-f?

Answer: It’s the same as parts b- f.

31. Solicitation page 13 Scheduling (hour commitment minimum): Can the government please clarify if the minimum weekly commitment listed in the scheduling section applies only to the 4–8-week contracts and/or to PRN providers? Without guaranteed minimum hours, it will be difficult to recruit personnel that will commit to being available for short notice shifts 32-36 hours each week while still presenting a realistic and reasonable rate to the government.

Answer: There is no guarantee for PRN/Per diem employees. Travel nurses are guaranteed 36 hours/week as amended in item 5 of this amendment.

32. Are the current positions and labor categories open and new positions currently needed by the VA?

Answer: Yes

33. B.2 Price Schedule Contract Period of Performance Page 5: If proposals are due by

January 31, when will the contract award be made to allow contractor’s sufficient time to hire/train staff and be able to start work on March 6, 2022. Is it the Government’s intent to start this work on “Sunday” March 6, 2022 or will staff support start on “Monday”, March 7, 2022?

Answer: Proposals are now due by 15 February 2022 at 3:00PM Central Time per

Amendment 0002 that was posted on SAM on the 26th of January 2022. The actual need date will be pushed beyond 6 March 2022 to allow time for training/credentialing/etc.

34. B.2 Price Schedule Place of Performance Page 5: Is all work going to be at the VAMC at

2400 Canal St?

Answer: Yes, all work will be performed at the VAMC at 2400 Canal St, New

Orleans, LA.

35. B.3.6 Specific Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills Chart Page 16: RN (Specialty Care –

ICU/PACU/Cath Lab/Bronch, Emergency Department): Current AHA ACLS Certification;

Current AHA BLS Certification; Two (2) year recent experience in Critical Care Nursing:

The RN Nurse specialties are not consistent throughout the PWS. Please specify the correct specialties.

Answer: RN Med Surg, Ambulatory Care, Extended Care – 18 months experience required

NA or CNA: 1 year experience required

RN ICU/PACU/CATH Lab/Bronch/Emergency Dept. - 2 years of experience required

LPNs 1 year experience is required.

36. B.3.6 Specific Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills chart: NA (Med/Surg or Extended Care):

Current AHA BLS Certification; One (1) year recent experience: Page 16: Is the NA the same as the CNA? Shown on page 1 and in section B3?

Answer: NA and CNA are the same.

37. B.3.11 Contract Monitoring Procedures: COR shall ensure that proper invoices are certified for payment in a timely fashion. Para 11 / Page 19: How does the government define “Proper” and “Timely”?

Answer: This will be discussed during the post award briefing/meeting.

38. B.4 IT Contract Security paragraph 2c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. Para 2 c: / Page 23:

Given that this is a Defense industry standard; How does this apply to VA contracts that do not have classified information? If it does apply, then what level of clearance is required (confidential, secret, top secret, etc.)

Answer: Staff must complete privacy training and submit to fingerprinting and background check.

39. SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS: Information to Offerors E.1 52.212-1

Instructions to Offerors, paragraph (8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);Subpara 8/ Page 57: Can the

Contractor submit Reps & Certs via the SAM portal or does the Government require a printed electronic copy of the completed Reps & Certs?

Answer: Please read the instructions in the Clause 52.212-3 carefully and comply with the instructions. The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision. Please provide an electronic (PDF,WORD) copy of the reps and certs with your proposal

40. 3. SCHEDULING: SLVHCS does not guarantee a set number of hours for any agency personnel. For RNs scheduling will be available for 12-hour shifts, must be available for a minimum of 36 hours/week) for LPN and CNA scheduling will be in 8 hour shifts not less than 32 hour/week Page 13 : It is understood that the VA does not guarantee a set number of our or shifts but if our staff is required to be available for a minimum number of hours and shifts, does the VA expect for shifts to be cancelled?

Answer: Travel nurses are guaranteed 36 hours/week as amended in item 5 of this amendment. Those shifts are not expected to be cancelled.

41. 3. SCHEDULING: Additionally, there may be opportunities for unscheduled PRN shifts

Page 13: How many PRN opportunities does the VA expect and is that in addition to the set hours in the solicitation?

Answer: This information is not known at this time.

42. 5. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE SKILLS: The qualifications of such personnel shall also be subject to review/approval by the VA Nurse Executive or designee Page 15: Will the VA send out an example credentialing packet requirement in order to meet the staff requirement upon the award?

Answer: The VA will send a list of requirements needed upon award.

43. 8. Contractors Responsibility: Vendor will have 100% of the required staff credentialed and available to begin work within 30 days of the contract award date. Page 17: Will there be an expected transition period?

Answer: yes, we have authority to use expedited credentialing processes.

44. Is there a current incumbent?

Answer: No. This is considered a new requirement.

45. How many Fulltime contracted and/or VA employees are currently filling the schedule?

Answer: This information is not available.

46. Since you want predominately Holiday, weekend, and night coverage, how many shifts does the government anticipate need help filling?

47. How much PTO and vacation time has been approved for FY 2022 that has not been used for the replacement contractors needing to fill?

48. Since the current market is seeing high positive cases in COVID 19, would this fall under an emergency contract?

49. Are the local contractor employees expected to get on schedule first and then if not available, travelers are being requested?

Answer: It is expected that local contractor employees be utilized to the maximum extent practicable and utilize Travel Nurses to fulfill positions when local nurses are not available to fill the position.

50. Is this a relief schedule to current fulltime employees?

Answer: No, this is not.

51. In how much advance are we to know the schedule? 1 week, 2 week, or 30 days? We kindly request a schedule to be posted at least 30 days in advance, subject to change based on the need.

Answer: Schedules will be set for travel nurses for the duration of the contract.

52. Regarding the three different groups for holiday work, is that for all 46 employees: RNs, LPNs, and CNAs?

Answer: Yes, it applies to all.

53. Within how much notice will the government give the contractor when the VA retains the right to change the scheduled shift and/or work location?

Answer: SLVHCS will provide a minimum of 2 hours.

54. Due to the high demand of RNs throughout the USA and this reading more of a “as needed” contract, 18 months to 2 years will limit your pool of candidates willing to go through the VA security and credentialing process for hours not guaranteed. Kindly request that the experience for all RNs be at least 6 months.

Answer: SLVHCS is not willing to accept less than 18 months

55. In the RFP the government states the first ordering period is 7 months and then also states that the first ordering period is 6 months…Can the government confirm the actual period of performance they anticipate?

Answer: The first period of performance will vary until contract award as the first period of performance will be from the actual date of award until 30

September 2022 to stay within a Government Fiscal Year. Our anticipated start date is 6 March 2022 but that will most likely change to accommodate answering questions which may result in the proposal due date changing and will in-turn change the contract start date. Regardless of the period of performance of the first ordering period there will be four 6-month ordering periods included.

56. The pricing table beginning on page 5 identifies a total of 15 travel RN positions per base and each option period. Since the Government did not include a CLIN for travel (for airfare, mileage, lodging, and per diem expenses) are vendors to factor those costs into the hourly rate for the 15 travel positions or will the successful vendor be able to invoice these expenses on a cost-reimbursable basis in accordance with the JTR?

Answer: All quantities are estimates. The line items for “Travel” Related Nurses will not be invoiced on a cost-reimbursable basis. Prices must be included as all-inclusive hourly rates that incorporate the additional costs associated with travel nurses. The quantities are estimated, and the expectation is for contractors to utilize local nurses to the maximum extent practicable and use Travel Nurses to fill in gaps local nurses cannot fill.

57. On page 6, the solicitation states, “Overtime rates will be paid at the regular hourly rate proposed from the contractor for the appropriate Line Item when approved.” Please clarify if the Government means that they will use the contractors, hourly rate to allow invoicing for overtime at 1.5 times the hourly rate for standard overtime and 2.0 times the hourly rate (up to 8 hours) for work performed on Federal holidays.

Answer: SLVHCS will not pay overtime rates.

58. Section 4, pages 14 and 15, states, “Day and evening eight-hour (8) tours include a ½ hour non-paid lunch break as well as all twelve (12) hour shifts.” Can the Government clarify the rules regarding meal break for contract personnel working the 1900-0730 shifts?

Answer: ½ hour non-paid lunch break and two 15 min breaks

This amendment will Hereby revise the original solicitation as follows on Page 15, Paragraph 2, sentence 5:

Revised from:

Day and evening eight-hour (8) tours include a ½ hour non-paid lunch break as well as all twelve (12) hour shifts.

Revised to read:

Day and evening eight-hour (8) tours include a ½ hour non-paid lunch break, and all twelve (12) hour shifts include ½ hour non-paid lunch break and two 15-minute breaks.

59. Section 7, pages 16-17, states, “SLVHCS CONDUCTED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

WILL BE AT THE CONTRACTOR’S EXPENSE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NURSING

SERVICE BASIC ORIENTATION.” As written, the Government is stating that it will not provide reimbursement for up to 16 hours (per contract personnel) of mandatory SLVHCS facility unique training. Would the Government consider removing this statement from the solicitation?

Answer: No, SLVHCS will not pay for any outside training.

60. COVID-

Are candidates required to be vaccinated?

Answer: Yes.

61. what are the guidelines for someone who tests positive?

Answer: SLVHCS will follow CDC guidelines.

62. Do you provide on-site testing?

Answer: yes

63. Will our subs Past Performance be considered and count towards the team’s evaluation?

Answer: We will accept Subcontractor’s Past Performance with your proposal and will consider the subcontractor’s past performance along with the proposing contractor’s past performance in evaluating the proposals. If teaming with a sub-contractor, we will require a signed teaming arrangement be submitted with the proposal. Please see verbiage in the original solicitation on page 62 which states

“Subcontractor Consent: Past performance information pertaining to a subcontractor cannot be disclosed to the prime Offeror without the subcontractor’s consent. Provide with the proposal a letter from all subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement, consenting to the release of their past performance information to the prime contractor.”

This amendment will revise the original solicitation as follows:

Page 62 Requirements for Past Performance: Item d. will be revised from:

“Provide Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for Contracts Completed in the Past

Three Years: Any rating received that is older than 3 years will not be evaluated.

Provide any information currently available (letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) which demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and quality for same or similar type contracts. In addition, explain corrective actions taken in the past, if any, for substandard performance and any current performance problems.”

To:

Provide Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for Contracts Completed in the Past Five

Years by the prime contractor, and for any subcontractors. If submitting subcontractor past performance, there shall be a signed Teaming

Arrangement/Agreement submitted with the past performance proposal: Any rating received that is older than 5 years will not be evaluated. Provide any information currently available (letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) which demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and quality for same or similar type contracts. In addition, explain corrective actions taken in the past, if any, for substandard performance and any current performance problems.

This amendment will revise the original solicitation on page 72 as follows under

Factor 1 – Past Performance from:

(1) FACTOR 1 – Past Performance. Only references for same or similar type contract desired. Past Performance will be evaluated as a measure of the

Government’s confidence in the offeror’s ability to successfully perform based on previous and current contract and/or task order efforts. The Government will evaluate the past performance data submitted for recency, relevancy, and confidence. Relevancy of past performance data will be determined by considering performance on contracts and/or task orders of a similar nature, size, scope, dynamic environment, and complexity, utilizing a comparable number of personnel with like skills. Some past performance data may be considered more relevant to this RFP than other data. Any past performance from the offeror that shows any contracts awarded for providing 40 or more nurses, or other type of medical staffing, that demonstrates similar performance to this requirement may be rated more favorably. Quality and

Satisfaction Ratings for Contracts Completed in the Past Three Years will be evaluated: Any rating received that is older than 3 years will not be evaluated.

The offeror shall demonstrate satisfactory performance under contracts with similar requirements, similar being defined in terms of size and complexity of this solicitation. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

To:

(1) FACTOR 1 – Past Performance. Only references for same or similar type contract desired. Past Performance from the Prime Contractor and

Subcontractors will be evaluated as a measure of the Government’s confidence in the offeror’s ability to successfully perform based on previous and current contract and/or task order efforts. The Government will evaluate the past performance data submitted for recency, relevancy, and confidence. Relevancy of past performance data will be determined by considering performance on contracts and/or task orders of a similar nature, size, scope, dynamic environment, and complexity, utilizing a comparable number of personnel with like skills. Some past performance data may be considered more relevant to this

RFP than other data. Any past performance from the offeror that shows any contracts awarded for providing 40 or more nurses, or other type of medical staffing, that demonstrates similar performance to this requirement may be rated more favorably. Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for Contracts Completed in the

Past Five Years will be evaluated: Any rating received that is older than 5 years will not be evaluated. The offeror shall demonstrate satisfactory performance under contracts with similar requirements, similar being defined in terms of size and complexity of this solicitation. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

64. Will we be given a link to the mandatory training in enough time to ensure compliance with paragraph 7-SLVHCS Training Requirements?

Answer: Yes, link and documents will be provided.

65. Are you willing to take on multiple agencies to supply the required nurses? I know that we can provide at least 5 med surg nurses. If we can provide only a portion of the nurses do, we still bid on this contract with what we can provide or only SDVOSB that can handle all positions?

Answer: This will be a single award

66. The instruction to offerors says the following: Offerors shall provide the staffing information to verify that the offeror can provide at least the minimum number of employees for each of the identified labor categories (Category of Nurses). Offerors that have a larger pool of qualified candidates may be rated more favorably. Are we required to provide a minimum number of resumes for each specialty and if so, what is the minimum?

Answer: The number of resumes required are detailed under E.2 52.212-1 on page

63 items C – f. Specifically resumes should be submitted for the required number of RN Med/Surg (10 RNs), RN Specialty and Extended Care (CLC) (20 RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (Estimate 6 LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (10

CNAs).

67. Also do you want entire packets with the bids or just the resumes?

Answer: Just resumes at time of bid is acceptable.

68. What drove the decision to change the NAICs code? The new code now opens the competition to$30M companies – taking away the true SDVOSB advantage.

The jump from $8M to $30M size standard is a sizeable jump.

Answer: It was decided that the size standard associated with the previous NAICS

Code was associated with a size standard that greatly limited the amount of competition required for such a large requirement putting the requirement at risk.

The requirement is still a 100% SDVOSB Set-Aside.

69. In the current nursing environment, the demand for nurses is extremely high. With the requirement to provide 46 healthcare professionals the odds of all 46 being available and ready for start on 6 March will be completely dependent on the government’s ability to award this contract expediently. Does the VA expect that all 46 proposed candidates will begin work on 6 March 2022, or is there an anticipated requirement number for contract start and fill-ins as needed throughout the life of the contract?

Answer: We understand that to have all required Nurses ready to start on 6 March

(or a new revised award date) will depend on an expedient award. The need date may change to accommodate training and credentialing to ensure the nurses are ready to perform by the award date. The VA does expect all 46 proposed candidates to be ready and available to start performance by the award date.

70. This is a temporary help IDIQ according to the NAICs code – with a contract period of 6

March 2022 through 30 September 2024. SLVHCS has a need for a mix of per diem as needed and/or 4-8-week contracts. If a nurse has been credentialed, works as needed for 16 weeks, then is not needed again for a year, will the credentialing still be good, or must they be recredentialed? What is the expiration period on the credentialing?

Answer: If the nurse has a break in contract, they will need to be credentialed again. However, if the nurse extends a contract, they will not have to be credentialed again.

71. This sections states “The Contractors shall ensure the agency nurse completes the following online documents, eQUIP, Credentialing & Privileging worksheet, and

VETPro.” Will the VA keep the contractor up to date on the status of the credentialing

(i.e. nurse has completed documentation…awaiting response from outside references…etc)?

Answer: Yes

72. “Vendor will have 100% of the required staff credentialed and available to begin work within 30 days of the contract award date.” The solicitation is requiring evidence of certification/licensure for Med/Surg or Extended Care…