36C25622Q1039 NOLA 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) 36C256 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi MS 39531 36C256 Department of Veterans Affairs

&SLVHCS

Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi MS 39531 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25622Q1039 NOLA

08-30-2022

X X X 9-6-2022 2 pm CT X Amendment is hereby issued to provide responses to questions received.

No extension to due date. Refer to block 11 above.

Reminder amendment acknowledgement is required with offer.

Offers to be emailed to Melanie.Hawley@va.gov.

Melanie Hawley Contract Specialist

VA-VHA-2020 AC34AE75

Questions and Responses- Question #1: Quick question about the therapists needed on contract in NOLA. Is the max contract amount for 5 therapists a year for possible 5 years capped at $900,000 or is that just the max for the first year? If I do the math right for 5 therapists for 5 years at 2080 hours a year capped at $900,000.00 that equals an hourly rate at max of $17.31. Is this correct?

Response: The $900,000.00 is incorrect on Section B.2 Price Schedule (page 7) and should be $5,000,000.00 as the maximum for the full five-year contract period.

Question #2: Page 29, PWS 4.4.1. What type of Degree does the Physical Therapist require? A Master’s degree or a Doctorate?

4.4.1.1 Education and Experience: Physical Therapist education and degrees shall be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited colleges, universities, or institutions.

Response: Bachelor’s, Master or Doctorate Question #3: Page 32, PWS 4.4.2. What type of Degree does the Occupational Therapist require?

4.4.2.1 Education and Experience: Occupational Therapist education and degrees shall be recognized by the U.S Department of Education, from Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited colleges, universities or institution.

Response: Bachelor’s or Masters Question #4: Page 34, PWS 4.4.3 Does the Recreational Therapist require a state license?

4.4.3.1 Education and Experience: Recreation Therapist require a bachelor’s degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreation. The degree must be approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) or a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field from an accredited university and must be a certified recreation specialist (CTRS).

4.4.3.2 Certification: Recreation Therapists must be certified in recreation therapy as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) . All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must be kept up to date at all times. Documentation verifying current certification shall be provided by the Contractor with offer and to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.

Response: As stated in PWS Paragraph 2.1.1, a license is not applicable for Recreational Therapist.

Question #5: Page 86, Instructions on Submitting Offer for Evaluation: It is stated that the “Self-Assessment Skills Checklist” is required for each of the candidates we submit however the checklist looks like this is something that needs to be completed by a supervisor as it requires a supervisor to observe the healthcare worker by any of the methods listed and then document the level at which the healthcare worker is performing each item with a Verification Level Code. We are requesting that this be removed.

Response: Checklists are not mandatory; however, the resumes provided on candidates need to be clear with identifying their experience and their qualifications that are being sought. Resumes should have no gaps in dates and should be clear with facilities worked at. The checklists are to be used as self assessments from the candidates, not required to be provided by any supervisors.

Question #6: Page 89, Technical Subfactor 1b: The Offeror must demonstrate at least a minimum of five (5) of experience in providing and managing of on-site staffing services. Is this supposed to be 5 years?

Response: Yes, this is to be five (5) years of experience.

Question #7: Page 89, Technical Subfactor 1b: The Offeror must demonstrate at least a minimum of five (5) of experience in providing and managing of on-site staffing services. Offerors shall provide number of years in staffing business and provide information on their key management personnel with their years of experience. Demonstrating capabilities and experience in providing staff to other VA Medical Centers may be rated more favorably. Demonstrating experience of providing Therapist staffing services may be rated more favorably. Does this mean you want us to list specific contracts where we have provided healthcare staff and/or services to the VA?

Response: Yes, that is correct.

Question #8: Page 99, FACTOR 3 – Past Performance: If do not have a CPARS for a relevant contract that we would like to submit as a past performance reference, what should we provide? Would it be the following?

I. Name and address of name of agency and services provided II. Name, email address, and telephone number of Point of Contact III. Dates of contract performance IV. Total contract value V. List of subcontractors (VAAR 852.219-74) VI. References will be asked to provide:

· Capability of meeting schedule

· Responsiveness to requests for service or information

· Experience working and providing quality care with VA facility (or other large medical facility)

· Knowledge of Joint Commission and VA policy/procedures/regulations

Response: Yes, provide references and then have your references email CO directly with a write up regarding the information requested.

Question #9 2.5.3 states, “Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for contractor personnel within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.” But 1.a.1 of 3.1 Email/Volume 1a - Technical Subfactor 1a- Personnel Qualifications/Staffing states, ”Offeror shall provide verification that OT has a current PPD/TB test to include results.” Similar requirement for COVID vaccine. Do we provide proof of negative test or vaccination with our proposal?

(page 21) 2.5.3 Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for contractor personnel within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.

2.5.3.1 TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor’s personnel {This is applicable to all health care workers}. A negative chest radiographic report for active tuberculosis shall be provided in cases of positive TST or IGRA results. The TST or IGRA testing shall be repeated annually.

(Page 22)

2.5.3.5 COVID: Not mandated at this time; however, it is encouraged. Contractor shall provide if applicable and available (refer to Paragraph 9)

Response: PPD and COVID language shall be removed from Section E.2 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions, Paragraph 3, 1.a.1, 1.a.2, and 1.a.3 (page 86, 87, and 88). This shall be provided after contract award as stated in Paragraph 2.5.3.

2.5.3.5 COVID- refers to vaccination and offerors shall refer to Section B.3 PWS Paragraph 9 Question #10: 8.3.3 states, “Upon receipt, the VA Office of Security and Law Enforcement will review the completed forms for accuracy and forward the forms to OPM to conduct the background investigation.” The 3.1 technical section states, “Offeror shall include if current background investigation: National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) if applicable and date.” Do we submit our own background check prior to award and then the employee has another background check after award?

Response: VA will provide a new background check; however, we are asking if candidate may already have a current government (NACI) background which will shorten the time frame of onboarding. Per PWS paragraph 2.5.8.1 Contractor is required to review the HHS OIG website.

Question #11: What setting'(s) will the Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Recreational Therapist work in? Inpatient, outpatient, etc.?

Response: Refer to B.3 PWS Paragraph 1.2

Correction to page 32 PWS 4.4.2.4.2 The services to be performed by the Contractor shall be under the general direction guidance of the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Supervisors or his/her designee. The COR shall be responsible for monitoring contract compliance and for verifying that services called for under the contract attested to by the Contractor have been received.

End of Document Solicitation 36C25622Q1039 NOLA - for PTs/OTs/RT