36C25719Q0499-003.docx

36C25719Q0499

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

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

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

none 504-19-1-470-0016

36C257-19-AP-0657

36C25719Q0499 04-09-2019 Hassan Wilson, Contract Specialist 915-217-1241 05-10-2019

5PM, ET

36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs SAO West NCO 17 Medical Sharing Branch I 11495 Turner Road El Paso, Texas 79936-1372 x 621111 $11 Million X N/A X 36C504 Department of Veterans Affairs Amarillo VA Health Care System Cardiology (Medical Service) 6010 Amarillo Boulevard West Amarillo, Texas 79106-1991 TX 79936-1372 36C257 El Paso Contracting Same as Block# 9 none Financial Services Center (FSC) Department of Veterans Affairs P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 See CONTINUATION Page Contractor shall provide Board Certified or Board Eligible Cardiologist to provide services per the Performance Work Statement and Schedule. Services shall support beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) Amarillo, Texas Authority: Title 38 USC 8153 and VAAR Part 873 Only SDVOSBs verified within the VIP database at the time of offer submission will be considered for award. Firms not verified within the VIP database will be considered non-responsive and ineligible for award:

http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov See CONTINUATION Page x X Marisela Galarza Table of Contents

36C25719Q0499

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.1.A. Contract Administration: The contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes that will affect the price, quantity or delivery terms of the contract. The following individuals will handle all contract administration matters:

Format of Proposal: Offeror’s should review this entire solicitation before submitting a quote to ensure that their quotes meet all requirements.

1. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

4. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

5. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

Financial Services Center (FSC) Department of Veterans Affairs

IAW VAAR 852.232-72

P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

36C25719Q0499 This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (DEC 2009). Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

Page 1 of

Page 1 of

B.3 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

The awarded contract will be a fixed price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Whenever an order is requested the Contracting Officer will execute a bilateral task order against this IDIQ contract.

Quantities on the Schedule of Services are the yearly projected amounts for each contract line item. These projected quantities are for bidding purposes only. Unit prices for the contract line item numbers (CLINs) on the Schedule of Services are fixed prices. These fixed prices will govern regardless of quantities ordered under any subsequent task order(s).

“Grand Total Projected Price” will be used only for the purpose of determining the lowest price offeror.

The guaranteed minimum contract amount, including the base year and any option years exercised, is 208 Hours and the maximum contract amount, including the base year and any option years exercised, shall not exceed 4160 Hours (Excluding 52.217-8 if exercised).

* As part of price evaluation, the Government will evaluate its option to extend services (see FAR Clause 52.217-8). The evaluation will assume that the prices for any option exercised under FAR 52.217-8 will be at the same rates as those in effect under the contract at the time the option is exercised. The evaluation will therefore assume that the addition of the price or prices of any possible extension or extensions under FAR 52.217-8 to the total price for the basic requirement and the total price for the priced options has the same effect on the total price of all quotes relative to each other, and will not affect the ranking of quotes based on price, unless, after reviewing the quotes, the Government determines that there is a basis for finding otherwise. This evaluation will not obligate the Government to exercise any option under FAR 52.217-8.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

BASE YEAR (12 Months): July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (Estimated Dates)

Estimated Cost

BASE YEAR/ GRAND TOTAL: $_________________________

OPTION YEAR # 1 (12 Months): July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (Estimated Dates)

Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR # 1/ GRAND TOTAL: $_________________________

GRAND TOTAL (BASE AND OPTION YEAR# 1):_______________

B.4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Cardiology Physician Services

1. Contract Title: 1 FTEE Cardiologist (Locum) for the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS).

2. Background: To provide general cardiology services for Amarillo VAHCS to consist of the following: 1 FTE cardiologist to provider general cardiology outpatient/inpatient services.

3. Scope: To provide coverage for 1 FTEE General Cardiology outpatient/inpatient services at the Amarillo VAHCS during shortage of staff cardiologist. Tour of Duty to consist of Monday-Friday 08:00am to 4:30pm.

SERVICES: To provide board certified or board eligible cardiologist to provider services for Amarillo VAHCS to consist of the following: 1 FTEE cardiologist to provider the following services for general cardiology: Cardiology outpatient clinics, pacemaker outpatient clinic, exercise stress test clinic, nuclear stress/treadmill clinics. A portion of the time will be spent doing inpatient consults and rounding daily on cardiology patients.

The Cardiologist will:

· Will be working with the following staff: Cardiology Nurse Practitioners, ED physicians, Hospitalist, inpatient residents, medical officer of the day (MODs), medical specialist, surgical specialist for cardiology inpatient consults.

· Ensure proper communication with the Primary Care and specialty physicians including cardiology inpatient/outpatient consults.

· Document progress notes, procedure notes, orders, encounters and orders are within the electronic medical record per AVAHCS rules and regulations.

· Meet requirements for documentation for third party billing.

· Ensure smooth and timely patient flow for cardiology patients both inpatient/outpatient.

· Comply with all of The Joint Commission National Center for Patient Safety goals and accreditation standards.

· Cardiologist should be oriented for 1 full day prior to doing inpatient/outpatient services.

· Background Check/fingerprints completed prior to badging

· Access

· CPRS training

· Pharmacy training

· Service Orientation

· BLS/ ACLS

COMPUTERIZED PATIENT RECORD SYSTEM (CPRS): All patient data, (history, evaluation, findings, recommendations, requests for laboratory and x-ray studies, etc.) shall be entered into the patient's chart electronically. The cardiologist physician shall have computer and typing skills commensurate with this requirement. Computer training and access shall be provided on the first day of service. Sharing of computer access codes is prohibited. The cardiologist shall comply with all information security and privacy requirements as dictated by VA and AVAHCS policy and/or directive.

DOCUMENTATION: Documentation shall be in accordance with the bylaws, policy, and regulations established by the VA and AVAHCS or the facility in which the care is provided.

CONSENT: The cardiologist shall explain procedures, risks, and potential benefits to the patient and/or guardian, obtain proper VA consents, and any other requirements as established by VA and AVAHCS policy and/or directive.

4. Performance Monitoring: AVAHCS will perform performance monitoring of the locum tenens’ performance under the contract to include the following areas:

5. Security Requirements: Position Sensitivity – The position sensitivity has been designated as Low Risk. Background Investigation – The level of background investigation commensurate with the required level of access is National Agency Check with written requirements.

6. Qualifications: The cardiologist shall possess full and unrestricted license and/or certification in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia. The cardiologist locum shall be board certified or board eligible. Appointment to staff at AVAHCS is contingent upon successful credentialing and privileging. Appointment to staff is a prerequisite to placement of any clinician performing work under this agreement. Credentialing and privileging must be completed before providing services. The qualifications of such personnel shall also be subject to review by the AVAHCS Chief of Staff and approval by the AVAHCS Director. The cardiologist shall be responsible for meeting appropriate Joint Commission requirements regarding quality assurance, such as maintaining current credentials and clinical privileges, peer review, participating in criteria development and data analysis and providing guidance in meeting requirements for the cardiology department services. The cardiologist must possess basic proficiency in spoken and written English in accordance with public law 95-201. The cardiologist must have their own assigned DEA number.

7. Place of Performance: Work will be performed at the Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) Medical Center, 6010 Amarillo Blvd West, Amarillo, TX 79106.

8. Work Hours:

a. Tour of duty will be as assigned based on the 1 FTE hours listed in the above in under scope as tour of duty as Monday-Friday 08:00am to 4:30pm.

b. The following terms have the following meanings:

(1) Federal Holidays:

The 10 holidays observed by the Federal Government are:

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King's Birthday

• Presidents Day

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas Additional Federal Holidays are those specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday are included.

c. The locum tenens for cardiology department will be present for duty within the hours stated above for the entirety of this agreement, or longer if extended.

9. On-Call Hours: None

APPROVAL OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

The Medical Center reserves the right to refuse employment under this contract or require dismissal from contract work of any Contract employee or subcontractor employee who, by reason of previous unsatisfactory performance at the Medical Center or for any other valid reason, is considered by the Contracting Officer to be objectionable, as long as five (5) days written notification of unsatisfactory performance has been provided to the Contractor; and the problem has not been cured in the five (5) day period. Misconduct of a Contracted employee shall be grounds for immediate dismissal upon written notice presented by the Contracting Officer.

Contractor Responsibilities:

LICENSURE OF STAFF

a. The Contractor is responsible for assuring that all persons acting for, or on behalf of the Contractor are properly licensed at all times, under applicable laws.

b. Any changes related to the Contracted Provider’s credentials will be reported immediately to the Medical Center credentialing staff and the Contracting Officer.

KEY PERSONNEL AND TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTIONS

The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

a. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced.

b. The Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (3) to the Contracting Officer at least 30 days prior to making any permanent substitutions; or as soon as possible after learning of the necessity of the substitution.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

a. The contractor shall bear the expense of obtaining background investigations. If the investigation is conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the contractor shall reimburse the VA within 30 days as follows, per provider:

b. The contractor shall prescreen all personnel requiring access to the computer systems to ensure they maintain a U.S. citizenship and are able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

c. The contractor/subcontractor shall immediately notify the COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Office for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access.

d. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer and the Medical Center Information Security Officer of any actual or suspected loss, release or compromise of any Medical Center document or electronic information under its control.

e. Upon notice of award, the contractor or locum tenen will complete the following items:

1. Complete Background Investigation Request Worksheet (contractor);

2. Complete Special Agreement Check (SAC) (locum);

3. Complete and Submit Background Investigation Documents (contractor/locum);

4. Obtain Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card (Security Badge) (contractor/locum); and

5. Complete Required Training and Sign Contractor Rules of Behavior (locum).

*Instructions will be provided at award phase.* Government Responsibilities:

a. The VA will pay for investigations conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in advance. In these instances, the contractor will reimburse the VA facility within 30 days.

SECURITY LANGUAGE FROM VA HB 6500.6 APPENDIX C:

GENERAL:

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

a. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA Information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

b. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information is subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid Security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness

TRAINING:

a. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems:

(1) Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems;

(2) Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training and annually complete required security training;

(3) Successfully complete the appropriate VA privacy training and annually complete required privacy training; and compliance.

(4) Successfully complete any additional cyber security or privacy training, as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access [to be defined by the VA program official and provided to the contracting officer for inclusion in the solicitation document – e.g., any role-based information security training required in accordance with NIST Special Publication 800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements.

b. The contractor shall provide to the contracting officer and/or the COTR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Contractor Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required.

1. GENERAL/ CONTINUED:

1.1. Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide Board Certified /Board Eligible Cardiologist on site in accordance with the specifications contained herein to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Amarillo VAMC, Amarillo, TX 79106.

1.2. Place of Performance - Contractor shall furnish services at the Amarillo VAMC, 6010 Amarillo Blvd West, Amarillo, TX 79106.

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority OR Title 38 USC 8153,Health Care Resources (HCR) Sharing Authorit and FAR Par 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items in combination with FAR Part 3 Simplified Acquisition Procedures and VAAR 773 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Health Care Resources.

1.4. Policy/Handbooks the contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance:

1.4.1. VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources Contracting - Buying https://www1.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=969&FType=2

1.4.2. VHA Directive 2006-041 “Veterans’ Health Care Service Standards” (expired but still in effect pending revision) https://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1443

1.4.3. VHA Directive 2010-018 “Facility Infrastructure”

www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2227

1.4.4. VHA Directive 1192 “Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program” https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/flu/VHA_Directive_1192_Sep

1.4.5. VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank Reports - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2135

1.4.6. VHA Handbook 1100.18 Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1364

1.4.7. VHA Handbook 1100.19 Credentialing and Privileging - http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2910

1.4.8. VHA Handbook 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2791

1.4.9. Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm

1.5. Definitions/Acronyms- Terms used in this contract shall be interpreted as follows unless the context expressly requires a different construction and/or interpretation. In case of a conflict in language between the Definitions and other sections of this contract, the language in this section shall govern.

1.5.1. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.2. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.3. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.4. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.5. Contracting Officer (CO) – The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

1.5.6. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor performs in accordance with and adheres to the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken.

1.5.7. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.8. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.9. CPRS: Computerized Patient Recordkeeping System- electronic health record system used by the VA.

1.5.10. Credentialing: Credentialing is the systematic process of screening and evaluating qualification and other credentials, including licensure, required education, relevant training and experience and current competence and health status.

1.5.11. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.12. FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.5.13. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.14. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.15. ISO: Information Security Officer

1.5.16. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.17. PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.5.18. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.19. Privileging (Clinical Privileging): Privileging is the process by which a practitioner, licensed for 8independent practice; e.g., without supervision, direction, required sponsor, preceptor, mandatory collaboration, etc.; is permitted by law and the facility to practice independently, to provide specific medical or other patient care services within the scope of the individual’s license, based upon the individual’s clinical competence as determined by peer references, professional experience, health status, education, training and licensure. Clinical privileges must be facility-specific and provider-specific.

1.5.20. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.21. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.22. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.23. National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers).

1.5.24. Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA): The central office for administration of the VA medical centers through throughout the United States. The VHA is located in Washington, D.C.

1.5.25. Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN): The regional oversight for the VA medical centers.

1.5.26. VISTA (Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture): A PC based system that will capture and store clinical imagery, scanned documents and other non-textual data files and integrates them into patient’s medical record and with the hospital information system.

1.5.27. VETPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

1.5.28. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA medical Center, for purposes of this contract, this term shall mean the Amarillo VA Medical Center.

2. QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1. Staff/Facility

2.1.1. License - The Contractor’s physician (s) assigned by the Contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall have a current license to practice medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia) when services are performed onsite on VA property.

All licenses held by the personnel working on this contract shall be full and unrestricted licenses. Contractor’s physician(s) who have current, full and unrestricted licenses in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered for the purposes of this contract.

2.1.2. Board Certification - All Contractor’s physician(s) shall be Board Certified /Board Eligible (Cardiologist) by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiology http://www.abim.org/, and be currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalency. 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 to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.

2.1.3. Credentialing and Privileging –Credentialing and privileging is to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Handbook 1100.19 referenced above. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that proposed physician(s) possesses the requisite credentials enabling the granting of privileges. No services shall be provided by any Contractor’s physician(s) prior to obtaining approval by the (Amarillo VAMC) Professional Standards Board, Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.

2.1.3.1. If a Contractor’s physician(s) is not credentialed and privileged or has credentials/privileges suspended or revoked, the Contractor shall furnish an acceptable substitute without any additional cost to the government.

2.1.4. Technical Proficiency - Contractor’s physician(s) shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government’s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor shall provide documents upon request of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history for all Contractor’s physician(s) and Contractor’s physician(s) shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.

2.1.5. Continuing Medical Education (CME)/ Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor shall provide the COR copies of current CMEs as required or requested by the VAMC. Contractor’s physician(s) registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME to remain current. Contractor shall report CME hours to the credentials office for tracking. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging. Failure to provide shall result in loss of privileges for Contractor’s physician(s).

2.1.6. Training (ACLS, BLS, CPRS and VA MANDATORY ): Contractor shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all training must be completed by the contractor’s physician(s) as required by the VA. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the

1 hour

Impaired Professionals.

2.1.7. training requirement to the contractor.

2.1.8. Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for physicians 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.

2.1.8.1. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor’s physician (s) {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.

2.1.8.2. MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.8.3. VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.8.4. ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.8.5. INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician has a medical contraindication to the vaccine they shall be required to wear a mask during the Influenza season. {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

2.1.8.6. OSHA REGULATION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor’s physician (s) {This is applicable to all health care workers}; provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series and hepatitis B surface antigen test results following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident.

2.1.8.7. The VAMC shall notify the Contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. Contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel (as published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return.

2.1.9. National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers). The Contractor shall have or obtain appropriate NPI and if pertinent the Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) be provided to the Contracting Officer with the proposal.

2.1.10. DEA : Contractor shall provide copy of current DEA certificate.

2.1.11. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all Contractor’s physician(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement 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. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it’s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (Jan 2008) and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.12. Citizenship related Requirements:

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

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

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

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

2.1.12.5. The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors response to the RFP using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.13. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

2.1.13.1. Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed Contractor’s physician(s) are not listed. Contractor should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMP’s may also be imposed against the Contractor that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries.

2.1.13.2. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed.

2.2. Clinical/Professional Performance: The qualifications of Contractor personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Center COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Handbook 1100.19. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the VAMC COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his designee. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract.

2.3. Non- Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all Contractor’s physician(s) shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

2.4. Indemnification: The Contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against, all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, arising out of or resulting from the fault, negligence, or act or omission of the Contractor, its agents, or employees.

2.5. Prohibition Against Self-Referral: Contractor’s physicians are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor’s or their own practice(s)

2.6. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contractor’s physician(s) shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.

2.7. No Employee status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor’s physician(s) furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract:

2.7.1. Workers’ compensation

2.7.2. Professional liability insurance

2.7.3. Health examinations

2.7.4. Income tax withholding, and

2.7.5. Social security payments.

2.8. Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover Contractor or Contractor’s physician(s). When a Contractor or Contractor’s physician(s) has been identified as a provider in a tort claim, the Contractor shall be responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a Contractor’s (or Contractor’s physician(s)) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and/or insurance carrier.

3. HOURS OF OPERATION:

3.1. VA Business Hours: Outpatient clinics will operate during normal business hours 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Schedule call: Scheduled call hours will be be Monday-Friday 08:00am to 4:30pm in an emergency the Department Service Chief might ask for additional hours to be covered.

3.1.1. Patients must be seen by a Contractor’s physician(s) on-site at (Amarillo VA) in a timely manner in accordance with VA Rules and Regulations on clinic wait times and consult completion. Contractor shall notify the COR at least monthly about any obstacles to meeting this performance measure.

3.1.2. Contractor’s physician(s) shall be available and present in clinic during normal (Amarillo VA) clinic hours, (Amarillo VA) which will be established, and may be revised, as deemed appropriate for patient care by the Chief of Department. Currently, normal clinic hours are Monday through Friday 8-4:30pm.

3.1.3. Off-hours Coverage: N/A

3.2. Federal Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs:

· New Year’s Day

· President’s Day

· Martin Luther King’s Birthday

· Memorial Day

· Independence Day

· Labor Day

· Columbus Day

· Veterans Day

· Thanksgiving

· Christmas

· Any day specifically declared to be a national holiday.

3.3. Cancellations: Requirements for cancellation/rescheduling of outpatient clinic within 45 day notice.

3.3.1. Unless a state of emergency has been declared or clinics are otherwise cancelled by the VAMC, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing services.

4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. Standards of Care: The Contractor’s physician(s)’ care shall cover the range of cardiology services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art civilian medical treatment facility and the standard of care shall be of a quality, meeting or exceeding currently recognized national standards as established by:

4.1.1. The American College of Cardiology (ACC):http://www.cardiosource.org/Science-And-Quality/Practice-Guidelines-and-Quality-Standards.aspx .

4.1.2. VA Standards: VHA Directive 2006-041 “Veterans’ Health Care Service Standards” (expired but still in effect pending revision) https://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1443

4.1.3. The professional standards of the Joint Commission (TJC) http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/hap_requirements.aspx

4.1.4. The standards of the American Hospital Association (AHA) http://www.hpoe.org/resources?show=100&type=8 and;

4.1.5. The requirements contained in this PWS

4.1.6. Authorities: Contractor’s physician(s) providing healthcare services to VA patients shall be considered as part of the Department Healthcare Activity and shall comply with the U.S.C.551a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records) 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records), Title 5 U.S.C. § 522a (Records Maintained on Individuals) as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (HIPAA).

4.1.7. HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a health care provider for treatment. Based on this exception, a BAA is not required for this contract.