36C25721R0019.docx

36C25721R0019

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 36C25721R0019 03-05-2021 Noel "Rick" Ramirez, Contract Specialist 915-217-1245 04-05-2021

12:00 AM

CDT

36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Procurement Office West/NCO 17 El Paso Contracting Office (36C257) 11495 Turner Road El Paso

TX

79936 X 621498 $22 Million N/A X 36C671 Department of Veterans Affairs South Texas Veterans Healthcare System Attention: Melinda Perez 7400 Merton Mintor Blvd San Antonio

TX

78229

SEE BLOCK 9

none Financial Services Center (FSC) Department of Veterans Affairs P.O. Box 149971 Austin

TX

78714-8971 See CONTINUATION Page Contractor to provide a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) at the SE San Antonio (Pecan Valley), Texas, location in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

This requirement is being solicited under the authority of 38 U.S.C., Section 8153 - Enhanced Sharing Authority.

See Schedule of services and PWS for a complete listing of required services.

Period of Performance will be one (1) base year with nine

(9) annual option periods.

See CONTINUATION Page X X

MARISELA GALARZA

Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Procurement Office West/NCO 17 El Paso Contracting Office (36C257) 11495 Turner Road El Paso TX 79936

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. 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

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:

1. GENERAL:

1.1. SERVICES REQUIRED: The South Texas Veterans Health Care System; requires the following services to be provided in a private hospital, office or clinic environment to Veterans, primarily residing in Southeast San Antonio, Texas.

1.1.1. [x] Primary Care CBOC: offers both medical and mental health care (physically on site and by telehealth) and may offer support services such as pharmacy, laboratory, and x-ray. Primary Care CBOCs are required to provide both primary care and mental health services. Mental Health services will be provided on-site by VA staff via telehealth and off-site by VA.

1.2. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Southeast San Antonio, Texas.

1.3. AUTHORITY: In accordance with Title 38 United States Code (USC) 8153 to be furnished by the contractor on behalf of South Texas Veterans Health Care System.

1.4. POLICY AND REGULATIONS: The Contractor is required to meet VHA performance and quality criteria and standards including, but not limited to, access, customer satisfaction, prevention index, chronic disease index and clinical guidelines. Performance and quality standards may change during the contract. New or revised quality/performance criteria or standards will be provided to the Contractor before implementation date and throughout the life of the contract through unilateral or bi-lateral modifications, as applicable. Copies of current VA and VHA publications can be located at http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ or at http://www.va.gov/vapubs/. Compliance with mandated performance is required as a condition of this contract. Contractor shall comply with all relevant VA policies and procedures, including those related to quality, access, patient safety and performance, including, but not limited to the policies listed on the Contracted Clinic Policy Document located at https://www.patientcare.va.gov/primarycare/Resources.asp.

1.5. DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS:

1.5.1. ABMS: American Board of Medical Specialties

1.5.2. ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.5.3. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.4. ACPE: American Council on Pharmaceutical Education

1.5.5. ACO: Administrative Contracting Officer

1.5.6. ADE: adverse drug events

1.5.7. AED: Automatic External Defibrillator

1.5.8. AIS: Automated Information Security

1.5.9. ANA: American Nurses Association

1.5.10. AOA: American Osteopathic Association

1.5.11. ARRT: American Registry of Radiologic Technology

1.5.12. ASC: Ambulatory Surgery Clinic

1.5.13. Assigned: A Veteran is “assigned” to an outpatient clinic via PCMM (i.e. CBOC) where the patient receives their primary care after the patient’s eligibility is determined through registration and enrollment.

1.5.14. BAA: Business Associate Agreement

1.5.15. BI-RADS: Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System; a quality assurance tool designed to standardize mammography reporting

1.5.16. BLS: Basic Life Support

1.5.17. BOS: Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists

1.5.18. CAHEA: Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation

1.5.19. CAP: College of American Pathologists

1.5.20. CARF: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

1.5.21. CBO: VA Central Billing Office.

1.5.22. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.23. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.24. CLIA: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

1.5.25. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.26. CMS: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

1.5.27. CO: Contracting Officer

1.5.28. COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

1.5.29. COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative

1.5.30. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.31. CPA: Collaborative Practice Agreement

1.5.32. CPS: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

1.5.33. CPT: Current Procedural Terminology

1.5.34. CRNP: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners

1.5.35. CSWE: The Council on Social Work Education the CSWE website is http://www.cswe.org/ .

1.5.36. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.37. CVT: Clinical Video Telehealth

1.5.38. DICOM: Digital Image and Communication in Medicine

1.5.39. DIGMA: Drop-in Group Medical Appointment

1.5.40. DRG: Diagnostic Related Group

1.5.41. DSS: Decision Support System

1.5.42. ECC Extended Care Center

1.5.43. Enrollment: The process of establishing eligibility for VA’s “Medical Benefits Package.” Most Veterans are required to “enroll” into the VA Health Care System to be eligible for VA health care and to be assigned to an outpatient clinic like a CBOC, however some can still receive care without enrolling. Applicants are only required to “enroll” once for VA health care unless they are determined ineligible for care at time of application or they have disenrolled.

1.5.44. EPRP: External Peer Review Program

1.5.45. FDA: Food and Drug Administration

1.5.46. FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.5.47. HCC: Health Care Center A HCC is a VA-owned, VA-leased, contract, or shared clinic operated at least 5 days per week that provides primary care, mental health care, on site specialty services, and performs ambulatory surgery and/or invasive procedures which may require moderate sedation or general anesthesia.

1.5.48. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.49. HCFA: HealthCare Financing Administration

1.5.50. HICPAC: Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee- a federal advisory committee made up of 14 external infection control experts who provide advice and guidance to the CDC and the Secretary of HHS regarding the practice of health care infection control, strategies for surveillance and prevention and control of health care associated infections in United States health care facilities.

1.5.51. HT: Home Telehealth

1.5.52. ICAVL: Intersocietally Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories

1.5.53. ICD 10: International Classification of Diseases 10th edition

1.5.54. iMED: software used by VA for informed consent

1.5.55. INR: International Normalized Ratio

1.5.56. ISO: Information Security Officer

1.5.57. LIP: licensed independent practitioner

1.5.58. MCCR: Medical Care Cost Recovery

1.5.59. Mental Health Services: per VHA Handbook 1160.01 is meant to include services for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of both substance use disorders and other mental disorders.

General mental health services include:

(a) Diagnostic and treatment planning evaluations for the full range of mental health problems;

(b) Treatment services using evidence-based pharmacotherapy, or primary evidence-based psychotherapy for patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders;

(c) Patient education;

(d) Family education when it is associated with benefits to the Veterans;

(e) Referrals as needed to inpatient and residential care programs; and

(f) Consultation about special emphasis problems including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

Specialty mental health services include:

(a) Consultation and treatment services for the full range of mental health conditions;

(b) Evidence-based psychotherapy;

(c) Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM);

(d) Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, including: PRRCs, family psychoeducation, family education, skills training, peer support, and Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and supported employment;

(e) PTSD teams or specialists;

(f) MST special clinics;

(g) Homeless programs; and

(h) Specialty substance abuse treatment services.

1.5.60. MQSA: Mammography Quality Standards Act

1.5.61. MSN: Master of Science in Nursing

1.5.62. NCCPA: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

1.5.63. NLN: National League for Nursing

1.5.64. NSQIP/CICSP: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program/Continuing Improvement in Cardiac Surgical Program

1.5.65. OTC: Over the Counter

1.5.66. PA: Physician Assistant

1.5.67. PACS: Picture Archiving and Communications System

1.5.68. PACT: Patient Aligned Care Team Background & Introduction: VA has implemented a PCMH model at all VA Primary Care sites which is referred to as PACT. This initiative supports VHA’s Universal Health Care Services Plan to redesign VHA healthcare delivery through increasing access, coordination, communication, and continuity of care. PACT provides accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care, in team-based environment including the active involvement of other clinical and non-clinical staff. PACT allows patients to have a more active role in their health care and is associated with increased quality improvement, patient satisfaction, and a decrease in hospital costs due to fewer hospital visits and readmissions.

1.5.69. Parent Facility: VAMC responsible for performance monitoring and payment for contracted Outpatient Site of Care services.

1.5.70. PCMH: Patient-Centered Medical Home

1.5.71. PCMM: Primary Care Management Module- a software program used to track Primary Care Clinic Veteran rosters.

1.5.72. PCP: Primary Care Provider

1.5.73. Phar.D.: Doctor of Pharmacy

1.5.74. POC: Point of Care Testing

1.5.75. PRIMARY CARE VISIT: an episode of care furnished in a clinic that provides integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. Primary care includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic biopsychosocial conditions, health promotion, disease prevention, overall care management, and patient and caregiver education. The VHA site classification defines primary care as those encounters that occur within the primary care class of encounters.

1.5.76. PCMHI: Primary Care-Mental Health Integration

1.5.77. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.78. QAPI: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement

1.5.79. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.80. RME: reusable medical equipment

1.5.81. SOP (Clinical): Scope of Practice

1.5.82. SELF- REFERRAL: Referring patients to Contractor’s facility for follow-up care. Self-referral for outpatient services at the Contractor’s facility is prohibited.

1.5.83. SFT: Store and Forward Telehealth

1.5.84. SMA: Shared Medical Appointments

1.5.85. SPD: Sterile Processing Division

1.5.86. SPE: Senior Procurement Executive

1.5.87. SPECIALTY CARE VISIT: A specialty care outpatient visit is an episode of care furnished in a clinic that does not provide primary care and is only provided through a referral.” These services are generally divided into two sub-categories: medicine specialties and surgery specialties. The VHA site classification defines specialty care as those encounters that occur within the geriatric medicine; allergy; cardiology; dermatology; emergency; employee health; endocrinology; gastroenterology; general medicine; hematology or oncology; infectious disease; nephrology; neurology; outreach; pulmonary or respiratory disease; rheumatology; amputation follow-up; amputation; anesthesia; cardio-thoracic; ear, nose, and throat (ENT); eye; general surgery; gynecology (GYN); neurosurgery; orthopedics; plastic surgery; urology; or vascular clinic stops.

1.5.88. SUPPORT STAFF: staff present in the clinic area assisting providers in the actual delivery of care to patients. It consists of RNs, LPNs, Medical Assistants, Health Technicians, and Medical Clerks in the clinic.

1.5.89. TJC: The Joint Commission

1.5.90. TIU: Text Integration Utility

1.5.91. TCT: Telehealth Clinical Technicians

1.5.92. VA: Veterans Affairs

1.5.93. VA EHR: VA electronic health record

1.5.94. VAMC: Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1.5.95. VetPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

1.5.96. VHA: Veterans Health Administration

1.5.97. VVC: VA Video Connect

1.5.98. WHEN: Weekend- Holiday- Every Night

2. STAFFING AND QUALIFICATIONS

2.1. MINIMUM PATIENT ALIGNED CARE TEAM (PACT) STAFFING REQUIREMENTS:

PACTs comprise the patients, the patients’ personal support persons, team lets (Primary Care Providers (PCPs), Registered Nurse Care Managers (RNCMs), Clinical Associates, Administrative Associates), and discipline specific team members (Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPSs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Registered Dietician/Nutritionists, and Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) staff). The Contractor shall provide PACT staffing in numbers and qualifications capable of fulfilling the standards outlined in the resultant contract. The Contractor shall provide an enough primary care providers so that each primary care provider has a caseload ratio to meet VA standards. Current standards are 1200 active patients per full time physician and 900 active patients per full time midlevel provider. Actual panel sizes can be determined by the VA in accordance with VHA Directive 1406 Patient Centered Management Module (PCMM) for Primary Care. The staffing standard for support staff shall be in ratios to Primary Care Providers of at least three full time equivalent (FTE) support staff (1 FTE RNCM, 1 FTE Clinical Associate, 1 FTE Administrative Associate) for each FTE Primary Care Provider. The Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS) shall be provided the same support staffing given to other providers on the team when they are working in the capacity of a mid-level provider. The Contractor shall provide personnel in numbers and qualifications capable of fulfilling the standards outlined in the resultant contract. The Contractor must establish and implement contingency plans for ensuring patients receive continuity of and access to appropriate primary care during periods of inadequate resources, extended staff absences, staff turnover, understaffing, and nature-related events (e.g., extreme weather conditions, natural disasters). If the number of patients reaches 90% of maximum panel size assigned by the facility the Contractor shall communicate to the VA, the Contractor’s future staffing plan to ensure staffing ratio standards remain in accordance with PCMM staffing standards. Total Estimated Patients enrolled/assigned to site: Southeast San Antonio CBOC.

2.2. PHYSICIAN DIRECTOR (MANDATORY FOR ALL SITES): FTE Ratio Performance Standard: 0.05 FTE per PACT Responsible Party: Shall be provided by Contractor. Qualifications: Contractor’s Physicians (including subcontractors) providing physician director services under the resultant contract shall demonstrate evidence of education, training, and experience in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Contactor’s Physicians performing under this contract shall be board certified (or board eligible) by the ABMS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice or the BOS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice. If proposed staff do not meet VA credentialing requirements, the Contractor shall propose substitute acceptable personnel within five (5) calendar days. May also be credentialed and privileged as a PCP. (If so, authorization for prescriptive authority is required). Physicians shall be licensed in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G2 located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2. Position Responsibilities: Serves as medical director to oversee and be responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site.

2.3. PRIMARY CARE TEAMLET STAFFING (MANDATORY FOR ALL SITES): All primary care team let staffing shall be provided by Contractor.

2.3.1. TEAMLET MEMBER 1: Primary Care Provider (PCP): FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standards are 1200 active patients per full time physician and 900 active patients per full time midlevel provider. Contractor shall propose quantity of FTE to meet Standard FTE ratio to panel size. Contractor to propose mix of PCP from the options below.

OPTION 1: Physician (MD): Qualifications: Physicians shall demonstrate evidence of education, training, and experience in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Physicians performing under this contract shall be board certified by the ABMS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice or the BOS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice. Authorization for prescriptive authority is required. If proposed staff do not meet VA credentialing requirements, the Contractor shall propose substitute acceptable personnel within five (5) calendar days. Physicians shall be licensed in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G2 located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2. Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing health care commensurate to the PCP’s licensure and clinical privileges or scope of practice, ensuring the patient’s care plan contains medical recommendations for clinically indicated care, offering clinically indicated health care services to patients assigned to the PACT, and providing or arranging for care to which patients consent, providing leadership to the team including shared delegation of appropriate care and care processes to appropriate team members, reviewing available clinical and performance data with the team, and focusing on continuous improvement of critical team processes, ensuring the patient has same-day access for face-to-face, telehealth, and telephone care visits during regular clinic hours, and collaborating with PACT staff to develop personal health plans that incorporate care management and care coordination appropriate to the patient’s needs.

OPTION 2: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP): Qualifications: CRNP’s (including subcontractors) must have an MSN from an NLN accredited nursing program and have ANA Certification as a Nurse Practitioner in either Adult Health or Family Practice. Authorization for prescriptive authority is required. Three years of clinical nursing experience is required. A minimum of one (1) year clinical experience as a CRNP is required (three (3) years preferred). Experience in outpatient care in a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine environment is preferred. CRNP shall have current, full, active, and unrestricted license and registration as a graduate professional nurse in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6 located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2. . Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing health care commensurate to the PCP’s licensure and clinical privileges or scope of practice, ensuring the patient’s care plan contains medical recommendations for clinically indicated care, offering clinically indicated health care services to patients assigned to the PACT, and providing or arranging for care to which patients consent, providing leadership to the team including shared delegation of appropriate care and care processes to appropriate team members, reviewing available clinical and performance data with the team, and focusing on continuous improvement of critical team processes, ensuring the patient has same-day access for face-to-face, telehealth, and telephone care visits during regular clinic hours, and collaborating with PACT staff to develop personal health plans that incorporate care management and care coordination appropriate to the patient’s needs.

OPTION 3: Physician Assistant (PA):Qualifications: PA’s (including subcontractors) must meet one of the three following educational criteria: a) A bachelor’s degree from a PA training program which is certified by the CAHEA; or b) Graduation from a PA training program of at least twelve (12) months duration, which is certified by the CAHEA and a bachelor’s degree in a health care occupation or health related science; or c) graduation from a PA training program of at least twelve (12) months duration which is certified by the CAHEA and a period of progressively responsible health care experience such as independent duty medical corpsman, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, medical technologist, or medical technician. The duration of approved academic training and health care experience must total at least five (5) years. Authorization for prescriptive authority is required. PAs must be certified by the NCCPA. PA shall have current, full, active, and unrestricted license and registration in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA HANDBOOK 5005 APPENDIX G8 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2 . Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing health care commensurate to the PCP’s licensure and clinical privileges or scope of practice, ensuring the patient’s care plan contains medical recommendations for clinically indicated care, offering clinically indicated health care services to patients assigned to the PACT, and providing or arranging for care to which patients consent, providing leadership to the team including shared delegation of appropriate care and care processes to appropriate team members, reviewing available clinical and performance data with the team, and focusing on continuous improvement of critical team processes, ensuring the patient has same-day access for face-to-face, telehealth, and telephone care visits during regular clinic hours, and collaborating with PACT staff to develop personal health plans that incorporate care management and care coordination appropriate to the patient’s needs.

2.3.2. TEAMLET MEMBER 2: Registered Nurse (RN) Care Manager: FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE RNCM per 1.0 FTE PCP Qualifications: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6 located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2. Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing all aspects of professional nursing services consistent with licensure, certification, nursing professional standards of practice, and the clinician’s Functional Statement with elements of practice, enhancing patient safety and quality of care by collaborating with PACT staff to develop, oversee, and manage care management plans and care coordination for patients assigned to PACTs, participating in modes of communication and care delivery including, but not limited to, secure messaging, telephone care, view alerts management, shared medical appointments, clinical video telehealth visits, face to face visits, etc., as part of care management, identifying patient needs for involvement of discipline-specific team members and discussing nursing recommendations with the PCP, engaging relevant PACT staff to support nursing care, according to locally established informal and formal communication processes, including entering consultation requests to discipline-specific PACT members, if required for formal communications, assuming full accountability for the appropriateness of assignments made by the RNCM to clinical associates or administrative associates related to care management, care coordination, nursing services, and outcomes of care, entering orders in the VA EHR for tests per approved standardized RN care management protocols or PCP orders, ensuring the RNCM has same-day access for face-to-face and telephone care visits, using nursing expertise, evidence-based guidelines, standardized nursing protocols, and professionally accepted practice standards to promote patient engagement, self-care and wellness, and provide care to patients and determine care management requirements for individual patients or cohorts of patients. The RN collaborates for the improvement of patient care outcomes in the Patient Aligned Care Team. Promotes systems to improve access and continuity of care, uses advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to mentor staff in planning, implementing and evaluating interventions that improve patient outcomes, designs and provides age and population specific health promotion and risk reduction strategies, translates evidence-based research into practice to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in nursing science, manages patients in transition between levels of care, serves as an expert resource to implement and teach skills, including motivational interviewing to promote patient self-management toward patient-driven holistic care plan for life.

PRIMARY CARE STAFFING – CLINICAL ASSOCIATE [X] Mandatory for all sites

2.3.3. TEAMLET MEMBER 3: CLINICAL ASSOCIATE FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE clinical associate per 1.0 FTE PCP. Contractor to propose the mix of Clinical Associates from the options below.

OPTION 1: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Qualifications: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA HANDBOOK 5005 APPENDIX G13 LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2 . CBOC) Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the aability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. Staff member will receive training as back-up for telehealth services.

OPTION 2: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):Qualifications: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license in the state in which the Outpatient Site of Care (i.e. CBOC) is located; otherwise qualifications as per VA HANDBOOK 5005 APPENDIX G13 LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1006&FType=2 . Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the aability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. Staff member will receive training as back-up for telehealth services.

OPTION 3: Medical Assistant (MA):Qualifications: Completion of an approved medical assistant training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or a current and active Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Other credentials such as completion of a medical services training program of the Armed Forces of the United States may be accepted based on Chief of Staff determination.Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the aability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. Staff member will receive training as back-up for telehealth services.

OPTION 4: Health Care Technician (HCT) (as part of PACT team let, not primary telehealth technician) : Qualifications: Completion of an approved medical assistant training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or a current and active Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Other credentials such as completion of a medical services training program of the Armed Forces of the United States may be accepted based on Chief of Staff determination. Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the aability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. Staff member will receive training as back-up for telehealth services.

PRIMARY CARE STAFFING – CLERICAL ASSOCIATE [X] Mandatory for all sites

2.3.4. TEAMLET MEMBER 4: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE administrative associate per 1.0 FTE PCP. Qualifications: Required education and experience demonstrating skills and abilities to perform duties ensuring smooth site operations .Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing clerical support and administrative functions to PACT staff, collaborating with PACT staff to incorporate the logistical elements of care coordination into comprehensive care management plans, providing guidance and direction to patients and personal support persons for navigating the VA health care system and administrative functions in VA, and coordinating care for patients assigned to the PACT.

2.4. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC PACT TEAM MEMBERS (REQUIRED FOR ALL SITES): Discipline-specific team members are designated in PCMM for one or more PACT(s). Discipline-specific team members provide continuity of direct discipline-specific care to all patients assigned to PACT(s) for which the team member is designated. The following discipline specific staffing shall be provided by VA.

2.4.1. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC 1: CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST (CPS) – Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists shall be scheduled to sufficiently provide the needs of enrolled patients functioning in the capacity of a mid-level provider (under SOP or collaborative practice agreement) as their primary duty is to assist providers with comprehensive medication management (chronic primary care disease management). Contract supported/VA to provide Telehealth Delivery.

2.4.2. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC 2: CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST (CPS) ANTI-COAGULATION: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists shall be scheduled to sufficiently provide the needs of enrolled patients functioning in the capacity of an advanced practice provider (under scope of practice or collaborative practice agreement) as their primary duty is to assist providers with comprehensive medication management (i.e. anticoagulation therapy management). Provided off-site by VA through referral.

EXPANDED PACT STAF

2.4.3. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC 3: LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned Veterans presenting for care. Covered services would include, but are not be limited to, conducting bio-psychosocial assessments to determine needs of Veterans, Veteran’s family members and caregivers. Provide a full range of clinical social work services within established standards of social work practice which includes treatment planning, individual, family and group counseling, VA and community-based resource referrals, case management and other services as appropriate. Providing tailored interventions for a wide range of psychosocial issues to include, housing/homelessness, food, finances, family/caregiver support, home care/placements, legal, education, employment, disability, mental health/addiction, medical and reporting of abuse/neglect. Participate in treatment planning with interprofessional teams, members and other programs. Assist with long term care placement, discharge planning, hand off communication and transitions between levels of care and arranging for in home services to ensure care is timely and appropriate. Contractor supported/VA provided Telehealth Delivery.

2.4.4. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC 4: REGISTERED DIETITIAN/NUTRITIONIST: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist scheduled to sufficiently provide for the needs of enrolled patients and to meet all VA scheduling requirements /mandates. Contractor supported/VA provided Telehealth Delivery.

2.4.5. DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC 5: PRIMARY CARE MENTAL HEALTH INTEGRATION (PC-MHI):

Responsible for disease-specific care management for enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care per VHA Handbook 1160.01 and the requirements of this contract. Contractor supported/VA provided Telehealth delivery.

2.5. SPECIALTY CARE STAFFING: The following specialty staffing shall be provided by the Contractor.

2.5.1. PODIATRIST: FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. Services provided off-site by VA, through referral.

2.6 ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES STAFFING: The following ancillary support staffing shall be provided by the Contractor.

2.6.1 DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST: Responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. Services provided off-site by VA, through referral.

2.6.2 PHLEBOTOMIST/LABORATORY TECHNICIAN: Verifies laboratory testing orders. Carefully reviews past and future appointments to ensure all orders are processed to percent patient having to return to clinic. Positively confirm patient identification and generates barcoded labels for specimens to be collected. Obtains specimens and properly prepares the for transport and sends specimens to the BA Core Laboratory.

2.7 GENERAL AND SPECIALTY MENTAL HEALTH STAFFING: Services provided off-site by VA, through referral.

2.8 TELEHEALTH SERVICES CLINICAL STAFF: The following telehealth staffing shall be provided by the Contractor. Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) FTE Ratio performance standard 1.0 FTE Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) per estimated 5,000 patients at clinic, with a trained back-up (e.g., another TCT or a member of the PACT Team let (LIP, RNCM, or LPN), depending on size of clinic/clinic workload/clinic telehealth services). All staff providing telehealth related services (primary TCT(s) and back-ups) must be trained in tele retinal imaging, tele dermatology, tele audiology, tele-mental health, tele primary care etc. The qualifications, competencies, and position responsibilities noted below apply to primary TCT(s) and back-ups. The Tele presenter can be any clinically trained person assisting the provider in the presentation of the Veteran using videoconferencing. Depending on the skills needed for the encounter, the Tele presenter can be a licensed independent provider (LIP), Registered Nurse, LPN, or Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT). Tele presenters can also serve as TCT back-ups. The number and discipline of Contractor’s staff trained to function as a TCT back-up or Tele presenter will be based on the volume and type of telehealth services provided.

2.8.1 Qualifications: All staff providing telehealth related services into the clinic shall be appropriately credentialed and; where necessary, privileged. All contractor staff who support and manage telehealth services must be working within permitted licensure and scope of practice. Where non-licensed staff is supporting telehealth services the Contractor’s licensed staff must provide appropriate clinical supervision.

2.8.2 Competency – TCTs, Telepresenters, Store and Forward Imagers et al. and their back-ups, shall be expected to provide clinical care in compliance with established clinical protocol. Additional guidelines governing operations will be utilized and provided to Contractor by VA. TCTs, Telepresenters, Store and

2.8.3 Forward Imagers and back-ups shall be expected to successfully complete training programs required for certification as a TCT, Telepresenter and/ or Store and Forward Imager and back-up including VA required training and any VA training mandated for TCT, Telepresenter, Teleretinal Imagers. TCTs, Telepresenters, and Store and Forward Imagers shall be responsible for maintaining imager and/or other required certification. TCTs, Telepresenters, and Store and Forward Imagers and back-ups shall be expected to demonstrate competency on the function and use of the telehealth equipment including digital retinal and dermatology imaging system, teleaudiology hardware and software. VA will provide training to TCTs, Telepresenters, Store and Forward Imagers and back-ups and document competency.

2.8.4 Training: Contractor’s TCTs, RNs, LPNs, LIPs and support staff providing telehealth services shall be required to complete all Telehealth required training, both virtual and in-person. Contractor’s Telehealth Staff shall be required to attend conference calls intended to support and maximize delivery of care as required by the VA.

2.8.5 TCT Position Responsibilities: TCT manages the Telehealth Services offered by the clinic (i.e., presenting, equipment management, training, imaging, audiology services, etc.) and is responsible for the provision of covered services to enrolled and unassigned patients presenting for care. The Contractor’s telehealth services shall include but are not limited to: coordinating telehealth clinic set up, scheduling, equipment management, provision of data on request, attendance on VA or Network Telehealth Team calls, maintaining records required for quality control processes, and participating in performance improvement activities. The TCT shall be responsible for conveyance of clinically appropriate in-person interaction or on-site observations (e.g., assisting with hearing aid fittings, detection of alcohol use, etc.) with the Veteran patient to the telehealth provider. The TCT shall be responsible for gathering and transmitting telehealth images, sounds, data and all other supporting data to the assigned VA providers or reading centers within time lines established by policy.