2nd Set of Contractor Questions-COR response.docx

2nd Set of Questions

1. Page 5 of the solicitation states: “The offeror is instructed to edit the number of Sub-Line Item Numbers (SLIN) to correspond with the number of key personnel submitted for the line item number (LIN). Offerors shall include the “title” of the personnel submitted. Other commercial health care Offerors shall identify by title/position or level of experience the key personnel submitted. Also, renumber SUB-LINs if adding or removing Key Personnel.” Does this mean that offeror is to revise the price proposal to include Key Personnel within the actual price proposal? Are contractors to estimate the total number of hours each key personnel identified?

Answer: Listing of Key Personnel has to be submitted with Part I, see Pg.81, Addendum to 52.212-1(iii), & page 82 “D. Specific Instructions paragraph (d) listing of key personnel. The Schedule of Services may be revised to add SubLINs or as an attachment labelled “Listing of key personnel with required information” with the estimate number of hours for each key personnel identified.

2. Please explain what “Offerors shall include the “title” of the personnel submitted. Other commercial health care Offerors shall identify by title/position or level of experience the key personnel submitted” means. Are we to provide just the title of key personnel or are we to provide title, position, and experience?

Answer: Per PWS page 12 Paragraph 2 Qualifications, key personnel must meet the qualifications stated in the PWS. Please provide name, title, position and experience on the listing of key personnel. Also see page 82 (g) Qualification documents for all key personnel.

3. Page 7 of the solicitation (price schedule) shows the same performance periods for Option Year 2 and Option Year 3.

Answer: period of performances will be updated via solicitation amendment for OY3 and OY 4.

4. What is the performance period of this contract? Will a conformed copy of the solicitation be issued?

Answer: Period of Performance for this requirement will be base+ 4 option years 1/1/2023 -12/31/2027. An amendment will be issued to correct POP for OY 3 and OY 4.

5. Page 8 of the solicitation (price schedule) looks like it is missing a letter an indication cost for the base year of the contract is missing.

Answer: Base year will be added to page 8 via amendment.

6. Will a conformed copy of the solicitation be issued?

Answer: All changes/corrections & Q&A will be provided via amendments.”

7. Page 81 of the solicitation, paragraph 1 states “The response shall consist of a total of one (1) proposal copy”. Later on, Page 81 the solicitation states the response is to be submitted in 2 parts. Can the government please specify the total number of volumes to be submitted (i.e. 1 document, containing all required elements or 2 separate documents containing all required elements)?

Answer: One proposal copy of each document for Part I and Part II which is two separate documents.

8. Subcontracting Plan – As this solicitation is set aside for SDVOSB, is a subcontracting plan required? Typically, the purpose of a subcontracting plan is to set subcontracting goals for larger type businesses to utilize smaller underutilized type business in the performance of a contract. Regarding this opportunity, we feel that it is more likely that the SDVOSB will be subcontracting to a company that is not underutilized (Other than Small or Small Business). As such we are wondering as to the merit of this requirement.

Answer: Sub-contracting plan is required if your company will be sub-contracting the services. Additionally, the SDVOSB offeror shall comply with the limitations on subcontracting certification requirements. (per VAAR 819.7003(e)). Also see page 64, C.11 VAAR 852.219-77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services.

9. Are Past Performance Surveys to be submitted directly to the Government from the reference? Or are the surveys required to also be included in the proposal? Page 81 of the solicitation states that Attachment 6 Past Performance Surveys are to be included in Part I of the proposal.

Answer: Attachment 6 is required in the Part I submittal copy. The past performance can be from a Government reference or a civilian sector. If you have past performance from Government or private sector. It may be emailed to rashonda.jones@va.gov either by the past performance reference or offeror. Note: If the offeror has no such past performance, specifically state in PART II of your submittal that your company has no such past performance. The Government will review available past performance data in the Government's Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) to obtain additional past performance

10. Page 81 of the solicitation states that the response shall consist of one proposal copy but includes two parts. Part I shows that it is to include Attachment 6 – Past Performance Survey. Part II shows that it is to include Past Performance. Can the Government please clarify what the contractor is required to include for evaluation factor 2 within part II for Past Performance?

Answer: Part I submit Attachment 6 “past performance survey” if available in this part. Part II ii Evaluation Factor 2 Past Performance- If the offeror has no such past performance, specifically state that your company has no such past performance.

11. Is there a current incumbent contractor for these services? If so, who is the incumbent contractor and what is their contract number?

Answer: Dilligas Corp (US GOT PEOPLE) / 36C25718C0004

12. What is the current staffing percentage on the current contract?

Answer: Contract is not to hire contracting providers as full-time providers, but to utilize contracting providers during WHEN hours (weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights) as needed. Proposed contractors must meet contract requirements.

13. Have there been any significant issues staffing this contract?

Answer: No

14. What is the annual volume for the Emergency Department?

Answer: approx. 42000/yr

15. What are the current shift times?

Answer: 12 hr shifts with 9 various shifts times per day to ensure 24/7 coverage of the department

16. How many physicians are on each shift?

Answer: 9 shifts per day on the schedule with adequate support staff per EM guidelines. However, Contract is not to hire contracting providers as full-time providers, but to utilize contracting providers during WHEN hours (weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights) as needed.

17. Are there Government physicians who are working in the ED as well or will all providers be contract employees?

Answer: Yes, there are Government Physicians working in the Emergency Department

18. What are the number of support staff per shift (i.e., PA’s/NP’s, RN’s, etc…)?

Answer: 9 shifts per day on the schedule with adequate support staff per EM guidelines. However, Contract is not to hire contracting providers as full-time providers, but to utilize contracting providers during WHEN hours (weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights) as needed.

Answer: Yes, however are addressed and assigned to FTE attendings

21. Is three the maximum number of past performance references that offerors can provide with their bid?

Answer: yes, three references for the same or similar services is preferred within the last 3-5 years of past performance.

22. Will the Government consider accepting finalized Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARS) in lieu of past performance surveys?

Answer: Attachment 6 is required. If the offeror has no such past performance, specifically state that your company has no such past performance. The Government will review available past performance data in the Government's Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) to obtain additional past performance

23. Under 52.212-1, B on page 81, the instructions lists Attachment 6 (Past Performance Survey) as an item that is included in Part I of the submitted proposal. However, the instructions on the survey ask the reference to return the PPQ directly to the Government. Please confirm that this Attachment is not included in the Part I submission.

Answer: Attachment 6 is required in the Part I submittal copy however, the Government will accept the PPQ to be emailed by the reference or submitted by the offeror in Part I. Note: it is up to the offeror to verify with their reference that the PPQ has emailed, please do not ask us to verify for you if it was received.

24. Under 52-212-1, D.1.g. on page 82, states that the key personnel qualification documents should be included in the Price Proposal. However, 52.212-2 (a)(1)(ii) provides that this information be submitted in the Technical Capabilities Proposal. Can the Government please confirm where offerors should provide the qualification documents?

Answer: Key Personnel to be submitted with Part II see Pg.89, 52.212-2(a)(1)(i).

25. Under 52-212-1, D.1.g. on page 82, states that the contingency plan should be included in the Price Proposal. However, 52.212-2 (a)(1)(iIi) provides that this information be submitted in the Technical Capabilities Proposal. Can the Government please confirm where offerors should provide the contingency plan?

Answer: Technical Capability is Part II. The contingency plan is a sub-factor 3 of evaluation factor 1. Please include contingency plan under Part II (as stated on pg. 81 b. Part II).

26. The requested qualification documents on page 82 of the solicitation include “Health Safety Items - provide proof of health record as required by solicitation”. Given that this is only a bid at this time, many of our candidates have expressed concerns about the disclosure of PHI given the requested information. The PWS 2.1.7 states that proof of these tests shall be provided “for physicians within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift”. To allow for more open competition and not provide an advantage to the incumbent contractor, will the Government remove this requirement from the proposal submission and allow the successful offeror to present this information within 5 days of contract award as is outlined in PWS 2.1.7?

Answer: We will amend solicitation. Requirements for “4. Health Safety Items (PPD, ect)- shall be provided within five calendar days after contract award per page 15 of PWS paragraph 2.1.7.

27. Will the Government please confirm if this RFP #36C25722R0050 is for existing work?

Answer: 36C25722R0050 is the follow-on to an existing contract see Q&A #11.

28. If this is existing work will the Government, please confirm who the current Incumbent Contractor is, how many physicians are performing these services and their contract number?

Answer: Per Q&A #11, Dilligas Corp (US GOT PEOPLE) / Contract# 36C25718C0004.It is up to the offeror to reach out to the incumbent and ask if they can provide the number of physicians performing the current services. The incumbent can decide if they want to disclose that information.

29. If there are incumbent physicians performing these services will the Government, please confirm how many of the current physicians are Board Certified/Eligible in Emergency Medicine?

Answer: Per Q&A #11, Dilligas Corp (US GOT PEOPLE) / Contract# 36C25718C0004.It is up to the offeror to reach out to the incumbent and ask if they can provide the number of physicians performing the current services. The incumbent can decide if they want to disclose that information.

30. If there are incumbent physicians performing these services will the Government, please confirm how many of the current physicians are Board Certified (BC) in Family Medicine (ABFM or AOBFP) / Internal Medicine (ABIM or AOBIM)?

Answer: Per Q&A #11, Dilligas Corp (US GOT PEOPLE) / Contract# 36C25718C0004. It is up to the offeror to reach out to the incumbent and ask if they can provide the number of physicians performing the current services. The incumbent can decide if they want to disclose that information.

31. Will the Government please confirm what they are referencing by verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history for all contractor’s physician(s)?

Answer: Thorough background, credentialing and privileging by National Homeland Security and local Medical Sharing Office will require evidence for all educational and training experiences including work history and medical claims.

32. Will the Government please confirm the EHR used within of South Texas Health Care System (STVHCS) Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital and indicate whether the ED uses a different EHR than STVHCS or Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital?

Answer: No Answer provided

33. Will the Government please confirm that required Standard Personnel Testing (PPD etc.) is required within five (5) calendar days after contract award ad prior to the first duty shift?

Answer: Per Q&A#26, We will amend solicitation. Requirements for “4. Health Safety Items (PPD, ect)- shall be provided within five calendar days after contract award per page 15 of PWS paragraph 2.1.7.

34. Will the Government please confirm what pertinent Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) are required with proposal?

Answer: This is referenced on page 16 para. 2.1.8. of the solicitation. I will get with the customer to see how they confirm what the taxonomy code is and how the contractor is to obtain it.

35. Will the Government please confirm that Contractor physicians(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?

Answer: This is referenced in PWS page 17 paragraph 2.1.10.

36. How would the Government like the Contractor physician(s) to identify and communicate conflicts of interest to the CO and COR at time of proposal?

Answer: per Q&A # 36 This is referenced in PWS page 17 paragraph 2.1.10.

37. If the Contractor does not have a subcontractor at time of proposal submission but establishes a need to utilize after contract award will the Government accept certification over the course of contract as deemed necessary by Contractor?

Answer: No. See Q&A #8.

38. Please confirm that the Government will accept a written statement by Contractor (s) and /or firm acknowledging that they have reviewed HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities and certify that at time of offer/bid was signed all had been reviewed.

Answer: see PWS page 18 PWS paragraph 2.1.12.2 “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.”

39. Will the Government clarify that the assigned Contractor physicians can be Board Certified / Board Eligible Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and / or Internal Medicine physician during assigned work hours?

Answer: Clarification is listed within contract of acceptable contracting staff. All contracting providers must meet criteria listed.

40. Will the Government please confirm that the requested hours of performance will be to cover 18,992 hours of evening/overnight and holiday shifts that are hard to fill from current availability?

Answer: Contract is not to hire contracting providers as full-time providers, but to utilize contracting providers during WHEN hours (weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights) as needed.

41. Will the Government please confirm the acceptance of key physician personnel who are Board Certified/Eligible Internal Medicine (ABIM or AOBIM) as stated 2.1.2 of the RFP?

Answer: Clarification is listed within contract of acceptable contracting staff. All contracting providers must meet criteria listed.

42. Will the Government please confirm which documents are to be Primary Source verified at time of proposal submission?

Answer: Question is unclear as to what is being asked.

43. Will the Government please confirm if ACLS /BLS are due upon award? Will the Government please confirm if the BLS/ACLS certifications are required for proposal submission or upon award?

Answer: Yes, ACLS and BLS are due upon award

44. Will the Government please confirm if the Quality Control Plan is due upon proposal submission?

Answer: pg 89 para (i) quality control plan falls under Evaluation Factor 1-Technical capabilities as Sub Factor 1

45. Will the Government please confirm if the Subcontracting Plan is due upon proposal submission?

Answer: pg. 82 para D.2.

Will the Government please confirm if Subcontracting Plan should this be contained in the Price Proposal Section or in the Technical Section?

Answer: It is after Part I & Part II

46. Will the Government please confirm if the is due Proof of Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance upon proposal submission?

Answer: pg 82, para. D.1.c. The Offeror shall complete the Schedule of Services with an all-inclusive unit price per hour (including all labor, incidental costs and insurance premium payments for applicable insurance coverage) for the base and all option periods. Cost not incorporated into the Contractor's price will not be reimbursed by the Government. Para. D.1.e Copies of all required insurance certificates. Pg 34 Proof of Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (upon proposal and upon new hires)

47. Will the government please clarify what the contracting staff’s 6-part personnel folder is? Answer: para 6.6.1.3 of PWS

48. Will the Government please confirm when the Contractor should submit health records? According to 2.1.7. of the RFP the 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.

Answer: pg 15, para 2.1.7. within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer

49. Does the ER have Glidescope (or similar equipment) in the ER for video assisted intubations? Answer: Yes

50. Are anesthesia services/airway support available on call 24/7?

Answer: Yes

51. Are trauma surgeons and OBGYN physicians on site 24/7?

Answer: No

52. Does the ER utilize Scribe services 24/7?

Answer: No

53. How many patients are seen per hour per contractor physician?

Answer: 1.5 pts/hr is the minimum standard

54. Should the proposal be divided into 3 files: 1) Part I; 2) Part II; 3) Price Proposal? Or 1) Evaluation Factor 1 and Subfactors 1-3; 2) Evaluation Factor 2 – Past Performance; 3) Evaluation Factor 3-Price?

Answer: Offeror needs to read & understand the solicitation and issued amendments. Reference Section E addendum 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors page 81 & 52.212-2 Evaluation page 88.

55. Should the Price Proposal be a separate section and not provided as part of a. Part I?

Answer: Price proposal should be in PART I. pg 81 para B.1.a.

56. Due to the unpredictable return of a Past Performance Survey by previous Government customers will the Government accept CPARS as Past Performance?

Answer: Per Q&A #23. Attachment 6 is required in the Part I submittal copy however, the Government will accept the PPQ to be emailed by the reference or submitted by the offeror in Part I. Note: it is up to the offeror to verify with their reference that the PPQ has emailed, please do not ask us to verify for you if it was received.

57. What is the current or preferred schedule for the ER Physicians?

Answer: Question is unclear, See Schedule of Services for hours required page 5-8.

58. How long will the award notification process take?

Answer: unable to provide an estimated time frame for award notification.

59. How many credentialed physicians does the incumbent have on this contract?

Answer: Per Q&A #11, 28-30, Dilligas Corp (US GOT PEOPLE) / Contract# 36C25718C0004. It is up to the offeror to reach out to the incumbent and ask if they can provide the number of physicians performing the current services. The incumbent can decide if they want to disclose that information.

60. On average, how long will it take to credential a new physician?

Answer: Depends on history, documents, and reference reviews

61. On average, what % of current ER incumbent physicians have been working on this contract for more than one year?

Answer: This information can be provided to you by the incumbent if they will disclose this information to you

62. Will the VA accept new graduates who are board-eligible in Emergency Medicine?

Answer: Must meet contract criteria to include hours of experience

63. Will the VA accept board-eligible family or internal medicine candidates who meet the experience requirements outlined in section 2.1.2?

Answer: Must meet contract criteria to include hours of experience in Emergency Medicine. Clarification is listed within contract of acceptable contracting staff.

64. Section 4.5.1.1 states candidates must be Board Certified / Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine and be currently certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Emergency Department Physicians. However, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 seem to be different standards. While 4.2.4 requires standards of Internal Medicine. Please clarify if candidates will be Board Certified / Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine and be held to strictly those standards or if the government wants Internal Medicine physician candidates and will hold them to Internal Medicine Standards (or are either acceptable candidates to the government and will be held to their respective standards).

Answer: Must meet contract criteria to include hours of experience in Emergency Medicine. Clarification is listed within contract of acceptable contracting staff.

65. Please extend the proposal due date two weeks beyond the day answers to questions are published.

Answer: Solicitation will be extended via amendment.

66. How does the government want offerors to acknowledge Attachments 4, 5, 6?

Answer:

Attachment 4 Contractor Rules of Behavior: needs to be filled out by the contractor not key personnel.

Attachment 5 Background Investigation Forms: is informational only, nothing required at proposal submittal.

Attachment 6 Past Performance Survey: is required with proposal.

67. Should the proposal submission be one document or should the offeror submit 2 separate documents.

Answer: Per Q&A #7, One proposal copy of each document for Part I and Part II which is two separate documents.

68. Will the Government please clarify what Volume the FAR clause should be included in?

Answer: Question is unclear on which FAR clause it is referencing. FAR Clauses are listed on Section C Contract Clauses applicable to this requirement. Provision information listed on page 81 FAR 52.209-7 & 52.212-3 will be verified via SAM registration.

69. Will the Government clarify what specifically is to be included in the Health Safety Items?

Answer: Read PWS page 15 2.1.7-2.1.7.8. Per Q&A#26, We will amend solicitation. Requirements for “4. Health Safety Items (PPD, ect)- shall be provided within five calendar days after contract award per page 15 of PWS paragraph 2.1.7.

70. What volume should the Subcontracting Plan be included.

Answer: Following Part I

71. Will the government please clarify what is to be included in the Quality Control Plan and what volume should this be included in?

Answer: Part II (i) Evaluation Factor 1- (i) Sub-Factor 1 Quality Control Plan: Description and reporting reflecting the contractor’s plan for meeting of contract requirements and performance standards.

72. Will the government please clarify what volume the contingency plan should be included in?

Answer: Part II (i) Evaluation Factor 1- (iii) Sub-Factor 3 Contingency Plan: Offeror shall demonstrate their plan for replacing key personnel to maintain services as required under the terms of the contract (reference paragraph 2.9.4.4. of the PWS).