36C25722R0061.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 127 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. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

36C25722R0061 08-25-2022

LaQulla Howard, Contracting Officer 972-708-0826 09-09-2022

4:00 PM EST

36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 17 North Texas Healthcare System Regional Procurement Office West (RPO-W) 124 E. Hwy 67, Suite 100 Duncanville TX 75137

X 100

X

621512

$16.5 Million

N/A

36C257

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Temple, TX 76504

36C257

NCO 17

Department of Veterans Affairs North Texas Veterans Health Care Center 124 E. Hwy 67, Suite 100 Duncanville TX 75137

Financial Services Center (FSC) Department of Veterans Affairs

P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971

(877) 353-9791 (512) 460-5540

See CONTINUATION Page

This procurement is set-aside as Small Business, see Price/

Cost Schedule section B2 and Performance Work Statement (PWS) 9Section B.3 for details.

Period of performance will be one (1) base year with nine (9)

One-year option periods.

See CONTINUATION Page

X 1

36C25722R0061

Table of Contents

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

B3. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

B.4 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.3 52.203-3 GRATUITIES (APR 1984)

C.4 52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS AND

REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS (JUN

2020)

C.5 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON POSTCONSUMER FIBER

CONTENT PAPER (MAY 2011)

C.6 52.204-9 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR

PERSONNEL (JAN 2011)

C.7 52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

C.8 52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE

(AUG 2020)

C.9 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (NOV 2021)

C.10 52.216-4 ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT – LABOR AND MATERIAL (JAN

2017)

C.11 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

C.12 52.216-19 ORDERING LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.13 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

C.14 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.15 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) . 58

C.16 52.219-6 NOTICE OF TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (NOV 2020)

C.17 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR

FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021) (DEVIATION)

C.18 52.224-1 PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION (APR 1984)

C.19 52.224-2 PRIVACY ACT (APR 1984)

C.20 52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA—GENERAL (MAY 2014)

C.21 52.227-17 RIGHTS IN DATA—SPECIAL WORKS (DEC 2007)

C.22 52.228-5 INSURANCE—WORK ON A GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION (JAN

1997)

C.23 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

C.24 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR

1984)

C.25 52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES (JAN 1991)

C.26 52.242-13 BANKRUPTCY (JUL 1995)

C.27 52.242-17 GOVERNMENT DELAY OF WORK (APR 1984)

C.28 52.245-1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (SEP 2021)

C.29 52.245-9 USE AND CHARGES (APR 2012)

C.30 VAAR 852.204-70 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR

PERSONNEL (MAY 2020)

C.31 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA

ACQUISTION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

C.32 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—MONITORING AND

COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

C.33 VAAR 852.219-75 SUBCONTRACTING COMMITMENTS MONITORING AND

COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

C.34 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

C.35 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020) . 88

C.36 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2022)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

D.1 QASP – Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vascular Lab Services

D.2 CONTRACTOR RULES OF BEHAVIOR

D.3 PAST PERFORMANCE SURVEY

D.4 PAST PERFORMANCE REFERENCES

D.5 CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATON

D.6 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERICAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

E.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.3 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (AUG 2020)

E.4 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

E.5 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.6 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST

E.7 52.212-3 AWARD WITHOUT EXCHANGES (JAN 2003)

E.8 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND 8COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2021)

E.9 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

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

a. CONTRACTOR: (Please fill out information below):

Contractor Name:

Title:

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

E-mail:

Federal Taxpayer ID

SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

b. GOVERNMENT:

Contracting Officer (90C) LAQULLA HOWARD Laqulla.Howard@va.gov Network Contracting Office, NCO 17 124 E Hwy 67, Suite 100 Duncanville, TX 75137 972-708-0826

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management.

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly

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. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the requirements of The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Financial Services Center (VAFSC). The latest information shall be used for invoicing and payments and may change during the Period of Performance of this acquisition.

Current Invoicing information is located at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

6. POST AWARD ORIENTATION: The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as required by VA Acquisition Manual, Part M842.502-70 Key requirements for post award orientation.

7. SECURE FAX: Please review VA Handbook 6500 that requires the following statement on all fax cover sheets be included (if you determine that the ordering process will include a fax): “This fax is intended only for the use of the person or office to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or protected by law. All others are hereby notified that the receipt of this fax does not waive any applicable privilege or exemption for disclosure and that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please notify this office immediately at the telephone number listed above.”

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS); requires the contractor to establish and maintain an Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory to support patient care within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS).

FAR 25.216-4 ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: This clause applies to all line items below and will be implemented during option year modifications, supporting EPA documentation shall be provided to the Contracting Officer 60 days prior to the start of each option period.

FAR 16.203-4(c)(3) as required by FAR 52.216-4.

BASE YEAR September 25, 2022 – September 24, 2023

Item Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

0001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist (Medical Instrument Tech) to perform ultrasounds and non-invasive vascular lab studies for IAC Accreditation. Education and Training to VA Employees required to meet the standards for IAC-VT accreditation. P.W.S Section 4.

HR 2080

Base Year Total

Option Year One September 25, 2023 – September 24, 2024

Item Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

1001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S

HR 480

Option Year One

Option Year Two September 25, 2024 – September 24, 2025

Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

2001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S.

Year Two

Option Year Three September 25, 2025 – September 24, 2026

Item Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

3001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, reaccreditation, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S Section 4.

Year Three

Option Year Four September 25, 2026 – September 24, 2027

Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

4001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S.

Year Four

Option Year Five September 25, 2027 – September 24, 2028

Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

5001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S.

Year Five

Option Year Six September 25, 2028 – September 24, 2029

Item Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

6001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, reaccreditation, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S. Section 4.

Year Six

Option Year Seven: September 25, 2029 – September 24, 2030

Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

7001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S.

Year Seven

Option Year Eight: September 25, 2030 – September 24, 2031

Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

8001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S.

Year Eight

Option Year Nine: September 25, 2031 – September 24, 2032

Item Number

Description Unit of Measure

EST.

QTY.

Unit Price Total Cost

9001 Certified Vascular Laboratory Technologist for accreditation maintenance, reaccreditation, education and training to VA Employees. P.W.S. Section 4.

Year Nine

SUM TOTAL FOR BASE AND OPTION YEARS $

The Government shall only pay for the number of hours actually worked.

MINIMUM/MAXIMUM: In accordance with FAR 16.504, the guaranteed minimum award for the entire contract performance period is $60,000. The maximum aggregate value of orders that can be placed under this contract is $775,000. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum guaranteed award amount.

Inclusion of FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services: 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 proposals relative to each other, and will not affect the ranking of proposals based on price, unless, after reviewing the proposals, the Government determines that there is a basis for finding otherwise. The evaluation will consider the possibility that the option can be exercised at any time and can be exercised in increments of one to six months, but not for more than a total of six months during the life of the contract. This evaluation will not obligate the Government to exercise any option under FAR 52.217-8.

TASK ORDER PROCEDURES: The Contracting Officer is to issue all task orders against this IDIQ contract at the time of contract award for the base year and at the time of each option period exercised annually thereafter. The Task Orders shall specify quantities of services for each period of performance and shall comply with FAR 52.216-18 and FAR 52.216-19.

B3. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

1.GENERAL:

1.1. SERVICES REQUIRED: The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS); requires the contractor to establish and maintain an IAC accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory to support patient care within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS).

1.2. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority. FAR Parts 12 and 13.

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

1.3.1 VHA Handbook 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health

Records:

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3088

1.3.2 Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended

http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm

1.3.3 The Joint Commission – http://www.jointcommission.org/standards/

1.3.4 HHS OIG Website – http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp

1.3.5 American Journal for Infection Control - AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf

1.4 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.

1.4.1 ABCP American Board of Vascular Surgery

1.4.2 ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.4.3 ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.4.4 BLS: Basic Life Support

1.4.5 CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.4.6 CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report

1.4.7 CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.4.8 CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.4.9 CMP: Civil Monetary Penalty

1.4.10 CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

1.4.11 CO: Contracting Officer – 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.

1.4.12 COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative – 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.

1.4.13 COS: Chief of Staff

1.4.14 CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.4.15 DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.4.16 ED: Emergency Department

1.4.17 ECMO: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

1.4.18 EHR: Electronic Health Record - electronic health record system used by the VA.

1.4.19 EMR: Electronic Medical Record

1.4.20 FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.4.21 FTEE: Full Time Equivalency Employee is defined by VA as a minimum of 80 hours every two weeks and does not included holidays.

1.4.22 HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.4.23 HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.4.24 HR: Human Resources

1.4.25 ISO: Information Security Officer

1.4.26 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).

1.4.27 NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

www.nlnac.org

1.4.28 Non-Contract Provider - any person, organization, agency, or entity that is not directly or indirectly employed by the Contractor or any of its subcontractors.

1.4.29 NP: Nurse Practitioner

1.4.30 NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System

1.4.31 OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

1.4.32 OIT: Office of Information and TechnologyOPM: Office of Personnel Management

1.4.33 OPPE: Ongoing Provider Practice Evaluation

1.4.34 OR: Operating Room

1.4.35 PA: Technologist Assistant

1.4.36 PIV: Personal Identity Verification

1.4.37 POP: Period of Performance

1.4.38 PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.4.39 PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.4.40 QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.4.41 RFP: Request for Proposal

1.4.42 VAMC: Veterans Affairs Medical Center

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

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

1.4.45 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.

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

1.4.47 Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA Medical Center, for the purpose of this contract, this term shall mean the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (Temple, Texas).

2 QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1. Staff/Facility: The contractor shall provide a full-time certified vascular laboratory technologist located at the VAMC 1.0 FTEE (2080) for the base year and (480) for all option years. A full-time employee performs 80 hours a pay period. There are 26 pay periods in an annual pay cycle.

2.1.1 The vascular laboratory technologist shall have a certification as a vascular laboratory technologist. 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. A folder with the stated qualifications will be maintained by the

COR.

2.1.2 Technical Proficiency - Contract personnel 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 contract personnel(s) and contract personnel shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.

2.1.3 Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): All Contractor personnel who access, process or transmit VA PHI shall be required to complete VA Information Security Awareness and HIPAA training on an annual basis, basic life support certification every two years and shall be required to sign a VA Computer Access Agreement. Training shall be coordinated with the COR and shall be completed prior to gaining access to VA computer systems or network. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor.

2.1.4 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: Until further notice, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, contractor personnel must wear a face covering/mask at all times while performing within the facility. Contractors are to adhere to the social distances requirement and obey all signage with safety messages.

2.1.5 STANDARD PERSONNEL TESTING (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for technologists 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.

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

2.1.5.2 MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall

provide proof of immunity for all Contractor technologists {This is applicable to all health care workers}.

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

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

2.1.5.5 INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all contractor technologists have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor technologist 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}.

2.1.5.6 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 technologist (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.

2.1.5.7 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.

2.1.6 Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all contract personnel (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.

2.1.7 Citizenship related Requirements: The Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall comply with any and 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;

2.1.7.1 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.

2.1.7.2 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.

2.1.7.3 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.

2.1.7.4 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.

2.1.8 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.

2.1.8.1 Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site referenced above to ensure that the proposed contract technologist (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.

2.1.8.2 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 contract personnel (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 technologists are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor’s or their own practice(s).

2.6 Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contract personnel (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 contract personnel (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 Health examinations to include:

2.7.3 Annual TB Skin Test and recent chest X-ray if there is a history of positive

TB skin test

2.7.4 Evidence of Hepatitis B immunity (hepatitis immune titer, if the individual has had the series of shots; if no immunity, evidence that the individual has started the Hepatitis B vaccination series

2.7.5 Evidence of a Hepatitis C titer

2.7.6 Varicella titer if contracted employee has not had chicken pox

2.7.7 Income tax withholding, and

2.7.8 Social security payments

2.8 Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover contractor or contract personnel (s). When a contractor or contract personnel (s) has been identified 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 contract provider (s)) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the contractor and/or insurance carrier.

2.9 Contract vascular lab technologists:

2.9.1 Contract vascular lab technologists are working in a full-time equivalent employee position and are only required to be on VA premises when services are requested, per contract duty hours. Full-time is five days a week, 8 hours a day. On-call duty and weekend workdays are not required of this position.

2.9.2 The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. Should the VA COS or designee show documented clinical problems or continual unprofessional behavior/actions with any contract personnel (s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said contract personnel (s).

2.9.3 The CO and COR shall address issues raised concerning Contract personnel’s conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the

CO.

2.9.4 Contingency Plan: Because continuity of care is an essential part of VAMC’s medical services, The Contractor shall have a contingency plan in place to be utilized if the contract personnel leaves Contractor’s employment or is unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

2.9.5 Note: Evidence of completion of required licensure, credentials, required training, current competencies and background investigations must be validated for all contractor personnel referred to perform services under this contract prior to providing direct patient care. Contractor shall not have any personnel report to duty until written notification is received from the Contracting Officer advising that the candidate (s) presented has met all requirements for contract performance.

3 HOURS OF OPERATION:

3.1 VA Business Hours: VA business hours/hours of operation are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

3.1.1 Work Schedule: Regular work hours are Monday through Friday for eight (8) hours a day Duty tours may include 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3.1.2 Vascular laboratory technologist service is required on a full-time basis 1.0

FTEE (2080) for the base year and (480) for all option years.

3.2 Federal Holidays:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King’s Birthday President’s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth National Independence Day Independence Day Labor Day

Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Any day specifically declared to be a national holiday by Executive Order of the

President

4 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technologist Required: The contractor shall provide contract personnel who are competent, qualified per this performance work statement and adequately trained to perform assigned duties. The contractor will provide the following:

Vascular Laboratory Accreditation – The contractor, working with the vascular laboratory Medical Director and CTVHCS staff, will prepare an application for vascular laboratory accreditation through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission – Vascular Testing (IAC-VT). The initial application will be submitted within 12 months of the initiation of testing services at CTVHCS. The contractor will provide:

o Preparation of the IAC-VT application o Identification of appropriate case studies o Submission of required supporting materials

Education and Training – Deliver education and training to VA employees required to meet the standards for IAC-VT accreditation:

o Provide Category I AMA PRA continuing medical education (CME) credit via in-person and online educational modules specific to VA vascular lab clinical operations (required for medical staff to maintain their Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) credential (credit will be provided to both physicians, technologists, and students directly involved in CTVCHS vascular lab services, and any other physicians or technologists requested by the facility) o Provide initial and ongoing training for technologists or physicians as noninvasive diagnostic testing modalities are added, or based on necessity based on Quality Improvement (QI) program findings o Up to 40 Category I AMA Credits related directly to Vascular Testing every three years for Vascular Laboratory Medical Director and Vascular Laboratory Medical Staff and up to 40 Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU)-CME credits to technologists for QI activities each year.

o Management – In addition to the work of the onsite vascular technologist, the contractor will work with the vascular laboratory Medical Director and other staff, to provide for day-to-day management of vascular laboratory operations, to include o Developing and implementing clinical and operational policies and procedures for vascular testing that meet or exceed standards for vascular laboratory accreditation established by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

o Create and implement Quality Control (QC) processes that ensure appropriate and complete testing, timely reporting, and efficiency of care.

o Create and implement a Quality Improvement (QI) that exceeds IAC standards, performing all QI activities and hosting quarterly QI meetings o Use of a database to track and report QI activity results, documenting changes in quality over time by technologist, interpreting physician, and referring physician o Support the medical director in ongoing education for appropriateness of exams to referring healthcare professionals via live and online presentations, grand rounds, or other forums in which to assure that patients receive timely and appropriate vascular testing and disease management o Documentation of services and activities with sufficient detail to provide assessment of direct and indirect value of vascular laboratory services provided

Staffing – Vascular technologist, full-time (1.0 FTE) (2080) for the base year and

(480) for all option years, who can serve as the technical director of the laboratory. Requirements of the position include:

o Bachelor’s degree o Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential, or equivalent o ≥5 years of experience in an accredited vascular laboratory or equivalent setting o Vascular laboratory technical director experience preferred o Ability to train and supervise other vascular lab staff, clinical staff, or

Radiology department sonographers to help ensure consistency of vascular testing and reporting in various areas of the health system o Capable of performing advanced noninvasive vascular lab studies, including, but not limited to:

Extracranial cerebrovascular Extremity venous duplex, including patency and insufficiency studies (needed to meeting guidelines for preoperative diagnosis and planning prior to venous interventions)

Arterial testing, including extremity and aortoiliac duplex, physiologic testing, and exercise treadmill testing

Visceral vascular, including renal artery, splanchnic, post-EVAR, and hepatoportal duplex

Dialysis access evaluations, including pre-operative mapping and evaluation of arteriovenous fistulae and grafts

Portable studies, including intraoperative assessments

4.1.1 Contract personnel shall be responsible for signing in and out when in attendance. Time sheets will be used by the COR/or designated timekeeper to confirm hours/day and services provided against the contractor’s invoices.

4.2 Standards of Care: The contract personnel’s care shall cover the range of vascular laboratory technologist 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:

4.2.1 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

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

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

4.2.5. The requirements contained in this PWS

4.3. MEDICAL RECORDS

4.3.1. Authorities: Contract personnel 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).

4.3.2. HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA in order 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. Treatment and administrative patient records generated by this contract or provided to the contractors by the VA are covered by the VA system of records entitled ‘Patient Medical Records-VA’ (24VA10P2). Contractor generated VA Patient records are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contractor shall ensure that all records pertaining to medical care and services are available for immediate transmission when requested by the VA. Records identified for review, audit, or evaluation by VA representatives and authorized federal and state officials, shall be accessed on-site during normal business hours or mailed by the Contractor at his expense. Contractor shall deliver all final patient records, correspondence, and notes to the VA within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the contract expiration date.

4.3.3. Disclosure: Contract personnel may have access to patient medical records;

however, Contractor shall obtain permission from the VA before disclosing any patient information. Subject to applicable federal confidentiality or privacy laws, the Contractor, or their designated representatives, and designated representatives of federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over Contractor, may have access to VA ‘s records, at VA’s place of business on request during normal business hours, to inspect and review and make copies of such records.

The VA will provide the Contractor with a copy of VHA Handbook 1907.1, Health Information management and Health Records and VHA Directive 1605.01, Privacy and Release of Information. The penalties and liabilities for the unauthorized disclosure of VA patient information mandated by the statutes and regulations mentioned above, apply to the Contractor.

4.3.4. Professional Standards for Documenting Care: Care shall be appropriately documented in medical records in accordance with standard commercial practice and guidelines established by VHA Handbook 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records:

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2791 and all guidelines provided by the VAMC.

4.3.5. Release of Information (ROI): The VA shall maintain control of releasing any patient medical information and will follow policies and standards as defined, but not limited to Privacy Act requirements. The Contractor may respond to requests for records contained in their non-VA record system, but all requests for VA records will be forwarded to The ROI office at the CTVHCS.

4.3.6. Confidentiality - VA will provide the contract personnel access to pertinent patient medical information, within the existing privacy rules and regulations, for the purpose of providing coordinated comprehensive primary care. Contract personnel shall ensure the confidentiality of all patient information and shall be held liable in the event of the breach of confidentiality.

4.3.7. Personal Identity Verification (PIV) - Contract personnel shall participate in computer security and documentation training as is all personnel practicing within the VA Medical Center. Contract personnel shall comply with facility requirements to obtain personal security investigations, installation access and participate in the computer security and documentation training.

4.3.8. Contract personnel shall provide medical record documentation in accordance with rules and regulations of the medical staff and medical staff by laws.

Reference Policy Memorandum No. 136-1, Change 2 to Appendix B dated Sept.

29, 2000, Control of Medical Records and in accordance with Policy Memorandum 136-1, Change 2 to Appendix A dated September 29, 2000, Completion of Medical Records.

4.3.9. Records created by contract personnel (s) in the course of treating VA patients under this agreement are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred or destroyed except in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations. Contract personnel (s) shall maintain computer access and prepare for cases the following day by obtaining the patient information and record within the current electronic health record system for review.

4.3.10. Contract personnel shall participate in quality improvement projects, initiatives, and reporting as requested.

4.3.11. VA utilizes a fully automated electronic medical record (EMR – Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). The EMR consists of two primary components.

The first is the Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture

(VISTA), which consists of commercial hardware and software developed by the VA. VISTA is a collection of over 100 applications that make up a comprehensive hospital information system. It includes both medical records and clinical applications or packages such as order entry, progress note, laboratory, radiology, and scheduling/admission-discharge-transfer and discharge summary. The present VISTA packages combined comprise an estimated 80 percent of the information maintained in the EMR. When required, Contract personnel shall be responsible for viewing the patient record within the EHR and will not be utilizing the VISTA system.

4.3.11.1. The second component uses optical disk imaging technology to meet the remaining 20 percent of the EMR information needs such as advance directive/guardianship papers, medical record documentation from non-VA facilities and informed consents.

4.3.11.2. VA will provide the necessary training to contract personnel on the proper use and operation of the current computerized medical records system (Electronic Health Record - EHR). Contractor agrees and shall instruct their employees in signing computer security access agreements and is bound by confidentiality and release of information restrictions. For purposes of clarity, where the VA Forms reference “Contracted Employee Name” it shall mean “Contractor’s Employee Name.”

4.4. Direct Patient Care: 100 % of the time involved in direct patient care. The vascular laboratory technologist role will be 100% to patient care related.

4.4.1. Scope of Care: Contract personnel (as appropriate and within scope of practice/privileging) shall be responsible for providing non-invasive vascular lab services, including, but not limited to:

4.4.1.1. Technologist(s) shall perform on-site vascular laboratory technologist services in the treatment of care for eligible Veteran beneficiaries under the direction of the Chief Vascular Surgery Section/designee as referred and authorized by the CTVHCS Olin Teague VAMC.

4.4.2. Patient Safety Compliance and Reporting: Contractor’s technologist shall follow all established patient safety and infection control standards of care.

Contractor’s technologist(s) shall make every effort to prevent medication errors, falls, and patient injury caused by acts of commission or omission in the delivery of care. All events related to patient injury, medication errors, and other breeches of patient safety shall be reported to the COR VA Safety Policy. As soon as practicable (but within 24 hours) contractors shall notify COR/designated point of contact (POC) of incident and submit to the COR/POC the Patient Safety Report, following up with COR/POC as required or requested.

4.5. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) SURVEILLANCE

PLAN AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT(QI)

4.5.1. Quality Management/Quality Assurance Surveillance: Contractor performance will be monitored by the government using the standards as outlined in this…