36C25723Q0757 0001.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7.

ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF

PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE

OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERE

D CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF

CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF

SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 08/07/2023 None 36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs VHA RPO West – NCO 17 Health Care Resources 11495 Turner Rd El Paso TX 7936-1372 Carolyn Reneau carolyn.reneau@va.gov 36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Resources 11495 Turner Rd El Paso TX 79936-1372 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25723Q0757 07-18-2023

X X X

X

The purpose of this amendment is to post questions and answers to RFQ 36C25723Q0757

a. Questions and Answers can be found in the continuation page of this document.

b. All other terms and conditions remain in full force and effect.

Carlos Jaquez Contracting Officer

VA-VHA-RPOW-2022-249454

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions and Answers for Solicitation 36C25723Q0757, Readjustment Counseling Victoria Question 1: Can you provide further information on the below? Is there a recommendation on where to complete the certification, or is it something that is agreed upon when signing the contract?

vi. D.3 Contractor Certification - Immigration and Nationality Act Answer 1: This form should be signed by the vendor and submitted with your proposal stating that you will agree to and 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. For more information see Immigration and Nationality Act | USCIS Question 2: Can you advise the format for #12 on the SF 1449? Is it a percentage?

Answer 2: Block 12 Discount Terms – This block is for any discount the vendor wants to offer for accelerated invoice payments. Enter the discount for prompt payment in terms of percentages and corresponding days. Express the percentages in whole numbers and decimals, e.g., 3.25% - 10 days; 0.50% - 20 days.

Question 3: Does the contractor need to secure the facility and provide the location as part of the offer? As well as the credentials for the staff?

Answer 3: As part of the Technical Evaluation (Factor 1), documentation must be provided to establish the following:

1: Quality Control Plan – Description and reporting reflecting the contractor’s plan for meeting of contract requirements and performance standards in PSW para. 5.17. (See attached QASP) 2: Staff Qualifications – Offeror shall provide documentation with the quote as prescribed in the PWS paras. 1.4.1, 1.4.3, and 1.4.4.

3: Facility - Offeror shall provide facility information as prescribed in the PWS paras. 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, and 5.1.

4: Contingency Plan – Offeror shall demonstrate their plan for replacing key personnel to maintain services as required under the terms of the contract PWS para. 1.4

Question 4: Concerning the staff assigned to this contract, our therapists are considered independent contractors, and as such, do not undergo formal performance evaluations. Can a description of the oversight process, which ensures the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required for job performance be deemed adequate to fulfill the competence assessment and performance evaluation requirement?

Answer 4: The term independent contractor or Sub-contractor can be used in place of contractor employee in the following section. Offeror shall submit their plan for oversight of employees or independent contractors.

1.4. PERSONNEL

1.4.1. STAFF/FACILITY. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that Contractor employees performing work on this contract are fully trained and competent to perform the required work. The contractor is required to develop and maintain the following documents for each Contractor employee working on the contract:

· Resume;

· Credentials and qualifications for the job;

· Trainings such as Privacy and Confidentiality, First Aid, CPR, etc.;

· A current competence assessment checklist (an assessment of knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors required to perform a job correctly and skillfully, includes knowledge and skills required to provide care for certain patient populations, as appropriate);

· A current performance evaluation supporting ability of the Contractor employee to successfully perform the work required in this solicitation;

· A listing of relevant continuing education for the last two years, and current provider certifications and licenses; and

· A designated governing board for administrative and/or disciplinary actions.

Question 5: We would like to seek additional clarification on health examinations mandated by the contractor for personnel. Our independent contractors are responsible for their individual health insurance, and we have one employee who is not provided with medical coverage. How should this be addressed and what specific requirements need to be met regarding health examinations?

Answer 5: Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all applicable Federal and State Labor Laws in performance of this contract regarding employees and/or Independent Contractors.

Question 6: Should the group rate be determined per 90-minute group or per individuals in attendance?

Answer 6: All billing is done per person attending the group meetings.

Question 7: We are seeking clarification regarding the numbers provided regarding the needs of individuals served. On page 8, it indicates services may be required for approximately 40 to 50 individuals per month. On subsequent pages, it mentions an initial authorization of 3 sessions, with the potential for an additional block of 15 sessions. The pricing details on page 6 indicate a total of 300 sessions annually requested to be used for pricing determination. However, if we were to serve 17 Veterans approved for the 18 sessions each, it would exceed the 300 session per year allotted for pricing determination, potentially depleting our funding within a few months. Can we please receive further clarification on this matter?

Answer 7: The Vet Center normally works with 40 to 50 individuals per month for services, some are referred to local providers such as on this contract. Using historical numbers, the numbers below are the estimated visits to the local providers. This number may fluctuate up or down throughout the contract life. A fixed number of individuals referred cannot be guaranteed.

Ref: Page 5 estimated quantity and on schedule are shown as:

Individual Sessions – 300 per year Couple/Family – 24 per year Group – 12 per year Question 8: Should the file for the proposal exceed the maximum size allowance for transmission via email, would it be preferable to send the file in multiple emails or a compressed zip file?

Answer 8: Compressed Zip Files are preferred; however, multiple emails would be accepted. Multiple emails should be clearly identified as such with wording such as Response 1 of 2 along with the Solicitation number.

End of Document