36C25726Q0274_1.docx

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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.

UEI:

EFT:

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

36C257-27-AP-0088

36C25726Q0274 07-30-2026 Carolyn Reneau, Contract Specialist 469-578-2997 08-30-2026 2:00pm CDT 36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs VHA RPO West – NCO 17 Health Care Resources Branch 11495 Turner Rd El Paso, TX 79936-1372 Carolyn Reneau 469-578-2997 Carolyn.reneau@va.gov X X 621399 $10 Million N/A X 36C257 Department of Veterans Affairs South Texas Veterans Health Care System Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center 7400 Merton Minter Blvd.

San Antonio TX 78229 See Block 9

This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at:

http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp This is mandatory and the sole method for submitting invoices.

(877) 353-9791

(512) 460-5540 See CONTINUATION Page The Contractor shall provide neuromonitoring equipment and certified Technician Services for surgical procedures at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. Service to include an on-site IONM Technologist and remote oversight by a Board Certified Neurophysiologist, all resources, labor, travel, transportation, parts, materials, equipment, and IT connectivity necessary to meet the PWS.

Performance Work Statement located in pages 9 through 28.

Authority: Title 38 U.S.C. §8153-Sharing of Health-Care Resources Procedures: FAR Part 12 and VAAR 873 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Health-Care Resources See Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 for submittal instructions on pages 57 - 59 The offerors shall be registered in SAM.gov and verified in

SBA

VetCert at the time of offer and award.

See CONTINUATION Page X Noel "Rick" Ramirez, Contracting Officer

VA-VHA-RPOW-2024-0115

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.1.A. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

1. CONTRACTOR (Offerors are required to designate a person for prompt contract administration):

Contractor Name

Address

Point of Contact

Title

Phone

Email

Tax ID Number

SAM UEI

2. GOVERNMENT: The Contracting Officer for Administration (CO) named below is responsible for the overall administration of the contract.

3. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor should be mailed to the following address:

4. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

5. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests, See section 6.2. of the PWS.

6. CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONTRACT: The Contracting Officer will be the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under this resultant contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer will be authorized to make commitments or issue changes that affect price, quantity, delivery or quality of performance of this resultant contract. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered unauthorized by the local VAMC, and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in cost incurred as a result thereof.

7. System for Award Management: Federal Acquisition Regulation requires contractor registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to the award of a contract. Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the internet at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

8. POST AWARD ORIENTATION: The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation conference for contract orientation purposes as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 42.503.

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

(End of Contract Administration Data)

B.2 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide neuromonitoring equipment and certified technician services for surgical procedures at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, Texas. Services shall include intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and deep brain stimulation, with an on‑site IONM Technologist and remote oversight by a Board‑Certified Neurophysiologist.

Place of Performance: Services shall be provided on site, Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78249-4404.

Contract Type: The Government contemplates award of a Fixed-Price (FP), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract resulting from this solicitation.

Pricing Instructions: Pricing information shall be submitted as a firm-fixed price. The quoted rate shall be submitted as an all-inclusive rate.

Estimated Quantities:

Quantities on the Schedule of Services are estimated for a period of a base year plus four (4) one-year options.

The guaranteed minimum only applies to the Federal Government Fiscal Year in which the contract is awarded. The total minimum amount or guaranteed minimum of this contract is $34,000.00. The minimum guaranteed amount shall be expended in the initial fiscal year in which this contract is awarded. The maximum total value of the contract, inclusive of the base year and all options exercised, shall not exceed $4,017,754.00. Individual task orders shall be funded annually.

The Contracting Officer is the only authorized individual that can place annual task orders against this contract for the estimated number of services for the specific time frame, and the task orders shall be issued to the contractor. All quantities are estimated, the government will only pay for services performed and certified by the COR.

Ordering Procedures:

The following information is in conformance with FAR 16.504 (a)(4): Written Task Orders shall be placed against this IDIQ contract at the time of contract award, and as needed during the term of the contract. The Task Orders shall specify the quantities of services for the period of performance and shall comply with FAR 52.216-18 and 52.216-19. Only the Contracting Officer may place task orders against resultant IDIQ contracts following this solicitation. Any changes to the below schedule of services shall only be made via written modification that is formally executed by the Contractor and Contracting Officer.

Note:

As part of price evaluation, the Government will evaluate its option to extend services (see FAR Clause 52.217-8). The evaluation will assume that the prices for any option exercised under FAR 52.217-8 will be at the same rates as those in effect under the contract at the time the option is exercised. The evaluation will therefore assume that the addition of the price or prices of any possible extension or extensions under FAR 52.217-8 to the total price for the basic requirement and the total price for the priced options has the same effect on the total price of all 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. This evaluation will not obligate the Government to exercise any option under FAR 52.217-8.

Period of Performance

Base Year - 01/17/2027 - 01/16/2028

Option Year One - 01/17/2028 - 01/16/2029

Estimated Option Year One Total

Option Year Two - 01/17/2029 - 01/16/2030

Estimated Option Year Two Total

Option Year Three 01/17/2030 - 01/16/2031

Estimated Option Year Three Total

Option Year Four - 01/17/2031 - 01/16/2032

Estimated Option Year Four Total

Estimated Grand Total: $______________________________

(End of Schedule of Services)

B.3 Performance Work Statement (PWS)

1. GENERAL:

1.1 Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide neuromonitoring equipment and certified technician services for surgical procedures at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, Texas. Services shall include intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and deep brain stimulation, with an on‑site IONM Technologist and remote oversight by a Board‑Certified Neurophysiologist. All labor, travel, equipment, materials, and IT connectivity needed to meet this Performance Work Statement (PWS) are required. Services will be provided in the operating room and associated areas at the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center on a per‑case basis as determined by the Chief of Surgical Service or Chief of Neurosurgery.

1.2 Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish on-site Certified Technician services at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy VAMC, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, Texas. Board‑Certified Neurophysiologist oversight service shall be remote.

1.3 Authority: Title 38 U.S.C. 8153, Sharing of Health Care Resources (HCR) Sharing Authority, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial products and Commercial Services, and VAAR 873 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Health-Care Resources.

1.4 Policy/Directives/Handbooks. The contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance. The policies listed below can be accessed electronically at the following: VA Publications and VHA Publications 1.5 1.6

1.7

1.4.1 VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources (HCR) Contracting – Buying Title 38 U.S.C. 8153

1.4.2 VHA Directive 1003.04: VHA Patient Advocacy

1.4.3. VHA Directive 1065: Productivity and Staffing Guidance for Specialty Provider Group Practice

1.4.4. VHA Directive 1088(1): Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients

1.4.5. VHA Directive 1100.18: Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards

1.4.6. VHA Directive 1100.20(2): Credentialing of Health Care Providers

1.4.7. VHA Directive 1100.21(1): Privileging

1.4.8. VHA Directive 1192.01: Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program for VHA Health Care Personnel

1.4.9. VHA Directive 1220(1): Facility Procedure Complexity Designation Requirements to Perform Invasive Procedures in Any Clinical Setting

1.4.10. VHA Directive 1605.01: Privacy and Release of Information

1.4.11. VHA Directive 1907.01: VHA Health Information Management and Health Records

1.4.12. VHA Handbook 1042.01: Criteria and Standards for VA Dialysis Programs

1.4.13. VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Reports

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

1.4.15. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Kidney disease

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

1.5.1. ABRET: American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologist

1.5.2. ABS: American Board of Neurological Surgery http://www.abns.org/

1.5.3. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.4. ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.5.5. AMBPN: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology https://abpn.org/

1.5.6. AJIC: American Journal for Infection Control

1.5.7. AOBNP: American Osteopathic Board Neurology and Psychiatry www.aobnp.org

1.5.8. AOD: Admitting Officer of the Day

1.5.9. AQL: Acceptable Quality Level

1.5.10. BAA: Business Associate Agreement

1.5.11. BBA: Balanced Budget Act

1.5.12. BLS: Basic Life Support

1.5.13. BAER: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses

1.5.14. C&A: Certification and Accreditation

1.5.15. CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation

1.5.16. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.17. CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report

1.5.1. CEU: Certified Education Unit

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

1.5.20. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.21. CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

1.5.22. CN: Clinical Neurophysiology

1.5.23. 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.

1.5.24. 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.

1.5.25. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.26. COTR: Contracting Officer Technical Representative

1.5.27. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.28. Credentialing: Credentialing is the process of obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a health care provider to provide care or services in or for the VA health care system. Credentials are documented evidence of licensure, education, training, experience, or other qualifications.

1.5.29. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.30. D-waves: Direct Wave motor pathways

1.5.31. DNEPs: Dorsal Nerve Root Evoked Potentials Sensory Pathways

1.5.32. ED: Emergency Department

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

1.5.31. ECoG: Electrocorticography

1.5.32. EEG: Electroencephalography

1.5.33. EMG: Electromyography

1.5.34. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

1.5.35. FAPIIS: Federal Award Performance and Integrity Information System

1.5.36. FAR: Federal Acquisition Regulation

1.5.37. FDCC: Federal Desktop Core Configuration

1.5.38. FOIA: Freedom of Information Act

1.5.39. FISMA: Federal Information Security Management Act

1.5.40. FPPE: Focused Provider Practice Evaluation

1.5.41. FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.5.42. FTE: Full Time Equivalent: VA’s standard definition is for full time working the equivalent of 80 hours every two weeks, 2080 hours per year. However, providers may propose using their standard FTE definition.

1.5.43. HCR: Health Care Resources

1.5.44. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.45. HICPAC: Hospital Infection Practices Advisory Committee

1.5.46. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.47. HR: Human Resources

1.5.48. IGRA: Interferon-gamma Release Assays

1.5.49. IT: Information Technology

1.5.50. ISO: Information Security Officer

1.5.51. Key Personnel: The individuals specified in this contract, who are essential to work performance

1.5.52. MEP: Motor Evoked Potentials

1.5.53. MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1.5.54. Medical Emergency: A sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably result in: Permanently placing a patient's health in jeopardy, causing other serious medical consequences, causing impairments to body functions, or causing serious or permanent dysfunction of any body-organ or part.

1.5.55. MOD: Medical Officer of the Day

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

1.5.57. NMEPs: Neurogenic Motor Evoked Potentials Motor Pathways

1.5.58. NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. www.nlnac.org

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

1.5.60. NP: Nurse Practitioner

1.5.61. NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System

1.5.62. NSO: National Surgery Office

1.5.63. OIG: Office of Inspector General

1.5.64. OPPE/FPPE: Ongoing professional practice evaluation/ Focused professional practice evaluation

1.5.65. OR: Operating Room

1.5.66. PA: Physician Assistant

1.5.67. Pedical Stim: Pedicle Screw Stimulation

PII: Personally Identifiable Information

1.5.68. PIA: Privacy Impact Assessment

1.5.69. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.70. PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.5.71. PPIRS: Past Performance Information Retrieval System

1.5.72. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.73. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.74. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.75. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.76. RFQ: Request for Quote

1.5.77. SCS: Specialty Care Services

1.5.78. SPI: Sensitive Personal Information

1.5.79. SSAC: Sole Source Affiliate Contract

1.5.80. SSEP: Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

1.5.81. Speech/Motor Mapping

1.5.82. spEMG: Spontaneous Electromyography

1.5.83. TOF: Train of Four

1.5.84. TcMEP: Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials

1.5.85. TJC: The Joint Commission

1.5.86. trEMG: Triggered Electromyography

1.5.87. TcMEP: Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials

1.5.88. TST: Tuberculosis Skin Test

1.5.89. VA: Department of Veterans Affairs

1.5.90. VA-FSC: VA Financial Services Cen

1.5.91. VAAR: VA Acquisition Regulation

1.5.92. VAMC: Veterans Administration Medical Center

1.5.93. VHA: Veterans’ Health Administration

1.5.94. VISN: Veterans Integrated Services Network

1.5.95. Vista: Veterans Information Systems Technology Architecture

1.5.96. VetPro: is VHA’s mandatory software platform to document the credentialing of VHA health care providers. This system facilitates completion of a uniform, accurate, and complete credentials file.

2. QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1 Staff/Facility

2.1.1. License: The Contractor’s remote physician(s) assigned to perform clinical interpretation services under this contract shall hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. All licenses held by these physicians must be full and unrestricted. Physicians who currently hold or have ever held a medical license that is restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, voluntarily surrendered pending action, or denied upon application shall not be eligible to perform services under this contract.

This section applies exclusively to remote supervising physicians providing neurophysiologic interpretation and does not pertain to onsite personnel.

2.1.2. Supervising physicians providing remote clinical interpretation shall have specialty board certification or board eligibility (BC/BE) in a specialty that has training in interpretation of neurophysiologic potentials (Neurology or Physiatry) or demonstrate mastery of intraoperative monitoring through Diplomate of the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (DABNM) certification. Board-certified neurosurgeons (ABNS) may be accepted if privileged for neurophysiologic monitoring at STVHCS. Non-physician providers (e.g. Chiropractors, PhD, Audiologist) are not considered IONM physician supervisors, regardless of DABNM certification.

2.1.2.1. All Contractor’s IONM technologists must hold a certificate (be certified) of Neurophysiologic Interoperative Monitoring (CNIM) from the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET

2.1.2.2. All Contractor’s IONM technologist(s) must be currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalency. All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must always be kept up to date. Documentation verifying current certification must be provided by the Contractor to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.

2.1.3. Credentialing and Privileging: Credentialing and privileging are to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21 referenced above. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that proposed physician(s) possesses the requisite credentials enabling the granting of privileges. No services shall be provided by any Contractor’s physician(s) and technologist prior to obtaining approval by the Facility Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.

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

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

On-site IONM technician must be ABRET-CNIM certified to provide intra-operative monitoring and have at least two years of full-time intraoperative monitoring experience. The contractor shall ensure the technician(s) assigned to perform in operating rooms possess knowledge of the effects of anesthesia and of various artifacts such as electrical interference from OR equipment, etc. to be able to assess their effects on the data collected during the surgical procedures. Technician(s) must have knowledge of potential morbidity caused by the monitoring process itself, quality control systems, performance testing and the calibration of equipment. The contractor provides the equipment necessary to effectively communicate the intra-operative interpretation of data. The technician(s) will provide recommendations based upon interpretation of monitoring results to the Attending Surgeon and operating room personnel.

Remote IONM certified physicians shall provide recommendations and interpretation of monitoring to the on-site technician(s). The contractor shall ensure the physicians are certified in IONM and have completed the credentials process through the STVHCS credentialing office. Contractor shall provide the equipment necessary to effectively interpret the intra-operative data communicated by the technician(s). The physician shall communicate information that needs relayed to the Attending Surgeon through the Technician(s).

Services under this contract are technical‑only, consisting of data acquisition and real‑time monitoring performed by the Contractor’s IONM technologists. Clinical interpretation and oversight shall be performed remotely by the supervising physician as defined in Sections 2.1.1 and 2.1.2. Pre‑operative and post‑operative involvement by the technologist is limited to setup, calibration, and documentation necessary to support IONM quality and patient safety.

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

2.1.6. Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): Contractor shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all trainings must be completed by the contractor’s physician(s) and technicians as required by the VA. Other trainings may be required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor. Contractor shall maintain a master compliance calendar; training completion certificates must be submitted annually to the CO/COR, or upon request.

2.1.7. STANDARD INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES (PPD, IMMUNIZATIONS, ETC.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following for technicians 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.

2.1.7.1. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor’s physicians and technicians upon hire in accordance with CDC guidance. (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.

2.1.7.2. MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians and technicians (This is applicable to all health care workers).

2.1.7.3. VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians and technicians (This is applicable to all health care workers).

2.1.7.4. ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of one (1) dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians and technicians (This is applicable to all health care workers).

2.1.7.5. INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians and technicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician(s) and technician(s) as 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).

2.1.7.6. 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 physicians and technicians (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.

2.1.7.7. The facility 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. Contractors shall provide follow-up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return.

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

2.1.9. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all Contractor’s physician(s) and technician(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating with the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of quote and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of quote, 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 and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.1.10. Citizenship related Requirements:

2.1.10.1. 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;

2.1.10.2. While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation of 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.

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

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

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

2.1.11. 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 payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

2.1.11.1. Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed Contractor’s physician(s) and technician(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.

2.1.11.2. By submitting their quote, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors personnel 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 Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the facility COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his designee. The national OPPE/FPPE performance form shall be used to evaluate each contracted physician’s and technician(s) performance on a recurring basis. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract.

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

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

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

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

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

2.7.1. Workers’ compensation

2.7.2. Professional liability insurance

2.7.3. Health examinations

2.7.4. Income tax withholding, and

2.7.5. Social security payments.

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

2.9. Key Personnel:

2.9.1. Contracted IONM technologist(s) provide services on-site.

2.9.2. Contracted Neurologist physician(s) shall provide services remotely.

2.9.3. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing coverage to the VA during periods of vacancies of the Contractor’s personnel due to sick leave, personal leave, vacations and additional coverage as required. In the event a scheduled technician or physician is unable to complete an assigned shift, the contractor shall provide replacement technician or physician coverage within two (2) hours and notify the Contracting Office Representative (COR) immediately of the schedule change.

2.9.4. Personnel Substitutions: During the first 90 calendar days of performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within five (5) calendar day(s) after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After 90 days, the Contractor shall submit the information required below to the CO at least five (5) calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

2.9.4.1. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The CO will notify the Contractor within five (5) calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

2.9.4.2. For temporary substitutions where the key person shall not be reporting to work for three (3) consecutive workdays or more, the Contractor shall provide a qualified replacement for the key person. The substitute shall have comparable qualifications to the key person. Any period exceeding two (2) weeks will require the procedure as stated above.

2.9.4.3. 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 patients 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 Contractor’s physician(s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said Contractor’s physician(s). The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor’s physician(s) conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

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

2.9.4.5. Evidence of Insurance Coverage: Before commencing work under this contract, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer certificates of insurance or insurance policies evidencing the required coverage, including General Liability, Professional Liability, and Workers’ Compensation insurance. Coverage amounts shall be as specified in VAAR clause 852.237‑70 and as identified by the Contracting Officer.

The insurance documentation…