36C26118R0080-002.docx

36C26118R0080

OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL

BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SI

GN 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. SIGN

ATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR

LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

662-18-3-085-0001 36C26118R0080 Felicia A. DeMita 925-372-2038 01-09-2018

612MCP

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Sierra Pacific Network

(VISN 21)

6900 North Pecos Road, Building 6 North Las Vegas

NV 89086

X X 561320 $27.5 Million X N/A X VA Northern California Healthcare System 5342 Dudley Blvd., Bldg. 209 McClellan CA 95652 See block 9.

Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-9(101) Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 This is a request for proposal for temporary nursing staff for two health care systems. One award will be made per health care system. Offerors should refer to Instructions to Offerors for instructions on how to properly respond to this solicitation.

The contract specialist and Contracting Officer will hold a pre-proposal conference meeting for interested offerors to highlight important parts of the solicitation.

Interested offerors are highly encouraged to attend.

The call-in information is: 844-364-7554, or 844-364-7555, or 844-364-7556. The conference ID is 65274400# The call is scheduled for one hour starting at 11:00 AM PST on December 14, 2017. Please email felicia.demita@va.gov to express an interest in attending the conference call.

X X Amanda J. Simmons Contracting Officer Table of Contents

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:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C261 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) 6900 North Pecos Road, Building 6 North Las Vegas

NV 89086

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-9(101) Financial Services Center

PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

B.3 SUBCONTRACTING COMMITMENTS--MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors, and VAAR 852.215-71, Evaluation Factor Commitments. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include these clauses. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) to assist in assessing contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments incorporated into the contract. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to the contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding contract compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments.

VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

B.4. PRICE SCHEDULE

The guaranteed minimum award amount for this contract is $2,000. The maximum aggregate value of orders that can be placed under this contract is $15,000,000. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount.

Performance Period One: April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019

Performance Period Two: April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

Performance Period Three: April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021

Performance Period Four: April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022

Performance Period Five: April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER

B.5. PRICE SCHEDULE

The guaranteed minimum award amount for this contract is $2,000. The maximum aggregate value of orders that can be placed under this contract is $25,000,000. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount.

Performance Period One: April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019

Performance Period Two: April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

Performance Period Three: April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021

Performance Period Four: April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022

Performance Period Five: April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023

36C26118R0080

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.6. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

VANCHCS NURSE REGISTRY

December 7, 2017

1. SERVICES REQUIRED: The Contractor shall provide personnel on an as-needed, per diem, basis for the VA Northern California Health Care System (hereafter known as the VANCHCS). The contract personnel will have access to and the use of all required patient care equipment, supplies, and computer access for performing services required by this contract. All services shall be provided in accordance with the specifications, terms and conditions contained herein.

PLACES OF PERFORMANCE:

Northern California Healthcare System, VA Medical Center: 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655.

Martinez Community Living Center (CLC): 150 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553 Chico Outpatient Clinic (OPC): 280 Cohasset Road, Chico, CA 95926 Fairfield OPC: 103 Bodin Circle, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA 94535 McClellan OPC: 5342 Dudley Avenue, McClellan, CA 95652 Mare Island OPC: 201 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island, CA 94592 Martinez OPC: 150 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553 Oakland OPC: 2221 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94612 Redding OPC: 351 Hartnell Avenue, Redding, CA 96002 Yuba City OPC: 425 Plumas Boulevard, Yuba City, CA 95991 Oakland Behavioral Health Clinic: 525 21st Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Yreka Rural Health Clinic: 101 E. Oberlin Drive, Yreka, CA 96097

GENERAL: The Contractor shall provide temporary personnel on an as-needed basis for the VA Northern California Health Care System (hereafter known as the VANCHCS). The contract personnel will have use of all required patient care equipment, supplies, and computer access for performing services required by this contract. All services shall be provided in accordance with the specifications, terms and conditions contained herein.

Authority, Policy, and Handbooks: Title 38 United States Code (USC) 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) Sharing Authority.

Policies and Regulations: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable policies and regulations, including, but not limited to the following:

42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 482: Conditions of Participation Hospitals, including Sub-Part E Requirements for Specialty Hospitals. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=aceca18b9fbe0110ffa37c08075c2b0e;rgn=div5;view=text;node=42%3A5.0.1.1.1;idno=42;cc=ecfr

VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources Contracting - Buying http://www1.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=347

VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank Reports - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2135

VHA Handbook 1100.18: Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1364

VHA Handbook 1100.19: Credentialing and Privileging - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1806

Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended http://vaww.vhaco.va.gov/privacy/Documents/5USC552a.htm

Definitions and Acronyms used in this Performance Work Statement:

ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

BLS: Basic Life Support

CAC: Cardiac Ambulatory Center

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CFR: Code of Federal Regulations

CLC: Community Living Center

CLIN: Contract Line Item Number

CNA: Certified Nurse Assistant

CO: Contracting Officer

COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative

CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

CPRS: Computerized Patient Recordkeeping System- electronic health record system used by the VA.

CPT: Current Procedural Terminology

EKG: Electrocardiogram ePER: Electronic Patient Event Report

FAR: Federal Acquisition Regulation

FIPS: Federal Information Processing Standards

FOIA: Freedom of Information Act

FTEE: Full time Employee Equivalent

HCR: Health Care Resources

HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HR: Human Resources

ICC: Infection Control Committee

ICD: International (Statistical) Classification of Disease

ICU: Intensive Care Unit

IDIQ: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity

ISO: Information Security Officer

IV: Intravenous

JC: Joint Commission

LMS: Logistics Management Services

LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse

LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse

MAB: Management of Assaultive Behavior

MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella

NARA: National Archives and Records Administration

NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology

OIG: Office of the Inspector General

OPC: Out Patient Clinic

OR: Operating Room

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PICC: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

POC: Point of Contact

PPD: Purified Protein Derivative (of tuberculin)

PWS: Performance Work Statement

QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

RN: Registered Nurse

SAC: Security Agency Check

SAM: System for Award Management

SP: Special Publications

TJC: The Joint Commission

TMS: Talent Management System

TPN: Total Parenteral Nutrition

USC: United States Code

VA: Veterans Affairs

VA-FSC: VA Financial Service Center

VAMC: Veterans Affairs Medical Center

VANCHCS: VA Northern California Health Care System

VETPro: A federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

VHA: Veterans Health Administration

2. QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1 Staff/Facility: Contract personnel shall be licensed in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.

2.2 Contractor Personnel Requirements/Specifications: The Contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel meet the qualifying criteria outlined in this section.

2.3 Registered Nurses (RN)s, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and Certified Nurse Assistants (NA): All Nurses must have certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by an American Health Association vendor. Personnel must be able to demonstrate competency in providing CPR, and have current basic life support (BLS) certification. Critical care Nurses shall have advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.

Licensure: The contract RNs and LPN/LVNs must have a current license in at least one state, territory, or commonwealth in the US or the District of Columbia. Proof of current license must be provided five business days prior to their first shift, and at the licensure renewal rate. This also applies to all other required certifications.

Current Curriculum Vitae: A review of individual education and professional qualifications must be available for the healthcare system’s review to assure appropriate placement in a medical discipline commensurate with the contract personnel’s qualifications and experience.

2.4 Uniforms: All contract personnel will provide their own uniforms and nametags, and will wear them anytime the personnel are on any Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Center (VAMC) grounds.

2.5 Health Tests: All contract personnel will provide proof of tuberculosis testing, rubella testing, and immunizations that are current within one year prior to working any shift. Other tests may be required by the local facility.

2.6 Health Restrictions: The contract personnel will have no health or physical disability restrictions that interfere with the performance of their duties.

2.7 Competencies: The Contractor will keep a file of validated competencies, and training program records, to include Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training for all contract personnel. This file must be available to the VA facility 24-hours-per-day, and seven- days-per-week.

2.8 Experience: All contract personnel will have a minimum of one year direct patient care experience within the last three years in the field.

2.9 Computer Literacy: The contract personnel shall have the knowledge and ability to use computers and other technology.

2.10. Nursing Assistants: The contract Nursing Assistants must provide proof of certification by the California State Department of Consumer Affairs as a Nursing Assistant.

2.11. Contractor Personnel Responsibility: The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for the protection of their personnel who are providing services under this contract, therefore, the Contractor will provide the following to their contract personnel:

Worker’s Compensation Professional Liability Insurance Health Examinations Income Tax Withholdings Social Security Payments

2.12. Payment for Leave Time: Sick leave, vacation time, and any other type of leave is considered the sole responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall comply with all existing local, state, federal, and union laws and regulations relevant to fringe benefits and premium pay for their employees. Such personnel shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose and shall be considered employees of the Contractor.

2.13. Unacceptable Assignee: Contractor employees that report for work but are unable to perform will result in a four-hour penalty deduction from an outstanding invoice. The corresponding hourly rate will apply. The Contracting Officer (CO) may also terminate this contract at his or her sole discretion for repeated no-shows or tardiness of contract personnel.

2.14. Right of Refusal: The Government reserves the right to reject any contract personnel and refuse them permission to provide services if they fail to perform in accordance with the contract requirements. The contract personnel must always display personal and professional conduct in a manner that does not jeopardize patient care or interfere with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility.

2.15. Acceptance of Personnel: The Contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel have met the qualifying criteria, including current and valid licenses and certifications. These qualifying criteria shall be met by completing VETPro certification; VETPro is an Internet-enabled data bank for the credentialing of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) personnel. It facilitates the completion of a uniform, accurate, and complete credentials file. The Contractor shall initiate VETPro data within 72 hours of selecting their contract staff. Contracted Staff shall not work on VA facilities until VETPro data has been initiated. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that Contract staff is current with their licenses and certifications. This information shall be relayed to the CORs as it becomes available. The decision to reject and accept Contract Staff ultimately rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Contractor shall provide personnel who will provide scheduled services throughout the contract period. If the Contractor’s personnel cannot perform services for any reason, the Contractor shall bear the responsibility of providing replacement personnel to provide the scheduled services. Replacement personnel are expected at the time initially scheduled. Non-acceptance of contract personnel does not relieve the Contractor from satisfying and fulfilling the contract requirements.

The VA shall provide the Contractor with the names, titles and telephone numbers of individuals authorized to request staffing. It shall also provide the name, title and telephone number of the COR at the time of contract award.

The Contractor shall designate a person from their agency to act as a Point-of-Contact (POC) for the VA within ten business days of contract award. The Contractor’s POC will be responsible for the overall conduct of the contract. The name and telephone number of the POC shall be provided to both the CO and the COR. The Contractor’s POC shall not be one of the care providers rendering services under this contract. The COR or the evening and night Nursing Supervisor in the Nursing Department, or the individual in charge in other departments where duties are to be performed, will contact the Contractor’s designated POC concerning personnel staffing problems or other issues requiring immediate attention. The Contractor shall respond to telephone calls from the COR within 30 minutes twenty-four-hour-per day, seven days-per-week. When the contract personnel do not report for their scheduled shift, the Contractor shall provide a fully qualified replacement within four hours of the notification.

The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of contract personnel whose personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication from alcohol or drugs, 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. The Contractor and COR will deal with issues raised concerning contract personnel’s conduct. The CO is the final arbiter on questions of acceptability.

Complaints concerning contract personnel’s relations with the Government employees or patients will be resolved by the CO. The CO has the final authority on validating complaints. If contract personnel are involved and named in a validated patient complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse.

VA personnel such as the CO, the COR, a VA POC, will brief contract personnel on VA Healthcare System policies and procedures on the first scheduled duty day.

The contract personnel rendering services are subject to professional or technical direction from the COR.

2.16. Orientation: The Contractor shall provide eight hours of orientation time to each nurse at no charge to the VA. Orientation will include required Security Agency Check (SAC) background check completed with Human Resources (HR). The Contractor shall not work on VA facilities until the orientation and the SAC background check are completed. Oriented Nurses shall be available and expected to perform their scheduled assignments for a minimum of three months following said orientation.

Employment Packet: An employment packet shall be submitted to the COR for each contract employee five business days prior to his or her first duty shift. The packet shall consist of names, social security numbers, and copies of the curriculum vitae, Purified Protein Derivative (of tuberculin) tests, MMR or Rubella Titer, and any other locally required health care test, license numbers, expiration dates, and at least two current references reflecting current professional practice. The COR will notify the Contractor of acceptance or unacceptability of proposed employees within two business days of the receipt of the packets. The determination will be based on the contents of the packet evidencing that all qualification requirements are met.

Healthcare Industry Standards: Contractor personnel shall perform services in accordance with ethical, professional and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policies, regulations, procedures and protocol. The Contractor’s personnel shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the requirements stated herein.

Personal Hygiene and Clothing: Contract healthcare providers shall be neat, clean, well-groomed and will exercise good personal hygiene. Appropriate and professional attire shall be work always while caring for patients.

Health Restrictions: Contract personnel shall have no health or physical disability restrictions which interfere with the performance of duties and shall have a current physical completed within the past 30 business days.

2.17. Health Requirements:

Health care providers shall not perform services under this contract unless a pre-assignment medical examination has been performed within 30 business days of their first scheduled shift. Pre-assignment medical examinations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

As a condition of employment, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all contract staff that will have occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials, shall receive Hepatitis B vaccine, provide documented proof of immunity to the Hepatitis B infection, or sign a voluntary declination of the Hepatitis B vaccine. The immunization declination shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government. As a condition of employment, the contract health care providers will obtain an annual PPD skin test. Those with a positive skin test history shall complete an annual respiratory assessment questionnaire. The skin test or respiratory assessment will be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

Contract health providers having patient contact or exposure to biological or pathological specimens shall be immunized against, be granted an immunization waiver to, or have documented proof of immunity to chickenpox, measles, rubella, mumps, polio and Hepatitis B. In addition, the contract health care providers shall be free of infectious diseases (to include but not limited to active Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis) that might reasonably be expected to place the other workers, patients or the public at risk.

The Contractor shall provide the Government with all the information necessary to ensure that government records are maintained correctly and in compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), OSHA, and the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) health records requirements, for each contract health care provider.

The Contractor shall provide the COR with certification that contract health care providers have completed the medical evaluation required above, a minimum of five business days prior to the performance of contract services. This certification shall state the date that the examination was completed, the name of the Doctor who performed the examination, a statement concerning the physical health of the individual and the following statement: [Name of contract health care provider] is suffering from no contagious diseases to include Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Venereal Disease.

The government may take nose and throat cultures from contract health care providers when required by the government’s Infection Control Committee (ICC).

When a health care provider has been found medically unfit to provide the services required under this contract, they shall be required to discontinue working immediately. Contract health care providers will not return to work until given clearance by an appropriate Physician.

The Government will provide emergency health care for injuries sustained while on duty for contract health care providers.

3. HOURS OF OPERATION:

3.1 Work Schedule

Weekday Coverage

a) Day Shift 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

b) Evening Shift 3:30 p.m. – 12:00 12:00 a.m.

c) Night Shift 11:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Weekend Coverage

a) Day Shift 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

b) Evening Shift 3:30 p.m. – 12:00 12:00 a.m.

c) Night Shift 11:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.

3.2. Federal Holiday days: The Government observes the following ten National Holiday days:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King’s Birthday Washington’s Birthday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

**Any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a Federal Employee holiday, or when Congress declares a National holiday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a National Holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a National Holiday by United States Government agencies. An administrative closure of federal offices by Executive Order is not a national holiday for holiday pay.

3.3. Request for Service: The Contractor shall provide qualified and approved staffing within 24 hours’ notice from the COR or VA POC. This is a per diem staffing requirement, so most of the shifts are as needed.

3.4. Shift Cancellation: The COR or VA POC will give the Contractor notification of available shifts no less than one week in advance for scheduled shifts exclusive of emergencies. The Contractor’s personnel may be released from duty after a minimum of four hours if their services are no longer required, however contract personnel will only be paid for their actual hours worked. Any tour of duty for the Contractor’s personnel may be canceled two hours prior to the assigned shift, without penalty if staffing permits. The VA is not required to make payment after an employee has been released from duty. Contract personnel brought in under a term contract (i.e. Travel/Per-Diem Nurses) will be subject to reassignment if patient care needs dictate.

3.5. Changes in Work Requirements: Only those services specified herein are authorized. Changes to the resulting contract are not authorized, unless in writing by the CO. The Contractor shall keep the CO informed in writing, of any unusual circumstances in conjunction with the contract.

3.6. Tardiness and No-Shows: The VA may excuse tardiness more than one hour on a case-by-case basis; however, payment to the Contractor will be for the actual hours worked. Unacceptable patterns of tardiness or no-shows may result in a poor performance rating of the Contractor. This can adversely affect future government contracts. After one hour of tardiness, a Contractor’s employee will be considered a no-show. The Contractor will have a back-up plan to provide needed staff in the event of a no-show.

3.7. Overtime: Compensation for services rendered will be on a per-shift basis. The scheduling, tracking and compensation of Nurses in accordance with the State or Federal Law is the sole responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor will not include any overtime on the invoice that is sent to the VA unless authorized by the CO.

3.8. Record Keeping System: The VA has established a record keeping system and will maintain it for verification of the actual hours worked by the Contractor’s employee each day. The Contractor’s personnel must be present at the VA Medical Center and be performing services required by the contract during the scheduled work period to be paid for that period. Contract personnel shall sign in and out at the Central Nursing Office (CNO) as a method of accounting for hours worked.

4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The Contractor will provide personnel who can perform the required functions described in paragraphs below. The following paragraphs in this section describe the types of Nurses, the required skills needed, and the functions of those positions:

4.1. Registered Nurses: The Contractor shall provide RNs who are certified in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines, Critical Care, Med/Surgery, Chronic Hemodialysis, Radiology, Post Anesthesia Care, Operating Room Work, Emergency Room Care, Chemotherapy.

4.2. Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN)s, Nursing Assistants (NA)s and Nurse Practitioners (NP)s: The Contractor shall provide LPN/LVNs, NAs and NPs to augment in-house staffing in accordance with the requirements herein. The Contractor’s personnel shall provide staffing for shifts as designated by the COR or the COR’s POC.

4.3. Critical Care RNs, Emergency Room RNs, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit RNs, and Operating Room RNs:

Introduction: This type of RN provides direct and indirect nursing care in the following areas of assignment: Intensive Care Units, Recovery Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, Emergency Rooms, Operating Rooms, and Gastro-Intestinal (GI) Labs by contributing to patient assessments, setting priorities, identifying therapeutic objectives and nursing measures, and evaluating outcomes. Essential skills to this position are independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of nursing care.

Organizational Relationship: This type of RN is subject to the professional direction of the VA Nurse Manager or designee during the workweek. The RN reports to the Nursing Supervisor through the Charge Nurse during evening and nightshifts, holiday days, and weekends.

Functions: The services of Critical Care Registered Nurses shall be provided in accordance with the policies of the VA Healthcare System where assigned. Nurses shall have professional and legal responsibility to the patient. The RN provides the following services:

Provides critical care nursing to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.

Performs scrub and circulating duties in the Cardiovascular Lab and the Operating Room.

Assists with the GI Lab procedures and demonstrates competency in monitoring patients undergoing conscious sedation.

Obtains patient history and pertinent family history.

Assesses patient and plan appropriate nursing care.

Documents plan of care and care given in patient’s medical record.

Verifies transcription of physician’s orders, no verbal orders are to be accepted.

Carries out prescribed Physician’s orders and documents inpatient medical record.

Communicates pertinent patient data to the Charge Nurse and/or Physician as appropriate.

Re-assesses patient’s condition and revises plans-of-care based on problems that the Nurse Identifies.

Administers medications and Intra-venous (IV) therapies.

Possesses knowledge of actions and usual dosages of the most commonly used emergency drugs and their location on the crash cart.

Assesses and documents patient responses to medications that have been administered.

Can interpret cardiac rhythms and their implications.

Reorganizes and initiates the appropriate measures in emergencies/therapies and surgical/diagnostic procedures that must be accomplished.

Instructs patients and their families regarding prescribed medications/therapies and surgical/diagnostic procedures that must be accomplished.

Assesses patient/family knowledge level, implements plan of instructions, and records the patient’s family’s demonstrated level of understanding.

Operates defibrillator, electrocardiogram (EKG) machines and cardiac monitors, and other technical emergency equipment.

Cares for patients with Swan-Gans catheters, arterial lines and mechanical ventilators.

Participates in discharge planning.

Can initiate life saving measures in the absence of Physicians.

Assures the content and correctness of a prepared report and signs the document to validate its content.

Maintains a neat personal appearance and maintains professional decorum.

Consistently applies the VA’s customer service standards, always demonstrating helpful, courteous, and respectful conduct.

Respects patient’s rights, including but not limited to visual and auditory privacy.

May accept a verbal order in compliance with the facility policy.

Critical Care RNs must have a minimum of two years’ current experience in this field and hold BLS and ACLS and/or certification.

Intake and output of fluids assessed every shift, and more frequently if indicated by specific standard nursing drug care.

Reviews all laboratory data, and electronic medical records.

Can titrate medications.

Can be responsible for feeding tubes which are aspirated for gastric residue prior to every intermittent feed, and every four hours for continuous tube feedings.

Performs urinary catheter care by using soap and water cleaning technique every 12 hours, or as required.

Ensures that medication orders from the previous shift have been noted and either carried out or transcribed onto the medical records.

Must be able to rotate through the following areas and perform associated functions of these areas:

Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiac Ambulatory Center (CAC), Electrophysiology (EP) Lab, Interventional Radiology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Lab and Gastroenterology Lab.

4.4. Functions of the Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) RN, the Chronic Hemodialysis RN, Radiology RN, and the Psychiatry RNs:

Introduction: In any area of assignment within the health care system, the RN provides direct and indirect nursing care, through assessing patient status, determining priorities, identifying nursing measures, identifying therapeutic objectives, and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of nursing care.

Organizational Relationship: The RN is subject to the professional direction of the VA Nurse Manager or their designee during the workweek. On evenings, nights, holiday days, and weekends, the RN reports through the Charge Nurse to the Nursing Supervisor designee.

Functions: The services of Med/Surg RNs, Radiology Nurses RNs, and Chronic Hemodialysis RNs shall be provided in accordance with the policies of the VA Healthcare System where assigned. Nurses shall have professional and legal responsibility to the patient. The RN provides the following services:

Utilizes the nursing process and an interdisciplinary approach to provide direct, continuous, and comprehensive patient care.

Performs nursing functions related to physician prescribed treatments.

Performs the function of a scrub nurse.

Assists patients with activities of daily living.

Performs the functions of a circulating nurse.

Administers medications and IV therapies in compliance with local facility policies.

Obtains patient history and pertinent family histories.

Assesses patients and plans appropriate nursing care.

Documents patient’s medical record with the plans-of-care and the care provided to the patients.

Verifies transcriptions of Physician’s orders, and does not accept verbal orders.

Carries out Physician’s orders and documents the patient’s medical record.

Communicates pertinent patient data to the Charge Nurse and/or Physician as appropriate.

Re-assesses patient’s condition and revises plans-of-care based on problems that the Nurse Identifies.

Assesses and documents patient’s responses to medications and all treatments administered.

Recognizes and initiates the appropriate measures in emergencies and assists with surgical/diagnostic procedures.

Instructs the patients and their families regarding prescribed medications/therapies and surgical/diagnostic procedures.

Assesses the patient/family knowledge level, and implements a plan of instructions and records the patient’s and family’s demonstrated level of understanding.

Cares for patients with a variety of catheters and prostheses.

Participates in discharge planning.

Can initiate life saving measures in the absence of a Physician.

Maintains a neat and clean personal appearance with professional decorum.

Consistently applies the VA’s customer service standards, and always demonstrates helpful, courteous, and respectful conduct.

Respects patient rights, including but not limited to visual and auditory privacy.

Med/Surg RNs, Radiology RNs, and Chronic Hemodialysis RN and Psychiatric RNs, must be experienced in this field.

Psychiatric RNs working in Acute Locked Psychiatry shall possess current ProAct or equivalent Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) training and or certification.

4.5. Functions of the Certified Chemotherapy RNs:

Introduction: In assignment within the VISN 21 Healthcare Systems, Oncology units or Chemo clinics, the RN provides direct and indirect nursing care by contributing to the patient’s assessment, determining priorities, identifying nursing measures and therapeutic objectives and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of nursing care.

Organizational Relationship: The RN is subject to the professional direction of the VA Nurse Manager or designee during the workweek. During evenings, nights, holiday days and weekends, the RN reports through the Charge Nurse to the Nursing Supervisor.

Functions: The services of Chemotherapy Registered Nurses shall be provided in accordance with the policies of the VA Healthcare System where assigned. Nurses shall have professional and legal responsibility for the patient. The RN provides the following services:

Performs administration of chemotherapy to patients on Oncology Units or in Chemo Clinic in accordance with Medical Center Policies and Procedures from the Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice.

Understands the principles of chemotherapy and the various chemotherapeutic agents.

Demonstrates knowledge of the fundamentals of chemotherapy administration, safety measures for administration of chemotherapy, treatment schedules, and pretreatment and treatment.

Possesses knowledge of complications of Cytotoxic Therapy and the correct interventions to initiate for them.

Demonstrates competency in the management of patients receiving chemotherapy with specific skills in assessment, patient education, toxicity management and oncologic emergencies.

Obtains patient history and pertinent family history.

Assesses patient and plans appropriate nursing care.

Documents plan of care and care given in patient’s medical record.

Verifies transcription of Physician’s orders, and does not accept verbal orders.

Carries out prescribed Physician’s orders and documents inpatient medical record.

Communicates pertinent patient data to the Charge Nurse and/or Physician as appropriate.

Re-assesses patient’s condition and revises plans-of-care based on problems that the Nurse Identifies.

Administers medications and IV therapies.

Possesses knowledge of actions and usual dosages of most commonly used emergency drugs and their location on crash cart.

Assesses and document patient response to medication that have been administered.

Reorgani…