36C26119Q0239-0001000.docx

36C26119Q0239 0001 Section B

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 NUMBERED 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 amendment, 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) 662-19-1-733-0001 None

612MCP

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) VA Northern California HealthCare System 5342 Dudley Blvd. Bldg 98 (NCO 21) McClellan

CA

95652-1012

612MCP

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) VA Northern California HealthCare System 5342 Dudley Blvd. Bldg 98 (NCO 21) McClellan

CA

95652-1012 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26119Q0239 02-06-2019

X X X

X

(a) The solicitation is hereby amended to change the date shown in block 8 of the Standard Form 1449 from 02-15-2019 to 03-25-2019 at 12:00 Pacific Time.

(b) Offerors are required to acknowledge this amendment in their proposals.

(c) Change CLIN for Autopsy Assistant Services from 75 hours to 30 each (3 hr block of time).

(d) The PWS is updated to incorporate standard terms/details to the scope of the performance.

(e) No other changes to the terms and conditions of this solicitation as result of this modification.

Stephanie San Juan Contracting Officer

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.2 SERVICES AND PRICE

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel to provide services necessary for onsite Autopsy assistance at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sacramento facility (hereinafter referred to as VAMC). The contract assistant shall have all licenses, permits, accreditation and certificates required by law.

Place of Performance: Services shall be provided on site, at VANCHCS Sacramento Campus, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655.

BASE YEAR: Period of Performance: May 01, 2019 to April 30, 2020 (Dependent on credentialing may change based on when clearance is granted for personnel)

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

Rank/Level of Experience:

Total for Base Year

OPTION YEAR ONE: Period of Performance: May 01, 2020 to April 30, 2021

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

Rank/Level of Experience:

Total for Option Year One

OPTION YEAR TWO: Period of Performance: May 01, 2021 to April 30, 2022

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

Rank/Level of Experience:

Total for Option Year Two

OPTION YEAR THREE: Period of Performance: May 01, 2022 to April 30, 2023

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

Rank/Level of Experience:

Total for Option Year Three

OPTION YEAR FOUR: Period of Performance: May 01, 2023 to April 30, 2024

Annual Cost

KEY PERSONNEL

NAME:

Rank/Level of Experience:

Total for Option Year Four

TOTAL FOR BASE YEAR AND ALL OPTION YEARS: $_______________________

B.3 SERVICES AND PRICE PERFORMACE WORK STATEMENT

1. GENERAL:

1.1. Scope/ Services Provided: The Company will provide a trained Pathologist’s Assistant or Autopsy Technician for autopsy assistance. This will involve assisting the pathology resident with the autopsy removing organs, assisting in dissections, etc. not to exceed 3 hours of assistance time per autopsy.

1.2. Place of Performance - Sacramento Medical Center Laboratory 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA.

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority.

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

1.4.1. Contracting Officer (CO) – The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

1.4.2. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor performs in accordance with and adheres to the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken.

1.4.3. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.4.4. ISO: Information Security Officer

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

1.4.6. POP: Period of Performance

1.4.7. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.4.8. Privileging (Clinical Privileging): 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.

1.4.9. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.4.10. Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA): The central office for administration of the VA medical centers through throughout the United States.

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

1.4.12. VISTA (Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture): A PC based system that will capture and store clinical imagery, scanned documents and other non-textual data files and integrates them into patient’s medical record and with the hospital information system.

1.4.13. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA medical Center, for purposes of this contract, this term shall mean the VA NCHCS Medical Center.

2. SERVICE/ PERFORMANCE:

2.1.1. Per the qualification section of this PWS, the Contractor shall provide the following staff:

2.1.1.1. One qualified Autopsy Assistant or Autopsy Technician (see Section 2 for qualifications)

2.1.2. Scope of Care: Contract autopsy assistant(s) (as appropriate and within scope of practice/privileging) shall be responsible for assisting with the autopsy, including but not limited to assisting the pathology resident/attending pathologist with removal of organs (including the brain), organ dissection, weighing and measuring organs, notation of significant findings, return of unused tissues to the body, suturing of the body and cleanup of the body and autopsy suite upon completion of the autopsy.

3. QUALIFICATIONS:

3.1. Staff

3.1.1. License -Contractor shall have all licenses, permits, accreditation and certificates required by law.

3.1.2. Technical Proficiency - Contract autopsy assistant(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 of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the services performed. Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences.

3.1.3. Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for physicians within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.

3.1.3.1. published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor

3.1.4. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all contract autopsy assistant(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it’s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (Jan 2008) and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

3.1.5. Citizenship related Requirements:

3.1.5.1. 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;

3.1.5.2. 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 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.

3.1.5.3. 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.

3.1.5.4. 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.

3.1.5.5. 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.

3.1.6. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

3.1.6.1. 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 contract autopsy assistant(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.

3.1.6.2. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed.

3.2. Non Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all contract autopsy assistant(s) shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

3.3. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contract autopsy assistant(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.

3.4. Personnel:

3.4.1. For autopsy assistance, Contractor will work for a 3 hour period per autopsy, M-F during normal business hours (8 am – 5 pm). There will be no weekend or holiday work.

3.5. Emergency Substitutions: During the first ninety (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 15 calendar days 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 15 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

3.5.1. 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 15 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.

3.5.2. For temporary substitutions where the key person shall not be reporting to work for three (3) consecutive work days 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 weeks will require the procedure as stated above.

3.5.3. 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 patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. Should the VA COS or designee show documented clinical problems or continual unprofessional behavior/actions with any contract physician (s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said contract physician (s).

3.5.4. The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contract physician (s) conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

4. VA HOURS OF OPERATION/SCHEDULING:

4.1. VA Business Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday apart from Federal Holidays listed in paragraph 3.3.

4.2. Work Schedule: 3 hour shifts between the hours of 8am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This work schedule is flexible, depending on the time the autopsy is scheduled for.

4.3. Federal Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs:

New Year’s Day President’s Day Martin Luther King’s Birthday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Any day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

4.4. Cancellations: Unless a state of emergency has been declared, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing services.

5. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1. Clinical Personnel Required: The Contractor shall provide contract Autopsy Assistant(s) or Autopsy Technician(s) who are competent, qualified per this performance work statement and adequately trained to perform assigned duties.

5.1.1. Contract autopsy assistant(s) or Autopsy Technician(s) shall be responsible for signing in and out when in attendance. Time sheets will be used by the COR to confirm hours/day and services provided against the contractor’s invoices.

5.2. Standards of Care: The contract autopsy assistant(s)’ or Autopsy Technician(s) care shall cover the range of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art civilian medical treatment facility and the standard of care shall be of a quality, meeting or exceeding currently recognized TJC, VA and national standards as established by:

5.2.1. VA Standards: VHA Directive 2006-041 “Veterans’ Health Care Service Standards” (expired but still in effect pending revision) http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/viewpublication.asp?pub_id=7475

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

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

5.2.4. The requirements contained in this PWS

5.3. MEDICAL RECORDS

5.3.1. Authorities: Contract autopsy assistant(s) providing healthcare services to VA patients shall be considered as part of the Department Healthcare Activity and shall comply with the U.S.C.551a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records) 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records), Title 5 U.S.C. § 522a (Records Maintained on Individuals) as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (HIPAA).

5.3.2. HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA in order for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a health care provider for treatment. Based on this exception, a BAA is not required for this contract. Treatment and administrative patient records generated by this contract or provided to the Contractors by the VA are covered by the VA system of records entitled ‘Patient Medical Records-VA’ (24VA19). Contractor generated VA Patient records are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contractor shall ensure that all records pertaining to medical care and services are available for immediate transmission when requested by the VA. Records identified for review, audit, or evaluation by VA representatives and authorized federal and state officials, shall be accessed on-site during normal business hours or mailed by the Contractor at his expense. Contractor shall deliver all final patient records, correspondence, and notes to the VA within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the contract expiration date.

5.3.3. Disclosure: Contract autopsy assistant(s) will not have access to patient medical records. The VA will provide the Contractor with a copy of VHA Handbook 1907.1, Health Information management and Health Records and VHA Handbook 1605.1, Privacy and Release of Information. The penalties and liabilities for the unauthorized disclosure of VA patient information mandated by the statutes and regulations mentioned above, apply to the Contractor.

5.3.3.1 Release of Information: The VA shall maintain control of releasing any patient medical information and will follow policies and standards as defined, but not limited to Privacy Act requirements. In the case of the VA authorizing the Contractor to release patient information, the Contractor in compliance with VA regulations, and at his/her own expense, shall use VA Form 3288, Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Individual’s Records, to process “Release of Information Requests.” In addition, the Contractor shall be responsible for locating and forwarding records not kept at their facility. The VA’s Release of Information Section shall provide the Contractor with assistance in completing forms. Additionally, the Contractor shall use VA Form 10-5345, Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records or Health Information, when releasing records protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332. Treatment and release records shall include the patient’s consent form. Completed Release of Information requests will be forwarded to the VA Privacy Office at VANCHCSprivacy@va.gov.

5.4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT(QI)

5.4.1. Quality Management/Quality Assurance Surveillance: (Attachment Two)Contractor autopsy assistant(s) shall be subject to Quality Management measures and performance will be monitored by the government using the standards as outlined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and methods of surveillance detailed in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP shall be attached to the resultant contract and shall define the methods and frequency of surveillance conducted.

5.4.2. Patient Complaints: The CO will resolve complaints concerning Contractor relations with the Government employees or patient’s family. The CO is final authority on validating complaints. In the event that The Contractor is 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.

5.4.3. 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 patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor’s conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

5.4.4. Performance Standards: All contract autopsy assistant(s) shall meet the qualifications as outlined in section 2.

5.4.4.1. Measure: Mandatory Training

Performance Requirement: Contractor shall complete all required training on time per VAMC policy Standard: All (100%) of required training is complete on time by contract physician (s).

Acceptable Quality Level: 100% completions, no deviations.

Periodic Sampling Frequency: yearly, as applicable Incentive: Favorable contactor performance evaluation.

Disincentive: Unfavorable contractor performance evaluation, Suspension or termination of all physical and/or electronic access privileges and removal from contract until such time as the training is complete

5.4.4.2. Measure: Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPPA

Performance Requirement:

Standard: All (100%) contractor physician (s) comply with all laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPPA Acceptable Quality Level: 100% compliance; no deviations.

Surveillance Method: Periodic Sampling; Contractor shall provide evidence of annual training required by VAMC, reports violations per VA Directive 6500.6.

Frequency: Check first week of employment Incentive: Favorable contactor performance evaluation.

Disincentive: Unfavorable contactor performance evaluation. Immediate removal from contract.

6. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1. VA Support Personnel, Services or Equipment:

6.2. Contract Administration/Performance Monitoring: After award of contract, all inquiries and correspondence relative to the administration of the contract shall be addressed to: TBD

6.2.1. CO RESPONSIBILITIES:

CO - Name/Address/Phone/email

6.2.1.1. The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements of this contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue any modification to include (but not limited to) terms affecting price, quantity or quality of performance of this contract.

6.2.1.2. The Contracting Officer shall resolve complaints concerning Contractor relations with the Government employees or patients. The Contracting Officer is final authority on validating complaints. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer without authority, no adjustment shall be made in the contract price to cover an increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

6.2.1.3. In the event that contracted services do not meet quality and/or safety expectations, the best remedy will be implemented, to include but not limited to a targeted and time limited performance improvement plan; increased monitoring of the contracted services; consultation or training for Contractor personnel to be provided by the VA; replacement of the contract personnel and/or renegotiation of the contract terms or termination of the contract.

6.2.2. COR Responsibilities:

The COR for this contract is: Martha Goodwin, Laboratory Manager, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, VA NCHCS, Martha.goodwin@va.gov

6.2.2.1. The COR shall be the VA official responsible for verifying contract compliance. After contract award, any incidents of Contractor noncompliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.

6.2.2.2. The COR will be responsible for monitoring the Contractor’s performance to ensure all specifications and requirements are fulfilled. Quality Improvement data that will be collected for ongoing monitoring includes but is not limited to: enter data that may be collected.

6.2.2.3. The COR will maintain a record-keeping system of services by keeping and maintaining a monthly balance excel spreadsheet of services rendered and invoices paid. The COR will review this data monthly when invoices are received and certify all invoices for payment by comparing the hours documented on the VA record-keeping system and those on the invoices. Any evidence of the Contractor's non-compliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.

6.2.2.4. The COR will review and certify monthly invoices for payment. If in the event the Contractor fails to provide the services in this contract, payments will be adjusted to compensate the Government for the difference.

6.2.2.5. All contract administration functions will be retained by the VA.