36C26119Q0596-0001001.docx

SOLANO COUNTY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES HOMELESS VETERANS IDIQ

FOR VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

36C26119Q0596 Q1. Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

A. There’s no current contract but the previous contract was VA261-16-C-5014 Mission Solano Rescue Mission Inc.

Q2. The solicitation (Standard Form 1449) indicates the offeror is to complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30. What is meant by “Discount Terms” (Block 12) A. This is a discount, if offered, if payment is received in a certain amount of time. This is not necessary and totally up to the vendor.

Q3. How do we determine what our Contract/Offeror Code and Facility Code are?

A. You do not need to concern yourself with this. Just ensure your SAM registration is current.

Q4. Is there a specific form or format expected for the Quality Control Business Plan (Page 14)? Specifically, Is there a proposal format and structure you are looking for – for instance, page length, font, font size, line spacing, numbered sections, attachments required, method of submission (by email or by mail? - multiple copies or just 1?), signatures required, memos of understanding, letters of support, etc.?

A. There is no required format and submissions are to be sent by email. Please see page 42 of the RFQ.

Q5. Is there a specific form or format expected for the Staffing and Service Plan (Page 14)?

A. There is no specific format required.

Q6. Is it expected that health care, mental health and substance use treatment be provided by our agency in-house – or referred out to third party providers?

A. You are required to assess the need for treatment and provide basic case management using best practices, like motivational interviewing. For example if a Veteran has substance use issues, your case managers should be able to assess a Veterans problems and their readiness to take action. If the Veterans appears to be in the “action” stage, you should refer them to VA outpatient treatment, or help coordinate a referral to a residential treatment program. Similarly, you should aid Veterans in accessing VA health care or mental health care by recognizing and responding to Veterans in need, helping them make calls to set up appointments, and providing them with information on how to transport to the nearest VA clinic or medical center, or other third party. Your case managers should also be creating treatment plans and case notes documenting these activities especially in regards to income and housing plans.

Q7. Is there a scoring template you can provide, to determine the values for each section?

A. Per the PWS VAAR 852.273-79 Evaluation: “the Government is not assigning weight to the factors or listing them in any particular order.”

Q8. Re C.2.9 – is the phone line to be used as an administrative line between the VA and Shelter, Inc. – or a line to be used by the veterans to communicate with the VA?

A. This refers to an administrative line. We want to be able to reach someone or leave voicemails that you will respond to within normal business hours.

Q9. Section E. Referrals, Item E.1. states “The VA is capable in determining eligibility of Veterans prior to admissions to contractor bed for services.” Please clarify what this means, especially in terms of timing and communication regarding intake. Is there a form of referral that will be used?

A. You and the VA can create system faxing a form or using encrypted email (currently virtru) to confirm that a Veteran is eligible and that the VA will allow them on the invoice. The point is that sometimes an individual may be a Veteran but may not be eligible for VA payment because they are deemed by the VA Eligibility department to be “Other Than Honorable,” or “Not eligible/Humanitarian.” This can occur when a Veteran didn’t serve enough active duty time, were dishonorably discharged, or some other explanation. If the VA state’s they are ineligible, you may not include them on the invoice. Similarly, if an eligible Veteran is not working on a viable housing plan, extensions past the 90 day stay may not be granted and VA payment may not be continued, even if the agency allows them to stay.

Q10. Section J. Facilities, Item J.1.10 indicates that the facility’s bed bug plan/policy “must be a part of your written response to this solicitation.” Does this mean inclusion of the relevant pages of the facility’s management plan as an appendix to our submission, or a quote of the relevant text within the body of a narrative response?

A. Either the relevant pages or within the body of the narrative could be acceptable if an explanation of the plan/policy is clear and sufficient.

Q11. Section C.13, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (pgs. 31-32): no coverage amounts are indicated. Can you advise about these amounts, or will they be established at a later time?

A. This refers to your commercial or general liability insurance related to your business and the services you provide. $3,000,000 for general aggregate and $1,000,000 each occurrence.