36C26125Q0176 0002 and Q and A.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER3. 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 CODECODE

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)

0002 01-22-2025 None

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21

855 M Street, Suite 1020 Fresno CA 93721

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21

855 M Street, Suite 1020 Fresno CA 93721

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26125Q0176

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 01-31-2025 12:00 PM PST

X 0

The purpose of this amendment is to extend the Request for Quotation's response date from 01/24/2025 to 01/31/2025.

The reason for this extension is due to the delay from technical experts to answer vendors submitted questions.

Answers to the questions have now been answered, please see below continuation page.

Maricela Berrones-Gauger Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Question : 1.4 .1 Length of Stay (LOS) The LOS begins on the date of admission to the VAMC MH RRTPS (and the Contractor's housing facility) and will end upon the date of discharge from the VAMC MH RRTPS (and the Contractor's housing facility) Is the term "Contractor's housing facility" referring to a Residential Treatment and Substance Use Disorder Services Facility?

Answer: Yes

3.1: WORK SCHEDULE: Services shall be available from the contractor twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, including weekends and federal holidays. Contractor shall provide coverage for all required shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. When referring to service being available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, does this also include screening, intake and admissions? Though residential treatment program is 24/7, these services (screening/intake/admissions) are only available during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

Answer: This is acceptable

4.3 , 4.4, 4.10.4 - When using the term “housing” is it referring to residential treatment? If our program doesn't have a housing component, are we eligible to apply for this RFQ?

Please define "housing" - is it provided though the VA housing assistance program which is separate from residential treatment or by the provider as a continuation of program services.

Answer: I don’t think the term “housing” should be used and/or if it is used, its referencing Residential Treatment.

4.7.2 Sufficient nursing personnel to administer medications (incl. controlled substances) at a frequency indicated by Veteran’s VA prescriptions, including daytime, nighttime, weekend and as-needed dosages.

Medications must be dispensed within 10 minutes of prescribed dosing schedule. PRN medication must be dispensed within 30 minutes of Veteran’s request Regarding controlled substances, are veteran's allowed take home Methadone dosing? If not, will the VA allow the client's case manager to transport client for their daily dosing?

Answer: VA PIHCS does not have a methadone program so if the Veteran is started on Methadone, then they will need to continue it in the community (which is available via Care Hawaii and CHAMP program). Additionally, Veterans do not have individual case managers to assist with transportation, so the Veteran will need to be able to transport themselves to/from the clinic to receive daily dosing. This should be taken into consideration before starting methadone & presented alongside with pros/cons of other MAT for OUD options (e.g., suboxone).

4.10.10: Provide an adequately-sized work station for two (2) VA staff assigned to the facility. The VA will provide all computer equipment needed by VA staff. Work station must afford secure storage of personal staff belongings and confidential documents. Historically, we have provided a confidential space for VA staff to visit veterans while receiving residential services. We do not have the physical capacity at our facility to accommodate 2 VA staff workstations and/or personal staff belongings and confidential documents for VA staff.

Answer: Accommodation for 1 VA staff workstation Is fine.

Please explain the reason for VA staffing to be onsite at the residential treatment facility.

Answer: This is not necessary.

Trauma Recovery Program (TRP) and Addictive Disorders Treatment Program (ADTP) - empty beds shall be ready for occupancy within two (2) hours of notification by TRP or ADTP. Typically, our residential treatment program operates at full capacity and admits are subject to medical review and scheduled accordingly with discharges. How will this affect our performance standards, if we are not able to meet the hour turn around time.

Answer: (Turn over of beds were asked previously, please see above)

7.5.3.1 Access to the facility(ies) will be restricted to a single access-controlled entrance. Closed circuit video surveillance with recording and review capacity will be utilized to monitor access points and public areas, including any inside or outside locations utilized by Veterans, as requested; does not include private bedrooms or bathrooms. The contractor will provide video surveillance and access-control equipment to meet this requirement. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining and repairing this equipment. We are not a locked down facility and do not have a single access-controlled entrance. Is this the standard for residential treatment.

Answer: Removed from Performance Work Statment.

7.5.3.6 Provisions will be made to house at least eight (8) women at a time (minimum four (4) rooms in total, no more than two (2) female Veterans per room). Rooms housing female Veterans must be within line of sight of the VAMC worker’s station. Female bathroom doors will be locked when accessible from unit hallways or other public spaces. -

7.5.3.6 - We do not provide a housing component after their residential treatment.

Answer: (Removed from Performance Work Statement.)

7.5.3.14 Contractor will be responsible for laundering bed/bath linens once per week or more often if requested or upon admission of a new resident. All residents are given clean / fresh linens, all residents are responsible for washing their linens .

Answer: Fine, residents can continue to wash their own linens.

7.5.3.15 Veterans will have access to a minimum of one (1) common kitchen area for storing and preparing personal food items. At minimum, the kitchen area will include two (2) full size (i.e., at least eighteen (18) cubic feet) refrigerators, a microwave, water/ice machine, coffee maker and basic kitchen cutlery (disposable forks, spoons and knives). Contractor will check fridges, freezers, water/ice machines (and other appliances as indicated) will be checked daily to ensure they are clean, functional and maintaining safe and appropriate temperatures. Meals and snacks are prepared for all residents by the food service department.

Answer: If the kitchen is meeting the criteria now (which it is), then I think it’s fine to say that ‘yes’ it is meeting criteria for the future.

7.5.3.40.2 Contractor will provide a minimum of two weekly supervised recreational outings (e.g., bowling, baseball game, museum, non-fast food dining) at a cost of no greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00) per outing. The specific Veterans and VA staff attending the outing will be determined by VA staff; number is likely to vary from outing to outing and week-to-week based on clinical and supervision needs. Transportation for all Veterans and supervising staff will be provided by contractor. Cost of tickets, food or any other services or items required for the outing for Veterans and any contractor-employed personnel will be paid by contractor and should be included in budget estimates for planning (i.e., not to exceed $500 per outing). Outing plans will be discussed in advance and agreed upon in collaboration between the contractor and VA staff. How does this apply to residential treatment programming.

Answer: Removed from performance workstatement

Bed Availability (Measure 7.1.1.2): What are the consequences of not having beds ready within 2 hours of a TRP or ADTP notification?

Answer: We’d settle for within 3 business days

Quality Management (Measure 7.4): As a STF and CARF-certified facility, can we submit Care implementation meeting minutes as proof of quality management? If so, is a yearly submission sufficient?

Answer: From my perspective, that is sufficient. I think as long as there is some documentation of quality management that is consistent, the frequency of submission can be limited to annually.

Kitchen Facilities (Measure 7.5.3.15): Our facility has a full-service kitchen with staff providing 3 meals daily, as well as a communal dining area. Would this setup meet the requirements of Measure 7.5.3.15, which specifies minimum kitchen facilities for Veterans?

Answer: If their kitchen is meeting the criteria now (which it is), then I think it’s fine to say that ‘yes’ it is meeting criteria for the future.

How many weekly mental health therapy sessions will be required per individual. Are group sessions allowed and if so does this count toward the weekly total?

Answer: Per ASAM criteria, for a low-intensity residential program (ASAM Level 3.1), individuals are required to receive a minimum of 5 hours of clinical service per week. This may include individual, group, psychoeducation, or other recovery support services. Of these 5 hours, at least 1 hour per week should be 1:1 individual psychotherapy with a licensed independent practitioner (LIP) (e.g., LCSW, Psychologist).

o Per ASAM criteria, for a high-intensity residential program (ASAM Level 3.5) individuals are required to receive a minimum of 20 hours of clinical service per week. This may include individual, group, psychoeducation, or other recovery support services. Of these 20 hours, at least 1 hour per week should be 1:1 individual psychotherapy with a licensed independent practitioner (LIP) (e.g., LCSW, Psychologist).

o In their proposal, the facility should indicate what ASAM level of care that they are able to provide, congruent with the guidelines above.

What is estimated number of VA Health Technicians who would be provided to support this contract, along with their anticipated schedule (including days, nights, and weekends).

o The VA Pacific Islands (VA PIHCS) Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) program has 1 LCSW who serves as a residential treatment coordinator to assist with the management of residential treatment referrals and coordination of step-down care. She is provided with a 6 hour carve out of her full-time position to fulfill this role, and she works on M-Th from 0700 to 1730 HST.

What are the projected gender demographics of men and women to be placed?

o VAPIHCS STAR program patient population is approx. 75% cisgender men, 20% cisgender women, and 5% gender diverse.

Would it be possible to sleep men and women in separate quarters in the same building or on separate floors?

o Based on my understanding of other programs that treat both men/women, it is fine for men and women to sleep in separate quarters in the same building/different floors.