S06 36C26126Q1090 0001 Headhunting Clinical Staffing.pdf

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)

1 9

0001 08-14-2026

None

00261

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 21

00261

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 21

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26126Q1090

08-05-2026

X

X X

X 1

1) The purpose of this amendment is to address vendor questions.

2) The period of acceptance of questions has closed, no further questions will be addressed.

3) The solicitation is hereby amended to account for the following changes:

3a) The provision at 52.212-2 has been revised to include: Please see addendum to 52.212-2.

3b) Section 6.1.4 of the PWS is hereby updated to remove the noted anomaly.

3c) Section 6.1.6 of the PWS is hereby updated to change date of invoice submission.

3d) Section 6.3 of the PWS is hereby added to include guarantee period.

4) Changes to the solicitation are attached and highlighted.

5) The due date and time for receipt of quotes has not been extended.

6) All other items remain unchanged.

See attached document: S06 36C26126Q1090 Headhunting Clinical Staffing Revised Sol.

CONTINUATION PAGE

SOLICITATION NUMBER 36C26126Q1090

AMENDMENT 0001

Question 1: What salary range, incentives and benefits will be offered for the Gastroenterologist and the Cardiologist positions? including sign-on, retention, and relocation?

Answer 1:

Salary Range: Gastroenterologist: $326,000 - $400,000; Cardiologist: $327,615 - $400,000

Incentives vary, up to 15%

Benefits are same for all employees:

Paid time off, including:

208 hours (5.2 weeks) paid annual leave - accrual starting on your first day

104 hours (2.6 weeks) paid sick leave - accrual starting on your first day (no limit on accrual)

Disabled Veteran Leave (DVL) - Veterans who have a 30% or more service-connected disability rating

11 paid federal holidays

Health, dental, vision, long-term care, and term life insurance plans

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

Benefit/pension program, after 5 years of federal service

Thrift Savings Plan (Federal 401k) for retirement, with VHA matching up to 5% of employee contributions

Parental leave, childcare and transit subsidies (conditions apply)

Question 2: Is there any relocation allotment? CME or Education Debt incentives?

Answer 2:

Relocation incentives vary, up to 15%

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) are authorized for both Gastroenterologists and

Cardiologist’s (except for the Cardiologists in “Non-Invasive” positions). Certain rules apply to

EDRP though. The Physicians (both Supervisory and Staff) must at least have 51% or more direct patient care. If their position descriptions do not show that they will be involved with at least 51% direct patient care, then they are not eligible. Education Funding Limits: Board

Certified Physicians are eligible for up to $1000 for conference/ registrations each fiscal year.

Question 3: How much vacation/PTO is offered?

Answer 3:

Paid time off, including:

208 hours (5.2 weeks) paid annual leave - accrual starting on your first day

104 hours (2.6 weeks) paid sick leave - accrual starting on your first day (no limit on accrual)

Question 4: What is the definition of a “Successful Hire”? (signed offer?, Completion of credentialing/background? First day worked?)

Answer 4: First day worked

Question 5: Is a replacement guarantee anticipated?

In commercial contracts that are similar to this need the client typically asks for a “replacement guarantee” meaning if we find a Physician and they are hired but at some point within the first

60 days it is determined by either/both parties it’s not a good fit, the expectation is that we would find a replacement at no additional cost. I was double checking to see if that is something that would be written into the contract.

Answer 5: Yes, we would expect a replacement guarantee, and it will be written in the contract.

Question 6: How will interviews be conducted? Phone/Teams or will there be in person interviews required?

Answer 6: Virtual

Question 7: If in-person interviews are required will the VA pay for travel and lodging expenses?

Answer 7: Yes

Question 8: Is CA license required for a permanent VA employee?

Answer 8: No, CA license is not required. The license needs to be current from any state in the

US.

Question 9: Does the Government intend to make multiple awards?

Answer 9: No, the government does not intend to make multiple awards. Only one recruiting firm will be selected.

Question 10: Are you wanting to use a Retained Search firm or a Contingency firm?

Answer 10: Contingency firm.

Question 11: Have you used external firms in the past?

Answer 11: No.

Question 12: The evaluation factors listed under paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are blank in the solicitation; the Addendum at E.7 identifies Technical, Past Performance and Price.

Please confirm the relative order of importance of the three factors and whether technical merit and past performance, combined, are more important than price.

Answer 12: The provision at 52.212-2 has been revised to include: Please see addendum to

52.212-2. Quotes will undergo a comparative evaluation. There is no order of importance.

Question 13: Please confirm the complete list of attachments to be returned with the quote, and whether Attachment 1 (Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan), Attachment 2 (Gastroenterology

Scope of Practice) and Attachment 3 (Cardiology Scope of Practice) require signature or acknowledgment.

Answer 13: Attachments do not require signature.

Question 14: Please state affirmatively whether the physicians placed under this contract will be appointed as Federal employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. 7401, or whether they will be engaged as contractor personnel providing services to VANCHCS. The solicitation describes a per-placement headhunting fee payable "after a successful hire" but does not state the resulting employment relationship, and the answer determines the entire compensation structure a contractor must recruit against.

Answer 14: Physicians will be appointed as Federal employees of the VA.

Question 15: If the placed physicians are to be appointed as Federal employees, please state the total first-year compensation range the facility pay panel is authorized to offer for each position, inclusive of base pay, market pay and any annual performance pay, and identify the applicable pay table and tier under 38 U.S.C. 7431.

Answer 15:

Salary Range: Gastroenterologist: $326,000 - $400,000; Cardiologist: $327,615 - $400,000 and both specialties fall under pay table 2, tier 2.

Question 16: If the placed physicians are to be appointed as Federal employees, please confirm whether VANCHCS has requested or will request a pay limitation waiver under 38 U.S.C.

7431(e)(6), as added by the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act and implemented by VA Handbook 5007/66, Appendix L. That authority permits the Under Secretary for Health to waive any pay limitation under section 7431 for up to 300 title 38 physicians, podiatrists, optometrists and dentists, and remains available through 30 September 2028. Current market compensation for gastroenterology and for non-invasive cardiology exceeds the standard Tier 1 maximum, and the availability of a waiver for these two specialties directly determines whether the vacancies are fillable at the authorized offer.

Answer 16: No, the VA currently doesn’t have any pay waivers.

Question 17: Please confirm the Government's position on the interaction between the aggregate compensation limitation under 38 U.S.C. 7431(e)(4) and any recruitment incentive, critical skills incentive under 38 U.S.C. 706(d)(6), or award under 38 U.S.C. 7404A that may be offered to these candidates, so that a total offer can be represented accurately to a candidate.

Answer 17:

Salary Range: Gastroenterologist: $326,000 - $400,000; Cardiologist: $327,615 - $400,000

Incentives vary, up to 15%.

Question 18: Please confirm whether a recruitment incentive under 5 U.S.C. 5753, an Education Debt Reduction Program award, a Physician Student Loan Repayment Program award, relocation expense reimbursement, or any other monetary incentive is authorized for these positions, and state the amounts available. These incentives are frequently the deciding factor when a candidate compares a Federal offer against a private-sector or locum tenens alternative.

Answer 18:

Salary Range: Gastroenterologist: $326,000 - $400,000; Cardiologist: $327,615 - $400,000

Incentives vary, up to 15%

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) are authorized for both Gastroenterologists and

Cardiologist’s (except for the Cardiologists in “Non-Invasive” positions). Certain rules apply to

EDRP though. The Physicians (both Supervisory and Staff) must at least have 51% or more direct patient care. If their position descriptions do not show that they will be involved with at least 51% direct patient care, then they are not eligible.

Question 19: If the placed physicians are to be engaged as contractor personnel rather than appointed as Federal employees, please confirm that the compensation offered is not subject to the 38 U.S.C. 7431 pay limitation, and state the hourly, daily or annual rate range the Government considers reasonable for each labor category

Answer 19: Not applicable as the physicians would be appointed as Federal employees.

Question 20: The Performance Work Statement states that VANCHCS advertised these positions through USAJOBS without filling them. Please confirm whether the Government attributes the unsuccessful recruitment to the compensation offered, to the candidate market, or to another cause, and whether the compensation authorized for these positions has been increased since those announcements closed.

Answer 20: The Government attributes the unsuccessful recruitment to the compensation offered and the compensation authorized for these positions has not been increased since those announcements closed.

Question 21: Please confirm whether a candidate who meets every stated qualification but declines the position on compensation grounds will be counted against the contractor under the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, or whether such a declination is treated as a Government-side factor outside contractor control.

Answer 21: This is not applicable as the vendor will be paid after a successful hire.

Question 22: The place of performance is identified as Sacramento (Mather). The Gastroenterology Scope of Practice states the provider "will provide clinical support for the Gastroenterology services at the different VA Northern California Health Care System sites including Sacramento, Martinez, Redding and Stockton." Please confirm whether candidates must be willing to rotate to Martinez, Redding and Stockton, and whether that willingness is a qualification the contractor must screen for.

Answer 22: Willingness to travel to other sites is preferable and we would still like candidates referred who are not willing to travel.

Question 23: The Cardiology Scope of Practice states cardiologists performing inpatient duties will have additional call duty hours including weekends and nights on a rotating basis. Please confirm whether the vacancy being filled is outpatient only or includes inpatient service and call, since call obligation materially affects candidate acceptance.

Answer 23: For this full-time position, there will be inpatient duties and call.

Question 24: Cardiology Scope of Practice, 2.a.viii, Transesophageal echocardiography and elective direct current cardioversion are described as proficiencies that "may be needed."

Please confirm whether TEE and cardioversion capability is a mandatory qualification for referral or a preference.

Answer 24: TEE and cardioversion capability is a preference.

Question 25: Paragraph 2.a.ii of the Gastroenterology Scope of Practice requires the provider to furnish "routine diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower endoscopy procedures in addition to complex advanced procedures relevant to individual expertise." Endoscopic ultrasound is not mentioned anywhere in the Scope of Practice. Please state affirmatively whether ERCP privileges, EUS privileges, or both are a mandatory qualification for either Gastroenterologist position, or whether general diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy is sufficient. Advanced endoscopy and general gastroenterology are separate labor markets, and the answer materially affects both price and the candidate pool.

Answer 25: For the 2.0 FTEs for Gastroenterologists, one should have both ERCP privileges/

EUS privileges (advanced) and one should be general GI.

Question 26: Gastroenterology Scope of Practice, 2.a. Please provide the expected annual endoscopy volume, the number of weekly clinic and procedure sessions, and the annual work RVU target for each Gastroenterologist position. No volume, session count or productivity expectation is stated in the Scope of Practice.

Answer 26: Schedules and RVU targets will be based on candidate’s background, expertise, and research interests, with standardized national VA productivity metrics and targets as goals, but full-time clinical faculty should be able to produce a minimum of >5000 wRVUs annually.

Question 27: Gastroenterology Scope of Practice, 2.a-e Clinical effort is stated as a range of 70 to 100 percent, with administrative, education and research effort each expressed as a range "depending on individual labor mapping." Please state the labor mapping the facility intends to apply to each position.

Answer 27: Final labor mapping will be based on candidate’s background, expertise, and research interests. The ideal candidate would have a minimum of 50-60% outpatient clinical time and participate in the group’s shared inpatient/call coverage.

Question 28: Gastroenterology Scope of Practice, 1 The Scope of Practice assigns "general oversight of the operations of the Gastroenterology Department," including scheduling of clinic and procedures, assigning and assuring rotation coverage, and supervision of UC Davis gastroenterology fellows. Please confirm whether either Gastroenterologist position is a section chief, lead physician or supervisory assignment, and whether the compensation authorized for the position reflects that responsibility.

Answer 28: The position is a staff physician and there is no leadership component.

Question 29: Gastroenterology Scope of Practice, 1.a Please state the expected distribution of duty time across the Sacramento, Martinez, Redding and Stockton sites, whether travel between sites occurs within a single tour of duty, and whether travel time is compensated duty time.

Answer 29: Travel would be between normal duty hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm and as determined by supervisor.

Question 30: Addendum 52.212-1, Volume 3. Volume Three requires "an all-inclusive price per placement processed." Please confirm that "placement processed" means a candidate who is hired, and not a candidate who is referred, interviewed or processed without being hired.

Answer 30: Candidate who is hired.

Question 31: Please confirm whether any portion of the per-placement price is payable on delivery of a qualified candidate slate, or whether the entire fee is contingent on hire.

Contractors incur the full cost of a physician subspecialty search whether or not the Government makes an offer.

Answer 31: Contingent on hire.

Question 32: Paragraph 6.1.4 of the PWS requires each invoice to state "number of slides processed," which appears to be text carried over from a pathology requirement. Please confirm the required invoice content for a per-placement headhunting service.

Answer 32: Not relevant.

Question 33: The QASP measures Timely Billing against "PWS 7.1" and requires invoices by the 15th calendar day following the month of service, while PWS 6.1.6 requires supporting documentation by the 20th workday of the month. Please reconcile the two standards and confirm the correct PWS reference.

Answer 33: PWS will be updated to reflect the 15th calendar day.

Question 34: PWS 1.1. Please confirm whether the contract carries a replacement or guarantee obligation — that is, whether the contractor must conduct a replacement search at no additional fee if a placed physician separates within a stated period, and if so, the length of that period.

Answer 34: If a placed physician separates from the position within the guarantee period of 3 years, the contractor will conduct a replacement search at no additional professional fee. All standard placement terms and conditions apply to the replacement search.

Question 35: If the Option to Extend Services is exercised, please confirm that the per-placement prices remain unchanged and that placements completed during the extension are payable at the same unit price.

Answer 35: The specified rates under this clause will be those rates in effect under the contract at the time the option is exercised.

Question 36: The PWS states VANCHCS has advertised these positions through USAJOBS.

Please confirm whether the Government will continue to recruit independently for the same vacancies during the period of performance, and how a fee is determined if a candidate is hired from both the contractor's referral and a Government channel.

Answer 36: Yes, we will continue to recruit independently, and we will honor the terms of the contract.

Question 37: Please confirm that candidate identity, contact information and credentialing documentation submitted by the awarded contractor under this contract will be treated as contractor proprietary information and will not be released to other quoters or interested parties.

Answer 37: Yes, all candidate information will remain confidential.

Question 38: Please confirm the attribution rule for a candidate already known to VANCHCS — for example a prior applicant, a current VA employee, a former employee, or a candidate who applied to the USAJOBS announcement before the contract start date. Contractors need to know whether such candidates are excluded from fee eligibility.

Answer 38: If someone is already in the application process then that candidate is exempt.

Question 39: PWS 1.1. Please confirm the anticipated timeline from offer acceptance to entry on duty, including credentialing and privileging through VetPro and the physician pay panel, so that candidate expectations can be set accurately.

Answer 39: Approximately 30 days.

Question 40: The Cardiology Scope of Practice states board certification or board preparation with four or more years of experience is "preferred." Please confirm whether board certification is a mandatory minimum for referral eligibility or a preference the Government will trade against other qualifications.

Answer 40: Board certification would be a minimum requirement.

Question 41: PWS 2.2. Please confirm whether a California medical license is required at the time of referral, or whether a full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory or the District of Columbia is acceptable, consistent with 38 U.S.C. 7402.

Answer 41: CA license is not required. The license needs to be current from any state in the US.

Question 42: Volume Two permits a maximum of five references within the past three years.

Please confirm whether references for permanent physician placement performed for non-federal clients, hospitals, health systems and physician groups will be evaluated as relevant, since few contractors hold federal headhunting awards for physician subspecialties.

Answer 42: Offerors are encouraged to submit references as stated within the solicitation.

Relevant references mean similar in scope, magnitude of effort and complexity to the subject requirement.

Question 43: Please confirm whether past performance under subcontracts and under teaming arrangements may be submitted, and whether the Government will consider the past performance of a proposed subcontractor or teaming partner.

Answer 43: Offerors shall provide relevant references regarding the company’s past performance. Relevant means similar in scope, magnitude of effort and complexity to the subject requirement.

Question 44: Please confirm how the limitation on subcontracting will be measured for a contingency executive search service in which the deliverable is a hired candidate rather than labor hours, and confirm the Government's expectation for demonstrating compliance.

Answer 44: The limitation on subcontracting under FAR 52.219-14 for contingency executive search services will be measured by the portion of the work or associated costs performed by the prime contractor’s personnel. The Government expects offerors to be able to demonstrate compliance if requested.

Question 45: Does the Government require previous VA/VHA experience?

Answer 45: No

Question 46: Will the Government accept J1-Visa or Permanent Resident candidates?

Answer 46: Yes* but US citizens are preferred because according to the law, they must have first consideration.