36C26218Q0253-002.docx

36C26218Q0253

PAGE 1 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 SIGN 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. SIGNATURE 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

36C26218Q0253 02-0 6-2018 Timothy Wanamaker 562-766-2212 03-02 -2018 12:00 Noon (PST) 00262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

XX

XX

X N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815 00262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971A www.OB10.com 877-353-9791 See CONTINUATION Page Please see the enclosed “Schedule of Services and Price;” pages seven (7) through nine (9 ) of this solicitation.

This solicitation is 100% set-aside for SDVOSBs.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X

FOUR (4)

Don Weerasinghe

, CO

Table of Contents

SECTION A - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

A.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(Continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

1.1. CONTRACTOR: ________________________________________

1.2. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer (CO), 36C262, Timothy Wanamaker;

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 600 Long Beach, CA 90815

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

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

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System:

(See Web site at and submit invoices to: www.OB10.com (TUNGSTEN NETWORK)

Register at: 877-752-0900 (Option #2) Customer Help: call 877-353-9791

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to Solicitation 36C26218Q0253 numbered and dated as follows:

A.3 NOTIFICATION TO OFFERORS

1. Authority: Under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7409, 38 U.S.C. 8153, and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items, and FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS); the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) and VA Oceanside Community-Based, Outpatient Clinic (CBOC-VASDHS); and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS), requires a Contractor to provide Mohs Histotechnician Staffing Services to support existing Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)-22 staff on an as-needed basis.

2. It is the Government’s intent to make a single Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) award in response to this solicitation. However, the Government reserves the right to make multiple BPA awards if it determines it is in the Government’s best interest to do so.

3. Offerors shall complete and return all information designated in the enclosed FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, paragraph b, and the addendum to FAR clause 52.212-1, prior to the time specified in block 8 of standard form (SF) 1449 to be considered for award. Offerors shall also respond to each evaluation factor listed in the enclosed FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Items. Failure to do so may preclude the offeror from consideration for award.

4. TECHNICAL INQUIRES: Direct all technical inquiries via email to the Administrative Contracting Officer (CO), Timothy Wanamaker at timothy.wanamaker@va.gov not later than February 16th, 2018. An amendment will be posted to www.Fbo.gov to address any questions received on or about February 20th, 2018.

5. DUNS NUMBER: Provide the Dun and Bradstreet Number assigned to your business in the space provided below; (refer to FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items):

5.1. ____________________________________

6. This requirement is set-aside 100% for Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Only SDVOSBs verified in the VA’s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) site at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ at the time of proposal submission will be considered for award.

7. Post-Award Conference. The BPA-awardee shall participate in a post-award orientation conference to review the on-boarding process for candidates and other post-award management procedures. The conference will include the CO, Contract Specialist (CS), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), BPA-awardee, and others designated.

A.4 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside. 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.

A.5 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND PRICE

1. Prices shown in the tables below are all-inclusive of labor, incidental costs, overhead costs, and insurance premium payments for applicable insurance coverage. Costs not incorporated into the contractor’s price will not be reimbursed by the government.

2. California Overtime (OT) Rates applies to the contract line item numbers (CLINs) in this schedule. See CA Labor Code section 510. Offerors shall include offered OT rates in the schedule as indicated (e.g., 1.2x (times), 1.3x). No shift differentials will be paid.

3. ***The previous option year pricing will apply to any extension pursuant to FAR 52.217-8***

4. SCHEDULE FOR VALBHS:

VALBHS - VA Tibor Rubin Medical Center, 5901 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90822

BASE PERIOD: 04-01-2018 THROUGH 03-31-2019

OPTION PERIOD ONE (1): 04-01-2019 THROUGH 03-31-2020

OPTION PERIOD TWO (2): 04-01-2020 THROUGH 03-31-2021

OPTION PERIOD THREE (3): 04-01-2021 THROUGH 03-31-2022

OPTION PERIOD FOUR (4): 04-01-2022 THROUGH 03-31-2023

5. SCHEDULE FOR VASDHS AND VASDHS-CBOC:

VASDHS - 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92161 VASDHS-CBOC - 1300 Rancho Del Oro Dr., Oceanside, CA 92056

BASE PERIOD: 04-01-2018 THROUGH 03-31-2019

OPTION PERIOD ONE (1): 04-01-2019 THROUGH 03-31-2020

OPTION PERIOD TWO (2): 04-01-2020 THROUGH 03-31-2021

OPTION PERIOD THREE (3): 04-01-2021 THROUGH 03-31-2022

OPTION PERIOD FOUR (4): 04-01-2022 THROUGH 03-31-2023

6. SCHEDULE FOR VAGLAHS:

VAGLAHS - 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073

BASE PERIOD: 04-01-2018 THROUGH 03-31-2019

OPTION PERIOD ONE (1): 04-01-2019 THROUGH 03-31-2020

OPTION PERIOD TWO (2): 04-01-2020 THROUGH 03-31-2021

OPTION PERIOD THREE (3): 04-01-2021 THROUGH 03-31-2022

OPTION PERIOD FOUR (4): 04-01-2022 THROUGH 03-31-2023

A.6 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) – MOHS HISTOTECHNICIAN SERVICES

1. BACKGROUND. Mohs Histotechnicians process slides used to determine amounts of tissue removed during Mohs micrographic surgical procedures used to treat skin cancer. Mohs Histotechnicians are a vital part of the surgical process and are essential to successful surgical outcomes.

2. GENERAL. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians are needed by multiple VISN-22 southern California VA Healthcare facilities to perform slide preparations; grossing and fixation, processing embedding, and sections and staining. Additionally, Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates are needed to prepare and process tissue samples/specimens extracted during surgery for pathology, physician analysis and interpretation on an as-needed basis.

3. LOCATIONS. The VISN-22 Mohs Micrographic Surgery programs are located at the following addresses:

The Department (Dept.) of Dermatology Mohs Micrographic Surgery Program;

VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS-VHALON) 5901 E 7th St.

Long Beach, CA 90822

Dept. of Dermatology Mohs Micrographic Surgery Program;

VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), 3350 La Jolla Village Dr.

San Diego, CA 92161, VA Oceanside Community-Based, Outpatient Clinic (CBOC-VASDHS) 1300 Rancho Del Oro Dr.

Oceanside, CA 92056

Dept. of Dermatology Mohs Micrographic Surgery Program;

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) 11301 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90073

4. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall have a minimum of one (1) year hands-on mohs frozen section training. The contractor shall ensure an annual review of staining/labeling/processing documentation by its Mohs Histotechnicians. Only Mohs Histotechnician candidates approved by the Dept. of VA shall be allowed to perform under the contract. If a Contract Mohs Histotechnicians’ technical skills are deemed deficient by the VA Medical Center’s Mohs surgeon (e.g., slow slide preparation or poor-quality sectioning), the contractor shall be prepared to supply another Contract Mohs Histotechnician.

4.1. The Contract Mohs Histotechnician shall possess the following qualification requirements:

5. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians are required to prepare and process tissue samples and specimens extracted during surgery for pathology/physician analysis/interpretation. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall advise pathology on histopathology test results, resolve sectioning and staining problems, explain and gain acceptance of selected methodologies, and obtain agreement on technical points and methods. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall also obtain and maintain equipment and supplies, and coordinate schedules.

5.1. Please Note:

5.1.1. The Contractor shall provide all equipment, uniforms, and supplies needed for Contract Mohs Histotechnicians to perform duties.

5.1.2. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians will be authorized to use government-furnished cryostats of Mohs frozen sectioning after a competency of use has been determined and certified by the VHALON Biomedical Section of Facilities Management Service.

6. SCOPE OF WORK. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians are expected to perform a variety of duties involving diverse and complex technical or administrative problems and consideration (e.g., evaluating, refining, implementing new methods and procedures for specimen collection and preparation, reagent preparation, inventory and control, instrumentation/equipment maintenance and safety, calibration/correlation considerations, quality assurance, establishing standards of acceptance and performance, and meeting internal and external polices/regulations).

6.1. Assignments involve complicating factors (e.g., unusual or unexpected results, errors, and discrepancies or lack of adequate information about the use and capabilities of new instruments or methodologies).

6.2. The services provided by Contract Mohs Histotechnicians are critical to the accuracy and proficiency of VA Dermatology Surgery Services, and the ability of VA medical staff to meet the needs of proper and optimal Veteran-patient care.

7. TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall manage the following responsibilities:

7.1. Working with the Dermatologic Surgeon; Mohs Histotechnicians shall be responsible for handling, orienting, and sectioning tissue to provide multiple frozen sections which are critical elements of Mohs procedures. These are specialized frozen sections which require unique training, skill and experience.

7.2. Sets up and monitors record-keeping systems and effective quality control procedures, including examining slides for staining, sectioning quality, and appropriate processing of specimens. This includes preparation of the tissue cassette, and a label and jar for all specimens which are transferred to the VA facility’s pathology dept. for permanent storage.

7.3. In an instance when the Mohs service uses the VA supplied cryostat, Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall be responsible for Quality Assurance (QA) control and cleaning of the cryostat machine, including weekly temperature documentation, periodic cleaning and sterilization, and interaction with biomedical dept. for any technical or maintenance needs.

7.4. Evaluates, modifies, or adapts new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or expand accuracy precision, and quality of sectioning and storing.

7.5. Advises a course of action to follow when sections are deemed unacceptable.

7.6. Examines functions of instruments, rechecks conditions of instrument performance, and evaluates reaction systems and/or procedural techniques utilized. If faulty, the Contract Mohs Histotechnician determines a course of corrective action.

8. PHYSICAL DEMANDS.

8.1. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall possess the physical ability for regular and recurring physical exertion (e.g., long periods of standing, bending, reaching for supplies or materials, lifting moderately heavy items such as staining chemicals and slides, and occasional heavier items).

8.2. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians may be required to work under the stated conditions well beyond four (4) continuous hours on any given day (e.g., an unusually difficult case).

8.3. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall be free of any health issues or physical disabilities that may interfere with the performance of contractual duties.

9. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS.

9.1. Contract Mohs Histotechnicians candidates shall not perform services under this contract unless a pre-assignment medical examination has been performed within 30 calendar days of his/her first scheduled shift. Pre-assignment medical examinations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

9.2. As a condition of employment, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all Contractor candidates who will have occupational exposure to blood, other body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials, shall receive Hepatitis B vaccine, sign a voluntary declination or have documented proof of immunity to Hepatitis B infection. The immunization shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

9.3. Contractor candidates having patient contact or exposure to biological or pathological specimens shall be immunized against, be granted an immunization waiver or have documented proof of immunity to: rubella, mumps, polio and Hepatitis B. In addition, Contractor candidates shall be free of infectious diseases (i.e., Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis) that might reasonably be expected to place other workers, Veteran-patients or the public at risk.

9.4. The Contractor shall provide the Government with all the information necessary to ensure that Government records are maintained correctly and in compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, and the Center for Disease Control health records requirements—for each individual Contractor employee working on the contract.

9.5. The Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) with certification that Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates have completed the medical evaluation (required above in section 9.1 of the PWS) a minimum of five (5) working days prior to performance of the contract.

9.5.1. This certification shall state: the date that the examination was completed; the doctor’s name that performed the examination; a statement concerning the physical health of the individual; and the following statement:

9.5.1.1. [Name of Contractor employee] is suffering from no contagious diseases to include, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis.

9.6. The Government may take nose and throat cultures from Contract Mohs Histotechnicians candidates when required by Government Infection Control Committees (ICC).

9.7. When Contract Mohs Histotechnicians have been deemed medically unfit for providing services required under the contract, they shall be required to discontinue working immediately. Contract Mohs Histotechnician will not return to work at a VA medical center until given clearance by the appropriate physician.

9.8. The Government will provide emergency health care for injuries sustained while on duty for Contract Mohs Histotechnician personnel. These services will be billed to the Contractor at the current full reimbursement rate.

10. IMMUNIZATION WAIVER/EXEMPTIONS. Waivers and exemptions may be granted in accordance with VA regulations and Medical Staff Bylaws.

11. ON-BOARDING REQUIREMENTS. On-boarding of Contract Mohs Histotechnicians shall be coordinated by the Contractor with the COR or his/her designee. The Contractor shall submit the resume of any new Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate when requested by the COR, and the Contractor shall make proposed Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates available for interview by the Dept. of VA program office.

12. NON-ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT PERSONNEL. The Contractor shall ensure that all proposed Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates have met the qualifying criteria, including experience, competency, and valid certificates. Ultimately, the decision to accept or reject Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates rests with the Dept. of VA. Non-acceptance of Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates does not relieve the Contractor from satisfying and fulfilling contract requirements.

13. REPLACEMENT OF CONTRACT PERSONNEL. The Contractor shall provide scheduled services throughout the contract period(s). In the event of a Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate absence for any reason, the Contractor shall coordinate an alternate with the VA Healthcare Facility Surgeon or designee/representative.

14. STANDARD OF CONDUCT.

14.1. The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of Contract Mohs Histotechnicians candidates whose personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the VA facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from alcohol or drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other abuse or 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.

14.2. Complaints concerning Contract Mohs Histotechnicians conduct with Government employees or patients will be managed by the Contractor and COR. The Contracting Officer (CO) is the final authority on validating complaints. If Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates are involved and named in a validated complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such candidates.

14.2.1. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

14.3. The Contractor shall not employ persons for work on this contract if an employee is identified to the Contractor as a potential threat to the health, safety, security, general well-being or operational mission of the VAGLAHS and its population.

14.4. All Contractor personnel shall observe the rules and regulations of the VA facility such as:

14.4.1. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas as posted;

14.4.2. Parking is only permitted in areas designated as Visitor Parking Lots, by the COR or otherwise directed by the Police and Security Service personnel.

15. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, unless such person seeks and receives approval in accordance with VA Regulations. Nor shall the Contractor employ any person, who as a member would create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, particularly regarding the influence of contract negotiations or terms of the contract. In any such case, the Dept. of VA must review the matter and give approval in accordance with agency ethics rules.

16. CONTRACTOR LIAISON. The Contractor shall designate one (1) employee who shall be responsible for the performance of the work under this contract. The liaison shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to the daily operation of this contract. The liaison may be a contracted health care provider performing under the contract. An alternate may be designated, but the Contractor shall identify in writing those times when the alternate shall act as the liaison.

16.1. Contractor Liaison: _____________________ Phone: ____________ Fax: ___________

17. EMERGENCIES OR COMPLICATIONS. All accidents, malfunctions, and injuries or deaths related to the delivery of services shall be immediately reported verbally to the designated COR. The Contractor may be required to provide evidence of follow-up through a written report of the incident; describing the event, analysis of cause and effect, and corrective action taken. If such a report is requested by the designated COR, this will be done within three (3) working days of the verbal report.

18. ALTERNATE SOURCES.

18.1. If routine services are disrupted for more than two (2) consecutive scheduled shifts or emergency response requests, the Government reserves the right to procure such services from an alternate source, until routine services are restored by the Contractor. When the Government exercises its right to procure these services from an alternate source, the Contractor shall reimburse the government for all charges more than the amount that would have been incurred by the contract.

18.2. A copy of the alternative source’s time sheet or other verifiable documentation shall be used as the basis for any reimbursement.

19. IDENTIFICATION BADGE.

19.1. An identification (ID) badge will be issued by the appropriate VA medical center to Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates providing services to Veteran beneficiaries. The appropriate ID badge shall always be worn while on Government facility grounds and clearly displayed on the outermost garment (e.g., laboratory coat, jacket, sweater, shirt, or blouse).

19.2. All Contract Mohs Histotechnician personnel are required to wear ID Badges the entire time while on VA campus/facility/grounds. ID Badges must have an identification picture, and shall state in English the name of the individual and the company represented.

19.3. All Contract Mohs Histotechnician personnel are required to check into the facility Police & Security office at each visit to pick up a “Contractor” badge prior to contacting the COR.

20. PERSONAL HYGIENE AND CLOTHING. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall be neat, clean, well-groomed, and shall otherwise exercise good personal hygiene. Appropriate and professional attire shall always be worn while on duty. Furthermore, a laboratory style coat shall be worn over scrubs when Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates are not performing duties in a clinical examination area, operating or procedure rooms. Medical scrubs are not to be worn outside the facility.

21. GOVERNMENT TRAINING AND ORIENTATION.

21.1. The Dept. of VA will provide a briefing to familiarize Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates on VA policies and procedures on the first scheduled duty day or within a period acceptable to the Dept. of VA.

21.2. The Contractor shall ensure that all Contract Mohs Histotechnicians candidates attend and participate in VA or any other mandatory training to include, but not limited to, VA Privacy, VA Cyber Security, Diversity, Total Quality Improvement, Annual Fire Safety and Infection Control.

22. DRUG SCREENING. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates are subject to random drug testing. Candidates are also subject to drug testing when there is a reasonable suspicion a candidate is using or are impaired by illegal drugs while on duty. Reasonable suspicion of drug use or impairment includes, but is not limited, to the following:

22.1. Observable phenomena, such as direct observation of drug use, possession or the physical symptoms of being under the influence of a drug;

22.2. A pattern of abnormal conduct or erratic behavior;

22.3. Arrest or conviction for a drug-related offense or the identification of Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate as the focus of a criminal investigating into illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking;

22.4. Information provided either by reliable and credible sources or independently corroborated, or;

22.5. Newly discovered evidence that the Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate has tampered with a previous drug test.

23. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS AND ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS. If, and when requested by the Government, Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall perform services to include, but not limited to, attendance and participation in meetings, professional staff conferences, other appropriate professional activities, assist with Performance Improvement activities, and interface with the VA Chief Medical Officer or designee.

24. PATIENT SENSITIVITY. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall respect and maintain the basic rights of patients, demonstrating concern for personal dignity and human relationships.

25. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE MONITORING.

25.1. Monitoring Contractor performance shall be demonstrated through clinical and administrative record reviews and through patient satisfaction surveys. The COR will be responsible for verifying Contractor compliance. After contract award, any incidents of Contractor noncompliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures or by failure to supply required documentation shall be forwarded immediately to the CO.

25.2. The Contractor shall maintain an adequate record system for recording services, listing servicing providers, charges, Comprehensive Procedure Tracing (CPT) codes applicable, patient identification, service dates and all other commonly accepted information elements for services rendered to patients pursuant to this contract. Such records as are necessary for the evaluation of the quality, appropriateness and timeliness of services performed under this contract.

26. MEDICAL RECORDS. Clinical records or other medical records of VA Veteran-patients treated by the Contractor under the contract are VA records. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates who obtain access to hardware or media which may manipulate or store drug or alcohol abuse data, sickle cell anemia treatment records, records or tests or treatment for or infection with HIV, medical quality assurance records, or any other sensitive information as defined by the Dept. of VA, shall not have access to the records unless necessary to perform contractual duties. Any individual who has access to these data will disclose them to no one—including other employees of the Contractor not involved in the performance of the contractual duty for which access was obtained.

27. HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA).

27.1. Contractor shall take reasonable measures to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. The Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates herein agree to take all reasonable precautions to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access or modification, in both electronic and hard-copy formats. This includes not only electronic security measures such as “strong” user passwords on computer systems, but also physical barriers to prevent unauthorized use of computer work-stations; that hard copy patient files are in secured lockable areas, that files are in lockable cabinets, that the cabinets can in fact be locked (e.g., keys are available and the locking mechanisms work properly). This precaution also includes the proper transfer of patient information via electronic means, such as faxing or system-to-system transmission.

27.2. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall ensure no patient information of any type is given to outside parties, agencies or organizations of any type without the expressed written consent of the Veteran-patient and the VA, and only in capacities directly related to the provision of the services contracted in this instrument. Only the minimum necessary Veteran-patient information is used to provide appropriate service to the correct Veteran-patient. The Contractor is subject to the same penalties and liabilities for unauthorized disclosures of such records as VA personnel.

27.3. The undersigned understands that all parties are bound by the requirements of the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996” which provides guidance on the protection of patient privacy and confidentiality. This Act mandates that all government agencies and those bodies with whom they contract shall comply with the directives of the Act. Details of the Act are still under development by the Congress of the United States. Once these detailed directives are released, this current contract may require a modification to comply—depending on the effective date of the Act as decided by the Congress and President of the United States.

28. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT (PI)/RISK MANAGEMENT. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall participate in PI/Risk Management activities to the extent required by the Dept. of VA. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate’s specific activity data must be submitted by the Contractor to the COR upon request. The Government shall evaluate the Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidate’s professional (differentiated from administrative) performance under the contract using quality assurance standards specified in VA Regulations, Joint Commission Standards, and specific VA Station Memorandum (VALBHS, VASDHS, or VAGLAHS).

29. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates will be held to the same standard as Dept. of VA personnel through quality assurance and performance monitoring to ensure compliance under the contract. These procedures will include time and attendance logs verification, monitoring of the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) records or other appropriated records utilized. The Quality Assurance and Performance Monitoring will be governed by the appointed COR responsible for verifying compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. After the contract is awarded, any incidents as evidenced by the monitoring procedures will be forwarded immediately to the CO. In addition, the COR will forward the summary evaluation of the Contractor performance to the CO once the performance period concludes.

30. THE JOINT COMMISSION (TJC).

30.1. Contractor Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall be subject to the same quality assurance standards by meeting or exceeding current recognized National Standards as established by TJC. Copies of the quality assurance standards are on file with the Dept. of VA and will be available to the Contractor upon request. The Contractor shall perform services in accordance with the ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, and procedures. The Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates provided by the Contractor shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the Government’s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, and read and write English fluently. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall comply with all procedures in accordance with applicable VHALON written policies, procedures, Bylaws of the Medical Staff, and established protocols. Copies of the Bylaws will be available to all Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates; copies of the Bylaws are given through the Dept. of VA. The Contractor shall not introduce new procedures or services without prior recommendation to and approval of the Chief of Staff (COS), the COR, and through the CO.

30.2. The Contractor is required to maintain records that document the competence/performance level of Contract Mohs Histotechnician employees working on the contract in accordance with the Joint Commission Accreditation and other regulatory body requirements. The Contractor will provide a current copy of the competence assessment checklist and annual performance evaluation to the COR at the time of contract award or upon request for each Contract Mohs Histotechnician employee working on the contract.

30.3. Where the contract does not require Joint Commission Accreditation or other regulatory body requirements, the Contractor must perform the required work in accordance with Joint Commission Accreditation standards. A copy of these standards may be obtained from the Joint Commission, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.

31. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (HHS/OIG) REQUIREMENTS. To ensure that the individuals providing services under this contract have not engaged in fraud or abuse, (Sections 1128 and 1128A of the Social Security Act—regarding federal health care programs), the Contractor is required to check the HHS/OIG—List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the OIG Website (www.hhs.gov/oig) for each Contract Mohs Histotechnician providing services under the contract. Furthermore, the Contractor is required to certify in its proposal that all candidates listed in the Contractor’s proposal have been compared against the OIG list and are NOT listed. During the performance of the contract, the Contractor is prohibited from using any individual or business listed on the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.

32. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) REQUIREMENTS. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates registered by national associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME & VHALON Bylaws and Rules to remain current as prescribed by legal requirements. CME is the sole responsibility of the Contractor and shall be obtained at no additional cost to the Government, and shall be reported to the COR on the first normal duty day for the previous calendar year. Periodic CME may be conducted at a Dept. of VA facility and may be available at no cost to Contract Mohs Histotechnician personnel.

33. EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. Before commencing work under the contract, the Contractor shall furnish certification to the CO that insurance coverage required (General & Professional Liability as well as Workers Compensation) has been obtained and such policy shall state, “This policy may not be changed or cancelled without written notice to the VA Contracting Officer, VA Network-22 Contracting Office, 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 600, Long Beach, CA 90815.” Said policy must bear an appropriate “loss payable clause’’ to the United States as its interest may appear. Such evidence of insurance will not be waived.

34. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.

34.1. The Contractor agrees to procure and maintain, while the contract is in effect, Workers Compensation and Employee’s Public Liability Insurance.

34.2. Contractors are required to comply with applicable Federal and State worker’s compensation and occupational disease statutes.

34.2.1. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, Contract employees shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage.

34.2.2. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000.00 shall be required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit workers' compensation to be written by private carriers.

34.3. General liability.

34.3.1. (1) The CO shall require bodily injury liability insurance coverage written on the comprehensive form of policy of at least $500,000.00 per occurrence.

34.3.2. (2) Property damage liability insurance shall be required only in circumstances as when work is done on the Government facility.

34.4. Before commencing work under the contract, the CO shall require the Contractor to furnish certification from its insurance company indicating that the coverage specified herein has been obtained and that it may not be changed or canceled without a guaranteed thirty (30) days’ notice to the CO in writing.

34.5. The Government shall be held harmless against any or all loss, cost, damage, claim expense or liability whatsoever, because of accident or injury to persons or property of others occurring in the performance of this contract.

34.6. The Contractor shall be responsible for all damage to property, which may be done by him, or any employee engaged in the performance of this contract.

35. CONTRACT MOHS HISTOTECHNICIAN CANDIDATE POLICY. The Contractor shall assume full responsibility protecting Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates furnishing services under the contract.

35.1. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide the following to the personnel:

35.1.1. Worker’s compensation;

35.1.2. Professional liability insurance;

35.1.3. Health examinations;

35.1.4. Income tax withholdings, and;

35.1.5. Social Security withholdings.

35.2. Payment for any leave, including sick leave or vacation time is considered the sole responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall comply with all existing local, state, federal and/or union laws, regulations relevant to fringe benefits, and premium pay for Contract Mohs Histotechnician employees. Such employees shall not be considered VHALON or Dept. of VA employees for any purpose and shall only be considered employees of the Contractor. There is no employer-employee relationship between the VA and the Contractor or the Contractor’s Mohs Histotechnician employees.

36. COMPUTER SECURITY. In the performance of official duties, Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates may have regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data that must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Consequently, Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates are responsible for:

36.1. Protecting data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and;

36.2. Following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, and release of access codes as codified in the access agreement which Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates sign.

37. HOURS OF OPERATION/FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

37.1. Contract Mohs Histotechnician candidates shall be available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.