36C26222R0124 0001.docx

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) None 36C262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach

CA

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

CA

90815 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26222R0124 07-19-2022

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to:

8/11/2022 10:00 PST

X

1. This amendment is issued for the following reasons:

a. Amend the Solicitation per page 2 of this amendment.

b. Answer questions received in response to the solicitation. Questions and answer are attached.

2. The proposal due date has been extended to August 11, 2022 10:00 PST.

Sandra L. Fusco Contracting Officer

1. Amendments to the Solicitation

a. Request for Proposal (RFP) 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to delete paragraph 13 of section B.3 Statement of Work in its entirety.

b. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to remove section D.4 DOL Wage Determination.

c. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to add section D.4 to include Worksite Locations and Addresses.

d. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to delete attachment D.3 Reference Contract Worksheet in its entirety and replace with the updated D.3 Reference Contract Worksheet for this procurement.

e. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to check clause 852.237-70 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance in Section C.8.

f. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to uncheck the following clauses under Section C.13 as the Service Contract Act does not apply to this contract: 52.222-41, 52.222-43, 52.222-55, and 52.222-62.

g. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to correct the national holidays in paragraph 29.1 of the SOW from 10 to 11.

h. RFP 36C26222R0124 is hereby amended to extend the proposal due date from August 9, 2022 10:00 PST to August 11, 2022 10:00 PST

2. Questions and Answers The following are answers to questions received in response to RFP 36C26222R0124 for Social Worker Staffing Services under the HUD-VASH Program for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS).

1. Will the social workers have to travel within the VAGLAHS catchment area to provide services?

A. Yes, worksites may be at locations throughout the Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties and may require travel to VAGLAHS and other community-based settings throughout Los Angeles County and outlying areas.

2. Which occupation code on the wage determination applies to this labor category?

A. The solicitation has been amended to remove Section D.4 DOL Wage Determination.

3. Can the ACSWs be supervised by the LCSWs providing services on this contract requirement?

A. Yes, please reference Paragraph 3.1.2 of the statement of work (SOW).

4. Why does the social worker have to have ACLS or ART?

A. This a requirement for contract performance.

5. How long does it typically take to process the credentialing application and security application for candidates working at VAGLAHS?

A. 30-60 days.

6. What is the radius/miles that must be covered by the social workers based on the requirement to complete 50 encounters a month?

A. They would be responsible to cover the county of their worksite (Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties).

7. Will all encounters be at the Veteran’s home, or can some encounters be performed at the closest VA Medical Center or Clinic?

A. No, not all encounters will be at the Veteran’s home, but at least one encounter will be face to face in the Veteran’s home per month. Other encounters may be in the community, at the VA, or video/teleconferencing.

8. Considering inflation and the cost of living, can the contractor reimburse the social worker for mileage according to the Joint Travel Regulations?

A. All costs associated with performance on this contract will be included in the hourly rate. The Government will not make any reimbursement for mileage. Reference Paragraph 6.2 of the SOW.

9. What are the work hours for the social workers, considering encounter travel? If the contractor must pay the social worker for travel to and from encounters, OT can easily be incurred. Would the government consider an OT CLIN?

A. The Government will not consider OT and the work hours are 8-hours, typically from 8:00AM to 4:30PM, but these hours may be adjusted based upon the needs of the VALGAHS HUD-VASH program (e.g. to accommodate Veteran encounters). The contract social workers should schedule encounters so as not to require OT.

10. How many past performance references are required?

A. Past performance references are not required. See Section E.2 for proposal submittal instructions and evaluation criteria.

11. Section 5.3 - Primary Source Verification: Is the intent of the VA to have the contractor initiate primary source verification (PSV) but have the institution provide the PSV directly to the VA?

A. The institution would have to provide the PSV directly to the VA. All credentialling and privileging will be discussed post award.

12. Paragraph 13 - Replacement Staff: Is there a set time frame for when an “alternate” needs to begin work? (since we’re going to be recruiting people specifically for this work – we won’t necessarily have a bench to draw from for random days when someone is absent) A. The solicitation is amended to remove Paragraph 13 of the SOW. Note: Contractor shall only invoice for hours their social workers perform services.

13. Paragraph 5 - Credentialing and Onboarding: How soon must someone begin working on this program from the day they begin onboarding?

A. The VA requires contract social workers to begin performing immediately upon credentialling and onboarding.

14. Is this contract SCA-applicable?

A. No, Section D.4 DOL Wage Determination has been removed.

15. We cannot find the hours of performance by the provided staff members. When available, can you please let us know if each LCSW/ ACSW are expected to perform 8 or 12 hours shift each day? Is the shift schedule the same from week to week?

A. Contract social workers shall work 8 hour shifts per day, typically 8am – 4:30pm. However, the 8 hour shift may be adjusted based upon the needs of the HUD-VASH Program.

16. It is our understanding that immediate backfill coverage with a fully credentialed replacement is necessary. Please confirm that the government will allow the contractor to initially credential more than the 20 required. Further, is there a maximum number that can be credentialed at any given time?

A. The contractor may credential as many staff as they deem necessary to meet contract and task order requirements.

17. Would a contract social worker be designated to support a specific region outlined in the SOW (e.g., only Ventura County) or is there a possibility that an employee would be scheduled at different locations at the direction of the client? (e.g., Los Angeles one day and then Santa Barbara the next day)?

A. No, contract social workers shall only be required to support one work site/county area. VAGLAHS will require a majority of the social workers to support Los Angeles County.

18. Are all contract social workers under the contract designated as full-time with a guarantee of 40 hours per week?

A. Yes

19. Who is considered key personnel, if any?

A. There are no key personnel. This is a staffing requirement for social workers.

20. Is this a new or existing requirement. Who is currently performing the work or portions of it?

A. This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent contractor or staff.

21. (6.2 Vehicle Transportation), Page 12 of 87 states “Contractor is responsible for the contract social worker’s transportation in the performance of this contract.” Historically, how often/far are contract social workers expected to travel on a daily/weekly/month/annual basis?

A. They will travel within the county of their worksite to perform their duties.

22. (29 Overtime and Holiday Pay) Page 17 of 87 Will the Government please confirm that contract staff will not be scheduled to work more than 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week?

A. Correct. However, the time of the 8 hour shift may be adjusted based upon the needs of the HUD-VASH Program

23. (30.1 National Holiday) Page 17 of 87 states “Contract staff shall work Monday through Friday excluding holidays.” Please confirm that contract staff are only scheduled to work day shifts.

A. The tour of duty is typically 8:00AM to 4:30PM however, the hours may be adjusted based upon the needs of the HUD-VASH Program. There will be no requirement for 2nd or night shifts. The contractor will not be required to work Federal holidays.

24. Page 7 – General Requirements Per the PWS, "Contract social workers’ workstations shall be located at a VAGLAHS facility or Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or at the project-based housing site. Worksites may be at locations throughout the Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties and may require travel to VAGLAHS and other community-based settings throughout Los Angeles County and outlying areas." Can the Government provide addresses for the main worksites?

A. The solicitation has been amended to add Section D.4 to include Worksite Locations and Addresses. The Government requires the majority of contract social workers to work in the Los Angeles County area.

25. Page 17 - Section 30.1 states "Listed below are the ten national holidays". Can the Government confirm there are 11 national holidays?

A. The solicitation has been amended to correct the number of national holidays.

26. Page 63 – E.2, 9.a) Factor 1 – Experience How many experience references is the offeror required to provide?

A. There is no minimum requirement.

27. Since the Associate Social Workers are supervised by a LCSW, is work completed on the contract eligible toward clinical hours to obtain or apply for LCSW?

A. No

28. We have seen volatile labor demands within this workspace. Will the government consider an Economic Price Adjustment provision for labor (ex: FAR 52.216-4)?

A. No

29. Will the government require contractors to provide backfills in the event that an employee is on normal PTO (Vacation/Sick Leave)?

A. No, but the contractor may backfill them with another credentialed and privileged social worker. The contractor shall only invoice for hours worked by their contract staff.

30. Page 17 – Paragraph 26: Evidence of Insurance Coverage The Contractor shall furnish certification to the Contracting Officer that the insurance coverage required per VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 852.237 has been obtained. Such evidence of insurance will not be waived. Is the government referencing VAAR 852.237-70 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance? There are several regulations under VAAR 852.237. If the government is referencing 852.237-70, it is not selected under section C.8, page 41.

A. This solicitation is amended to include 852.237-70.

31. Page 19 – Paragraph 33.3: Contractor Personnel Security Requirements Paragraph states the VA will process all Tier 1 (NACI) investigations through OPM prior to “contract award” and the Contractor is responsible for completing these investigations after “contract award.” Since Contractors do not have access to the Tier 1 investigation portal (PSIP or NP2, etc) they cannot process or initiate these investigations prior to or after contract award, Will the government consider removing the last sentence in paragraph 33.3?

A. The contractor shall be required to submit all documentation in order for the VA to process personnel for background investigations. This will be discussed in detail with the awardees post award.

32. Page 19 – Paragraph 33.4: Contractor Personnel Security Requirements Paragraph states that Contractors are responsible for the cost of Tier 1 investigations. Since Contractors do not have access to any Tier 1 investigation portal and cannot initiate these investigations, and per DOD guidance, they cannot be charged for the cost of processing these suitability investigations. Will the government consider removing paragraph 33.4?

A. The contractor shall be required to submit all documentation in order for the VA to process personnel for background investigations. This will be discussed in detail with the awardees post award.

33. Attachment D.3: Currently reads, " The name, phone number, and email address of a person at the entity with whom the Offeror held the contract who can verify the information the Offeror provides in the narrative description for this factor pertaining to the offerors provision of Housing Specialist Services HUD-VASH homeless Veteran Housing Placement."

Comment: The questionnaire appears to narrowly require the offeror has supported the "provision of Housing Specialist Services HUD-VASH Homeless Veteran Housing Placement" to the exclusion of all of the other stated requirements or capabilities in this PWS. For example, addressing needs/providing services such as: Substance Abuse, Life-threatening illness, traumatic loss, chronic mental illness, completing behavioral health and suicide risk assessments, providing medical/psychosocial information & referrals, assisting veterans with psychosocial needs, patient/family resistance, or complex problems."

Question: Is it the government's intent to eliminate or not consider offerors who have not directly supported the HUD-VASH Homeless Veteran Housing Placement Program?

A. Attachment D.3 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the updated D.3 for this procurement.

34. If it is the government's intent to gather the name of the individual who can verify the offerors narrative description, can the government modify this statement to read: "The name, phone number, and email address of a person at the entity with whom the Offeror held the contract who can verify the information the Offeror provides in the narrative description for this factor."

A. Attachment D.3 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the updated D.3 for this procurement.

35. Paragraph 11 – Contactor Liaison: Is it expected that this will be an on-site SW for both the liaison and the alternate?

A. No, only if the liaison is a social worker performing under the contract. Reference Paragraph 11 of the SOW.

36. Page 12 – Paragraph 5.1.6 Physical Examination:

Reference states the requirement for a certification of physical examination within 30 days of credentialing for the purpose of ensuring the candidate is free from contagious diseases. This is very vague. What contagious diseases are they referring to? Is this COVID specific, Hepatitis, HIV, those things we typically immunized for, what about proof of immunizations for those things?

A. Required immunizations are: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Zoster. The immunizations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

37. Does past performance have to be for work done by social workers precisely or could it be from work done by nurses?

A. Past performance is not an evaluation factor. Please reference section E.2 of the solicitation.

38. What are your Key Performance Indicators (KPI)?

A. All performance requirements and terms and conditions of the contract are identified in the solicitation and will remain in the contract.

39. If we have a teaming agreement with a subcontractor, does the subcontractor's experience count as experience for the prime?

A. The experience of an offeror’s proposed subcontractor will be considered towards the experience of the prime contractor, however, offerors are still required to comply with the limitation on subcontracting applicable to this procurement and that the use of subcontractors to perform work under the resulting contract will be restricted in accordance with that limitation.

40. Does this solicitation include out of state providers?

A. Please reference Paragraph 3 of the SOW for the qualification requirements of contract social workers.

41. The RFP, by reference to FAR 52.216-27, indicates this contract could be awarded to more than one Contractor. If that occurs, will the awards be of an equal number of positions?

A. Per Section E.2, each awardee’s contract shall have a ceiling amount of $15.0M. Task orders will be competed per Paragraph 8 of the SOW.

42. Is this personal or non-personal services? Who is responsible for distribution of cases and management of day to day scheduling?

A. These are non-personal health care services. The COR will communicate assignments to be distributed to the Contractor and the Contractor’s liaison (Reference Paragraph 11 of the SOW).

43. Will there be examples where the social worker is asked to report to a community event or Veteran’s home at the beginning or end of a shift? When do ‘billable’ start or end in these cases where the social worker’s shift starts or ends away from the GLA VAMC?

A. Each contract social worker shall work an 8-hour shift, typically M-F 8am – 4:30pm, unless adjusted to meet the needs of the HUD-VASH Program. The start of any work-day may or may not begin at an assigned work-place (e.g. the contractor social worker may start the day traveling to a meeting site with the Veteran).

44. Does the government intend on a single award or multiple?

A. Per Section E.2, first paragraph, The Government anticipates making two (2) awards in response to this solicitation. Each awardee’s contract shall have a ceiling amount of $15.0M.

45. Will the VA consider non-social worker staffing experience in lieu or ‘social worker staffing’ experience?

A. Please see section E.2 and E.3.

See attached document: 36C26222R0124 Social Worker Staffing Solicitation Final 7-28-22.

See attached document: Updated Reference Contract Worksheet.

See attached document: Worksite Locations and Addresses.