36C26224R0121.docx

36C26224R0121

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.

UEI:

EFT:

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. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

36C26224R0121 9-25-2024 Alice McGruder, Contracting Officer 562-708-5604 10-22-2024 10:00am

PDT

36C262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815 X X 621498 $25.5 Million N/A X 36C664 Department of Veterans Affairs VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego CA 92161 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 78714-9971 http://www.tungsten-network.com/ The Department of Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System has a need for the provision of primary care services for Veterans in the City of Escondido, California off-site in a Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

Please see page six (6) for Schedule of Services and Price.

Paid via separately issued Task Order.

X X Alice McGruder Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the requirements of The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Financial Services Center (VAFSC). The latest information shall be used for invoicing and payments and may change during the Period of Performance on this acquisition. Current invoicing information is located at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp

· Tungsten e-Invoice Setup Information: 1-877-489-6135

· Tungsten e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com

· FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: 1-877-353-9791

· FSC e-Invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

5. POST AWARD ORIENTATION – The Contracting Officer shall schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as applicable per FAR 42.501(c).

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND PRICE

Escondido Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Services

Contract Guaranteed Minimum and Contract Maximum

The fixed-price indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract will have a 12-month base period with nine (9) 12-month option periods. All PMPM quantities are estimated. The total guaranteed minimum quantity of services that the Government will acquire under this IDIQ contract is $5,000.00. The ceiling amount for the entire contract effort is $48,000,000.00.

Ordering Procedures

The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount of $5,000.00. See FAR clause 52.216-19, Order Limitations, for minimum and maximum values of each TO. Task Orders will be issued to the Contractor via email by the Contracting Officer. Task Orders are contingent upon availability of funds per FAR clause 52.232-18. See Monthly Billable Roster and Invoice Reconciliation section in the PWS below regarding the invoicing instructions for reconciliation of task orders once the monthly billable roster is finalized. The aggregate value of orders placed under this contract shall not exceed the IDIQ contract maximum.

Billing/Payment Procedures

The contractor will be provided a list of all patients on the billable roster at the time when the contractor begins performing clinical services and will be able to bill for those patients on the billable roster in the following month’s invoice. In order to remain on the monthly billable roster, patients shall have at least one qualifying encounter during the previous 12 months. See the Billing and Invoicing Procedures section on page 96 for further information on the billable roster, qualifying encounters, and invoicing procedures. The estimated number of billable patients is 3,288 for the base period of performance.

For Veterans newly assigned in PCMM the contractor may bill for patients newly assigned in PCMM the month following a qualifying encounter.

For unassigned/unenrolled patient visits/encounters - PMPM includes cost of unassigned/unenrolled patient visits. Contractor shall not bill separately or propose an additional LIN for these costs.

The current option period pricing will apply to any extension pursuant to the exercise of FAR 52.217-8.

Base Year – 3/5/2025 – 3/4/2026

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

PMPM

3,288

Estimated Total for Base Year $______________________ Option Year One (1) – 3/5/2026 – 3/4/2027

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,304

Estimated Total for Option Year One (1) $______________________

Option Year Two (2) – 3/5/2027 – 3/4/2028

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,320

Estimated Total for Option Year Two (2) $______________________

Option Year Three (3) – 3/5/2028 – 3/4/2029

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,336

Estimated Total for Option Year Three (3) $______________________

Option Year Four (4) – 3/5/2029 – 3/4/2030

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,352

Estimated Total for Option Year Four (4) $______________________

Option Year Five (5) – 3/5/2030 – 3/4/2031

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,368

Estimated Total for Option Year Five (5) $______________________

Option Year Six (6) – 3/5/2031 – 3/4/2032

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,384

Estimated Total for Option Year Six (6) $______________________

Option Year Seven (7) – 3/5/2032 – 3/4/2033

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,400

Estimated Total for Option Year Seven (7) $______________________

Option Year Eight (8) – 3/5/2033 – 3/4/2034

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,417

Estimated Total for Option Year Eight (8) $______________________

Option Year Nine (9) – 3/5/2034 – 3/4/2035

Unit

Estimated Quantity

Price per Unit

3,434

Estimated Total for Option Year Nine (9) $______________________

ESTIMATED TOTAL FOR BASE AND OPTION YEARS $______________________

Intentionally left blank

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1. GENERAL:

1.1 Services Required: The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS); requires primary care through a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) dedicated solely to Veterans, primarily residing in Escondido, California. The parent facility for this clinic is the VA San Diego Health Care System (VASDHS) in La Jolla, California. Unless otherwise noted hereafter within this document, singular terms such as “CBOC” or “Contractor’s facility” shall refer to the Escondido CBOC. The Contractor shall provide a community-based outpatient clinic solely dedicated to Veterans. Primary Care shall provide a continuum of care from prevention to diagnosis and treatment, to appropriate referral and follow-up. Those patients needing specialty or follow-up care shall be referred to VASDHS.

1.2 Site Classification: This site is classified as a [X] Primary Care CBOC.

1.3 Place of Performance: Contractor’s CBOC shall be located within the city limits of Escondido.

The City of Escondido is located approximately 23 miles from the VASDHS.

1.4 Authority: Title 38 United States Code (USC) 8153 and FAR Parts 12 and 15, to be furnished by the contractor on behalf of the VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, California 92161.

1.5 Policy and Regulations: The contractor is required to meet VHA performance and quality criteria, policy and standards including, but not limited to, access, quality of care, Veteran satisfaction, coordination of care, and clinical guidelines. Performance and quality standards may change during the contract. New or revised quality/performance criteria or standards will be provided to the contractor before implementation date and throughout the life of the contract through unilateral or bi-lateral modifications, as applicable. Copies of current VA and VHA publications can be located at http://www.va.gov/vapubs/ or at http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/. Some VA policy documents include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) located on internal VA websites that are not available to the public. SOPs relevant to this requirement are provided as attachments under Section D. Compliance with mandated performance is required as a condition of this contract. Contractor shall comply with all relevant VA policies and procedures, including those related to quality, access, patient safety and performance, including, but not limited to the policies listed on the Contracted Clinic Policy Document located at https://www.patientcare.va.gov/primarycare/docs/List-of-contracted-clinic-policy-documents.xlsx#

1.6 Acronyms/Definitions:

ABMS: American Board of Medical Specialties ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education ACIP: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support ACO: Administrative Contracting Officer ACPE: American Council on Pharmaceutical Education ADE: Adverse Drug Events AED: Automatic External Defibrillator AIS: Automated Information Security ANA: American Nurses Association AOA: American Osteopathic Association APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse ARRT: American Registry of Radiologic Technology ASC: Ambulatory Surgery Center Assigned: A Veteran is “assigned” to an outpatient clinic via PCMM (i.e., CBOC) where the patient receives their primary care after the patient’s eligibility is determined through registration and enrollment.

Asynchronous Care: Care provided outside of bookable time and includes but is not limited to the following activities: refilling prescriptions, reviewing outside records, huddles and case management, team meetings, processing view alerts, secure messaging and training.

BAA: Business Associate Agreement BI-RADS: Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System; a quality assurance tool designed to standardize mammography reporting.

BLS: Basic Life Support BOS: Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists CAHEA: Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation CAP: College of American Pathologists CARF: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities CBO: VA Central Billing Office.

CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CEU: Certified Education Unit CLIA: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments CME: Continuing Medical Education CMS: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services CNP: Certified Nurse Practitioner CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist CO: Contracting Officer COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative COS: Chief of Staff CPA: Collaborative Practice Agreement CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System CPP: Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner CPT: Current Procedural Terminology CSWE: The Council on Social Work Education the CSWE website is http://www.cswe.org.

CVT: Clinical Video Telehealth DICOM: Digital Image and Communication in Medicine DIGMA: Drop-in Group Medical Appointment DRG: Diagnostic Related Group DSS: Decision Support System ECC: Extended Care Center Enrollment: The process of establishing eligibility for VA’s “Medical Benefits Package.” Most Veterans are required to “enroll” into the VA Health Care System to be eligible for VA health care and to be assigned to an outpatient clinic like a CBOC, however some can still receive care without enrolling. Applicants are only required to “enroll” once for VA health care unless they are determined ineligible for care at time of application or they have disenrolled.

EPRP: External Peer Review Program FDA: Food and Drug Administration FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards FTE: Full Time Equivalent HCC: Health Care Center - A HCC is a VA-owned, VA-leased, contract, or shared clinic operated at least 5 days per week that provides primary care, mental health care, on site specialty services, and performs ambulatory surgery and/or invasive procedures which may require moderate sedation or general anesthesia.

HCFA: Health Care Financing Administration HHS: Department of Health and Human Services HICPAC: Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee - a federal advisory committee made up of 14 external infection control experts who provide advice and guidance to the CDC and the Secretary of HHS regarding the practice of health care infection control, strategies for surveillance and prevention and control of health care associated infections in United States health care facilities.

HPE: Health Professions Education HPT: Health Professions Trainee HT: Home Telehealth ICAVL: Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories ICD: International Classification of Diseases iMED: software used by VA for informed consent.

INR: International Normalized Ratio LIP: Licensed Independent Practitioner MCCR: Medical Care Cost Recovery Mental Health Services: per VHA Directive 1160.01 is meant to include services for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, suicide prevention and crisis intervention, and coordination of care for both substance use disorders and other mental disorders.

General mental health services include:

(a) Diagnostic and treatment planning evaluations for the full range of mental health problems, including SUD

(b) Treatment services using evidence-based pharmacotherapy, somatic treatments, or primary evidence-based Psychotherapy (EBP) for patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders

(c) Patient education

(d) Family education, family consultation, family psychoeducation and couples/marriage and family counseling when it is associated with benefits to the Veterans

(e) Referrals as needed to inpatient and residential care programs; and

(f) Consultation about special emphasis problems including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

(g) Suicide Prevention

(h) Referrals and coordination of care between other levels of care and community treatment programs.

Specialty mental health services include:

(a) Consultation and treatment services for the full range of mental health conditions

(b) Evidence-based psychotherapy

(c) Intensive Community Mental Health Integration (ICMHR)

(d) Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, including: PRRCs, family psycho-education, family education, skills training, peer support, and Compensated Work Therapy (CWT), supported employment and vocational assistance.

(e) PTSD teams or specialists

(f) MST special clinics

(g) Homeless programs; and

(h) Specialty substance abuse treatment services.

MQSA: Mammography Quality Standards Act MSN: Master of Science in Nursing NLN: National League for Nursing NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission NP: Nurse Practitioner NSQIP/CICSP: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program/Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgical Program OTC: Over the Counter PA: Physician Assistant PACS: Picture Archiving and Communications System PACT: Patient Aligned Care Team Background & Introduction: VA has implemented a PCMH model at all VA Primary Care sites which is referred to as PACT. This initiative supports VHA’s Universal Health Care Services Plan to redesign VHA healthcare delivery through increasing access, coordination, communication, and continuity of care. PACT provides accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care, in team-based environment including the active involvement of other clinical and non-clinical staff. PACT allows patients to have a more active role in their health care and is associated with increased quality improvement, patient satisfaction, and a decrease in hospital costs due to fewer hospital visits and readmissions.

PACT Support staff: PACT staff assisting providers in the actual delivery of care to patients. It consists of RNCMs, clinical associates, and administrative associates.

SYNCHRONOUS CARE: Bookable, real-time care provided in person or virtually (VA Video Connect, CVT, telephone) with a Veteran and involves clinical decision-making in a two-way conversation.

Parent Facility: VAMC responsible for performance monitoring and payment for contracted outpatient site of care services.

PBM: Pharmacy Benefits Management PCMH: Patient-Centered Medical Home PCMHI: Primary Care-Mental Health Integration PCMM: Patient Centered Management Module - is an enterprise application that enables users to (1) set up and define health care teams, (2) assign staff and their associated full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to positions within each team, (3) assign patients to the team, and (4) assign patients to specific team members.

PCP: Primary Care Provider Phar.D.: Doctor of Pharmacy PMPM: Per Member Per Month-reimbursement methodology for services provided under the PC and MH LINs based on all-inclusive monthly rate per Veteran that meets qualifying encounter criteria in the previous twelve months of the contract period. This methodology also accounts for costs of unassigned/unenrolled visits based on estimates provided to contractors and it supports the PACT model in increasing coordination, quality, and continuity of care of Veterans receiving services at the Outpatient Site of Care.

POC: Point of Care Testing Primary Care Visit: an episode of care furnished in a clinic or virtually that provides integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. Primary care includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic biopsychosocial conditions, health promotion, disease prevention, overall care management, and patient and caregiver education. The VHA site classification defines primary care as those encounters that occur within the primary care class of encounters.

PWS: Performance Work Statement QAPI: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan REACH VET: Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health Veterans Enhanced Treatment- REACH VET summarizes information from the Veterans Health Record and uses predictive modeling to identify Veterans at statistical risk for suicide and other negative outcomes. This tool supplements clinical strategies used to identify at-risk Veterans and may help providers intervene prior to these negative outcomes occurring.

RME: Reusable Medical Equipment SFT: Store and Forward Telehealth SMA: Shared Medical Appointments SOP (Clinical): Scope of Practice SPD: Sterile Processing Division SPE: Senior Procurement Executive Specialty Care Visit: The VHA site classification defines specialty care as those encounters that occur within the geriatric medicine; allergy; cardiology; dermatology; emergency; employee health; endocrinology; gastroenterology; general medicine; hematology or oncology; infectious disease; nephrology; neurology; outreach; pulmonary or respiratory disease; rheumatology; amputation follow-up; amputation; anesthesia; cardio-thoracic; ear, nose, and throat (ENT); eye; general surgery; gynecology (GYN); neurosurgery; orthopedics; plastic surgery; urology; or vascular clinic stops.

STORM: Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Monitoring SYNCHRONOUS CARE: Bookable, real-time care provided in person or virtually (VA Video Connect, CVT, telephone) with a Veteran and involves clinical decision-making in a two way conversation.

TCT: Telehealth Clinical Technician TIU: Text Integration Utility TJC: The Joint Commission TMS: Talent Management System VA: Veterans Affairs VA ECHO: VA Extension for Community Health Outcomes VA EHR: VA electronic health record VAMC: Veterans Affairs Medical Center VAST: VHA Site Tracking database VetPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

VHA: Veterans Health Administration VSSC: VHA Support Service Center VVC: VA Video Connect WHEN: Weekend- Holiday- Every- Night

2. STAFFING AND QUALIFICATIONS

2.1 Minimum Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Staffing Requirements:

PACTs comprise the patients, the patients’ personal support persons, teamlets (Primary Care Providers (PCPs), Registered Nurse Care Managers (RNCMs), Clinical Associates, Administrative Associates), discipline specific team members (Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners (CPPs), Licensed Social Workers, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists, and Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) staff). The contractor shall provide PACT staffing in numbers and qualifications capable of fulfilling the standards outlined in the resultant contract. The contractor shall provide a sufficient number of primary care providers so that each primary care provider has a caseload ratio to meet VA standards. Current standards are 1200 active patients per full time physician and 900 active patients per full time midlevel provider. Actual panel sizes can be determined by the VA in accordance with VHA Directive 1406 Patient Centered Management Module (PCMM) for Primary Care. The staffing standard for support staff shall be at least three full time equivalent (FTE) support staff (1 FTE RNCM, 1 FTE Clinical Associate, 1 FTE Administrative Associate) for each FTE Primary Care Provider. The Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) shall be provided the same support staffing when they are working in the capacity of an advanced practice provider. The contractor shall provide personnel in numbers and qualifications capable of fulfilling the standards outlined in the resultant contract. The contractor shall establish and implement contingency plans for ensuring patients receive continuity of and access to appropriate primary care during periods of inadequate resources, extended staff absences, staff turnover, understaffing, and nature-related events (e.g., extreme weather conditions, natural disasters). If the number of patients reaches 90% of maximum panel size assigned by the facility the contractor shall communicate to the VA, the contractor’s future staffing plan to ensure staffing ratio standards remain in accordance with PCMM staffing standards. The total estimated patients assigned to site is: 3,510.

Physician Director (Mandatory for all sites): FTE Ratio Performance Standard: 0.05 FTE per PACT. Responsible Party: Shall be provided by contractor. Qualifications: Contractor’s Physicians (including subcontractors) providing physician director services under the resultant contract shall demonstrate evidence of education, training, and experience in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Contractor’s Physicians performing under this contract shall be board certified by the ABMS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice or the BOS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice. If proposed staff do not meet VA credentialing requirements, the contractor shall propose substitute acceptable personnel within five (5) calendar days. The physician director may also be credentialed and privileged to function as a PCP. (If so, authorization for prescriptive authority is required). Physicians shall be licensed in the state in which the outpatient site of care (i.e., CBOC) is located; otherwise, qualifications as per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G2. Position Responsibilities: Serves as medical director to oversee and be responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site.

2.2 Primary Care Teamlet Staffing (Mandatory for all sites): All primary care teamlet staffing shall be provided by contractor.

Teamlet Member 1: Primary Care Provider (PCP): FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standards are 1200 active patients per full time physician and 900 active patients per full time mid-level provider. Contractor shall propose quantity of FTE to meet standard FTE ratio to panel size. Contractor to propose mix of PCP from the options below. At least two of the primary care providers must be physicians.

Option 1: Physician (MD/DO): Qualifications: Physicians shall demonstrate evidence of education, training, and experience in Internal Medicine or Family Practice. Physicians performing under this contract shall be board certified by the ABMS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice or the BOS in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice. Authorization for prescriptive authority is required. If proposed staff do not meet VA credentialing requirements, the contractor shall propose substitute acceptable personnel within five (5) calendar days. Physicians shall be licensed in the state in which the outpatient site of care (i.e., CBOC) is located; otherwise, qualifications as per VA qualification standards for Physician located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing health care commensurate to the PCP’s licensure and clinical privileges or scope of practice, ensuring the patient’s care plan contains medical recommendations for clinically indicated care, offering clinically indicated health care services to patients assigned to the PACT, and providing or arranging for care to which patients consent, providing leadership to the team including shared delegation of appropriate care and care processes to appropriate team members, reviewing available clinical and performance data with the team, and focusing on continuous improvement of critical team processes, ensuring the patient has same-day access for face-to-face and virtual care visits during regular clinic hours, and collaborating with PACT staff to develop personal health plans that incorporate care management and care coordination appropriate to the patient’s needs.

Option 2: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): Qualifications: APRN’s (including subcontractors) shall possess a master’s degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and maintain full and current certification as a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body in either Adult Health or Family Practice. Authorization for prescriptive authority is required. CNPs shall prescribe controlled substances in accordance with limitations imposed by the Controlled Substances Act and the CNP’s State licensure on the authority to prescribe or administer controlled substances. Three years of clinical nursing experience is required. A minimum of one (1) year clinical experience as a CNP is required (three (3) years preferred). Experience in outpatient care in a Family Medicine or Internal Medicine environment is preferred. CNP shall have current, full, active, and unrestricted license and registration as a graduate professional nurse in the state in which the outpatient site of care (i.e., CBOC) is located; otherwise, qualifications as per VA qualification standards for Advanced Practice Nurse located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care, providing health care commensurate to the PCP’s licensure and clinical privileges or scope of practice, ensuring the patient’s care plan contains medical recommendations for clinically indicated care, offering clinically indicated health care services to patients assigned to the PACT, and providing or arranging for care to which patients consent, providing leadership to the team including shared delegation of appropriate care and care processes to appropriate team members, reviewing available clinical and performance data with the team, and focusing on continuous improvement of critical team processes, ensuring the patient has same-day access for face-to-face and virtual care visits during regular clinic hours, and collaborating with PACT staff to develop personal health plans that incorporate care management and care coordination appropriate to the patient’s needs.

Teamlet Member 2: Registered Nurse (RN) Care Manager: FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE RNCM per 1.0 FTE PCP Qualifications: Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in the state in which the outpatient site of care (i.e., CBOC) is located; otherwise, qualifications as per VA qualification standards for Nurse located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing all aspects of professional nursing services consistent with licensure, certification, nursing professional standards of practice, and the clinician’s Functional Statement with elements of practice, enhancing patient safety and quality of care by collaborating with PACT staff to develop, oversee, and manage care management plans and care coordination for patients assigned to PACTs, participating in modes of communication and care delivery including, but not limited to, secure messaging, virtual care, view alerts management, shared medical appointments, face to face visits, etc., as part of care management, identifying patient needs for involvement of discipline-specific team members and discussing nursing recommendations with the PCP, engaging relevant PACT staff to support nursing care, according to locally established informal and formal communication processes, including entering consultation requests to discipline-specific PACT members, if required for formal communications, assuming full accountability for the appropriateness of assignments made by the RNCM to clinical associates or administrative associates related to care management, care coordination, nursing services, and outcomes of care, entering orders in the VA EHR for tests per approved standardized RN care management protocols or PCP orders, ensuring the RNCM has same-day access for face-to-face and virtual care visits, using nursing expertise, evidence-based guidelines, standardized nursing protocols, and professionally accepted practice standards to promote patient engagement, self-care and wellness, and provide care to patients and determine care management requirements for individual patients or cohorts of patients. The RN collaborates for the improvement of patient care outcomes in the Patient Aligned Care Team. Promotes systems to improve access and continuity of care, uses advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to mentor staff in planning, implementing and evaluating interventions that improve patient outcomes, designs and provides age and population specific health promotion and risk reduction strategies, translates evidence-based research into practice to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in nursing science, manages patients in transition between levels of care, serves as an expert resource to implement and teach skills, including motivational interviewing to promote patient self-management toward patient-driven holistic care plan for life.

Teamlet Member 3: Clinical Associate FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE clinical associate per 1.0 FTE PCP. Contractor to propose the mix of Clinical Associates from the options below.

Option 1: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): Qualifications: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license in the state in which the outpatient site of care (i.e., CBOC) is located; otherwise, qualifications as per VA qualification standards for Licensed Practical or Vocation nurse located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the ability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. The LPN is to serve in the PACT teamlet clinical associate role, not as primary TCT. May be trained as a TCT back-up, but not as the primary TCT.

Option 2: Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (Health Technician (HT), Medical Assistant (MA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This staffing is part of the PACT Teamlet, not the primary telehealth clinical technician (TCT): Qualifications: Completion of an accredited medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or patient care/health technician training program. Other education such as completion of a medical services training program of the Armed Forces of the United States may be accepted based on VASDHS Chief of Staff determination. See VA qualification standards for Nursing Assistant located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for additional Nursing Assistant qualifications. Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care at the site, providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels, managing clinic workflow, ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Duties include but are not limited to the ability to perform a variety of specialized clinical support skills, ability to perform basic patient care service, have knowledge of medical terminology, demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, demonstrate knowledge of aseptic technique and infection control and knowledge of patient confidentiality, policies, and procedures. Shall assist all health care providers in performing patient care services and duties pertaining to the effective and efficient delivery of patient centered care in all clinical areas. The HT, MA, CNA is to serve in the PACT teamlet clinical associate role, not as a primary TCT. May be trained as a TCT backup, but not as the primary TCT.

Teamlet Member 4: Administrative Associate: FTE Ratio Performance Standard: Current standard is 1.0 FTE administrative associate per 1.0 FTE PCP. Qualifications: Required education and experience demonstrating skills and abilities to provide clerical support and administrative functions to support site operations. Completion of scheduling training per VA policies and guidance. See VA qualification standards for Medical Support Assistant located at: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the provision of covered services to assigned and unassigned patients presenting for care. Provide clerical support and administrative functions to PACT staff and collaborate with PACT staff to incorporate the logistical elements of care coordination into comprehensive care management plans. Provide guidance and direction to patients and personal support persons for navigating the VA health care system and administrative functions in VA. Provide scheduling services in accordance with VA policies and guidance.

2.3 Discipline Specific PACT Team Member (Required for all sites): Discipline-specific team members are designated in PCMM for one or more PACT(s). Discipline-specific team members provide continuity of direct discipline-specific care to all patients assigned to PACT(s) for which the team member is designated.

Discipline Specific 1: Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) – PACT: The CPP will be provided by VASDHS Pharmacy Service. PACT Pharmacy services are available through chart referral (co-signing one of the VA San Diego Clinical Pharmacy PACT Practitioners to the CPRS note). PACT CPP clinics are also open to direct patient scheduling without a referral.

Discipline Specific 2: Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) Anti-Coagulation - These services will be provided by the VASDHS Pharmacy Service. Contractor shall submit a consult in EHR for Anti-Coagulation.

Discipline Specific 3: Licensed Social Worker (this position provides general/medical social work services): VASDHS will provide licensed clinical Social Workers for this clinic. Contractor’s primary care staff shall refer Veterans requiring mental health services to the VA mental health staff at the clinic.

Discipline Specific 4: Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist: The VASDHS will provide Dietitian services via telehealth. Contractor shall submit a consult in EHR for Dietitian services.

Discipline Specific 5: Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI):

The VASDHS will provide VA Mental Health staff in the Escondido CBOC for Primary Care Mental Health Integration. Contractor’s primary care staff shall refer Veterans requiring mental health services to the VA mental health staff at the clinic.

2.4 Specialty Care Staffing: All specialty care will be referred to the VASDHS by submitting a specialty care consult in the VA EHR.

Podiatrist: The contractor will submit a Podiatry Consult in the VA EHR for podiatry services.

2.5 Ancillary Support Services Staffing: The following ancillary support staffing shall be provided by the contractor. The contractor shall establish and implement contingency plans for ensuring patients receive continuity of and access to these services during periods of inadequate resources, extended staff absences, staff turnover, understaffing, and nature-related events (e.g., extreme weather conditions, natural disasters).

X-Ray Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: The Contractor is responsible for entering requests for Radiology procedures into VA EHR. All imaging orders shall be clinically appropriate. VASDHS will provide radiological examinations. The Contractor shall refer all imaging studies to the parent VAMC. The Contractor shall be financially liable for any cost associated with any radiological examinations or imaging studies where prior authorization or concurrence was not granted by the parent VAMC. X-rays and other radiologic procedures performed at VA can be viewed by the Contractor through VISTA Imaging and the PACS.

Phlebotomist: Contractor shall have 2.0 FTE phlebotomists who are dedicated lab personnel. Phlebotomists shall not be part of the PACT staff. Qualifications: Must have knowledge of legal requirements of blood drawing, fluid sample handling and relevant medical equipment and material. This position also requires the ability to use computers to enter patient information, excellent communication skills, and attention to detail. The Phlebotomist must be able to properly identify patients and use correct phlebotomy methods (venipuncture, skin puncture) to obtain patient samples. The Phlebotomist is relied on to preserve patient health and the quality of samples.