Amendment 0002 36E77620R0039 - Site Visit - 20200909.docx

Department of MEMORANDUM Veterans Affairs

Purpose: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) is issuing this amendment to schedule a site visit to conduct a walkthrough on the project to Construct and Renovate Dialysis and Sleep Program at the VAMC at Martinez, CA.

Location: 150 Muir Rd. Martinez, CA 94553 Building 21 Room 115 Conference Room Date and Time: September 15, 2020 0900 - 1100 Point of Contact: Henry Lapira; office (925) 372-2209 Back-up Point of Contact: Harishankar Kushwaha; office (925) 372-2529 COVID-19 Procedures:

This information pertains to anyone that enters VA bldgs. which are subject for COVID19 screening.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this contract.

1. It is the responsibility of the contractor to make sure all employees who are sick remain at home until fully recovered.

1. All personnel shall wear a covering over their mouth and nose.

1. Screening Requirement: All staff, Veteran patients, and visitors will be screened at points of entry across our campuses (Level 1), beginning with simple questions about possible symptoms and recent travel. Those presenting with symptoms or who meet other criteria will be given guidance on next steps by the Level 1 screening personnel. Any personnel that fail Level 1 screening have the option of returning home or going to Level 2 screening for further evaluation. Those who have no symptoms or who do not meet the other criteria will be provided a wristband and granted entry. Personnel are required to wear wristbands in a visible location. Personnel without a wristband will be sent back to Level 1 screening.

1. All personnel entering the Martinez VA shall be verbally screened (Level 1) near the entrance of Bldg 19 & Bldg 20. Other locations may open up during the day.

1. Any personnel entering the VA will be subject to Covid-19 testing and vaccination requirements when developed.

1. Practice social distancing. Maintain 6’ distance from other personnel and refrain from shaking hands.

Personnel that refuse to comply with these procedures will be denied entry. Below are frequently asked questions regarding the procedures:

Q: Are contractors subject to COVID-19 screening?

A: Yes. Contractors should be treated in the same manner with respect to screening as VA employees and visitors to VA facilities. Screening procedures may vary from location to location.

Q: What if a contractor refuses screening upon entry to a Federal facility?

A: If a contractor refuses screening, they can be denied access to the facility. 38 C.F.R. § 1.218(a)(1) vests the Secretary or his designee with authority to close facilities or portions of facilities that are under the charge and control of VA to the public. This includes the authority to prohibit contractors from entering VA facilities, if they refuse to undergo screening measures. Additionally, FAR 52.212-4(q) requires contractors to comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under contracts for commercial services and supplies. Also see these FAQs under the "Stop Work" topic for guidance regarding non-performance.

Q: What if a contractor agrees to screening and tests positive?

A: The CDC states that employees, including contractors, with symptoms of influenza-like illness at work during a pandemic should leave the workplace. The CDC provides guidance for the workplace which OMB references in their COVID-19 guidance. The CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work, or become sick during the day, should be sent home immediately. Additionally, if the employee is asymptomatic but tests positive, the employee should be sent home immediately. The responsible Contracting Officer should be notified to work the proper contractual actions (i.e., consider whether a stop work order should be issued to the contractor).

Summary: The site visit has been scheduled under advisement from the COR. All responsible parties are requested to attend. Please note, that due to the ongoing novel coronavirus there are additional requirements for the visiting contractors. The contractors will be required to bring and wear their own mask and the contractors will be screened before entering the buildings. The contractors will not park in the patient parking spots, they will instead park in the gravel parking lot adjacent to the campus. There is an attachment which shows where the offerors should park for the site visit. A record of the e-mails have been kept and filed into the project briefcase.

Andrea Fink Contracting Officer

VHA-PCAC

Prepared by Contract Specialist, Joshua Slapnicker