EMS_Training_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

Web-Based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training

1.1 Mission

The mission of the Indian Health Service is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

1.2 Background

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a system that focuses on treating illnesses and injuries that require an urgent medical response. EMS is an intricate system, and each component of this system has an essential role to perform as part of a coordinated and seamless system of emergency medical care. Examples of attributes and components of an EMS system include manpower, medical direction, communications, professional training, community education, injury prevention, information systems and evaluation, and rehabilitation. To be most effective, EMS must be fully integrated into the overall health system.

The standards for the daily operations of the EMS program are outlined in Part 3 of the Indian Health Manual, Chapter 17. Major components of an EMS system are emergency response and inter-facility transport. The intent of the system response is to optimize the outcome of the individual(s) involved by minimizing the physical, emotional and financial impact of the emergency. After stabilization at an initial facility, transport to another facility capable of a more specialized level of care is sometimes necessary.

In general, an EMS response can be Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), or both depending on the skill level of the available personnel and the needs of the patient. While urban EMS systems provide both BLS and ALS responses in a tiered fashion, rural EMS systems provide primarily BLS response with limited ALS availability. The efficiency of urban systems is driven by “system status management;” no similar model exists for management of rural EMS.

In addition to direct patient care duties, EMS personnel are also involved in daily equipment maintenance and restocking when not involved in direct patient care. Due to population density, rural EMS are less busy than urban services, and EMS personnel may have periods of time with no patient care contact. EMS personnel, like other public safety entities, are expected to always be available, and are paid for readiness. Other activities in which they are appropriately engaged include continuing education, community education (e.g., CPR), injury prevention, assisting in patient care in the Emergency Department setting, and performance improvement. This EMS module assumes that coverage will be available for the entire service area on a full time, uninterrupted basis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (24/7/365).

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service

Indian Health Service Rockville MD 20857

1.3 Scope

The Indian Health Service Emergency Medical Services systems provide comprehensive, culturally appropriate care for IHS, Tribal, and urban programs. Under this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the contractor is responsible for providing culturally appropriate web based interactive distance learning management system that allows courses to be taught with students and instructors in different locations but requires no travel; to validate student skills competencies;

and to provide courses that meet national certification and recertification requirements and the following standards: national, state, and accrediting/certifying organizations (including but not limited to Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), American Hospital Association (AHA), National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), etc. The target training population includes: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Through this approach, IHS will align the training efforts with the IHS FY2019 Strategic Plan, while promoting the core IHS priorities of people, partnerships, and quality of healthcare services.

2 General Requirements This section describes the general requirements. The following sub-sections provide details of various considerations for this effort. The following schedule of tasks and deliverables outline the requirements necessary to organize, develop, facilitate, manage, and evaluate comprehensive, system-wide training for EMS personnel.

The expectation is that the contractor will engage in a range of activities that will initiate and solidify all of the core training courses that meet national certification and recertification requirements and standards of national, state, and accrediting/certifying organizations.

2.1 Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are considered personal services, or give the perception of personal services. If the contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, the contractor is responsible for immediately notifying the Contracting Officer (CO).

2.2 Business Relations

The contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activities needed to execute the requirement. The contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The contractor shall promptly identify issues, establish corrective action plans, and effectively manage any subcontractors. The contractor shall ensure customer satisfaction and ensure all contractor personnel display professional and ethical behavior.

2.3 Contract Administration and Management

The following subsections specify requirements for contract, management, and personnel administration.

2.4 Contract Management

The contractor shall establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to contract/agreement. The contractor must maintain continuity between the support operations, the contractor's corporate offices and the Indian Health Service Division of Clinical and Community Services (DCCS).

2.5 Contract Administration

The contractor shall establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer this contract/agreement. The contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion. The contractor shall have a single point of contact between the Government and Contractor personnel assigned to support this contract/agreement.

The contractor shall assign work effort and maintaining proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work under this contract/agreement.

The contractor will meet with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and IHS officials within 7 days of the contract/agreement award to become acquainted with the DCCS staff, review the Statement of Work (SOW), discuss timelines and deliverables, and to begin initial planning. The contractor and COR will hold a kick off meeting at the beginning of each option year if exercised to revisit and make adjustments (if necessary) to the comprehensive action plan, quality assurance plan, communications plan, evaluation plan, and project plan, to discuss ongoing tasks in the PWS, and new deliverables for the option year.

The comprehensive action plan (which includes proposed activities for each deliverable, a description of each product and an estimated timeline with milestones) will be provided within 2 weeks of contract/agreement initiation. The comprehensive action plan must be approved by the CO prior to the initiation of services and activities under this contract/agreement.

2.6 Personnel Administration

The contractor will provide the following management and support as required. The contractor shall maintain the currency of their employees by providing initial and refresher training as required to meet the SOW requirements. The contractor shall provide necessary infrastructure to support contract/agreement tasks.

The contractor will provide administrative support to employees in a timely fashion (e.g., time keeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs, etc.).

2.7 Subcontract Management

The contractor will be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this requirement and will be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance on this requirement. The prime contractor will manage work distribution to ensure there are no Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) considerations. Contractors may add subcontractors to their team after notification to the CO or Contracting Officer Representative

(COR).

2.8 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

The contractor will accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience.

The Contractor will provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer this contract/agreement.

2.9 Location and Hours of Work

Accomplishment of the results contained in this SOW requires work at various contractor/subcontractor locations in the continental United States. Normal workdays are Monday through Friday except US Federal Holidays. Federal Workers typically work eight (8) hours per day, 40 hours per week. Flextime workers start not earlier than 0600 and not later than 0900. Core hours of work are from 0900 to 1500 daily. Contractor/Subcontractor employees are expected to be available to IHS staff during core hours.

2.10 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

Contractor travel is not required under this contract/agreement. Any travel for training participants is not covered under this contract/agreement.

3. Performance Requirements The contractor will be responsible for implementing a culturally appropriate web based interactive distance learning management system and for coordinating the logistics of the accredited trainings courses that meet national certification and recertification requirements and standards of national, state, and accrediting/certifying organizations.

The period of performance for this contract/agreement is 12 months from date of award with three 12-month option periods. All training must be completed within the stated performance period. The contractor shall not oversell or pre-sell training services.

The following section specifies the Performance Objectives and Performance Elements for the contract:

1. Established Training Website that Offers Medical training courses – The contractor must have the following:

a) A secure web-based interactive website that meets all identified requirements.

b) Qualified instructors that are culturally appropriate to communicate with tribal students and meet all state and national certification requirements to teach specialized EMT courses.

c) All EMT training meets state and national certification specifications and requirements for licensure in states where students work.

d) A web site that is section 508 compliant. Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to Web applications, Web pages and all attached files on the Intranet, as well as, the Internet.

2. Course Description and Projected Number of Participants Per Course Annually

a) EMT Training – 50 participants

b) Paramedic Training – 75 participants

c) EMR Refresher Course – 75 participants

d) CPR Certification Course – 75 participants

Courses may include nationally recognized emergency care for health care providers in the pre-hospital, out of hospital, and hospital settings such as but not limited to:

i. Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - This advanced course highlights the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ACLS training goes beyond BLS (Basic Life Support) to provide a more comprehensive knowledge of advanced life support.

ii. Basic Life Support (BLS) – This course teaches both single-rescuer and team basic life support skills for application in both pre-hospital and in-facility environments, with a focus on High-Quality CPR and team dynamics.

iii. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the skills and important concepts of a systematic approach to pediatric assessment, basic life support, PALS treatment algorithms, effective resuscitation and team dynamics needed to assist children suffering from a cardiopulmonary emergency.

iv. Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) – This course is a comprehensive course ensuring that ill and injured children receive the most comprehensive and up to date pediatric care available.

v. Pediatric Education for the Pre-Hospital Provider (PEPP) – This course provides a complete source of pre-hospital medical information for the emergency care of infants and children. Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, PEPP is an exciting curriculum designed to teach pre-hospital professionals how to better assist and manage ill or injured children.

vi. Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) – This course emphasizes the use of the AMLS Assessment Pathway, a systematic tool for assessing and managing common medical conditions with urgent accuracy, apply knowledge to highly critical patients, and work to systematically rule out and consider possibilities and probabilities in treating patients’ medical crises.

e) IHS will provide a list of eligible participants and the vendor will be asked to reach out to the Area’s directly. The IHS COR will provide the contractor with a user list of health care providers who will receive training under this contract. The contractor must allow for IHS, Tribal, and urban programs health care providers not included in the user list to pay for training at the same rate covered under this contract/agreement.

f) Contractor will not oversell or pre-sell training services; all services must be completed within the identified performance period.

3. Reporting:

a) Monthly Reports. The written monthly reports will include –

i. A course schedule report for upcoming and projected classes to include training dates, topic(s) of training, type of training (i.e. individual or instructor development), audience for training, number of participants that can be accommodated, number of participants in training courses offered, and course evaluations.

ii. Participant database/listing of students, including:

a. Number of participants (successful and unsuccessful)

b. Date and test scores of each participant

c. Participant employer/site/professional category (identification and count of EMS program or health facility where each participant is associated)

d. Training instructors’ names and credentials.

e. Verification of the participants’ eligibility (verifying the identified

Tribe is eligible for training due to non-acceptance of tribal shares.

iii. Participant evaluations of the course and instructors.

iv. Course statistics, including number of participants, number of applicants, number of approved applicants who did not attend training, and number of participants that the training could accommodate.

v. Training courses that require completing and receiving a passing grade on pre-course training modules, the contractor will include number of participants receiving the pre-course modules, scores of completed pre-course modules, and number of participants who did not complete modules or courses.

vi. Accounting of all monthly costs incurred.

vii. Provide IHS with queries when requested.

b) Annual Reports. The annual reports must include -

i. The formal outline which will be discussed in the start-up meeting.

4. Course evaluations and certificates – The contractor will provide :

a) All students with an end of course and instructor evaluation to assess training course and the instructor.

b) The completed evaluations must be sent to the IHS COR at the conclusion of each course.

c) Students must receive or be sent an accredited certificate within 2 weeks at the conclusion of the course.

5. Technical Assistance – The contractor will provide technical assistance to students which include but are not limited to:

a) Troubleshooting website technical issues.

b) Questions regarding the training content, pre-course training modules, and course evaluations and/or certification processes.

6.1 Reporting

The contractor shall follow the reporting plan submitted as part of the proposal and keep the Government fully informed of status throughout the contract/agreement period. It is essential that interruptions or work in progress delays are minimized so that the mission is not negatively impacted.

The Contractor shall provide status reports to the COR to include but not be limited to expense variance to budget, logistical updates, attendee metrics, attendee training evaluations, project plan tracking, evaluation data, and other items as determined by the COR and approved by the CO. The Contractor shall deliver status reports by email or postal service no less than every month but may be adjusted as determined necessary by the COR throughout the course of the project. Electronic reports shall be presented in Microsoft Office format and approved by the COR. The monthly status reports shall be discussed at the Start-Up meeting.

The Contractor shall provide the COR annual performance reports that include but are not limited to project plan status and accomplishments, fiscal accountability, evaluation data, sub-contractor performance reports (if applicable) and a contractor self-evaluation report. The Contractor shall provide a written outline of the annual report to the COR for approval according to the deliverable schedule. The annual reports shall be delivered by e-mail and postal service according to the deliverable schedule before the end of the contract period. The annual report shall be discussed at the Start-up meeting.

6.2 Storage and Disposition of Materials

Disposition of any national training and marketing materials will be determined in the Start-Up meeting. Storage should be available as soon as national materials are generated. A disposition schedule will be discussed with the COR during the Start-Up meeting.

6.3 Website Information

At a minimum, the information on the website shall provide: the capability for online training registration, the training flyers, announcements, and communications materials for trainings, information on CEU/CME credits, and other information deemed necessary by the COR. All web-based materials, including curriculum content, presentations, webinars, etc. must be 508 compliant. Website finalization requires approval by the COR.

6.4 Correspondence and Conference Calls

The Contractor shall provide quarterly updates and correspondence as determined necessary by the COR. The quarterly conference call schedule may be adjusted as determined by the COR.

Training updates and correspondence include but are not limited to training summaries, conference call agendas and minutes, and any other items deemed necessary by the COR.

6.5 Deliverables

The contractor shall provide deliverables as described below and in subsequent requests within the scope of this contract/agreement. The CO must be notified of any issues or questions regarding scope before any action is taken. The format and delivery schedule for deliverables shall be discussed during the kick-off meeting and at other times during the performance period as needed.

6.7 Deliverables Table

Deliverables

Frequency, Date, or Timeframe

Medium and Format Submit to

Contract Kick Off Meeting Once, within 15 working days after contract/agreement execution

Teleconference, IHS will schedule and provide the teleconference information

N/A

Comprehensive Action Plan which includes (1)Quality Assurance Plan, (2) Communications Plan, (3) Evaluation Plan, (4) Project Plan, (5) Qualified Healthcare Instructor List (6) Course Description List

Two weeks after Kickoff Meeting

The Comprehensive Action Plan must be submitted electronically by email. Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) files are acceptable

IHS COR

Monthly Report of Activities Monthly Monthly reports must be submitted electronically by email. Microsoft Word or PDF files are acceptable

IHS COR

Completed Student Evaluations Within 15 days after the conclusion of the course

Evaluation forms must be submitted electronically by email. Microsoft Word or PDF files are acceptable

IHS COR

Annual Report Due date will be discussed at the contract/agreement Kickoff meeting

Annual Report must be submitted electronically by email. Microsoft Word or PDF files are acceptable

IHS COR