PWS-2019-AIAN_Mentorship_of_Medical_Students_-Final_CC.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS) American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) Mentorship of Medical Students

A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health care services to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) throughout the United States. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. This relationship, established in 1787, is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people and its mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of 573 federally recognized Tribes across the U.S.

B. PURPOSE

The IHS Office of Human Resources, Division of Recruitment and Outreach (OHR/DRO) is seeking to provide financial support to programs and initiatives that have expertise in advancing the health of AI/AN people. This limitation is necessary in order for IHS to ensure that the training, education, and outreach efforts provided through this award are provided in a culturally competent manner. As part of a comprehensive strategy to recruit qualified, and culturally competent providers to our IHS and Tribal facilities, we strive to create educational pipelines that seamlessly assist AI/AN medical students with researching, locating and participating in programs that encourage, facilitate and mentor AI/AN medical students to pursue health profession careers.

The objective of this solicitation is to:

• Advance the current AI/AN health care delivery system by promoting AI/AN medical students to pursue careers in medicine. Further educate AI/AN medical students on the unique, chronic health challenges of AI/AN patients. This includes, but is not limited to, diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), domestic violence, and methamphetamine/opioid abuse. This is to be accomplished through the development of a culturally competent mentorship program pairing AI/AN medical students with AI/AN physicians, with the overall objective of increasing the number of native culturally trained physicians into employment opportunities with the IHS.

The DRO requires the contractor to utilize AI/AN physicians to work exclusively with AI/AN medical students to provide a workshop that facilitates culturally competent education and participative mentoring. The required contractor shall plan and make the necessary arrangements to ensure the required mentorship program and objectives are conducted in a professional manner, at the times and locations of their choice but no less than annually. The contractor shall also provide two detailed, written after action report of the workshop and events as described below. The estimated period of performance will be the date of award through December 31, 2019.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service

Indian Health Service Rockville MD 20857

C. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

One (1) 12-month base period and three (3) 12-month option periods.

D. CONTRACT TYPE

This contract is a fixed price contract. $25,000/year

E. SCOPE OF WORK

The contractor shall perform the following:

1. Conduct an annual workshop exclusively for AI/AN medical students designed to provide mentorship and guidance throughout their medical education. This workshop shall focus solely on culturally competent mentoring by AI/AN physicians in the areas of coursework, application assistance, specialty selection, board certification and challenges unique to delivering health care to AI/AN rural and remote communities.

• Performance Requirement – This annual workshop shall identify eight mentees, defined as 3rd or 4th year AI/AN medical students who can benefit from a professional mentorship.

The contractor shall assist with the mentee’s travel arrangements (travel/lodging) to and from the workshop. Each mentee shall be paired with and assigned to a pre-selected mentor. The mentor is defined as an active or retired AI/AN Doctor of Medicine, M.D., or Doctor of Osteopathy, D.O. The ratio of student mentee to physician mentor shall be 2:1.

The mentee and mentor shall create a proposed career plan for the medical student that identifies goals and learning objectives. The mentor shall be available to the mentee for no less than six face-to-face or virtual sessions for a period of not less than one year after the conclusion of the workshop. The contractor shall control and maintain all day-to-day logistics required prior, during, and after the ordered workshop. An employee from the Division of Recruitment & Outreach may attend the workshop to observe activities and/or support outreach efforts.

• Performance Standard – The contractor shall perform logistical services required to conduct the workshop using the best commercial practices. The logistical support provided shall ensure the workshop is conducted on time at the location of contractor’s choosing, and in such a manner that logistical support performance does not detract from the overall goal of information dissemination and exchange.

• Performance Measure – Successful attainment of performance shall be measured by delivery of two detailed reports. First, a detailed after action report at the workshop conclusion. This initial summary shall include a list of student (mentee) names and a short biography of each, along with the name of their assigned mentor. It shall include location of workshop, workshop agenda, learning objectives, activities conducted, mentorship pairings, outcomes and student evaluation of the workshop. At the end of the yearlong mentorship pairing, a second report detailing the number of mentoring sessions with the mentee, as well as the student’s evaluation form on the mentorship experience and outcomes.

2. MANAGING MEETING MATERIALS

• Performance Requirement – Contractor shall develop and distribute any necessary workshop materials including photocopying, collating, compiling, assembly of attendee packets, meeting room supplies (paper, pens, flip charts, etc.) and any supplies needed to ensure a successful workshop.

• Performance Standard – The planned materials are available when needed prior to the workshop.

• Performance Measure – The planned materials meet workshop attendees’ needs.

3. Reporting Requirements as indicated in the Performance Measure section of each detailed task.

F. FUNDING

Funding is to be used exclusively for travel arrangements to include economy airfare and lodging (lowest night rate) to the workshop for student mentees and physician mentors, with a small portion going to meeting materials needed to conduct the annual workshop. Ground transportation, baggage fees, meals, parking, and all other incidental expenses are the travelers’ responsibility.

G. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL, DISCIPLINES, AND SPECIALTIES

The contractor shall accomplish the assigned work by utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience. Assigned mentors, if not retired, must possess a current, unrestricted license as a Doctor of Medicine, M.D., or a Doctor of Osteopathy, D.O. from any state in the U.S. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS.

When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce towards this contract are essential.

H. DATA RIGHTS

The government has unlimited rights to all the documents and materials produced under this contract. All documents and materials collected or produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor.

I. PROJECT OFFICER

A certified IHS Contracting Officer Representative will be identified prior to contract execution.

J. DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

See E. Scope of Work