Att F - Technical Proposal.docx

Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Attachment F Technical Proposal

Instructions:

Please use the yellow shaded fields to indicate your answers to the following questions. The yellow fields will automatically expand to accommodate content. A completed Technical Proposal is a requirement for proposal submission. Failure to complete and submit this form may impact your proposal’s responsiveness. Diagrams, certificates, graphics, and other exhibits, when requested or appropriate, should be referenced within the respective answer field and included as clearly legible attachments.

Every point made in each section must be addressed in the order given. The same outline numbers must be used in the response. Where appropriate, supporting documentation may be referenced by a page and paragraph number. However, when this is done, the body of the Technical Proposal must contain a meaningful summary of the referenced material. The referenced document must be included as an appendix to the technical proposal with referenced sections clearly marked. If there are multiple references or multiple documents, these must be listed and organized for ease of use by the State.

1 Time Commitment In order for examiners to receive timely advice and CE approvals, each evaluator must be available for DDB work at least three separate days each week and a minimum of four hours per day to meet the required 48-hour turnaround time for case reviews. Evaluators without experience independently evaluating SSDI/SSI claims following both current Social Security policy and Indiana DDB business process requirements must report to the office for in-person training on a schedule determined by DDB. Estimated timeframe for initial onboarding is up to six months with full training completion closer to three years. Will the respondent agree to the time commitment outlined above? Additionally, please attach a written agreement to this time commitment and describe in detail how the respondent will meet this commitment and services described above. This is needed by each SLP proposed to provide services under this contract.

2 In-Office Availability Performing reviews remotely, using SSA provided equipment and SSA secure connection, may or may not be an option dependent upon the needs of DDB and options provided by SSA. Remote work, if available, can only be performed at an established location approved by DDB. The status of remote work availability is subject to change upon short notice. The respondent must commit to availability to report to the DDB office at 2525 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN, as required by DDB with minimal notice, even if and when remote work is available. Please attach a written agreement to in-office availability and describe in detail how the respondent will meet this requirement. This is needed by each SLP proposed to provide services under this contract.

3 Licensure The respondent must provide a copy of each evaluator’s license to practice Speech and Language Pathology in the State of Indiana; and will maintain such license for the life of the contract. When licenses are up for renewal, respondent agrees to provide DDB with a copy of each evaluator’s renewed license. Please describe in detail how respondent will maintain evaluator’s current licenses and ensure licenses are renewed prior to expiration. Please include an attachment with hard copies of each evaluator’s current valid license.

4 Curriculum Vitae (CV) The respondent must agree to provide a copy of each evaluator’s curriculum vitae. Please include a copy of each evaluator's current curriculum vitae, to include but not limited to the following: educational background, work history and lists of publications. Please limit curriculum vitae to no more than three (3) pages. Please list where to find these attachments.

5 Malpractice Suits The respondent must disclose if they have ever had a malpractice suit filed against them, or if any licensed evaluator proposed to work on this contract has ever had a malpractice suit filed against him or her individually, while engaging in the practice of Speech and Language Pathology. Please describe in detail all malpractice suits, not limited to those filed in the State of Indiana. Please provide the number of malpractice suits filed as well as the details of the suit(s), date of the suit(s), and the outcome of the suit(s) or the status, if still pending. The above information is to be provided for each SLP who will be providing services under this contract.

6 Regulations Please describe in detail how case reviews and evaluations of disability will be conducted in accordance with federal, state and local rules, regulations and requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration. The above information must be provided for each SLP who will be performing services under this contract. Cite specific policies and business requirements.

7 Legal Please describe in detail how respondent(s) will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and requirements. The above information must be provided for each SLP who will be performing services under this contract.

Confirm understanding that any data provided by or for the State remains State property and may not be marketed or sold by the respondent without the express written State consent.

Review the State’s Information Security Framework (https://www.in.gov/iot/iot-vendor-engagement/) and either confirm that your company conforms to the policy or provide an explanation to the areas for which your company does not conform. Please be advised that Respondents will be required to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to access the IOT Information Security Framework.

8 Computer skills Please describe in detail respondent experience with SSA’s computer applications including SSA’s Disability Claims Processing System (DCPS), IMAGEN, eView and reviewing and evaluating medical records for consideration in evaluating SSDI/SSI claims. Cite experience completing referrals, assessment forms and general case navigation for SSDI/SSI claim evaluation. Include a description of your ability to type; copy, cut and paste; and to work in multiple windows at one time. Each SLP who will be providing services under this contract must provide a written statement detailing their computer skills.

9 Experience The State needs evaluators who will review and evaluate all adult and child claims that have a speech and/or language component in accordance with the unique rules and regulations set forth by the Social Security Administration, and who will review and evaluate disability cases at all levels. Describe your experience performing chart review and evaluation of medical evidence of disability claims for the Social Security Administration for each SLP who will be performing services under this contract. Include descriptions of all case types and levels. Please indicate how long respondent has performed reviews and in what setting.

10 Production and Accuracy Goals The State needs evaluators who can process the requisite number of reviews per week while maintaining case decisional accuracy of 95% or better. Case reviews need to be completed in a timely manner, within two business days to enable the DDB to maintain case mean processing time (MPT) of 65 days or less. Please describe in detail how your company will meet the above-mentioned production and accuracy goals. Describe ability to independently achieve these requirements or complete necessary training without service interruption.

11 Transition and Implementation Evaluators without experience evaluating SSDI/SSI claims following both current Social Security policy and Indiana DDB business process requirements must report to the office for in-person training by DDB staff on a schedule determined by DDB. SSA policy and DDB business process requirements preclude independent training. Estimated timeframe for initial onboarding is up to six months with full training completion closer to three years. Please describe in detail how your staffing plan will meet the requirements stated above and ensure continuity of services including ability to evaluate claims upon contract effectuation. Please describe in detail your approach to implementing services if awarded the contract.

12 Mandated Training Mandated in-service training is provided by SSA and DDB through Video on Demand; SSA/FSSA/State of Indiana training modules; technology includes conference line, and/or Microsoft Teams installed on SSA-provided equipment; and/or live, on-site sessions. If DDB management determines a vendor requires supplemental training to meet production and/or quality goals, vendor must be available to complete this training. Please describe in detail how respondent plans to ensure participation in these training sessions.

13 Training/Consultative Services The State needs evaluators with the capacity to conduct initial and ongoing training for adjudicative staff in the review and evaluation of the speech and/or language aspects of claims per SSA program policies and guidelines. This includes availability to discuss specific cases with adjudicative staff upon request. Please describe in detail the nature and scope of discussions that may be required with adjudicative staff. Please describe in detail the nature and scope of discussions that may be required with other DDB departments and consultative exam providers. Cite experience and examples of such discussions. Please describe in detail how respondent plans to provide this training if requested by DDB management.

14 Subcontractor(s) Provide detailed contact information and scope of contributions by all subcontractors that are part of this proposal. It must be clear who is a subcontractor and what contributions they will make. Document each subcontractor’s agreement to all items indicated earlier in this document and their understanding in having the same requirements detailed above.

15A Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Disclosure The State seeks to understand the use of artificial intelligence tools in the preparation of vendor submissions. Respondents must disclose whether AI technologies were used in developing any portion of their proposal.

15B AI Utilization Statement State whether any AI tools or systems were used in drafting, reviewing, or generating any part of this proposal.

15C Description of Use Identify which sections, questions, or deliverables within the proposal were created, reviewed, or influenced by AI tools.

Describe the purpose for using AI (e.g., drafting assistance, grammar review, data analysis, summarization).

Explain the extent of human review and validation applied to AI‑generated content to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with solicitation requirements.

16 Artificial Intelligence (AI) During Service Delivery Vendor Development During Implementation and Support Do your developers use artificial intelligence (AI), as defined by IC 4‑12.1‑5‑1 (https://iga.in.gov/laws/2024/ic/titles/4#4-13.1-5-1) to augment their work? If so, please address the following:

- Describe the degree to which your developers use AI to augment their work.

- Describe the extent to which AI tools for development work are proposed for use in this project.

- Can the AI functionality be disabled without impacting the development of the proposed solution?

- If disabling AI does impact the development of the proposed solution, please specify what those impacts are.

- Is there a plan to introduce AI as part of the development of the proposed solution in the next four (4) years if AI is not already utilized OR is there a plan to expand AI as part of the development if AI is already utilized?