SOW_for_CCSQ-393-2015-0280.docx

Survey and Certification Group Infection Control and Prevention Consultant Statement of Work (SOW)

6/05/2015 I. Background Under section 1891(b) of the Social Security Act (the Act), the Secretary has the responsibility to assure the Medicare conditions of participation (CoPs) and their enforcement are adequate to protect the health and safety of all individuals in nursing homes. Section 1864 of the Act grants SAs the authority to perform surveys of nursing homes to determine initial and ongoing compliance.

The prevention and reduction of healthcare-associated infections is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A growing number of individuals are receiving care in long-term care settings, such as skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. The population in these facilities is requiring more complex medical care as a result of rapid transitions between health care settings. These trends can create an increased risk for HAIs, which can worsen health status and increase health care costs. CMS has initiated (in partnership with stakeholders) targeted efforts to address specific quality of care issues including healthcare acquired infections, and their prevention.

CMS seeks consultative services of an individual who will provide CMS with significant expertise in infection control and prevention and those clinical strategies and approaches that improve the care and services provided to nursing home residents through the types of targeted efforts and initiatives described above. In addition, this individual will provide expertise in policies targeted to prevent HAIs in other providers and suppliers, the spread of infections during transitions of care, optimal use of antibiotics, and the prevention of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Experience in updating interpretive guidelines, developing surveyor tools, and teaching surveyors on how to assess for infection control compliance is highly desirable.

II. Purpose The purpose of this acquisition is to garner consultative services of a person who is a clinical expert in infection control and prevention, with current experience in the field of nursing home survey and certification processes, as well as development of policy and implementation plans that support a person centered approach to residents in nursing homes. The Contractor will provide assistance and recommendations to CMS staff and other stakeholders on policies and procedures that promote and advance infection control and prevention.

The individual must have extensive clinical knowledge of providing care and services to the all provider types within the Survey and Certification Group (SCG) and be a Certified Infection Control expert. Examples of the clinical knowledge required would include experience as a registered nurse with a specialty in infection control national guidelines and standards of care, new infection control techniques and technology, outbreak investigations, and impact of medications and the environment on preventing infections. The selected candidate must demonstrate experience working with the CMS central and regional offices; have knowledge of the long term care survey and enforcement processes for skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and nursing facilities (NF), and must be familiar with the work of developing Interpretive Guidelines, infection control surveyor tools, and surveyor training. The contractor will provide the following high-level professional consultative services to CMS and demonstrate expertise in project management, meeting facilitation and information gathering and dissemination skills. The Deliverables table presents a summary of all deliverables addressed in this contract.

III. TASKS

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the contractor shall furnish all of the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the requirements of this Statement of Work (SOW). For the Tasks listed below, where there is reference to a number of days, this will mean “business days.”

Task 1: Meeting and Reporting requirements The contractor shall be responsible to obtain a complete understanding of the requirements of the project and shall schedule routine status meetings via conference calls with the COR or Government Task Lead (GTL) and will document these meetings.

1.1 Monthly Status Meetings

The contractor shall schedule monthly status meetings via conference calls with the GTL or COR to discuss project work planning and task status. The contractor shall create meeting agendas and send them to the GTL or COR 2 days prior to each meeting. The contractor will also be responsible for the meeting minutes and will send the minutes to the COR 5 days after the call. The length of meetings may vary due to the amount of discussion items, but 30 minutes is assumed.

Deliverables:

Status Meeting Agendas and other materials – due to GTL or COR 2 days prior to each meeting;

Status Meeting Minutes – due to GTL or COR 5 days after each call.

1.2 Progress Reporting

The contractor will be required to submit monthly progress reports on all project activities, analyses, milestones met, and deliverables achieved. These reports will be used by the GTL or COR for the purpose of tracking deliverables and reconciling monthly invoices. These reports will be in a format approved by the GTL or COR and will include a summary of the activities for the prior month, work planned for the next period, and issues. The contractor shall submit a draft final report to the COR two weeks prior to the end of the contract year. The monthly progress report shall include an outline of the work completed during the prior quarter; planned and work in progress, problems or issues encountered; and suggestions for further topics for analysis.

Deliverables:

Monthly Progress Reports - due to COR within 7 days of month following the month of performance.

1.3 Work Plan

The contractor shall maintain a detailed work plan. The detailed work plan shall include the work schedule and a breakdown of the activities within each task. The draft work plan shall be submitted 5 days prior to the Kick-Off Meeting. The work plan will be updated at least monthly or as needed. Activities assigned by COR or GTL will become a part of the work plan.

Deliverables:

Draft Work Plan – due 5days prior to Kick Off Meeting;

Updated Work Plan – updated monthly or as needed.

1.4. Final Report

The draft report shall include, at a minimum, a summary of the work and accomplishments realized during the contract year, emphasizing conclusions and recommendations. Include for each subject a detailed analysis of the work performed. Also include any charts, tables or diagrams relevant to the subject, and present negative findings as well as positive findings. Identify any innovations and general advances of special interest. Also include: identification of all deliverables; challenges and barriers to producing deliverables; challenges to implementing new solutions and guidance; and suggestions for future guidance and policy activities.

CMS may provide feedback on the report. The final report shall address the COR’s comments and shall be submitted to the GTL or COR 2 days prior to the end of the contract year.

Deliverables:

Draft Final Report – due to GTL or COR two weeks prior to the end of the contract year.

Final Report – due to GTL or COR 2 days prior the end of the contract year.

Task 2: Infection Control and Prevention Policy Support to the Division of Nursing Homes (DNH)

2.1 Technical Assistance with the Nursing Home Certification Survey The contractor will provide technical assistance with nursing home survey protocols that evaluate infection control practices, and make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the protocols for State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Office surveyors. The contractor will be contacted by DNH staff as necessary to discuss infection control matters that arise from the field and to provide technical guidance.

Deliverables:

Submit a monthly report of survey guidance recommendations.

Maintenance of a log of survey guidance requests as received to be provided to GTL or COR on a monthly basis.

2.2 Infection Control Surveyor Training Materials

The contractor will provide training recommendations on clinical topics such as infection control and prevention, quality improvement, or facility environment issues. The contractor shall, as directed by the GTL or COR, create draft training materials on improving surveyor assessment of infection control practices within facilities. The draft and final training material shall be submitted as directed by the GTL or COR.

Deliverables:

Produce training curricula and drafts of supporting materials as directed by the GTL or COR.

2.3 Development of new Nursing Home Survey Infection Control Worksheet CMS’s Survey & Certification Group will work with the Centers for Disease Control in an Interagency Agreement to pilot a program dedicated to improving infection prevention in hospitals and nursing homes in the hospital catchment areas. This will be accomplished by developing a Nursing Home surveyor infection control worksheet and pilot survey, in collaboration with CDC, to better assess compliance with infection control regulations. This effort would also address issues of spread of infection between facilities in a local community. Targeting of facilities would be based on information provided by CDC.

Deliverables Develop a Nursing Home surveyor infection control worksheet in collaboration with CDC and CMS, as directed by COR/GTL.

Develop surveyor training on the use of the infection control worksheet as directed by COR/GTL.

Participate in and monitor 10 pilot surveys using the infection control worksheet as directed by COR/GTL.

Task 3: Development of Infection Control Guidance across SCG Provider Types

3.1. The contractor will work with the Centers for Disease Control, Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion (CDC/DHQP, SCG), and other CMS components to improve survey protocols across provider types. Provide recommendations on the improvement of survey strategies, processes and interpretive guidance. Advise SCG on surveyor training recommendations.

Deliverables:

Provide recommendations on survey improvement procedures and worksheets.

Provide recommendations for improvements in survey training as directed by the GTL or COR.

Produce a report on interpretive guidance analysis as directed by the GTL or COR.

Produce training material as directed by the GTL or COR.

3.2. The contractor, as directed by the GTL or COR, shall research and develop for future testing, standardized infection control survey protocols that may be applied to all provider types. Submit a report on reviews and analyses of all infection control protocols currently in use across the SCG provider types; Participate in field testing of survey protocols; and provide recommendations on standardizing those items that apply to all provider types;

Deliverables:

Submit updated recommendations on improvements to infection control surveyor worksheets..

Produce a cross-provider protocol analysis reportuniversal infection control training course as directed by GTL/COR.

Make field visits with SCG staff or other contractors to test revisions to surveyor worksheets as needed.

Task 4: Stakeholder Outreach, Engagement, and Presentations

4.1 Formal Infection Control Policy Communication

SCG routinely receives requests for information from internal and external customers such as Congress, other governmental agencies, provider groups, attorneys, lobbyists, and the public. The contractor shall serve as the subject matter expert to assist with responding to those inquiries that address infection control.

Deliverables:

Infection Control Policy responses to inquiries as requested by SCG staff;

Submit a monthly report of Record of written responses issued to SCG Divisions on responses to infection control inquiries. provider types for organization and tracking purposes.

4.2 Stakeholder Outreach

As directed by the GTL or COR, the contractor shall conduct outreach, communication and coordination with stakeholders such as the American Medical Directors Association, Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instruments, and coordinate work with other initiatives including the HHS HAI LTC Action Plan, the Nursing Home Quality of Care Collaborative and Advancing Excellence. These updates may take the form of formal presentations or other communication to the SCG staff as requested by the GTL or COR.

Deliverables:

Quarterly Provide written reports in the monthly report, as needed, of updates that were provided to to SCG Divisions on developments in Infection Control policy and practice, standards of care and IC innovations.

IV. Meetings and Travel The contractor is required to be accessible to the GTL or COR by telephone and to participate (in person and via teleconferences) in meetings as directed by the GTL or COR. Travel costs (local and non-local) must be funded through this procurement. No additional funding will be requested by the contractor. For planning and estimating purposes, assume three trips within the CONUS. Travel includes, but is not limited to meetings convened at CMS headquarters in Baltimore, MD, external stakeholder and partner meetings, nursing home policy revision training, and as directed by the GTL or COR.

V. Report Requirements There is a specific report requirement for this procurement. The contractor shall deliver comments, draft markups, and other written materials via email memos to the COR and/or GTL. CMS is using Microsoft Office 2010; therefore, the contractor shall provide documents in Microsoft Office 2010 and Office 2010, Adobe Acrobat X Professional; all documents are required to be section 508 compliant (see SECTION 508 - ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY). The COR shall notify the contractor when additional upgrades occur.

Period of Performance The period of performance is 09/27/2014 - 09/26/2015.

Government Property There is no Government property provided. The contractor shall supply his/her own copy of Microsoft Office 2010, Adobe Acrobat X Professional or other 508 compliance remediation software and have access to telephone and an email account.

Qualifications This position requires an experienced candidate with a nursing background who is an expert in the survey and certification Affordable Care Act provisions, CMS nursing home federal guidelines, survey and certification nursing home guidance and the survey process.

The selected candidate must demonstrate in-depth nursing home infection control and prevention and industry knowledge as the selected candidate will participate as the expert on internal and external nursing home issue panels.

The selected candidate must have extensive clinical knowledge of providing care and services to nursing facility residents and patients as a CIC, advanced practice nurse.

The contractor must demonstrate:

· Significant clinical infection prevention experience;

· National recognition as an expert in the field of care and services in infection control and prevention;

· Extensive Epidemiology knowledge and experience;

· Substantial collaborative relationships with the advocacy groups, provider and physician communities, and other key stakeholders;

· Thorough understanding of the survey process and potential citation(s) outcomes;

· Skills to collect, interpret, manage, and report nursing infection rate data;

· Fluency in the use of MS Office Suite 2010, Internet Explorer 10, Adobe X Professional and other software as required.

All respondents to this effort must provide current credentials and are subject to a federal background check investigation.

Quality Assurance The contractor shall be required to be accessible by telephone to the CO and/or designees required to participate as designated by the PO and/or designees in meetings at CMS headquarters or elsewhere in Baltimore, MD for discussions and panel meetings.

The contractor shall turn in timely work according to the needs of the various tasks of this contract. This includes quick turn-around in emergent Well-being issues that are under quick deadline (a day or two), as well as routine delivery via email of comments, mark-ups, and draft documents on a schedule established by the COR.

SECTION 508 - ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(a) This task order is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by the workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220). Specifically, subsection 508(a)(1) requires that when the Federal Government procures Electronic and Information Technology (EIT), the EIT must allow Federal employees and individuals of the public with disabilities comparable access to and use of information and data that is provided to Federal employees and individuals of the public without disabilities.

(b) The EIT accessibility standards at 36 CFR Part 1194 were developed by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") and apply to contracts and task/delivery orders, awarded under indefinite quantity contracts on or after June 25, 2001.

(c) Each Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) product or service furnished under this contract shall comply with the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (36 CFR 1194), as specified in the contract, as a minimum. If the Contracting Officer determines any furnished product or service is not in compliance with the contract, the Contracting Officer will promptly inform the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall, without charge to the Government, repair or replace the non-compliant products or services within the period of time to be specified by the Government in writing. If such repair or replacement is not completed within the time specified, the Government shall have the following recourses:

1. Cancellation of the contract, delivery or task order, purchase or line item without termination liabilities; or

2. In the case of custom Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) being developed by a contractor for the Government, the Government shall have the right to have any necessary changes made or repairs performed by itself or by another firm for the noncompliant EIT, with the contractor liable for reimbursement to the Government for any expenses incurred thereby.

(d) The contractor must ensure that all EIT products that are less than fully compliant with the accessibility standards are provided pursuant to extensive market research and are the most current compliant products or services available to satisfy the contract requirements.

(e) For every EIT product or service accepted under this contact by the Government that does not comply with 36 CFR 1194, the contractor shall, at the discretion of the Government, make every effort to replace or upgrade it with a compliant equivalent product or service, if commercially available and cost neutral, on either a contract specified refresh cycle for the product or service, or on a contract effective option/renewal date; whichever shall occur first.

Section 508 Compliance for Communications The contractor shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below. In the event of conflicts between the referenced documents and this SOW, the SOW shall take precedence.

Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 Accessibility Standards

1. 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)

2. 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)

3. http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards (508 Standards)

4. FAR 39.2 (Section 508)

5. CMS/HHS Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)

In addition, all contract deliverables are subject to these 508 standards as applicable.

Regardless of format, all Web content or communications materials produced, including text, audio or video - must conform to applicable Section 508 standards to allow federal employees and members of the public with disabilities to access information that is comparable to information provided to persons without disabilities. All contractors (including subcontractors) or consultants responsible for preparing or posting content must comply with applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and where applicable, those set forth in the referenced policy or standards documents above. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with the applicable provisions of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the SOW, PWS, or TO, shall be the responsibility of the contractor or consultant.

The following Section 508 provisions apply to the content or communications material identified in this SOW:

36 CFR Part 1194.21 a - l 36 CFR Part 1194.22 a - p 36 CFR Part 1194.31 a - f 36 CFR Part 1194.41 a – c The contractor shall provide a completed Section 508 Product Assessment Template and the contractor shall state exactly how proposed EIT deliverable(s) meet or does not meet the applicable standards.

The following Section 508 provisions apply for software development material identified in this SOW, PWS, or TO:

For software development, the Contractor/Developer/Vendor shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below:

Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, Accessibility Standards

(1) 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)

(2) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)

(3) http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards (508 Standards)

(4) FAR 39.2 (Section 508)

(5) CMS/HHS Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)

For web-based applications, the Contractor shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below:

Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, Accessibility Standards

(1) 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)

(2) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)

(3) http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards (508 Standards)

(4) FAR 39.2 (Section 508)

(5) CMS/HHS Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)

VI. Points of Contact

COR

GTL (Government Task Lead)

The contractor shall submit all deliverables in accordance with the following schedule.

Task 1: Meeting and Reporting requirements

1.1 Monthly Status Meetings

1.2 Progress Reporting

Monthly Progress Reports to the GTL or COR

7 days of month following the month of performance

5days prior to Kick Off Meeting;

Updated Work Plan

Updated monthly or as needed.

1.4. Final Report

Draft Final Report

Due to GTL or COR two weeks prior to the end of the contract year;

Final Report

Due to GTL or COR 2 days prior the end of the contract year.

Task 2: Infection Control and Prevention Policy Support to the Division of Nursing Homes (DNH)

2.1 Technical Assistance with the Nursing Home Survey

Report of survey guidance recommendations.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR.

2.2 Infection Control Survey Training Materials

Draft training curricula and drafts of supporting materials.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

Task 3: Develop Infection Control Guidance across Survey and Certification Group (SCG) Provider Types

3.1. The contractor will work with the (CDC/DHQP, SCG), and other CMS components to improve survey protocols that investigate infection control compliance across provider types.

Provide recommendations on survey improvement procedures and worksheets.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR

Provide recommendations for improvements in surveyor training.

As directed by the GTL or COR

Produce a report on interpretive guidance analysis.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

3.2. As directed by the GTL or COR, research and develop standardized infection control survey protocols that may be applied to all provider types for future testing.

Make field visits with SCG staff or other contractors to test revisions to surveyor worksheets as needed.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

Task 4: Stakeholder Outreach, Engagement, and Presentations

4.1 Formal Infection Control Policy Communication

Record of written responses issued to SCG provider types for organization and tracking purposes.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR.

4.2 Stakeholder Outreach

Task 1: Meeting and Reporting requirements

1.1 Monthly Status Meetings

1.2 Progress Reporting

Monthly Progress Reports to the GTL or COR

7 days of month following the month of performance

5days prior to Kick Off Meeting;

Updated Work Plan

Updated monthly or as needed.

1.4. Final Report

Draft Final Report

Due to GTL or COR two weeks prior to the end of the contract year;

Final Report

Due to GTL or COR 2 days prior the end of the contract year.

Task 2: Infection Control and Prevention Policy Support to the Division of Nursing Homes (DNH)

2.1 Technical Assistance with the Nursing Home Survey

Report of survey guidance recommendations.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR.

2.2 Infection Control Survey Training Materials

Draft training curricula and drafts of supporting materials.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

As directed by the GTL or COR

Task 3: Develop Infection Control Guidance across Survey and Certification Group (SCG) Provider Types

3.1. The contractor will work with the (CDC/DHQP, SCG), and other CMS components to improve survey protocols that investigate infection control compliance across provider types.

Provide recommendations on survey improvement procedures and worksheets.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR

Provide recommendations for improvements in surveyor training.

As directed by the GTL or COR

Produce a report on interpretive guidance analysis.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

3.2. As directed by the GTL or COR, research and develop standardized infection control survey protocols that may be applied to all provider types for future testing.

Make field visits with SCG staff or other contractors to test revisions to surveyor worksheets as needed.

As directed by the GTL or COR.

Task 4: Stakeholder Outreach, Engagement, and Presentations

4.1 Formal Infection Control Policy Communication

Record of written responses issued to SCG provider types for organization and tracking purposes.

Monthly or as directed by the GTL or COR.

4.2 Stakeholder Outreach