nurseconsultSOWFY08final-SOW(65-089E-480_0).doc

Performance Work Statement

OWCP Nurse Consultant

I.

BACKGROUND

The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) under the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) encompasses four distinct workers’ compensation programs. The programs adjudicate workers’ compensation claims, manage ongoing cases, and provide benefits including wage replacement and compensation to injured workers and survivors; pay for medical care related to the work-related injury/illness, and as appropriate, provide vocational rehabilitation assistance in returning to work. Payment of approximately $650M annually in mission-critical medical benefits for three of the OWCP programs is supported by a Central Bill Process (CBP) services contract. Unique OWCP eligibility requirements and business rules – called ‘treatment suites’- are utilized in CBP to ensure proper authorization and payment of medical services.

The OWCP Division of Planning, Policy and Standards (DPPS) oversee medical benefits issues with cross-program impact. DPPS relies on a staff Nurse Consultant to provide subject-matter expertise in policies related to nursing services and vocational rehabilitation assistance. The staff is in transition following the recent retirement of the Nurse Consultant and hiring of a new nurse. DPPS administers the current CBP contract that will expire in September 2009. Efforts have begun toward the acquisition of a new bill processing solution. DPPS is responsible for developing and maintaining the treatment suites, nurse and vocational rehabilitation modules, and home health care authorization processes used in bill processing.

OWCP/DPPS is seeking contract assistance with:

· transition to a new Nurse Consultant,

· acquisition of a new bill processing service contract, and

· revitalization of the OWCP Nurse Program

OWCP requires a contractor that is able to provide conflict-of-interest-free advice and objective assistance with the CBP procurement effort that best serves the interests of OWCP.

II.

DEFINITIONS

Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) – Michelle Wood is responsible for administering this contract.

Project Manager (PM) – Vincent Alvarez is responsible for technical direction of this contract

III.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work includes program management support during transition to a new OWCP Nurse Consultant. The contractor serves as an expert resource in medical benefits policy issues and bill processing service requirements. The contractor works closely with government personnel in a team environment. Tasks support requirements finalization, quality assurance planning, proposal evaluations, and transition assistance. Duties include OWCP Nurse Program, policy support and training.

IV.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The duties/services to be provided are to:

1. Provide training on all facets of the OWCP Nurse Program and the responsibilities of the Nurse Consultant.

2. Assist with development of bill processing requirements for nurse and vocational rehabilitation services.

3. Review home health care authorizations and billing procedures.

4. Support development of a revitalized OWCP Nurse Program.

5. Update OWCP Nurse Program contracting procedures and training materials for district Field Nurses (FNs).

6. Provide support and training for DOL Workers’ Compensation Coordinator activities.

V. STAFFING

A. Qualifications Nurse Consultant –Licensed Registered Nurse (RN), knowledgeable of OWCP medical policy issues and initiatives. Contractor shall have minimum of 7 years experience with medical bill processing and eligibility requirements for Federal workers’ compensation benefits programs. Experience developing requirements for bill processing services contracts of similar scope; minimum of 5 years experience developing treatment suites or similar business rules, and maintaining via software. Shall have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to work independently and as part of a team. This position shall receive technical direction from the PM and Program Management. (FTE = 1)

B. Method of Operation Labor services are performed in an environment characterized by the following conditions:

1. The contractor is on site at the times required to successfully discharge responsibilities. Work hours are coordinated with the PM. As a general rule, work is performed between the hours of 8:15 A.M. and 4:45 P.M. All work is performed during the workweek (Monday through Friday), except for normal holidays.

2. Reasonable allowance for sickness or emergency leave situations will be made. Advance notice must be given for all but emergency absences.

3. The contractor may be required on occasion to work outside the normal hours of 8:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. This time will be considered a normal part of the workweek, and hours worked on other days will be adjusted to maintain a 40-hour maximum workweek.

4. All labor hours billed must be verified/approved by the designated government official who can attest that hours were expended properly. The COTR will make and maintain the necessary arrangements with officials and make these names known to the contractor.

5. Overtime hours must be approved in advance by the COTR. Hours worked offsite must be approved in advance by the COTR or TOPO. If advance approval is not obtained, billing for such hours will not be certified for payment by the COTR.

6. The PM may at any time review and evaluate the skills and abilities of the contractor with regard to qualifications and provide recommendations to the COTR on suitability of personnel.

7. The contractor shall return badges, library materials, keys and card keys to the COTR or PM upon departure; and make necessary arrangements for LAN accounts to be cleaned out, locked and deleted in accordance with Department security standards.

8. The contractor shall arrange any necessary travel and ensure accurate reporting.

9. The contractor shall review each task for completeness and appropriateness. Upon acceptance by both parties, the contractor shall monitor each task for completion of deliverables against stated deadlines.

Changes in the terms of this task order can be implemented by means of a task order amendment which places in writing the definition of changes and is signed (like the original task order) by the contractor, the COTR, the Chief of Branch of Acquisitions Management, and the DOL Contracting Officer (CO) (or designee).

VI. DELIVERABLES

1. Training for the new Nurse Consultant on FECA Nurse Intervention Program.

2. Transition materials as requested by Program Management.

3. Briefings for designated staff on OWCP initiatives and enhancements, including the status of important current projects, the goals of those projects, and the issues and concerns associated with their completion.

4. Review and draft documents as assigned by the Project Manager for the bill processing acquisition effort.

5. Provide recommendations and other input at acquisition team meetings.

6. Implementation of program evaluation recommendations for near-term changes to the FECA Nurse Intervention Program.

7. Monthly report detailing accomplishments, status of ongoing activities and deliverables, and anticipated activities for the upcoming month. Information shall be presented in a format specified by the PM or COTR. Reports shall be submitted to the COTR by the 5th of each month.

8. Additional deliverables may be defined by the PM or COTR as requirements are identified. Deliverable due date, format and content requirements are subject to change based on the needs of OWCP.

VII.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

1. Period of Performance: T T T TThe duration of this task order will be 12 months from date of award, approximately May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009, unless terminated sooner by the issuance of a task closure memorandum by the CO. Regardless of termination date, formal termination of this task order will be by means of a task closure memorandum.

2. Identification of Possible Follow-on Work: This task order has two (3) one-year options that may be exercised, dependent upon Government need and successful Contractor completion of the original period of performance.

3. Place of Performance: Work shall be performed at the offices of ESA/OWCP, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20210, or at a home office, meeting site or district office location agreed to by OWCP.

4. Travel: May be required to complete requirements as specified by the PM and authorized by the COTR. Reimbursements for allowable travel and per diem charges are governed by P.L. 99-234 and FAR Part 31.

5. Government Furnished Equipment/Items/Support: The PM and COTR will furnish the Contractor with the following:

a. Office space at the Frances Perkins Building, including telephones and access to fax and photocopying machines.

b. Standard office supplies needed for the project.

c. Desktop computers at the Frances Perkins Building to complete the work on this task order.

d. Remote access to the DOL network, as required by the contractor and approved by the PM.

e. Other automated data processing hardware and software as required by the Contractor and approved by the PM to complete the work on this task order.

f. Meetings with OWCP staff and Subject Matter Experts as needed for discussion and/or training to complete the work requirements of this task order.

g. Any other need agreed to by the PM and COTR that is required to complete the work of this task order.

6. Security: The Contractor shall demonstrate compliance with the DOL Contractor Employee Suitability and Security Requirements.

7. Invoicing: Invoices for hours worked will be submitted bi-monthly to the COTR. Hours worked will be charged in no less than quarter hour increments.