STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) Certification Training

VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) Mather, California

1. BACKGROUND

The VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) provides comprehensive health care services to eligible Veterans across Northern California. As part of its commitment to delivering evidence-based, high-quality care, VANCHCS seeks to expand its clinical capacity in the assessment and treatment of lymphedema and related conditions through the certification of nursing staff in Complete Decongestive Therapy

(CDT).

CDT is recognized as the gold standard of care for lymphedema management and consists of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), multilayer compression bandaging, therapeutic exercises, and skin/wound care. Certified CDT practitioners are essential to meeting the rehabilitative and chronic disease management needs of the Veteran population served by

VANCHCS.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide CDT certification training to six (6) registered nurses employed by VANCHCS. Training shall meet the educational and clinical hour requirements necessary for graduates to be eligible to sit for the Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) examination administered by the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) and shall be provided by an institution accredited by a nationally recognized lymphedema therapy education provider meeting LANA eligibility criteria.

The Contractor shall provide all instruction, course materials, equipment for training purposes, and a certificate of completion for each successfully trained participant.

3. SPECIFIC TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

3.1 Task 1 – Training Program Delivery

The Contractor shall deliver a comprehensive CDT certification course in a hybrid format consisting of two phases: (1) an independent/self-directed pre-study phase completed remotely by each participant prior to the onsite session, and (2) an in-person onsite training phase held in Sacramento, California. All six (6) participants shall complete both phases.

The course shall include, at minimum, the following content areas:

• Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic and venous systems

• Pathophysiology of lymphedema (primary and secondary), chronic edema, and related conditions

• Patient assessment, staging, and documentation

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) techniques (Vodder or equivalent recognized method)

• Multilayer compression bandaging theory and application

• Compression garment selection and fitting guidance

• Therapeutic exercise for lymphedema management

• Skin care, wound care, and infection prevention

• Patient and caregiver education techniques

• Ethics, scope of practice, and documentation standards

Phase 1 – Independent Pre-Study (Remote): The Contractor shall provide each participant with access to all self-directed instructional materials (e.g., online modules, readings, videos) required to complete the didactic/foundational component of the curriculum prior to the onsite session. The Contractor shall specify the expected pre-study hours and provide access to materials no later than 60 to 90 calendar days prior to the onsite start date of December 5, 2026 (i.e., no later than September 6, 2026, and no earlier than October 6, 2026, as coordinated with and approved by the COR).

Phase 2 – Onsite Training (In-Person): The in-person component shall be conducted in Sacramento, California, from December 5, 2026 through December 13, 2026, during normal business hours, typically 0700-1530 (9 consecutive days). The onsite session shall focus on supervised hands-on laboratory skills, including MLD technique, compression bandaging application, and clinical competency assessments. The Contractor shall confirm the specific Sacramento training venue with the COR no later than 60 calendar days prior to the onsite start date.

The combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 hours shall meet the 135-contact-hour minimum required by LANA for CLT examination eligibility, inclusive of both didactic instruction and supervised hands-on clinical/laboratory hours.

3.2 Task 2 – Scheduling and Coordination

Training shall be delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a remote independent pre-study phase followed by an in-person onsite phase in Sacramento, California (December 5–13, 2026). The Contractor shall accommodate scheduling within the FY2026–FY2027 period of performance (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027). Pre-study materials shall be made available to all six (6) participants 60 to 90 calendar days prior to December 5, 2026 (i.e., between September 6, 2026 and October 6, 2026, as coordinated with and approved by the COR). All training shall be completed no later than December 13, 2026, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

3.3 Task 3 – Course Materials

The Contractor shall provide each participant with all required instructional materials, including but not limited to:

• Printed or electronic course manuals and reference materials

• Bandaging and MLD supply/equipment kits for use during training (if applicable to the training format)

• Access to any required online learning management system (LMS) or digital platform for the period of training

3.4 Task 4 – Participant Assessment and Certification

The Contractor shall conduct competency assessments (written and/or practical) for each participant as required by the curriculum. Upon successful completion, the Contractor shall issue each participant:

• A certificate of completion identifying the course name, contact hours completed, dates of training, and accrediting body affiliation

• Official documentation of hours completed suitable for submission to LANA for CLT examination eligibility

3.5 Task 5 – Reporting

The Contractor shall provide the COR with the following written reports:

Deliverable Due Date

Training schedule (per cohort) 14 calendar days prior to training start

Participant attendance/progress report Within 10 business days of course completion

Certificate of completion (per participant) Within 15 business days of course completion

Final performance report summarizing all training activities

Within 30 calendar days of final course completion

All reports shall be submitted electronically to the COR in a format approved by the Government (e.g., PDF or MS Word).

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance (POP) shall be from the date of contract award through December 13, 2026. This encompasses the full scope of training services, including the remote independent pre-study phase (Phase 1) and the in-person onsite training phase (Phase 2) concluding on December 13, 2026. There are no option periods associated with this contract.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Training shall be conducted in a hybrid format:

• Phase 1 (Remote/Independent Pre-Study): Didactic and foundational coursework completed by each participant independently via the Contractor's online platform or provided materials, prior to the onsite session.

• Phase 2 (In-Person/Onsite): Hands-on laboratory and clinical skills training conducted in Sacramento, California, from December 5–13, 2026.

If any portion of training is conducted on VA premises, the Contractor and all Contractor personnel shall comply with all applicable VA facility access, badging, and safety requirements.

The Contractor shall specify the training location(s) in their proposal and confirm with the COR prior to the start of each training cohort.

6. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND INFORMATION

The Government will provide:

• Names and contact information for the six (6) registered nurse participants

• COR point of contact information for scheduling and coordination

• Access to VA facilities, if training is conducted on VA premises, subject to security requirements

The Government will not provide training equipment, supplies, or consumables unless otherwise negotiated and documented in the contract.

7. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

All instructors delivering CDT training under this contract shall:

• Hold a current CLT-LANA credential (Certified Lymphedema Therapist, LANA-certified) or equivalent nationally recognized certification demonstrating advanced clinical competency in CDT; and

• Have a minimum of three (3) years of clinical or instructional experience in lymphedema therapy; and

• Be employed by or meeting equivalent LANA-recognized educational standards.

The Contractor shall provide instructor qualifications to the COR upon request and shall notify the COR of any planned changes to key instructional personnel no fewer than 10 business days in advance.

8. STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION

The training program shall conform to the following standards:

• LANA (Lymphology Association of North America) educational requirements for CLT examination eligibility, including the 135-contact-hour minimum

• Standards from a LANA-recognized education provider

• All applicable Joint Commission and VHA standards related to staff education and clinical competency

• VA Handbook 5005 and applicable OPM qualification standards, where relevant to training documentation

9. INVOICING AND PAYMENT

The Contractor shall submit invoices in accordance with the terms of the contract. Invoices shall be submitted through the VA's Tungsten Network (IPP – Invoice Processing Platform) or as otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer, and shall include, at minimum:

• Contract number

• Invoice number and date

• Description of services rendered

• Period of performance covered by the invoice

• Number of participants trained (if invoicing per milestone)

Payment shall be made in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (FAR Subpart 32.9).

10. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND VA REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, VA, and VHA regulations, directives, and policies, including but not limited to:

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) applicable clauses as incorporated into the contract

• VAAR (VA Acquisition Regulation) applicable clauses as incorporated into the contract

• 38 CFR Part 1 – VA Privacy and Confidentiality of Records

• VA Directive 6500 – VA Cybersecurity Program (if any VA data or systems are accessed)

• VHA Directive 1192 – Continuing Education for Clinical Staff

• The Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPAA (if any Veteran health information is accessed or discussed during training)

11. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall not require access to VA sensitive data, VA networks, or VA information systems to perform the services described in this SOW. If access becomes necessary, the Contractor shall comply with VA Directive 6500 and complete all required background investigations and security training prior to access being granted.

Contractor personnel performing work on VA premises shall comply with all VA physical access and identification requirements, including the display of government-issued visitor credentials while on-site.

12. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The COR will be designated at the time of contract award. The COR is responsible for monitoring contractor performance, receiving and reviewing deliverables, and serving as the primary point of contact for day-to-day contract administration. The COR does not have authority to change the scope, price, or terms of the contract; such changes may only be authorized by the Contracting Officer (CO).

13. QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Government will evaluate Contractor performance in accordance with a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) developed by the COR. Performance metrics shall include, at minimum:

• Timeliness of scheduling coordination and deliverable submission

• Participant satisfaction (via post-training survey, if applicable)

• Successful issuance of certificates of completion

• Instructor qualifications and adherence to LANA curriculum standards

End of Statement of Work