Habilitative Services_SRS Southeast 1_15_20 Extension 4.30.20 Extension 10.30.20.docx

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of developmental services Southeast Region

Address: 151 Campanelli Drive, Suite B, Middleboro MA 02346:

Contact Name: Colleen Mulligan

Telephone #: 508-866-8918

Fax #: 508-910-3042

Email: colleen.a.mulligan@mass.gov

Request for Response (RFR)

Document Title: Habilitation Services 3202

COMMBUYS Requisition #: RQ-20-1023-DMR50-S5700-283850

COMMBUYS BID #: BD-20-1023-DMR50-S5700-48792

RFR Document Number: SRS 2020 Habilitation Services 3202

February 19, 2020

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering. To register go to www.COMMBUYS.com.

This BID requires the submission of electronic quotes. All Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for submission of their quotes by considering potential online impediments like Internet traffic, Internet connection speed, file size, and file volume. DPH is not responsible for delays encountered by Bidders or their agents, or for a Bidder’s local hardware failures, such as computers or related networks, associated with bid compilation or submission. Bids submitted via COMMBUYS are time stamped by the COMMBUYS system clock which is considered the official time of record.

1.1 Procurement Scope and Description:

This procurement intends to purchase habilitation services for 222 individuals living in homes managed by Southeastern Residential Services (SRS), the state-operated residential agency in Southeastern Massachusetts.

1.2 Background Information:

This Request for Response incorporates all relevant provisions of 801 CMR 21.00 Procurement of Commodities and Services, the Standard Contract Form and Instructions, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions and the Operational Services Division’s Required Specifications.

1.3 Applicable Procurement Law

Executive Branch Goods and Services

1.4 Whether Single or Multiple Contractors Are Required For Contract(s):

Check One (“X”):

1.5 Calendar Rule Type:

1.6 Acquisition Method:

1.7 Use of a Procurement by a Single or Multiple Departments:

· Identify additional Eligible Entities by name or type.

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to add or remove additional authorized users during the contract term.

1.8 Expected Duration of Contract:

Anticipated Initial Duration up to: 10 years

Final End Date of this Contract: June 30, 2031

1.9 Anticipated Expenditures, Funding Or Compensation For Expected Duration

Estimated Value of Procurement (Including Anticipated Renewal Options):

Amount $ 9,236,375

Will Federal Funds be used to fund any part of Contract(s)?

*These awards are subject to all relevant OMB circulars and federal and state grant requirements.

Capital, Trust and Federal Accounts Only: Any funds designated in the budget that are unspent in any fiscal year will not be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year.

2.0 Specifications

General Goals and Objectives:

To promote and maintain the highest possible standard of living by meeting the habilitation goals for approximately 222 individuals who reside in state-operated homes managed by Southeastern Residential Services.

OBJECTIVE: PRIMARY CARE

This RFR seeks to acquire and develop accessible, high quality habilitative services to consumers living in homes supported by Southeastern Residential Services (SRS).

The components of this service system include:

· Habilitation services for the 222 consumers living in SRS community homes, either delivered directly or accessed and procured by the provider;

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The successful bidder will provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, and respiratory services and a nurse practitioner to the following service system components:

DDS eligible individuals served by Southeastern Residential Services

PHYSICAL THERAPY

The successful bidder shall provide the necessary licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapy assistants to render direct, indirect, and/or consultative services

SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION

The successful bidder shall provide primarily consultative speech and communication services and in particular, assess consumer communication systems and using computer and other state of the art technology, assist in the design and implementation of effective communication systems.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

The successful bidder shall provide a nurse practitioner whose main role is to act in the capacity of a liaison between Southeastern Residential Services and the local hospitals and/or Primary Care Physicians.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

The successful bidder shall provide the necessary registered occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA), licensed therapy assistants, and therapy aides to render direct, indirect, and/or consultative services

RESPIRATORY SERVICES

The successful bidder shall provide the necessary registered respiratory therapists.

SERVICE COMPONENT DEFINITIONS

The successful bidder must determine by consumer need the distribution of efforts and the extent of direct, indirect, and consultative services required for each but not limited to the following service components:

· Oral Motor Function and Swallowing

· Functional Mobility and Range of Motion

· Sensory Motor Integration

· Adaptive Seating and Wheelchair Consultation

· Supportive/Protective Devices

· Health Maintenance/Health Fitness

· Therapeutic Exercise

· Motion Performance

· Augmentative Communications

· Assistive Technology

· Speech Consultation Services

· Respiratory Therapy

TARGET POPULATION

The chart below is a reflective estimate of consumers receiving direct, indirect, and/or consultative services in the two component areas. These statistics will vary, as consumer needs change. The successful bidder must continue to adapt its services throughout the life of the contract.

SOUTHEASTERN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Direct Services

Direct Services

Attleboro

So. Coastal

*Monitoring -- indicates # of individuals that are seen either monthly, quarterly or semiannually

**Individual Consult -- indicates a one-time request for consult to be completed

Speech Therapy

Direct Services

Attleboro

So. Coastal

*Monitoring -- indicates # of individuals that are seen either monthly, quarterly or semiannually

**Individual Consult -- indicates a one-time request for consult to be completed

Respiratory Consultation services will include four hours per month of training for all assigned LPN’s working in the five medical homes. On site visits by Respiratory Therapist weekly to all five medical homes. This would be a maximum of five hours per week.

DEFINITION OF SERVICE TYPES

There are three different types of services that the successful bidder has the flexibility to use in order to provide the needed habilitative services in accordance with appropriate regulations.

Type I services are provided by a clinician consultant who provides therapy and collaborates with other staff (i.e. clinical) assisting them with program development, solving problems, etc. In this setting, consultation may include follow-up and limited monitoring when requested from another clinician.

Type II services acknowledge the importance of both the specialized therapist and the need for consistent implementation of intervention across all environments. The therapist uses specialized knowledge to evaluate and develop program interventions and trains direct support staff to carry out activities with therapeutic goals in mind. The therapist remains responsible for the outcomes of these specific intervention strategies and remains in regular contact with the staff carrying out the program to ensure that: 1) the health and safety of the individuals are protected at all times; 2) the individual implementing the strategies demonstrates correct use of the procedure without cues; 3) the staff recognize problems and signs of failure and initiate appropriate action; and, 4) proper data collection. Since the therapist will not always be the implementer, it is critical that criteria be established to assure safe, correct and reliable implementation of the intervention.

Staff must demonstrate competence in the application of the program.

Type III services include working with both the individual and small groups with the therapist focused on meeting that individual’s needs. Some components of specialized therapeutic interventions cannot be implemented by others due to issues of clinical training, ethics, and licensure.

PROGRAM GOALS

1. To promote and maintain habilitative services in the three component areas;

2. To improve the level of functioning and well-being of consumers living in the community by utilizing flexible service delivery models that focus on the needs of the individual and consider the use of generic resources as a primary model whenever such options are available;

3. To address individual consumer’s needs through collaborative working arrangements within and across professional disciplines;

4. To work with community providers and local resources to develop the capacity to serve people with intellectual disabilities whatever the level of their need with generic services that are capable of providing quality care.

PROGRAM DESIGN AND SERVICE DELIVERY OUTCOMES

· Maintain Survey and Certification habilitative service standards as defined by the Department’s Office of Quality Enhancement

· Recruit and hire personnel who meet all licensure and registration requirements of the Commonwealth

· Provide training, education, and affiliation opportunities to department staff

· Participate in standing and ad hoc committees as requested

· Participate in ongoing service planning for consumers

· Communicate with the regional director or his designee on policy development as it relates to habilitative services

· Participate in annual ISP meetings as required under DDS regulations, only upon request (very infrequently)

· Comply with all departmental regulations

· Develop and implement a transition plan with full operation to begin on July 1, 2021

· Conduct all administrative activities necessary for a smooth transition into the contract

· Work with the region in projecting future changes in habilitative services for consumers served in the contract

· Develop a flexible system of delivering services that will follow consumers in the event they move from location to location

· Transition from a model of providing services directly to consumers to a model of the consultant who trains direct care givers to do the “hands on” work whenever appropriate

· Provide evaluations so as to develop plans with recommendations to address individual consumer needs that can be implemented by direct care givers

· Monitor the activities of the direct care givers and the progress being made by the consumer toward optimal functioning and independence, and to assist individuals to access community service providers whenever possible

· Assess the needs of those consumers living in the community to determine what kinds of service delivery models are best suited to adequately meet their needs for greater self-sufficiency and independence

· Establish working relationships with local providers to improve the capacity of those services to meet the needs of our consumers

· Oversee and ensure consistent service delivery for consumers between day programs and residential services

· Assist care givers in efforts to access equipment, assistive technology services and goods, and accommodations the consumer may need to live more independently in the community

· Act as a resource to generic providers of service who may need assistance when working with consumers living in the community

· Provide assistance and support to service coordinators in locating and purchasing habilitation services for their consumers

· Develop affiliation agreements with educational institutions to provide student internships and learning opportunities for staff or potential staff

· Maintain the capacity to move staff assigned to the contract to address the service needs of individual consumers wherever they are located

· Conduct periodic assessments of the services being provided to the consumer to determine the effectiveness of the models utilized and the efficiency by which services are delivered to individuals referred to this program

· Where necessary by the nature of the individual’s needs and/or the licensing and statutory requirements of the habilitation staff to provide direct services to consumers as recommended by means of an evaluation

· Provide technical assistance to those individuals interested in services or making referrals

PROFILE INFORMATION OF INDIVIDUALS

The information contained in this section provides profiles information of the individuals who are included in this RFR. The confidentiality of individuals will be respected and profiles will not contain any identifying information Consumer Profiles

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN SRS

MOBILITY

TOTAL: 191

3.0 Performance Requirements and Contract Monitoring

Performance Measures will be developed in negotiations between the awarded Bidder and Southeastern Residential Services staff. Southeastern Residential Services staff will monitor and evaluate the Awardee’s status in meeting negotiated performance measures on an ongoing basis. Performance Measures are subject to change during the life of this award.

The following four (4) performance measures will be required as of July 1, 2021:

· 100% compliance with License and Certification for those Habilitative benchmarks related to this contract,

· On an annual basis the awarded Bidder will meet the third party reimbursement and other financial offset target amount negotiated with the Department as a means to reduce and/or maintain the DDS costs incurred to provide these services,

· Organize and implement agreed upon agency trainings,

· Provide quarterly update reports based on the awarded Bidder’s Quality Assurance program.

4.0 Contract Invoicing

The Bidder shall be responsible for insuring the accuracy of invoices submitted to DDS for payment. The Bidder shall bill for services by the 10th of each month. Additional invoicing and documentation requirements will be negotiated with the Hogan Regional Center Contract Manager. If there is a discrepancy between what is certified and what is observed and documented, payments may be delayed.

Payment through Electronic Funds Transfer is required for any contract awarded through this solicitation. See the COMMBUYS Bid Solicitation for this form.

6.0 Estimated Procurement Calendar

The BID opening date (Deadline for Submission of Response) All responses to be submitted electronically using the online submission tools available to Vendors registered in COMMBUYS.

April 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Deadline for Forms that require Ink Signatures.

(See Instructions for Submission of Responses below for further instruction.)

April 15, 2021

7.0 Required Forms: Submit with Response

1. RFR Cover Sheet

2. Response Document

3. Organizational Chart for Contracting Entity

4. SDP (Supplier Diversity Program) Plan Form

5. Prompt Pay Discount

The above noted forms may change or be revised during the life of this procurement. Updated forms will be posted on COMMBUYS.

Additional Documentation Requirements for New Providers

· Commonwealth Standard Contract Form

· Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W-9)

· Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment

Existing providers of services to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may include a statement indicating that current documents are already on file with the Comptroller’s Office and should include a notation of their Vendor Customer code on the Cover Sheet so that this information can be easily referenced.

8.0 Evaluation Criteria and Questions

Question 1: Agency Mission and Service Principles (0 to 10 points) Maximum 1 page Please explain how you intend to integrate your organization’s mission and service principles into service delivery and how these principles relate to your organization’s philosophy and values.

Assess how the bidder’s model reflects DDS’s mission and service principles. How well does the bidder integrate these principles into their agency’s philosophy? Do you see consistent examples of how they will implement these throughout the proposal?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3—Minimally acceptable; principles present but weak integration or implementation 4 to 6—Fair—some strengths and weaknesses 7 to 8—Good 9 to 10—Excellent; principles are well integrated into philosophy. Past history and proposed implementation strong

Question 2: Program Experience (Maximum 10 points) Maximum 1 page Please describe your experience in providing habilitative services to persons with needs similar to the individuals that you anticipate serving in this program. Please be as specific as possible and include program evaluation summaries and other relevant documentation that demonstrates the success of such service.

Assess the bidder’s success in providing services identified in this program, in the past, to individuals with similar needs. Have they documented this success?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3—Minimally acceptable 4 to 6—Fair 7 to 8—Good 9 to 10—Excellent

Question 3: Service Description (0 to 20 points Maximum 3 pages Describe what services you will provide and how you will provide them to the individuals in this program. Particular attention must be paid to a description of the habilitative supports you will provide. Please include a detailed description of each of the service elements and the activities your staff will perform to meet the needs of the individuals served, as well as a description of the overall service design. Include any changes to the design you envision over the life of the contract.

Assess the kinds and quality of the services the bidder intends to provide. Is the overall service design, including supports, sufficient and appropriate to meet the needs of the residents? Do the detailed descriptions address the needs of all the people to be served?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3 points—Minimally acceptable; service design and medical supports lack comprehensiveness; components could be better defined 4 to 8 points—Fair 9 to 15 points—Good 16 to 20 points—Excellent; addresses needs through strong, comprehensive and integrated supports; bidder has indicated a thorough understanding of service delivery issues and the likely future evolution of the service system

Question 4: Assessing and Accessing Specialty Services (0 to 10 points) Maximum 1 page Please explain how you will coordinate and integrate habilitative services with other health care providers, especially nursing, and integrate these services into other aspects of a resident’s life.

Has the bidder described how they will coordinate and integrate services and communicate information to other persons providing supports to the individual?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3 —Minimally acceptable; has no history of cooperation or coordination 4 to 6—Fair 7 to 8—Good 9 to 10—Excellent; bidder has been highly successful in integrating services and communication/cooperation with other parties providing supports to the individual

Question 5: Staffing Pattern and Job Descriptions (0 to 20 points) Maximum 2 pages Please provide a list of all positions/titles and the specific staffing pattern for this program. Include job descriptions and qualifications for each position and vitae for individuals in key positions.

Assess the adequacy of the staffing, the bidder’s job descriptions and qualifications for all the positions funded under this award. Are the values and principles, as set forth in the RFR, integrated into the job descriptions? Are they written in such a way as to ensure all staff know their responsibilities? Is the staffing pattern consistent with the program’s commitments and goals? Fully reflected in the program budget description?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3—Minimally acceptable; specifications barely meet service needs 4 to 8—Fair 9 to 15—Good 16 to 20—Excellent; detailed job descriptions that address not only job duties but consistency with values statements; ample staff to meet expectations of the contract

Question 6: Staff Recruitment and Development (0 to 10 points) Maximum 1 page

Please describe how you will recruit, screen, select and retain qualified staff. The bidder should explain how it will manage staff hiring during the initial service delivery period; must identify how they will ensure consumer safety when screening and selecting staff; and provide information about the agency’s ability to retain qualified staff.

In addition, describe how you will identify staff training needs and support the continued professional development of all staff including; CEU and other professional certification and licensure requirement.

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3—Minimally acceptable; little understanding of providing adequate responses to emergency situations 4 to 6—Fair 7 to 8—Good 9 to 10—Excellent; bidder has described a comprehensive emergency response system

Question 7: Quality Assurance Systems (0 to 10 points Maximum 1 page Please describe your organization’s system for Quality Assurance.

Assess the quality and comprehensiveness of the bidder’s proposed QA system.

0—Not acceptable 1 to 3—Minimally acceptable 4 to 6—Fair 7 to 8—Good 9 to 10—Excellent; comprehensive system

Question 8: Budget Adequacy (0 to 15 points) The financial information included will be used to determine if the overall proposed budget, including both personnel and non-personnel items, are sufficient to fund the proposed services.

0—Not acceptable 1 to 4—Minimally acceptable 5 to 8—Fair 9 to 12—Good 13 to 15—Excellent; bidder’s budget is reasonable and detailed back-up is provided; the goals and objectives of the program can clearly be met with the requested funding.

Question 9: Cost Effectiveness (0 to 25 points) The financial information included will be used to determine if the budget presented is cost-effective (expenses are reasonable and necessary).

Assess the cost effectiveness of the program. Are there either funds requested or components of the budget that appear to be excessive?

0—Not acceptable 1 to 4—Minimally acceptable 5 to 11—Fair 12 to 19—Good 20 to 25—Excellent; funding is clearly economically matched to specific services; the program will be very cost effective

Question 10: Third Party Revenue (0 to 15 points) Maximum 1 page Please describe your ability to collect Medicaid, Medicare and other third party reimbursements as an offset to DDS-funded program expenses. Please describe specific success you have had in this area.

Assess the bidder’s ability to collect third-party reimbursement for this program and how it is reflected in the program budget.

0—Not acceptable 1 to 4—Minimally acceptable 5 to 8—Fair 9 to 12—Good 13 to 15—Excellent; some very creative and practical strategies for third party revenue are incorporated into the proposal.

Question 11: Supplier Diversity Declaration Form (5 points)

Submission did not address SDP requirements (0 points) Form satisfactorily addresses requirements (5 points)

9.0 Instructions for Submission of Responses

All responses to be submitted electronically using the online submission tools available to Vendors registered in COMMBUYS. There is no charge to register in COMMBUYS. To Register go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page.

All Quotes must be received by the Department of Public Health before the specified date, month, year and time of the Bid Opening Date displayed on COMMBUYS. Times are Eastern Standard/Daylight Savings (US), as applicable.

All Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for submission by considering potential online submission impediments like Internet traffic, Internet connection speed, file size, and file volume. DPH is not responsible for delays encountered by Bidders or their agents, or for a Bidder’s local hardware failures, such as computers or related networks, associated with bid compilation or submission. Bids submitted via COMMBUYS are time stamped by the COMMBUYS system clock which is considered the official time of record.

Electronic Signatures Quotes submitted via COMMBUYS must be signed electronically by the Bidder or the Bidder’s Agent by accepting the terms and conditions of the bid on the “Terms & Conditions” tab in COMMBUYS. Bidders do this by selecting “Save & Continue” on the “Terms and Conditions” tab after accepting the terms and conditions of the bid. By agreeing to this the submitter attests that s/he is an agent of the Bidder with authority to sign on the Bidder’s behalf, and that s/he has read and assented to each document’s terms.

Ink Signatures The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires Contractors to submit original ink-signature versions of the following forms if a) the contractor has never done business with the state or b) there has been a change in a contractors legal name, legal address, federal tax identification number or financial banking institution or account information:

· Commonwealth Terms and Conditions (If not already on file with the Comptroller)

· Request for Taxpayer Identification and Verification (Mass. Substitute W9 Form) (If not already on file with the Comptroller)

· Electronic Funds Transfer Sign Up Form (If not already on file with the Comptroller) Bidders who agreed to the terms and conditions of these forms electronically via COMMBUYS online Quote submission tool must still submit the above forms with ink signatures..

File Format and Naming Conventions Scanned documents will be accepted and must be scanned in such a way that they can be read on a computer monitor and printed on 81/2” x 11” paper, unless otherwise specified. Zipped files will be accepted and must be in a .zip format when saved. Other zip file formats will not be accepted.

All attachments that are uploaded in COMMBUYS must include the company name of the Bidder and the RFR number.

10.0 COMMBUYS Support

The following resources are provided to assist Bidders in submitting proposal:

Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

Bidders are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled maintenance hours of which all users will be notified.

11.0 Other Requirements Pertaining to this RFR:

CORI Requirements: In accordance with EOHHS policy, an individual's background, including any CORI and other relevant information, must be carefully considered so that the vulnerable populations served by EOHHS are protected. It is also EOHHS policy that qualified rehabilitated offenders are given a fair opportunity to be employed and successfully reintegrated into the workforce. In accordance with this policy, prior to any work engagement, the awarded Contractor shall obtain a Standard (Employer) Access Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check on any and all individual employees who are to enter public offices of the Commonwealth or provide services to any Hiring Entity of the Commonwealth. The awarded Contractor must 1) utilize the Internet-Accessible CORI (iCORI) system maintained by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) to request and receive CORI in accordance with 801 CMR 2.00 et seq. and 2) comply with the EOHHS CORI check regulations, 101 CMR 15.00 et seq. in reviewing CORI and in documenting its hiring determination as set forth in 101 CMR 15.09. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the awarded Contractor.

National Background Check: Pursuant to Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, employees of awarded bidders are subject to requirements of National Background Checks. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the awarded Contractor/s. Additional information is available by contacting the National Background Check unit at DDS.NationalBackgroundUnit@MassMail.State.MA.US.

Amendments to BID The Department reserves the right to make amendments to the Bid after the initial publication. It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for any amendments, addenda or modifications to this Bid. DDS and the Commonwealth accept no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit a quote based on an out-of-date Bid or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

Supplier Diversity Program (SDP): The Supplier Diversity Program (formerly known as Affirmative Market Program) was established in September, 2010 via Executive Order 524 to promote equality in the state contracting market by ensuring full participation of minority and women owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) in all areas of state contracting including construction, design, goods and services. The Executive Order consolidates the State Office of Minority and Women Assistance (SOMWBA) and Affirmative Market Program (AMP) into a new Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) that is part of the Operational Services Division. Similarly, Executive Order 546 established the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE) Program to encourage the participation of businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans in all areas of state procurement and contracting, thereby including them in the SDP. The essence of both Executive Orders is to provide policies to promote the award of state contracts in a manner that develops and strengthens certified Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (SDVOBEs), because a diverse business community strengthens the economy and is beneficial to all of the citizens of the state.

The Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan Commitment & Declaration of SDP Partner(s) form can be found at the COMMBUYS Bid Solicitation.

The SDP plan counts for 10% of the total proposal review score. Unless there are documented extenuating circumstances, no contract will be executed with a provider unless a percentage commitment of the contract amount has been made with at least one SDP-certified business.

Business Associate Agreement: The awarded Bidder may be considered a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and therefore subject to HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. If a covered entity, the awardee will be required to sign a Business Associates Agreement which will be part of the final contract document.

Prompt Payment Discounts (PPD) All bidders responding to this procurement are strongly encouraged to participate in the Commonwealth Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) initiative for receiving early and/or on-time payments. PPD benefits both contractors and the Commonwealth. Contractors benefit by increased, usable cash flow as a result of fast and efficient payments for commodities or services rendered. Participation in the Electronic Funds Transfer initiative further maximizes the benefits with payments directed to designated accounts, thus eliminating the impact of check clearance policies and traditional mail lead time or delays. The Commonwealth benefits because contractors reduce the cost of products and services through the applied discount. Payments that are processed electronically can be tracked and verified through the Comptroller’s Vendor Web system. The PPD form can be found on the OSD Forms page and in this solicitation at the COMMBUYS Bid Solicitation.

image2.png image2.jpeg image1.png