PAC_Solicitation_edited_5_8_15_(2)cbEdits5-7.docx

Contents

End Stage Renal Disease Network

CMS-2012-CONTRACTOR-DQC

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Renewal

Post-Acute Care Training HHSM-500-2015-RFP-0119

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The Post-Acute Care (PAC) and other related program settings require ongoing training for providers and stakeholders in order to ensure accurate and up-to-date assessment, coding and data submission into CMS systems for payment and/or information gathering purposes, as applicable, and to assist in the development of quality measures for these settings. With the passing of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act), there will be many areas of data collection, date submission, etc., that providers and stakeholders will have to receive training on. In addition, continued Hospice quality reporting program training and other related PAC program area training will need to be addressed.

B.2 TYPE OF CONTRACT

The Government contemplates award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF).

B.3 ESTIMATED COST-PLUS-FIXED FEE (CPFF)

The Contractor shall be paid on a monthly basis upon its submission of complete and acceptable voucher/invoices. The fixed fee portion of the effort shall be divided equally between each of the 12 months of the base year.

A. Base Period, TBD The total estimated cost of this contract is $TBD. The fixed fee is $TBD. The total estimated cost plus fixed fee of this contract is $TBD.

The Contractor shall be paid the fixed fee in accordance with the following schedule:

Payment of withholding (15% or $100,000 whichever is less) to be made in the final invoice, upon completion of close-out audit.

If the Government elects to exercise its options (refer to Section I, FAR 52-217-9) option periods shall be funded by modification(s) to this contract signed by the Contracting Officer.

A. Option I, TBD

The parties hereto agree that upon issuance of a modification exercising Option I, the following consideration shall be made to the contract schedule.

The total estimated cost of this option is $TBD. The total fixed fee of this option is $TBD. The total cost plus fixed fee of this option is $TBD.

The Contractor shall be paid the fixed fee in accordance with the following schedule:

Payment of withholding (15% or $100,000 whichever is less) to be made in the final invoice, upon completion of close-out audit.

B. Option II, TBD

The parties hereto agree that upon issuance of a modification exercising Option II, the following consideration shall be made to the contract schedule.

The total estimated cost of this option is $TBD. The total fixed fee of this option is $TBD. The total cost plus fixed fee of this option is $TBD.

The Contractor shall be paid the fixed fee in accordance with the following schedule:

Payment of withholding (15% or $100,000 whichever is less) to be made in the final invoice, upon completion of close-out audit.

C. Option III, TBD

The parties hereto agree that upon issuance of a modification exercising Option III, the following consideration shall be made to the contract schedule.

The total estimated cost of this option is $TBD. The total fixed fee of this option is $TBD. The total cost plus fixed fee of this option is $TBD.

The Contractor shall be paid the fixed fee in accordance with the following schedule:

Payment of withholding (15% or $100,000 whichever is less) to be made in the final invoice, upon completion of close-out audit.

B.4 WITHHOLDING OF FEE

In accordance with FAR 52.216-8, entitled "FIXED FEE:"

a) The Government shall pay the Contractor for performing this contract the fixed fee specified in the Schedule.

b) Payment of the fixed fee shall be made as specified in the Schedule, provided that after payment of 85% of the fixed fee, the Contracting Officer may withhold further payment of fee until a reserve is set aside in an amount that the Contracting Officer considers necessary to protect the Government's interest. This reserve shall not exceed 15% of the total fixed fee or $100,000, whichever is less.

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK/SERVICES

I. Background

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for training providers and stakeholders on data collection practices and data submission accuracy.

Providers using the assessment tools identified below must be kept abreast of any changes in data collection and/or data submission procedures and practices in order to submit accurate, quality data to CMS. The purpose of this contract is to assess training needs, develop training materials, deliver training to providers and stakeholders, and to evaluate the outcome of the trainings for changes and clarification needed due to the passing of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act) and will also support the training needs of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program and other post-acute care program related training needs.

Minimum Data Set (MDS):

To meet the requirements of Section 1819 of the Social Security Act (SSA), which states that, “A skilled nursing facility must conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident’s functional capacity…,” the Secretary of Health and Human Services has designed the Resident assessment Instrument (RAI) as the required assessment.

The Federally-mandated data collection tool, referred to as the Minimum Data Set (MDS), is a component of the RAI. Consistent with SSA requirements, the MDS:

(ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under Subsection f)(6)(A);

(iii) uses an instrument which is specified by the State under subsection €(5);…” Additionally, the MDS meets the SSA requirement that the Secretary shall”(A) not later than January 1, 1989, specify a MDS of core elements and common definitions for use by nursing facilities in conducting the assessments required under subjection (b)(3), and establish guidelines for utilization of the data set;…”

As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revise MDS items, stakeholders will need to be trained regarding these changes to the RAI. Currently, the Division of Nursing Homes (DNH) is leading this effort; however, the Contractor will support these efforts as necessary and determined by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), regarding subject matter expertise advice, collaboration with DNH and other CMS components as necessary, and as directed by the COR.

Quality Reporting Programs for Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Hospices:

To meet the requirements of Section 1886(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 ww(m)); Section 1886(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(j)), and Section 1814(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(i)), LTCHs, IRFs, and Hospices will submit quality data to the Secretary. Failure to report quality data will result in a two percentage point reduction to these providers.

To report this quality data, LTCH providers will use the LTCH Care Data Set. IRF providers will use the item set(s) that has been added to the IRF-PAI, and Hospice will use the Hospice Item Set. Thus, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes that stakeholders will need to be trained regarding the data collection and submission required for each setting.

This project supports the activities associated with IMPACT Act of 2014 which requires the replacement of dissimilar data elements in CMS’s post-acute care’s legacy assessment instruments with uniform, standardized data elements and scales. Specifically, Sec. 1899B(a)(1) states, “In General. The Secretary shall (A) require under the applicable reporting provisions post-acute care providers…to report—(i) standardized patient assessment data in accordance with subsection (b); (ii) data on quality measures under subsection (c)(1); and (iii) data on resource use and other measures under subsection (d)(1); (b) require data described in subparagraph (A) to be standardized and interoperable so as to allow for the exchange of such data among such post-acute care providers and other providers….” In addition, Sec. 1899B.(a)(1)(C) stipulates, “in accordance with subsections (b)(1) and (c)(2), modify PAC assessment instruments…to (i) provide for the submission of standardized patient assessment data under this title with respect to such providers; and (ii) enable comparison of such assessment data across all such providers to whom such data are applicable.”

Furthermore, Section 1819 of the Social Security Act (1987), under (a) Skilled Nursing Facility (3)(A), states that “A skilled nursing facility must conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity, which assessment—… (ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under subsection (f) (6)(A); (iii) uses an instrument which is specified by the State under subsection (e)(5); …”. It further states in Section 1819 (f) (6) (A) that “Specification of resident assessment data set and instruments—The Secretary shall—(A) not later than January 1, 1989, specify a minimum data set of core elements and common definitions for use by nursing facilities in conducting the assessments required under subsection (b)(3), and establish guidelines for utilization of the data set;…” The Secretary designated the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) as the required assessment. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a component of the RAI. As MDS items are revised, stakeholders will need to be trained regarding these changes to the RAI. The Contractor will be supporting, through the Division of Chronic and Post-Acute Care, the Division of Nursing Homes in their development of training on the Minimum Data Set (MDS).

Moreover, to meet the requirements of Section 1886(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 WW(m)); Section 1886(j) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww (j)), and Section 1814(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(i)), LTCHs, IRFs and Hospices will submit quality data to the Secretary. Failure to report quality data will result in a two percentage point reduction for these providers.

To report this quality data, LTCH providers will use the LTCH Continuity Assessment Record Evaluation (CARE) Data Set; IRF providers will use the item sets that are added to the IRF Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) and Hospice will use the Hospice Item Set in their respective means of assessing patients. Thus, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes that providers and other stakeholders may have clinically-related coding questions and manual or policy clarification issues that need to be answered to properly collect and submit data for each post-acute care setting and other post-acute care programs. This contract intends to fulfill these needs through the mode of different training venues.

Furthermore, this project also supports the administration of the Quality Improvement Organizations Program (QIO). The Social Security Act, as set forth in Part B of Title XI-Section 1862(g), established the Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization Program, now known as the Quality Improvement Organizations Program. The statutory mission of the QIO Program is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. This project will ensure that providers have opportunities to learn about and successfully implement the quality measure data that will be used to fulfill the mandatory data collection and submission requirements.

Moreover, the work under this contract aligns with the work and mission under Section 3004 of Health Care Reform H.R. 3590, quality Reporting for Long-Term Care Hospitals, Inpatient Rehabilitation hospitals, and Hospice Programs amending Sections 1886(j)(m) and l814(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395).

These efforts will contribute to three CMS Strategy Goals of (1) better care and lower costs, (2) prevention and population health, and (3) enterprise excellence.

A. Purpose The purpose of this action is to procure services of an organization to develop and maintain MDS, LTCHs, IRF, Hospice, and other related program training materials for the collection and submission of data for related assessment instruments or for these quality reporting programs in order to educate internal and external stakeholders that represent the approximate 16,000 nursing homes, 440 LTCHs, 1200 IRFs, and 4103 Hospices nationwide. The training may reflect changes regarding items, quality measures, indicators, payment and survey requirements, coding, and data submission requirements. Training materials will be specific to each individual post-acute care setting.

This training contract will support the fulfillment of the Goals 1, 2, and 4 of the CMS Strategy: (1) better care and lower costs; (2) prevention and population; and, (4) enterprise excellence.

B. Technical Considerations The Contractor’s work has consistently met the following evaluation criteria as outlined in this original SOW:

a. Understanding of the SOW and Technical Approach: A clear understanding of the expanded needs for post-acute care and other related program training topics.

1. Develop, design, and author new and /or revised post-acute care IMPACT Act specific and other related program training materials in 504/508 compliant form for presentation at training events in an approved adult style learning method(s) appropriate for venue chosen, using ‘Train the Trainer’ models for specified trainings. Training venues will be varied, including on-site conference type training.

2. Develop clinically-based training materials from subject matter experts and program lead input, verifying all information for accuracy, clarity, etc.

3. Develop clinically-based training materials for all PAC and other related programs which will include data submission and coding applicable to each PAC or other related program setting.

4. Licensed Registered Nurse (Key Personnel) will review existing PAC program manuals, guides, and training materials, researching as necessary, to identify needed areas of training and, working with the Instructional Designers, assure all training materials are clinically accurate.

5. Coordinate, communicate, and/or procure with other vendors/subcontractors as necessary to make/secure all logistical arrangements for each training event which may include an advertising campaign for the public and stakeholders, all as noted in SOW.

6. Provide expert speakers for public/provider audience training sessions, as needed.

7. Be on site physically for all PAC training events for coordination and delivery purposes, registration, evaluations, etc.

8. Complete all tasks and deliverables on time as noted in the SOW/SOD.

b. Developing and regularly updating appropriate project plans, using a critical path, network diagrams, and Gantt charts, developing and coordinating a project timeline across all PAC and related program settings that support the needs of CMS and are adequate in meeting the needs of unforeseen priorities, any legislative mandates, and meeting any key milestones. Fulfilling all requirements listed in the SOW and SOD in a timely manner.

c. Providing resumes/curricula vita for each staff member, consultant, and subcontractor and confirming the level of manpower needed to fulfill the tasks and deliverables of this contract. Credentials and relevant recent experience shall be provided for proposed personnel. Key Personnel, with their qualifications, credentials, and resumes shall be listed along with the level of effort per year each will be providing on the contract.

d. Providing a management work plan, regularly updating as necessary, listing lines of authority, responsibility, and communication in general as they pertain specifically to each task. Roles and responsibilities of each project team member shall be provided along with an organizational chart. Policies, procedures, and mechanisms for identifying and addressing any problems and/or necessary changes within the structure of the work plan and the contract shall be provided. Said work plan shall address bottlenecks/barriers/risks and a mitigation plan for overcoming each bottleneck, barrier and/or risk. Resource and level of effort for each task and subtask, including staff hours, skill mix, and other resources required shall be provided.

II. Requirements Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, materials, equipment , and facilities not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the requirements of this Statement of Work.

A. Requirements/Tasks To Be Performed Training represents those activities associated with researching, developing, authoring, editing, attending, and/or presenting information/materials to be used by stakeholder groups that describe, instruct, educate, or clarify instructions relative to the post-acute care and other related program settings as mentioned in this SOW. Training uses time-tested methodologies and practices, developed and delivered in approved adult learning styles. The contractor shall research and suggest new innovative ways to present and/or develop training materials which could be used in developing future training materials and/or delivering trainings all with prior approval of the COR. The Contractor shall perform these activities in a manner that maximizes resources and produces the most effective, efficient, and economical results for the Government.

1. The Contractor shall:

A. Furnish the necessary services and qualified personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the requirements set forth in this Statement of Work as indicated in each individual Task.

B. Provide CMS with complete and accurate, up-to-date information on all activities related to training and this contract upon request and in the timeframe specified.

C. Perform requirements as defined in this SOW in accordance with applicable Medicare laws, Medicare regulations, Medicare manuals, healthcare.gov. directives, the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), Government Auditing Standards (GAS), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Act of 1990, and others as may be identified herein or by the COR.

D. Continuously evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and validity of all actions.

E. Report in accordance with deliverables listed and the deliverables listed in the SOW under “Schedule of Deliverables” (SOD).

F. Furnish an annual self-assessment report to COR.

G. Furnish a Zip file, or other CMS approved electronic format compatible with all CMS systems, of all deliverables and files for each contract year as requested by COR.

Deliverable #34: Annual Assessment Report

2. Coordination:

The Contractor’s success in developing and supporting accurate and reliable training materials depends on a close and coordinated, collaborative working relationship with any subcontractors/consultants and between CMS components and external organizations (both Federal and non-Federal). The Contractor and its partners shall work together and communicate frequently in order to keep each other appraised of potential areas of vulnerability and to avoid duplication of efforts, all in keeping within the Level of Effort (LOE), man hour requirements, and budgetary restraints negotiated with this contract. The Contractor shall work and coordinate with, as necessary, external entities including, but not limited to, State Agencies, professional associations and organizations, as well as internal CMS components and other stakeholders, as designated by the COR, in order to coordinate all training activities. The Contractor will be able to coordinate any overlapping tasks and deliverables, including possible ad hoc deliverables, within the various PAC and other settings that may have conflicting deliverable dates and/or milestones to be met, that will still enable successful completion of all requirements and sub-requirements within strict time constraints.

3. Deliverables:

Timely deliverables are critical to the success of the contract. Timely is defined as the deliverables being received by all parties, in final 504/508 compliant form, by the due date referenced in the SOD. For email deliverable submissions, the received date is the date the deliverable is emailed by the Contractor to the recipient(s). If the Contractor anticipates problems with a deliverable, they should take steps to forward the deliverables earlier than the due date so that problems can be resolved prior to the due date. The Contractor shall submit to the COR at the end of each contract year a zip file, or other electronic format requested by the COR, the format being compatible with CMS software, containing all the deliverables listed in the Schedule of Deliverables of this SOW.

Deliverable #35: Zip File of All Deliverables and Files for each contract year Task 1. Project Management Plan (PMP):

The Contractor shall develop and submit a Project Management Plan, a Work Breakdown Schedule, Critical Path, and Gantt Chart, that includes all post-acute care and other related programs listed in this SOW, using Microsoft Project. The plan shall define milestones, resources, and constraints of the project (such as overlapping tasks and deliverables, conflicting deliverable dates, etc.), proposed mitigation strategies, and address how the Contractor proposes to perform the work described in the SOW.

The Contractor shall submit both a draft and final Project Management Plan. The draft and final plans shall include the information described above and shall be submitted in electronic format monthly and according to the due date(s) in the SOD.

All project plans shall be modified and updated continuously after these initial submissions to reflect any major changes in the project. A major change is defined as something that shifts with the work or plan by at least 5 business days. When changes are identified, a draft project plan will be submitted for review within 24 hours of identifying the change. The COR will provide comments and the final revised plan will be due after receipt of COR comments as delineated in the SOD.

The draft and final Project Management Plans shall include, at a minimum, the following:

a. Work breakdown schedule

b. Critical path from beginning to completion of each task

c. Gantt chart view

d. Key milestones signifying successful completion of each activity and periodic internal assessment/progress reports planned

e. Activity interdependency

f. An addendum including personnel assigned to each task and level of effort expected to be expended for that task. For completed tasks, level of effort charged to each employee shall be noted and should correspond to the level of effort noted on the monthly status sheets and monthly invoices more clearly delineated in this SOW.

Deliverable #1: Draft Project Management Plan for each Post-Acute Care setting and related programs Deliverable #2: Final Project Management Plan for each PAC setting and related programs Task 2. Kickoff Meeting A Kickoff Meeting shall be arranged by the COR and held no later than 20 business days after contract award between the Contractor and CMS COR, program leads, and other CMS stakeholders involved in the day-to-day managing of the contract. The Contractor shall work with the CMS COR and other CMS personnel, as necessary, to develop a draft Project Management Plan to present at the Kickoff Meeting. A copy of the draft Project Management Plan shall be sent to all meeting attendees no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting. The Kickoff Meeting shall include at a minimum the following information:

2.1 The Contractor will provide a list and timeline of all deliverables necessary to ensure completion of the activities described in the SOW. The timeline will be in the form of a draft Microsoft Project worksheet(s). The draft list will include all deliverables, deliverable dates, and key personnel assigned to each task with LOE for each.

2.2 Milestones shall be discussed, agreed upon, and confirmed.

2.3 Key personnel and their assigned tasks and LOE will be confirmed.

2.4 Reporting expectations will be clearly defined and confirmed by CMS.

2.5 General contract expectations will be discussed, along with any concerns, issues, or clarification needed by either party.

Deliverable #3: KickOff Meeting Task 3. Required Weekly Meetings and Reports

3.1 Weekly Status Meetings (audio conference): The Contractor shall schedule weekly or bi-weekly (as determined by COR) contractor status meetings on the progress of tasks/deliverables, recurring as noted in the SOW. Attendees will include the COR, program lead(s), subject matter experts (SMEs), and other key stakeholders approved by the COR. A toll-free audio conference line will be provided by the Contractor (one toll-free 1-800 line per call maximum).

3.1.1 The Contractor shall develop an agenda for each meeting and send out to all meeting attendees no later than 24 hours prior to the start of each meeting.

3.1.2 The Contractor shall take notes at each status meeting and send out draft meeting notes to all meeting attendees no later than one (1) business day after each meeting. If attendees have any edits or concerns with accuracy of the meeting notes, they shall ‘reply to all’ in track changes no later than 24 hours after the meeting notes have been received. The final edited copy of the meeting notes shall be attached to the next upcoming weekly status meeting but no later than 4 business days after the meeting.

3.2 Weekly Forecast Report: The Contractor shall provide a weekly forecast report of all scheduled and anticipated tasks and deliverables, broken down by task, including at a minimum:

3.2.1 Personnel assigned to each task and LOE assigned and expended

3.2.2 Anticipated and/or completed start/finish dates

3.2.3 Mitigation strategy for each anticipated risk and late delivery/submission for the coming week

3.2.4 Roadblocks noted and mitigation strategy to resolve them

3.3.5 Projected new timeline for risks and late items

Deliverable #4: Arrange, coordinate, and attend Weekly Status Meetings Deliverable #5: Develop and send out agenda Deliverable #6: Minutes, draft Deliverable #7: Minutes, final Deliverable #8: Provide Weekly Forecast Report Task 4. Required Monthly Reports: All monthly reports must have a cover sheet with the following information: 1) Contractor’s name, address, and phone number, contract number, report number and current date (including deliverable number), title, month report is for, and period of performance of the contract. The Contractor shall develop a monthly report for the previous month listing, at a minimum and broken down by tasks:

4.1 Monthly Status Reports:

4.1.1 Accomplishments and/or deliverables for the month, personnel assigned and LOE for each

4.1.2 Ongoing tasks, personnel assigned and LOE for each

4.1.3 Items/Deliverables listed in PMP on time

4.1.4 Items/Deliverables listed in PMP late or at risk

4.1.5 Mitigation strategy for late or at risk items/deliverables

4.2 Monthly Financial Reports: The Contractor shall develop a monthly financial report, for financials from the previous month, to be sent via email to the COR as delineated in the SOD. The monthly financial report will include at a minimum (broken down by task):

4.2.1 Personnel assigned to each task and LOE expended for each

4.2.2 Percent contract dollar allocation and percent used for the month

4.2.3 Yearly dollar contract allocation and dollar amount used for the month

4.2.4 Remaining dollar balance of yearly allocation

4.2.5 Remaining percent dollar balance of yearly allocation

4.2.6 Budget totals for each task, and total for all tasks

4.2.7 Grand totals

Deliverable #9: Monthly Status Reports Deliverable #10: Monthly Financial Reports

Task 5. Development and Delivery of Training Materials: Development of training materials shall include, but not be limited to:

5.1. Review existing CMS PAC and other related program manuals, guides, and training materials, researching as necessary to identify needed areas of training to include making updates, revisions, additions , and omissions necessary to keep the content current and accurate, based on current accepted clinical practices and consistent with CMS policies, procedures, and regulations. Specifically, due to the passing of the IMPACT Act in 2014, any and all changes mandated by this Act shall be incorporated into all applicable training materials. The contractor shall:

5.2. Develop and author new training materials conducive to an approved adult learning style method (ex., ADDIE), appropriate for the venue chosen, using interactive content where possible, and approved by COR and program lead(s) for each scheduled training session.

Certification Group (SCG) to be used for SCG State RAI Coordinator and survey Training events, at the direction of the COR.

5.3. Refer to all CMS program manuals to be used, verify information obtained from other entities, verify accuracy of information to be presented in training documents/sessions, clarify any issues to be included in training sessions at a minimum for all training materials development and delivery to produce accurate, up-to-date training products and tools.

5.4 Develop training materials for trainers and end-users for all post-acute care (PAC) and other related programs to include, but not be limited to, use of a variety of media for CMS consideration such as 508 compliant video clips, quizzes, demonstrations, role play, interactive Q&A sessions, etc. Media format to be approved by COR and Program Lead(s). Government 504 compliance laws must also be adhered to.

5.5 Develop training materials for all PAC and other related programs, particularly training that is required as a result of the changes in the patient/resident assessments that will occur as CMS implements the various assessment-related requirements under the IMPACT Act. This will also include training on data collection processes , data submission processes and coding for all PAC settings, including the Hospice quality reporting program and other reporting requirements needed for all PAC and other related settings.

5.6. Develop training materials for new CMS initiatives relating to all PAC and other related programs to be completed during the course of the contract, within specified timelines and adhering to statutory deadlines, and in accordance with the specifications noted in this SOW.

5.7 Using the newest training venues and materials available and with prior approval of the CMS COR and program lead(s), develop new, innovative initiatives for training products and materials for all PAC and other related programs within the confines of the contract’s budgetary parameters.

5.8 Develop training materials in 508 Government compliant electronic form to be disseminated to training session attendees and posting on the web. Government 504 regulations shall be adhered to.

Deliverable #11: Report of review, research, and identified training needs Deliverable #12: 1st Draft of new training materials Deliverable #13: 2nd Draft of new training materials Deliverable #14: Develop final training package Deliverable #15: Submit proposal of media type(s) to be used for training Deliverable #16: Reports of developing new, innovative training venues and materials Deliverable #17: Final copies of training materials and provide copies as necessary Task 6. Communications:

6.2. Provide expert speakers for public/provider audience training sessions to include no more than (1) two teleconferences per PAC program per contract year; (2) one webinar per PAC program per contract year; (3) one web-based training session per PAC program; and, no more than two on-site national training event per year per PAC or other related programs, completely compliant with all CMS 504 and 508 compliance guidelines, per contract year and for posting on cms.gov. Prior approval of COR and program lead required.

6.4. Coordinate professionally and successfully, in a good working relationship(s) with SMEs, CMS components, other Government agencies, and external organizations in support of accurate and reliable training materials and content, advice given, and services, needed, etc.

6.5. Communicate, via teleconference or email with internal/external stakeholders (one group teleconference or one group email) no less than 1x per week during development and arrangement of training deliverables. The results of these communications shall be noted and/or discussed during weekly status meetings as appropriate to ensure appraisal of potential areas of vulnerability and to avoid duplication of efforts. Communications with external stakeholders, other Government agencies, and SMEs must be approved by COR/Program Lead prior to contact.

6.6 Coordinate with other vendors to provide video-taping (with YouTube posting), web-streaming services/products, and audio conferencing at each training event (any venue) as appropriate to each venue and approved by COR. Additional services added to be approved by COR during training development phase. For all applicable trainings, a bonafide State certified or NCRA certified court reporter/closed captioner is required to be present at all applicable presentations (e.g., video tapings). Proof of such certification will be required prior to contracting an individual for closed-captioning purposes.

6.7. For all training events, with prior approval of COR, coordinate and communicate with other parties to arrange for all logistics for training, marketing/advertising arrangements, invitations to attendees, registration of attendees, and creation of attendee list, development of conference agendas, identification and confirmation of expert presenters, creation of an attendee evaluation form for after training assessment of speakers and materials used, etc., all to be coordinated with COR and Program Leads.

Deliverable #18: Draft of developed advertising campaign for each training event Deliverable #19: Register and list of attendees for training event Deliverable #20: Written confirmation of all logistics and services for each training event Deliverable #21: Written confirmation of expert speakers provided for each training event Deliverable #22: Written confirmation of presenters for each training event Deliverable #23: Report of communications with internal/external stakeholders IAW Tasks 6.5, 6.6, 6.7 in SOW Task 7. Work Plan The contractor shall develop and maintain a work plan for each training event planned no less than 90 days prior to the event or within 5 business days after notification of a need for training by the COR and/or Program Lead, whichever is closer to the 90 day requirement. The work plan shall include, at a minimum:

7.5. Logistics required, including external contacts/organizations, and suggested venue(s)

7.8. Estimated budget including what resources can be recycled into other training events

7.12. Manuals required/to be used as a basis for the training development and needs from CMS Deliverable #24: Develop a work plan for each training event IAW 7.1-7.12 in SOW Task 8. Printed Materials:

8.1. If copying is less than 25,000 production units (single sided paper copies), the contractor may subcontract out for these copies (training materials, manuals, advertising brochures, etc.) using contract funds via a printing subcontract awarded by the Contractor, following all applicable criteria according to CMS’s Office of Acquisition and Grants Management contracting policy.

8.1.1. A requirement for a Contractor to duplicate less than 5,000 production units (color), or less than 25,000 production units (black and white), will not be deemed to be printing for the agency. Production units are the number of impressions. For example, a 2-sided document would equal 2 production units/impressions, and a single-sided document would only equal 1 production unit/impression.

8.1.2. When the request exceeds 25,000 production units for black and white or 5,000 color production units, the competitive bidding process of the Government Printing Office (GPO) must be used.

8.1.2.1. The Contractor shall provide the COR with print-ready artwork on electronic media, a complete set of laser printouts as a visual guide of the product and a completed GPO Form 952 “Desktop Publishing-Disk Information” (http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/customers/sfas/952.pdf).

8.1.2.2. In all circumstances, the CMS COR must be the requestor of print services via the Office of Operations Management (OOM). OOM shall issue an SF-1 or SPO Form 2511 to procure printing services through GPO, and will be the liaison with the GPO for the print needs.

8.1.2.3. Payment for the print work over the stated and specified units cannot come directly from contract funds.

8.1.2.4. The Contractor must be available to promptly correct any file creation errors discovered during the production process, at no cost to the Government.

8.2 Provide hard copies ( and/or other formats of training materials to conference attendees), if requested by CMS, including Evaluation Report Forms, in addition to complying with all Federal Government 504 requirements ( http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/section504.html) Deliverable #25: Printed Materials IAW Task 8 in SOW Deliverable #26: Hard copies (and other formats) of materials for training event attendees, including Evaluation Report Forms, IAW Task 8 of SOW and the request/approval of the COR, in 504 compliance Task 9. Assessment and Evaluation:

9.1. The Contractor shall assess each training event as follows:

9.1.1. After each training event, set up a separate 1-hour meeting to discuss with the COR, Program Lead(s), and SME’s, at a minimum, to assess the delivery and content of the training.

9.1.2. An evaluation report shall be submitted with suggestions for improvement, made known from this meeting, and other suggestions to mitigate any problem areas noted.

9.2. The Contractor shall summarize all evaluation forms that are returned from the training within 30 days of the training, submitting a report of those findings to the COR.

9.3. A meeting shall be set up to discuss and brainstorm the assessment of the training and the results of the evaluation forms to better improve future training events.

Deliverable #27: Set up and provide minutes of Training Event Assessment Meetings Deliverable #28: Evaluation Report of Training Event Assessment Meetings Deliverable #29: Summarization Report of Evaluation Form Results Deliverable #30: Setup and Minutes of Assessment & Evaluation Meetings after every training event Task 10. Ad Hoc Requests: Occasionally information, reports, special training events, or other special requests may be required on an ad hoc basis regarding Contractor’s activities. The Contractor shall provide such deliverables upon request, as indicated in the SOD.

10.1 Ad Hoc requests for information or reports shall not exceed two requests per program.

10.2 Ad Hoc requests for additional special training needs not covered in this SOW shall be limited to no more than one event per program.

10.3 Special total Ad Hoc requests should be budgeted for no more than a total of 5 percent of the negotiated contract award year and shall be reflected in a special Ad Hoc report to the COR. Ad Hoc requests that will exceed 5 percent of the negotiated contract must be approved by the COR and Contracting Officer prior to initiating any planning or development of such request

Key Personnel Requirements:

Having the appropriate skill mix is essential to completing the tasks outlined in this Statement of Work. This section lists the Key Personnel required to complete this work. The following positions are considered to be Key Personnel and cannot be replaced without prior approval of the CMS Contracting Officer (CO) and the CMS Contracting officer Representative (COR). The rough level of effort for each of these key staffers is estimated at 1800 hours per year (full time).

· Project Director – The project director has a minimum of 3 year’s experience managing multiple project resources, including human resources and finances. This experience shall be within the last 5 years. The Project Director must be PMP (Project Management Professional) certified or have an MBA degree.

· Project Manager(s), 2 total: The project manager(s) each shall have a minimum of 3 year’s experience managing a large project(s) in a health care setting, in a cross-setting functionality mode and possess an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in the business management field. The project manager(s) shall have documented experience using Microsoft Project software for a minimum of 2 years. At least one of the Project Managers must be PMP certified.

· Sr. Instructional Designer (minimum. 1,000 hours/year): The Sr. Instructional Designer shall have a BA or Master’s degree in Instructional Design from an accredited college or university and have a minimum of 5 years’ recent instructional design experience in the field, which shall include experience and/or documented knowledge in working with the subject areas of post-acute care or a related clinical field , and/or submission and collection of clinical data.

· Registered Nurse Consultant (minimum 500 hours/year): The RN Consultant must have 10+ years recent clinical experience in varied post-acute care settings (e.g., long term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, hospice, nursing home, home health, etc.) with a current RN…