Amendment_3.docx

HHSM-500-2016-RFP-0021

Amendment 000003 Responses to Solicitation Questions and Solicitation Amendments

AMENDMENT 000003

Please note the following updates to RFP MACRA document:

Standard Form (SF) 33 of the solicitation, the Continuation Sheet Period of Performance is revised to read: 11/30/2016 to 11/29/2016.

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.5 TRANSITION SERVICES is hereby replaced in its entirety to update a reference:

At the beginning and/or end of the contract, in the event that CMS requires transition services from the incumbent Contractor to a successor, the Contractor will participate in transition activities and submit a transition business and technical proposal when requested. Refer to Section H.13 and Section C.8 of the SOW for guidance. These services will be incorporated into the contract, if applicable.

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

The following changes are made to Attachment J.1, MACRA Quality Improvement Direct Technical Assistance SOW:

1. Under Section C.1 – Background, the second paragraph is revised.

2. Under Section C.3.2 Eligibility Requirements REVISE the first paragraph.

3. Replace Section C.3.4.4 – Customer Satisfaction, the second paragraph is replaced.

4. Replace Section C.3.4.1.1.2 – Customer Service Feedback Plan.

5. Section C.3.4.6 – Implementation of Quality Improvement Program is replaced in its entirety.

6. Section C.5.2 – Knowledge Management System page 25, second paragraph is REPLACED.

7. Under Section C.5.3 – Information Collection Activities, delete all references to surveys.

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS, the following list of attachments are hereby replaced:

J.1 Statement of Work

J.3 Estimated Eligible Clinician Dataset (2014)

J.11 Past Performance Questionnaire

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR QUOTERS

L.3 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE AND SMALL BUSINESS STANDARD is updated to reflect the appropriate NAICS code:

a. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541611.

b. The small business size standard is $15 million.

L.9 PROPOSAL DELIVERY is updated to read:

Offeror shall deliver the proposal to CMS no later than 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time (ET), August 8, 2016. Proposals shall be submitted via e-mail only to CMS MQIDTA designated mailbox: MQIDTA@cms.hhs.gov.

L.10 PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION is updated as follows:

a. Volumes - The following instructions will establish the acceptable minimum requirements for the format and contents of the proposal. The proposal shall be organized to clearly identify the files. All PDF files sent electronically shall contain bookmarks indicating each indexed section. Offerors must submit as follows:

August 8, 2016

August 8, 2016

August 8, 2016

August 8, 2016

August 8, 2016

L.12 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND TARGETED OUTCOMES (VOLUME I)

Section L.12.A.4 is hereby replaced:

Propose, at a minimum, the total % of providers in a proposed area of contiguous states/territories that meet the MIPS/APM enrollment requirements as stated in the legislation, that the offeror will successfully enroll and describe the approach and methodology to reach and/or engage the providers.

Section L.12.D first sentence is hereby replaced:

Identify % of eligible providers within the following categories and provide target numbers for the first six (6), nine (9), and twelve (12) months:

L.13 CORPORATE EXPERIENCE, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY AND KEY PERSONNEL (VOLUME II) letter H is hereby updated:

H. Identify the positions that will be assigned to manage performance and supervise the work and relevant experience, including anticipated level of effort (LOE) for each individual. (Note: Include a Letter of Commitment for each proposed Key Personnel and Other Recommended Staff who is/are not currently employed by your organization.)

L.15 PAST PERFORMANCE (VOLUME III) is Deleted and Replaced:

The Offeror shall demonstrate satisfactory performance on current and completed contracts within the last 3 years. For purposes of this section, contracts referenced shall be related to the SOW.

1. Definitions:

Relevant – Relevant past performance information is described in FAR 42.1501, General. For the purposes of this solicitation, ‘relevant’ is also past performance information which is similar in size, scope and complexity to this contract.

Significant Subcontractor – A subcontractor performing major or critical aspects of the requirements relevant to the prospective contract.

1. Instructions:

The Offeror and all its significant subcontractor(s) identified in the proposal are required to provide a summary to disclose all of the following for the past performance information with a period of performance end date within the last past 3 years of the date of this solicitation:

1. All CMS contracts/task orders greater than the simplified acquisition threshold

1. All relevant contracts/orders entered into with:

1. Other Federal Government Agencies,

1. State Agencies,

1. Local Governments, and

1. Commercial Customers

The Offeror’s and proposed significant subcontractor(s) summary shall provide the following information.

1. Customer or Agency

1. Contract number (if applicable);

1. Point of Contact (Contracting Officer or other for Commercial Contract);

1. Approximate total contract value;

1. Contract period of performance, by base and option year(s);

1. Description of contracted services/supplies; and,

1. Relevant (Y/N)

6. If the past performance is relevant, how the disclosed contract’s past performance information is relevant to the subject solicitation.

1. Additional Info: If performance was documented as less than satisfactory, the Offeror shall provide a summary of the identified issues, steps taken to resolve the problem and processes in place to improve future performance.

The below table should be used when providing a summary of the past performance information:

Offerors and proposed significant subcontractors without relevant Federal government past performance experience may ask customers to submit no more than three (3) Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) for the same or similar work directly to the Contracting Officer (See Attachment J.11). It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure timely return of any/all PPQs to the Contracting Officer in accordance with the proposal due date and time established within this solicitation. Contracts may include those entered into with the State/Local Governments and/or commercial customers.

All PPQs are due to CMS no later than August 8, 2016 11:00 am Eastern Time, and must be emailed to MQIDTA@cms.hhs.gov.

L.16 BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (VOLUME IV) is hereby replaced in its entirety:

A written business proposal is required for this contract. In order to adequately establish the reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost or price, the Offeror shall support their total cost or price with a functional Microsoft Excel spreadsheet breakdown of costs by SOW requirement by state and by year. The Offeror’s initial proposal shall contain the Offeror’s best terms from a cost/price standpoint.

The business proposal should be prepared for the period of performance identified in the statement of work. The business proposal must include supporting narrative documenting how the proposed costs were calculated, including underlying assumptions, rationale, pricing data, and any exhibits that provide direct evidence for cost rates (e.g. quotes, market surveys, historical data, and/or catalog prices). The business proposal shall include a detailed spreadsheet that outlines the following items by state and by year as it pertains to the work in the SOW:

Tab 1: Cover Letter and Table of Contents

A. A Cover Letter shall be included at the beginning of each volume which clearly identifies the RFP title, number, name of organization, identification of the proposal part, name of authorized negotiator(s) with their phone number(s) (including extension) and email address(es), and DUNS number of the organization. In addition, the Cover Letter for Volume IV shall include Base Period Cost, Option Years Costs and Total Cost.

B. Contract Form and Representation and Certifications. The SF-33 and the Representations and Certifications contained in Section K must be executed by an official authorized to bind the Offeror and provided by the Prime Contractor and subcontractors. In addition, Sections B, G and H of the RFP shall be completed where applicable.

C. Offerors shall include a Table of Contents that identifies and clearly labels the various business proposal sections. The cover letter shall include the names of organizations that make up the teaming arrangement. The cover letter shall also describe any assumptions made by the Offeror in preparing the business proposal.

Tab 2: Cost Breakdown

Offerors shall provide the following:

1. A summary sheet inclusive of all costs, FTEs, hours, period of performance for the proceeding budget categories per State. See example below:

Contract Title: _______________

Offeror: _____________________

State: _________

a. Labor:

b. Leave

$0

$0

c. Fringe Benefits

$0

$0

d. Subcontracts:

e. Travel

$0

$0

f. Other Direct Costs

$0

$0

g. Indirect Costs

$0

$0

h. Fee

$0

$0

TOTAL COSTS WITH FEE

$0

$0

1. For each proposal, provide the overall average cost per clinician and show how the cost was derived based on the level of effort associated with meeting individual clinician needs. Include at least the following items in your approach:

· Number of Clinicians

· Level of Need for each customer segment

· Annual level of effort (FTEs) for each customer segment

See example below:

State: ________

Total # of Clinicians:

1. Average annual cost per Clinician. See example below:

Offeror: ___________ Contract Title: __________________

Total Number of Clinicians (5-year total)

State: _________

Total:

State: _________

Total:

State: _________

Total:

Tab 3: Labor:

Include all position titles to be utilized in the contract. For each position, please show the number of labor hours multiplied by the hourly labor rate which equals the resultant total dollar amount. The Offeror shall use business proposal spreadsheets for all pricing of the MACRA Quality Improvement Direct Technical Assistance to indicate the levels of proposed costs. Offerors shall propose a cost breakdown per state, breakdown of costs by SOW Requirement, and shall assume that the contract is cost-plus-fixed-fee. The business proposal shall be submitted in an electronic version of the spreadsheet using Excel. Offerors also need to provide a PDF version of the complete business proposal. The Business Proposal is unlimited in page count.

Note: CMS is providing an estimated of the number of Eligible Providers in Attachment J.3 per state required to perform the work under the SOW. This is an estimate only and should not be construed to represent the total number of Eligible Providers that Offerors must utilize. Any exceptions taken from the estimate provided by CMS, should be explained as part of the assumptions included in the cover letter.

A. Leave

Please summarize your leave policy. All leave should be reported as part of the Fringe Benefit Rate or in your approved Indirect Cost Rate.

B. Fringe Benefits

For Fringe Benefits, if you have an approved provisional rate, it can serve as the justification for the Fringe Benefit expense. If you do not have an approved provisional rate, please justify the rate requested.

Tab 4: Subcontracts (as appropriate):

A. A statement as to the adequacy of the subcontractor’s accounting system, with supporting documentation. Include what agency made the determination of adequacy, and provide supporting documentation of the determination. If a subcontractor does not have an adequate accounting system, the subcontractor will be unable to be awarded cost reimbursement subcontracts until their accounting system is deemed adequate.

B. The Offeror shall include subcontract information to be evaluated when proposing subcontractors (i.e. name, labor rates, labor hours, etc.):

1) Appropriate cost or price analyses to establish the reasonableness of proposed subcontract prices

i. The Offeror’s cost detail shall also include the determination if the rates are fully loaded, travel costs [number of trips, purpose, per diem, airfare, mileage, means of travel, number of days and nights, lodging, & any miscellaneous costs/fees], volumes and unit costs for all Other Direct Costs, etc. For all Subcontracts, the Offeror shall use the subcontractor’s business proposal as supporting documentation. Essentially, the Consultant(s)/Subcontractor(s) must complete the same level of detail as the Prime.

2) Include the results of these analyses in the form of a subcontract negotiation memorandum reflecting:

· The principal elements of the subcontract price negotiations:

· The most significant considerations controlling establishment of initial or revised prices;

· The reason cost or pricing data were or were not required;

· The extent, if any, to which the Contractor relied on the subcontractor’s cost or pricing data in determining the price objective and in negotiating the final price;

· The extent to which it was recognized in the negotiations that the subcontractor’s cost and pricing data were not accurate, complete or current; the action taken by the Contractor and the subcontractor; and the effect of any such defective data on the total price negotiated;

· The reasons for any significant difference between the Contractor’s price objective and the price negotiated; and, C. Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data

D. A description of the extent to which price competition was obtained, or justification for its absence.

E. Statement as to whether the proposed subcontractor is on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs.

F. The Offeror shall furnish information concerning the need for such consultant services, copy of the consultant agreement, a description as to how the consultant was selected and the reasonableness of the fees to be paid. The Offeror shall include completed J.4, Consent to Subcontract forms as directed in section G.7 of the RFP.

Tab 5: Other Direct Costs (ODCs):

A. A separate schedule shall be provided for all ODCs. The Offeror shall also provide rationale for the need of each ODC. The Offeror should explain all calculations for the Other Direct Costs (ODC) by showing unit costs, volume details, and explain rationale of how they were determined. CMS must be able to crosswalk the proposed costs to the supporting documentation and proposed rationale. Offerors are asked to provide, but are not limited to:

· Specific price quotes;

· Market surveys;

· Historical data;

· Specific calculations used to estimate proposed costs;

· Previous billing statements/expense vouchers; and/or

· Catalog prices

B. Equipment and Property:

1) If additional equipment must be acquired, you must include in your business proposal the description and estimated cost of each item and whether you propose to furnish the item with your own funds.

2) It is the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) policy that contractors provide all equipment and facilities necessary for performance of the contract; however, in some instances, an exception may be granted to furnish government owned property or to authorize a purchase with contract funds.

a. You must identify all government-owned property in your possession and all property acquired from federal funds, to which you have title, which is proposed to be used in the performance of the prospective contract.

b. The management and control of government property must be in accordance with HHS Publication OS-686 entitled, "Contractor's Guide to Control of Government Property (1990)," which can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov/log/AgencyPolicy/HHSLogPolicy/contractorsguide.htm

Tab 6: Travel:

All travel cost proposed shall be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). An Excel spreadsheet shall be submitted that breaks down travel costs to include number of trips, mileage, per diem, air fare, number of travelers, destination, number of days/nights, price of rental car (if applicable), miscellaneous expense, etc.

Tab 7: Other Administrative Data:

a. Offeror shall include a statement indicating its’ Representations and Certifications are updated and current in the System for Award Management (SAM) as required in FAR 4.12. The web site for SAM is http://www.sam.gov.

b. Statement of Proposal Validity: Your proposal must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFP. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 270 days from the date specified for receipt of offers by the Government.

c. Approved Accounting and Estimating System: Offerors shall have a Government approved accounting systems that are in compliance with applicable Contract Cost Principles of FAR Part 31 as well as FAR Appendix A, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) in order to be considered for award of cost type contracts.

d. Uncompensated Overtime (FAR 52.237-10) – The Offeror is required to include a copy of its policy on “uncompensated overtime” with its proposal. Uncompensated overtime is defined as “hours worked without additional compensation in excess of an average of 40 hours per week by direct charge employees who are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.”

e. Responsibility Determination: The Contracting Officer will make a responsibility determination in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.1. The Offeror shall demonstrate the degree to which it has met each area of responsibility. The Offeror shall submit sufficient, current and adequate documentation that demonstrates the Offeror has addressed each area of responsibility below. If no information is available, Offerors shall state not-applicable. CMS will evaluate and assess the documentation and other available information in making a responsibility determination. The responsibility determination is not point-scored; however, it will be used as a factor in making a recommendation for contract award.

Offeror’s Financial Capability: Your proposal must indicate whether you have the necessary financial capacity, working capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source (If not, indicate the amount required and the anticipated source).

The Offeror must show the extent of firm commitments to use SB concerns, how the concern will be actively involved in tasks awarded under the resulting contract over its entire life, and the complexity and variety of the work the concerns would be expected to perform.

a) Specifically list and identify proposed SB concerns. Provide name of concern, address, point of contact and phone number.

b) The Extent of an Offeror’s Commitment to Use SB Concerns. Commitment should be as specific as possible, i.e. are subcontract arrangements already in place, letters of commitment, etc. In addition, The SB must provide proof of its certification as an SB.

c) The Complexity and Variety of the Work SBs Concerns Are to perform. Provide detail on the type of work the SB will be performing.

d) The extent of participation of SB concerns in terms of the value of the total acquisition. Targets expressed as dollars or percentage of total contract value for each SB participating will be incorporated into and become part of any resulting contract. Therefore, the extent of participation of all SB concerns in terms of the value of the total acquisition must be identified.

e) Ability to effectively manage and monitor subcontractors to include consideration for cost efficiency and cost effectiveness having numerous subcontractors.

Tab 8: Indirect Cost Rates Submission:

Indirect cost rates shall be based on twelve (12) month period of costs that represent the costs anticipated for the Offeror’s fiscal year period. When calculating the indirect cost rates, the Offeror should base their indirect rates on the budgeted cost for the first year of the contract and the out years, or develop forward pricing rates which must represent anticipated costs for each fiscal year of the proposal.

Indirect rates must include supporting documentation of budgeted and prior year actual cost by cost element for each pool and base and every indirect rate utilized by the Offeror. Include a breakdown of the base cost elements to identify direct labor and indirect labor (separately identifying OH, G&A, B&P, or unallowable, as applicable) for the fringe base. For the indirect rate base, include direct labor, applicable leave or fringe, based on the application of the rate proposed, subs travel, rent, etc. and the visibility of the other direct costs in the indirect base, as applicable.

The Indirect rate proposal must also include an explanation of what the rates are based on as to how they were determined. The Government will not instruct contractors how to budget their costs, however, in order to make a determination of fair and reasonable, the Government must know the basis of the indirect rates proposed.

Tab 9: Small Business Subcontracting Plan

Note: The requirement to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan is not applicable to Small Business Concerns responding to this solicitation.

In accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan incorporated by reference in RFP Section I, Offerors are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan for any contract that exceeds $700,000. In accordance with FAR 19.704, Subcontracting Plan Requirements, the subcontracting plan submitted shall be approved by the Contracting Officer and incorporated as Section J, Attachment J.5 of this contract and made a part hereof.

A. The term “subcontract” means any agreement (other than one involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government prime Contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services required for the performance of the original contract or subcontract.

B. The plan shall cover the entire contract period of performance and incorporate the CMS recommendations provided below:

1. Overall, for the total dollars subcontracted, 33% should be awarded to Small Businesses.

2. As a subset of the 33%, the following goals are recommended:

C. The Offeror understands that:

1. No contract will be awarded unless and until an acceptable plan is negotiated with the Contracting Officer which plan will be incorporated into the contract, as a material part thereof.

2. An acceptable plan must, in the determination of the Contracting Officer, provide the maximum practicable opportunity for small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged persons to participate in the performance of the contract.

3. If a subcontracting plan acceptable to the Contracting Officer is not negotiated within the time limits prescribed by the contracting activity and such failure arises out of causes within the control and with the fault or negligence of the Offeror, the Offeror shall be ineligible for an award. The Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor in writing of the reasons for determining a subcontracting plan unacceptable early enough in the negotiation process to allow the Contractor to modify the plan within the time limits prescribed.

4. Prior compliance of the Offeror with other such subcontracting plans under previous contracts will be considered by the Contracting Officer in determining the responsibility of the Offeror for award of the contract.

5. It is the Offeror's responsibility to develop a satisfactory subcontracting plan with respect to both small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and that each such aspect of the Offeror's plan will be judged independent of the other.

Tab 10: J Attachments

This section shall include the completed J.9, HHS – 565 Report of Accountable Property, and J.10, Information Security Attestation.

M.4 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION

C. Evaluation of 508 Compliance is hereby replaced:

Responses to this solicitation will only be considered for award after it has been determined that the proposal adequately addresses the requirements for Section 508. All Technical Proposal Volumes will be checked for 508 compliance. Responses to this solicitation will only be considered for award after it has been determined that all the Technical Proposal Volumes are 508 compliant.