HRS11532 RFP AHEC ATACC.doc

RFP No. HRS11532

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION

DESCRIPTION

PAGE

A

Table of Contents

B

Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

C

Description/Specification/Work Statement

D

Packaging and Marking

E

Inspection and Acceptance

F

Deliverables or Performance

G

Contract Administration Data

H

Special Contract Requirements

I

Contract Clauses

J

List of Attachments

K

Representations and Certifications

L

Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

M

Evaluation Factors for Award

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1. PURPOSE OF CONTRACT

The overall purpose of this contract, authorized by the Public Health Service Act, as amended, Title VII, Sections 750(b) and 751, is to provide technical assistance to ongoing AHEC programs and their affiliated centers with the objective of identifying and enhancing performance measures and data collection efforts of the individual grantees and the National AHEC Program.

B.2. COMPENSATION (applicable to for profit organizations) In consideration of the satisfactory performance of the services and tasks detailed in Section C, the Contractor shall be compensated in accordance with the following schedule.

BASE YEAR

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the base year is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost exclusive of fixed fee is $______________.

OPTION YEAR ONE

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year one is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost exclusive of fixed fee is $______________.

OPTION YEAR TWO

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year two is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost exclusive of fixed fee is $______________.

OPTION YEAR THREE

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year two is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost exclusive of fixed fee is $______________.

OPTION YEAR FOUR

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year two is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost exclusive of fixed fee is $______________.

a. Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee The estimated cost of this contract, exclusive of fixed-fee is $______________. The fixed fee is $_______________ and the total estimated cost plus fixed fee is $______________.

b. The Government shall not be obligated to reimburse the contractor for amounts incurred in excess of the contract amount, and the contractor shall not be obligated to continued performance under the contract or otherwise incur amounts in excess of the contract unless and until written notification is received by the contractor from the contracting officer which sets forth a revision of the contract amount. No notice, communication, or representation in any other form or from any person other than the contracting officer shall affect the amount of this contract.

c. Total funds currently available for payment and allotted to this contract are $__________, of which $ ________________ represents the estimated reimbursable costs and $_______________ represents the fixed fee. For further provisions on funding, see the "Limitation of Cost" clause (FAR 52.232-20)

d. This contract is fully funded.

OR

B.2. COMPENSATION (applicable to non-profit organizations) In consideration of the satisfactory performance of the services and tasks detailed in Section C, the Contractor shall be compensated in accordance with the following schedule.

BASE YEAR

It is estimated that the total cost to the Government for full performance of the base year is $______________.

OPTION YEAR ONE

It is estimated that the total cost the Government for full performance of the option year one is $______________.

OPTION YEAR TWO

It is estimated that the total cost plus to the Government for full performance of the option year two is $______________.

OPTION YEAR THREE

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year three is $______________.

OPTION YEAR FOUR

It is estimated that the total cost plus fixed fee to the Government for full performance of the option year four is $______________.

a. Estimated Cost The estimated cost of this contract is $______________.

b. The Government shall not be obligated to reimburse the contractor for amounts incurred in excess of the contract amount, and the contractor shall not be obligated to continued performance under the contract or otherwise incur amounts in excess of the contract unless and until written notification is received by the contractor from the contracting officer which sets forth a revision of the contract amount. No notice, communication, or representation in any other form or from any person other than the contracting officer shall affect the amount of this contract.

c. Total funds currently available for payment and allotted to this contract are $__________. For further provisions on funding, see the "Limitation of Cost" clause (FAR 52.232-20)

d. This contract is fully funded.

B.3. CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT

For the performance of this contract the Government shall pay allowable costs determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment (DEC 2002) of the General Provisions and the provisions of this Article. The fixed-fee shall be payable in monthly installments in accordance with FAR Clause 52.216-8 upon determination by the Contracting Officer that performance was satisfactory.

B.4. DIRECT COSTS

The Contractor will be reimbursed for all costs as described below, incurred directly in the performance of this contract, claimed by the Contractor, and accepted by the Contracting Officer:

a. Salaries and wages of the Contractor's employees directly employed in performing the work required by this contract. Related fringe benefits if treated as a direct cost; otherwise, fringe benefits may be claimed as part of indirect costs below.

b. Materials and services required in the performance of this contract, after deducting all discounts for the purchase of such materials and services.

c. Consultant fees or other payments to consultants required in the performance of this contract, provided, that such fees or payments shall not exceed the daily rate of $550.00 per day, exclusive of travel costs, without the written approval of the Contracting Officer.

d. Travel and subsistence expenses exclusively in direct performance of this contract. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for transportation costs and travel allowances in accordance with the established policy of the Contractor, but subject to the following limitations:

(1) Such transportation cost shall not be reimbursed in an amount greater than the cost of first class rail or of economy air travel, unless economy air travel and economy air travel space are not available and the Contractor certifies to the facts in the voucher or other documents submitted for reimbursement. Travel allowances for per diem shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Contractor's established policy, but in no event shall such allowances exceed the prevailing Government rate except within the corporate limits of those cities and other specified areas where higher ceiling rates have been established by the General Services Administration for Civil Service employees in travel status.

(2) The Contractor shall be reimbursed for the cost of travel performed by its personnel in their privately owned automobile at the current prevailing government rate (set by the Federal Travel Regulations at www.gsa.gov, Travel on Government Business, Privately Owned Vehicle Reimbursement Rates), not to exceed the cost by the most direct economy air route between the points so traveled. If more than one person travels in such automobile, no additional charge will be made by the Contractor for such travel between such points.

B.5. PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN DIRECT COSTS

a. Purchase Orders and Subcontracts are governed by FAR Clause 52.244-2, Subcontracts (AUG 1998) of the General Provisions except as may be indicated herein.

b. The Contractor shall not incur any of the following costs without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Incurrence of such costs with the intent of claiming reimbursement as direct costs under this contract shall be at the Contractor's own risk, if without such prior written authorization:

(1) Purchase or rental of any item of equipment including furniture or office equipment regardless of cost.

(2) Any rental or purchase agreement for real or personal property, or any term contract for maintenance.

(3) Travel for general scientific meetings.

(4) Rearrangement, alternation or relocation of facilities.

B.6. INDIRECT COSTS

The Contractor shall use the Organization's current negotiated provisional indirect cost rates for billing purposes. The Contractor shall adjust previously billed indirect costs, where appropriate, in accordance with subsequent negotiated agreements and continue to bill indirect costs at newly established provisional rates. The Contractor shall submit a copy of all new rate agreements to the Contracting Officer. In the absence of a Federal Negotiated Rate Agreement, a binding indirect rate may be negotiated for this contract.

B.7. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

In accordance with the provisions of the applicable FAR clauses contained in this contract regarding the exercise of options, all options will be exercised in writing through the issuance of unilateral modifications to this contract signed by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1. Statement of Work I.

Background The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program provides support for cooperative agreements designed to encourage the establishment and maintenance of community-based training programs in off-campus rural and underserved areas in an overall pipeline effort to attract students into health careers, to train health professions students in primary care settings, and to expose students and local providers to the culture and values of underserved populations. One goal of this program is to educate and train students to become culturally competent primary care health professionals who provide healthcare to underserved populations. One related goal is to carry out training programs which contribute to an increase in the number and the variety of primary care health professionals who provide services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and other medically underserved areas.

The AHEC Program enters into cooperative agreements with accredited schools of medicine and nursing to encourage the establishment and maintenance of community-based training programs in off-campus rural and underserved areas. Schools of allopathic and osteopathic medicine are eligible to apply for AHEC funding. Additionally, schools of nursing are also eligible applicants in States where there is no medical school. The AHEC Program grantee schools partner with community-based AHEC centers through contracts to implement health professions training directly in the community with an emphasis on training in underserved area sites. The AHEC centers connect remote health science training institutions with a continuing stream of new medical, nursing and dental students, primary care residents, allied health and pharmacy students, and other health professions students via clinical rotations at medically underserved area sites. These academic and community-based partnerships established by AHECs initiate training programs to improve the recruitment, distribution, supply, and quality of health care providers, and together the training programs contribute to the goal of increasing access to health care services by consumers in medically underserved areas. AHECs emphasize the recruitment of high school students into health careers and focus their outreach efforts on underrepresented minority students and economically and educationally disadvantaged students.

The Basic AHEC and Model AHEC programs:

(1) Improve the recruitment, distribution, supply, quality, and efficiency of personnel providing health services in medically underserved rural, urban, and other areas and to populations with demonstrated seriously unmet health care needs;

(2) Increase the number of primary care physicians and other primary care providers who provide services in medically underserved areas by offering an educational continuum of health career recruitment through a clinical education program that focuses on serving medically underserved areas within a comprehensive health workforce strategy;

(3) Conduct education and training activities for medical residents and students of health professions schools;

(4) Collaborate with two or more medically relevant disciplines;

(5) Implement recruitment into health professions and health career awareness programs that will attract individuals from medically underserved areas and under-represented populations, including minority and other elementary or secondary school students;

(6) Conduct at least 10 percent of medical student required clinical education at sites remote to the primary teaching facility of the contracting institution;

(7) Prepare individuals to more effectively provide health services to medically underserved areas or populations through field placements, preceptorships, conduct of or support of community-based primary care residency programs, and agreements with community-based organizations such as community health centers, migrant health centers, Indian health centers, public health departments, and others; and

(8) Provide information dissemination and educational support to reduce professional isolation, increase retention, enhance the practice environment, and improve health care through the timely distribution of research findings using relevant resources.

Program Description and Accomplishments:

In FY 2008, there were 54 AHEC programs contracting with 220 community-based AHEC centers in 47 states and Palau. The Centers receive 75% of the Federal funds awarded to AHEC Program grantees (medical school or nursing school). All have State/local dollars to match Federal funds. In FY 2008, there were 14 Basic AHEC programs (in development and implementation phases) and 40 Model AHEC programs (mature programs with fully developed Centers and community-based training programs serving a multi-county region or an entire state). In FY 2008, the 14 Basic AHEC programs were contracting with 41 Centers, and the 40 Model AHEC Programs were contracting with 179 Centers all in a joint effort to establish and coordinate community-based training involving two or more disciplines, high school students, health professions students, primary care residents, and local health providers.

In FY 2007, 28,556 high school students received AHEC health career training of more than 20 hours (e.g., summer programs). The majority of the students were from underrepresented minority populations and from economically and educationally disadvantaged populations.

In FY 2007, there were 21,768 AHEC training sites in underserved areas across the Nation. Trainees included 46,242 health profession students participating in AHEC rotations at community sites serving medically underserved populations. Additionally, medically underserved communities were served by 17,139 on-site AHEC preceptors. There were 192,047 underrepresented minority or disadvantaged students, K-12, who participated in health career training or academic enrichment experiences.

In FY 2007, AHEC-sponsored continuing education training was provided to a range of health professionals from underserved area sites, including 17,361 from Community Health Centers (HCs) and 2,206 from Migrant Health Centers; 11,571 participants from Rural Health Clinics; 17,622 from Health Departments; 20,078 from Governor Designated Areas; 2,870 from National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites; and 1,026 from Indian Health Service or Tribal Health sites.

II.

Scope of Work/Purpose

This contract is authorized by the Public Health Service Act, as amended, Title VII, Sections 750 (b) and 751. The purpose of the contract is to develop and implement a strategy to provide training and consultation to the Area Health Education Centers programs and their associated centers so that they will be better positioned to adequately respond to their legislative mandates and address the performance measures and related data requests required by the Bureau of Health Professions.

The primary outcome and use will be a highly specialized Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Training and Consultation resource center with a diverse databank of geographically knowledgeable subject matter experts and other resources and tools that will be available to respond to the planning, development, and evaluation concerns of the AHEC grantees and their associated centers through culturally responsive on-site and distance training and consultation. The successful applicant-contractor will provide Technical Assistance (TA) resources nationwide and may establish subcontracts with AHEC experts/entities to ensure that AHECs in 47 states and Palau are served. One face-to-face meeting will be held annually for a total of approximately ten (10) resource experts to develop consensus on technical assistance (TA) strategies (via the web and on-site) to assist AHEC grantees in the areas of performance measurement and related data collection and analysis. This TA effort will increase the sharing of Federal and grantee evaluation resources and will contribute to enhanced program evaluation methods and grantee performance.

III.

Tasks In performance of the contract, the Contractor shall provide the necessary personnel and materials to carry out the following tasks during the Base Year and Option Years Two through Five. The Contractor shall accomplish these tasks in a manner that is responsive to its customers and is helpful, open, and respectful. The Contractor shall adhere to the coordination and guidance described hereafter.

Task 1:

Meet with Government Project Officer

1.

The Contractor shall meet with the Government Project Officer, in person or by phone, during the first two weeks of the contract to clarify issues relating to the scope of work to be performed.

1a.

The content of the meeting shall include: discussion of goals, processes, timeframes, collaboration specifics, priorities, advisory panel members, travel, deliverables, related work to be performed, content and format of progress reports and Area Health Education Centers Technical Assistance contract key characteristics including the methodology for delivering TA via the web and via face-to-face meetings, and the nature, capabilities and role of the proposed subcontractors.

Task 2:

Review the full range of BHPr Performance Measures for Title VII Training Programs.

2. The Contractor shall review the current BHPr Performance Measures for Title VII Training Programs and the program-specific measures of the AHEC Program.

Task 3:

Review the existing and proposed performance measures and data requests for AHEC programs and suggest changes.

3. The Contractor shall review and revise, as needed, the proposed performance measures and data requests for AHEC programs.

3a.

The Contractor shall provide the Government Project Officer with a proposal for any changes to performance measures and data requests for AHEC programs.

3b.

The Contractor shall meet with the Government Project Officer to develop and refine strategies in the implementation of performance measures.

Task 4:

Convene an Advisory Group of AHEC representatives to work with the Government Project Officer and Contractor to provide technical assistance.

4. The Contractor shall meet with the Government Project Officer to identify a list of ten (10) candidates drawn from AHEC Program Directors and AHEC Center Directors and other representatives who have experience working with AHEC Programs or primary care to serve as members of this Advisory Group.

4a.

The Government Project Officer and BHPr Branch Chief of the AHEC Program shall serve as ex-officio members of the Advisory Group.

4b.

The Advisory Group shall provide advice and recommendations and grantee feedback associated with the provision of technical assistance to AHECs on an ongoing basis as needed in the areas of data collection tools, methods, systems, and evaluation and in the development of performance measures consistent with existing AHEC Program legislation and with the Bureau of Health Professions performance measures.

4c.

The Contractor will convene the first meeting of the Advisory Group within 30 days of the project and establish the number of meetings throughout the 12 month period.

4d.

The Contractor shall obtain advice from the Advisory Group for contractual tasks to be completed in the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall obtain approval from the Government Project Officer for contractual tasks in the performance of this contract.

4e.

The Contractor shall arrange teleconferencing or other means of communication for scheduled meetings with the Advisory Group to discuss the requirements of the contract.

4f.

The Contractor shall submit as part of a quarterly report a brief summary of the Advisory Group Panel meetings.

Task 5:

Draft the TA Plan within 60 days of the project start date or date of award. Draft TA Plan shall include a list of AHEC experts/entities that may be called upon to provide TA.

5. The Contractor shall provide a draft TA plan to the Government Project Officer (GPO) within 60 days of project start date, for review and acceptance by the GPO.

5a. The Contractor shall develop and finalize with input from the Government Project Officer a technical assistance plan for improving performance measures targeted by grantees, using the most effective methods for implementation.

5b. The Advisory Group shall play an important role in developing and evaluating these measures and methods described in Task 5.

Task 6:

Provide TA to grantees on a monthly basis as needed and requested.

6. The Contractor shall respond to individual requests from AHEC programs for technical assistance, training, and support in the development and implementation of performance measures, data collection tools, and methods.

6a.

The Contractor shall perform a needs assessment of the AHEC programs to develop a framework most effective in assessing the AHEC programs’ technical assistance needs in the areas of developing performance measures, data collection, tools, methods, systems and evaluation.

6b.

The needs assessment shall be used as a template for ongoing communications among AHEC programs to identify further needs.

6c.

The Contractor shall provide information and resources on AHEC Program performance measures to grantees through regular communication channels.

Task 7:

Prepare Progress Reports

7. The Contractor shall prepare quarterly progress reports and submit these documents directly to the Government Project Officer. The initial progress report shall be submitted 30 days after the effective date of contract (EDOC). All subsequent reports shall be submitted quarterly by the 15th of the month.

7a. The progress report shall contain detailed explanations of all activities related to the contract. The progress report shall be formatted to directly address progress achieved towards meeting individual tasks, problems encountered, and suggested resolutions for the completion of these tasks. The progress report shall also include all Advisory Group meeting summaries.

7b. The final format for the reports shall be developed in consultation with the Government Project Officer.

Task 8:

Prepare Final Report

8. A draft final report shall be prepared and submitted to the Government Project Officer 48 weeks from the Effective Date of the Contract.

8a. The draft final report shall include a summary of: new/modified performance measures; new/modified data collection methods at the Center level and the Grantee School level; activities and recommendations of the Advisory Group; and best practices of AHEC programs. The documentation of best practices shall include AHEC-sponsored training programs and activities that support and coincide with HRSA’s mission: health professions student training in primary care settings; collaboration-enhanced training program linkages with underserved area sites (e.g., Health Centers; rural sites); exposure of minority and/or disadvantaged high school students to health careers; and the delivery of relevant CE courses to local providers, e.g., current topics such as HIT-EHR, cultural competency, veterans care.

8b. A final report shall be prepared and submitted to the Government Project Officer 52 weeks from the EDOC.

C.2. Incorporation of Contractors Proposal It is understood and agreed that the contractor shall, in meeting the requirements of this contract, perform the work in accordance with the Contractors proposal to the Health Resources and Services Administration for _______________, dated ___________, provided however, that to the extent that any provisions of the articles of this contract are in conflict or inconsistent with any provisions of said proposal, the provisions of the articles of this contract shall be controlling and shall supersede the provisions of said proposal.

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 For this solicitation/contract, there are NO clauses in this section.

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The Project Officer, as a duly authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, shall assume the responsibilities for monitoring the Contractor’s performance, evaluating the quality of services provided by the Contractor and performing final inspection and acceptance of all deliverables.

FAR 52.246-5 Inspection of Services – Cost Reimbursement (APR 1984)

(A) Definition. "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or used in performing services.

(B) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(C) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all places and times during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(D) If any of the services performed do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, for no additional fee. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may-

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce any fee payable under the contract to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(E) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or take the action necessary to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may-

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and reduce any fee payable by an amount that is equitable under the circumstances; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance of this contract is for a base year of 12 months and four option years of 12 months each. It will commence with the effective date of the contract.

F.2. OBSERVANCE OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

No services or deliveries shall be performed on Saturdays, Sundays or the Federal Legal holidays as shown below:

New Year’s Day

January 1st

Martin Luther King’s Birthday 3rd Monday in January

Presidents’ Day

3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day

Last Monday in May

Independence Day

July 4th

Labor Day

1st Monday in September

Columbus Day

2nd Monday in October

Veterans’ Day

November 11

Thanksgiving Day

4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day

December 25

F.3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall submit the following deliverables in the schedule shown below in the quantities and at the specified times indicated in this Article. All deliverable items shall be separate physical items and identify the contract number and description of the contract deliverable. All reports, processes, and product deliverables are subject to approval of the Project Officer.

All deliverables shall be submitted in accordance with the schedule of deliverables to the Project Officer, Division of Diversity and Interdisciplinary Education. Also, provide an electronic copy of the progress reports and final reports to the Contracting Officer, Contracts Operations Branch, HRSA, at dwatson@hrsa.gov.

F.4. CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998), FAR 52.252-2

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: http://www.arnet.gov/far

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CONTRACT CLAUSES

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) Alternate I (APR 1984)

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. AUTHORITIES OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during performance, administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Government and the Contractor. The following individuals will be the Government’s points of contact during the performance of this contract:

1.

Contracting Officer All administration shall be performed by: Dottie Watson, HRSA Contracts Office, Parklawn Building, Room 13A-19, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, 301-443-2752. All communications pertaining to contractual and/or administrative matters under the contract shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer at the aforementioned address. Issuance of changes which affect the articles, terms or conditions of this contract will be accomplished through the Contracting Officer who is the only party authorized to bind the Government to contract:

2.

Project Officer

(Inserted at time of award) is hereby designated as the Project Officer for this contract. The responsibility of the Project Officer (or his duly authorized representative) is to ensure that the Government's technical objectives are met. To this end, the Project Officer will provide necessary information, direction, coordination, et cetera, within the contractual work description. The Government may unilaterally change its designated Project Officer.

G.2. TECHNICAL MONITORING

Performance of the work under this contract shall be subject to the technical monitoring of the Project Officer. The term “Technical Monitoring” is defined to include, the following:

Technical directions to the Contractor that guide the contract effort, shift work emphasis between work areas or assignments, require pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fill in details or otherwise serve to accomplish contractual scope of work.

2.

Providing information to the Contractor for assistance in interpreting of drawings, specifications or technical portions of the work description.

3.

Review where required by the contract, approval of technical reports, processes, product deliverables, drawings, specifications, and technical information to be delivered by the Contractor to the Government under the contract.

Technical direction must be within the general scope of the work. The Project Officer does not have the authority to and may not issue any technical direction that: (i) constitutes an assignment of additional work outside the general scope of the contract; (ii) constitutes a change as defined in the contract clause entitled “Changes”; (iii) in any manner causes an increase in the total contract cost or the time required for contract performance; or (iv) changes any of the expressed terms, conditions, or specifications of the contract.

The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical directions duly issued by the Project Officer in the manner prescribed within his authority under this provision.

If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any instruction or direction issued by the Project Officer is within one of the categories as defined in (i) through (iv) above, the Contractor shall not proceed, but shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing within five (5) working days after the receipt of any such instruction or direction and shall request the Contracting Officer to modify the contract accordingly. Upon receiving such notification from the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall issue an appropriate contract modification or advise the Contractor in writing that, in his opinion, the technical direction is within the scope of this article and does not constitute a change under the Changes Clause of the contract. The Contractor shall thereupon proceed immediately with the direction given. A failure of the parties to agree upon the nature of the instruction or direction or upon the contract action to be taken with respect thereto shall be subject to the provisions of the contract clause entitled “Disputes”.

G.3. KEY PERSONNEL

Pursuant to the Key Personnel clause (HHSAR 352.270-5) referenced in SECTION I of this contract, the following individual(s) is(are) designated as Key Personnel and considered to be essential to the work being performed under this contract:

Title

Name

Project Director ___(to be named at time of award) __________ The person identified as the Project Director shall direct the necessary work and services toward fulfillment of the contractual requirements. Prior to removing, replacing, or diverting the specified individual(s), the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing and reasonably in advance and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract. No diversion shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer provided that the Contracting Officer may ratify in writing changes made due to events beyond the control of the Contractor and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the Contracting Officer required by this clause. Examples of events beyond the control of the Contractor are (1) prolonged sickness, (2) termination of employment, and (3) death. Key personnel, with the consent of the Contracting Officer, may be amended from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or delete personnel, as appropriate.

G.4. SUBMISSION OF INVOICES AND PLACE OF PAYMENT

1. Once each month following the effective date of this contract, the Contractor may submit to the Government an invoice (or public voucher) for payment in accordance with FAR Clauses and the General Provisions. Invoices shall be prepared in accordance with the "Billing Instructions" attached hereto and made a part of this contract. The Government shall make provisional payments on all invoices pending the completion of a final audit of the Contractor's cost records.

2. Submit vouchers as follows to expedite payment:

a.

Send one copy to the Project Officer. (See Section G.1.2.)

b.

Send one original and one copy to:

Contracts Operations Branch, HRSA/DPM (See Section G.1.1.)

Parklawn Building, Room 13A-19

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, Maryland 20857 c.

For inquiries regarding receiving, inspection and acceptance, rejections, or technical issues, the Contractor shall contact the Project Officer.

3. The Contractor must agree to follow the directions of the Billing Instructions, Section J, Attachment A, Billing Instructions and Standard Forms 1034 and 1035, and to include the following information on its invoice/voucher:

a.

Contractor’s name, invoice/voucher number and date;

b.

Contract number;

c.

Description, price and quantity of services/products delivered;

d.

Date of service;

e.

Payment terms;

f.

Tax identification number;

g.

Contractor’s complete remittance address;

h.

Signature of an authorized official certifying that the invoice is correct and proper for payment; and i.

Invoice/voucher to be submitted in a format in which total number of hours, funds used and remaining are shown.

j.

Charges submitted for travel shall be accompanied by the following documentation: name of the traveler, purpose of travel, method of travel costs, per diem costs, mileage, parking, phone and registration.

k.

Other Direct Costs and Workshop Materials shall be itemized.

4. Payment shall be made by:

Financial Management Service, PSC

Parklawn Building, Room 16A-12

5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 Telephone Number: 301-443-3020

G.5. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER

In accordance with FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (JUL 2006), the Contractor shall designate a financial institution for receipt of electronic funds transfer payments. This designation shall be submitted in writing to the finance office set forth in Section G.4.

G.6. EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR’S PERFORMANCE final evaluation of Contractor performance shall be conducted on this contract in Interim and final evaluation of Contractor performance shall be conducted on this contract in accordance with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter 92-5 issued January 11, 1993, FAR Subpart 42.15 and HHSAR 342.7002(c)(2)(iv). Upon contract competition, a final evaluation of the Contractor’s performance shall be completed by the Government, see Section J, List of Attachments.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1.

Printing and Duplicating The printing of government documents must be accomplished through the Government Printing Office or its field printing plants, unless otherwise approved by the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). Contractors and grantees are not intended to be prime or substantial sources of printing for government agencies. Contractors may prepare copy, illustrative material (forms, etc.) and/or camera ready documents for the purpose of producing publications.

Unless otherwise specified in this contract, the Contractor shall not engage in, nor subcontract for, any printing (as that term is defined in Title I of the Government Printing and Binding Regulations in effect on the effective date of this contract) in connection with the performance of work under this contract; except that performance of a requirement under this contract involving the reproduction of less than 5,000 production units of any one page, or less than 25,000 production units in the aggregate of multiple pages will not be deemed to be printing. A production unit is defined as one sheet, size 82 by 11 inches, one side only, one color.

Regarding the use of private funds for printing, the regulations state that when appropriated funds are used to create information for publication, the printing of that information cannot be made available to a private publisher for publication without prior approval of the JCP.

H.2.

Clearance/Production of Information Products/services

A. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs requires clearance for any external publication, audiovisual, exhibit, or public affairs service produced for or by HRSA through this contract as a deliverable (an external publication is one of which 50 copies or more are to distributed outside HHS). This clearance, which takes approximately 4 weeks, is obtained by the project officer through HRSA=s Office of Communications.

B. It is the policy of DHHS and HRSA that DHHS must be prominently and dominantly identified as the primary publisher/producer, to include use of the DHHS logo, on all communication materials, including those produced by Contractors (This requirement may be satisfied by displaying the DHHS logo on the back cover of a publication). The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must be displayed in a position of prominence second only to DHHS as the identifier on all communication materials produced on behalf of HRSA, whether by Agency staff, Contractors, or other entities. Communication materials are any and all documents and presentations intended for audiences outside the Agency, including but not limited to:

* fact sheets, newsletters, brochures, flyers

* press releases, advisories, other media materials

* exhibits, posters

* summaries, monographs, proceedings

* slides, overhead transparencies, posters

* audio and videotapes, films

* Internet publications

Internal Publications (not more than 50 copies are to be distributed outside HHS) are excepted from this requirement. Where appropriate, the words Division of …, Office…, Bureau…, etc. shall be included below the HRSA logo. Only the Agency Administrator may grant an exception to the policy.

C. Title 44 of the U.S. Code requires that the printing of any publication developed under this contract shall be done by the Government Printing Office. Printing shall be coordinated through the Project Officer.

OMB clearance must be obtain if you intend to survey or interview more than 9 people outside of HRSA and/or the Department, including grantees.

H.3.

Rights in Data The Contractor will be prohibited from publishing or disseminating information resulting from work performed under this contract, and/or, using data produced or obtained under this contract, and/or any other information or products provided by the Government, or which the Contractor develops, for any purpose other than performance under this contract without prior written approval from the Project Officer.

Ownership of Documents, Materials and Records: All documents, materials or records provided to the Contractor, developed or maintained by the Contractor in the performance of this contract are deemed to be property of the Government.

Failure on the part of the Contractor to comply with the printing and duplicating, and publication clearance requirements stated above will be deemed unauthorized services and reimbursement will be denied.

H.4.

Equipment

HRSA does not intend to provide funds for the purchase or lease of any equipment.

H.5.

Food and Beverage A. Federal Attendees

In accordance with DHHS policy, you many not use appropriated funds to purchase food unless the purpose of the contract is for (1) training in accordance with the Government Employee Training Act; or (2) employee awards ceremony in accordance with Government Employees Incentive Awards Act; or (3) EEO sponsored ethnic celebration in accordance with 60 Com. Gen 303 (1981 & 1982).

Federal employees attending meetings that are at least 50 miles from the work site and from the employee's home are considered on travel status and must use the per diem allocation to purchase meals and/or snacks. If group meals are provided, the Federal employees must reduce the per diem vouchers according to Federal Travel Regulations.

Federal employees attending meetings and who are not on travel status may accept light refreshments if at least 51% of the Federal employees attending are in travel status.

(Light refreshments include coffee, tea, milk, juice, soft drinks, donuts, muffins, bagels, fruit, cookies, chips or similar items of nominal value. It DOES NOT include meals or hot food. Continental breakfasts or receptions are not breaks and may not be provided).

B. Private Attendies

It is DHHS policy not to use appropriated funds to purchase food. HRSA does not have the congressional authority to collect registration fees to pay for meals or to offset the cost of the meeting.

H.6. Virus Protection

A.

The Contractor shall utilize a comprehensive virus protection software package to screen all data, information, and software provided to the Government on CD, 3 ½" and 5 1/4" diskettes. The screen shall include the identification and removal of all viruses, worms, and other forms of data, information, and software infestation. The Contractor shall also utilize the virus protection software to screen all data, information, and software obtained from the Government for processing on the Contractor's network(s) and personal computer(s).

B. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government Project Officer of any virus, worm, or other form of data information, and software infestation found on Government provided diskettes. The Contractor shall recommend to the Government the specific virus protection software the Contractor intends to use.

H.7.

Quality Assurance A. The Contractor shall perform all the requirements identified in this contract. The Contractor shall supervise the reviews in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. The PO shall review and approve all work products and deliverables submitted by the Contractor in accordance with the terms and conditions identified under the contract.

B. HRSA reserves the right to obtain and review any working papers from the Contractor for the period beginning with the effective date of the contract through its termination. These reviews shall be conducted at HRSA’s discretion at either the Contractor’s site or at the appropriate HRSA office. When reviewed at the HRSA’s site, the working papers will be sent to the HRSA office for review and evaluation by HRSA staff. After completion of the review, HRSA may hold a conference with the Contractor to discuss any issues. HRSA may choose to visit the Contractor or Subcontractor site during the audit to assess performance of the review. The Contractor shall maintain an internal quality control program adequate to ensure that the requirements of the contract are met. As with the working paper review, HRSA reserves the right to obtain and review all working papers associated with the Contractor’s internal quality control program. These reviews shall be conducted at HRSA’s discretion at either the selected firm’s site or at the HRSA office. When reviewed at HRSA’s site, the working papers will be sent to the HRSA office for review and evaluation by HRSA staff. After completion of the review, HRSA may hold a conference with the Contractor to discuss any issues. HRSA may choose to visit the Contractor and/or the Subcontractor’s site during the review to assess performance of the reviews.

C. Interim and final evaluations of Contractor performance shall be conducted on this contract in accordance with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter 92-5 issued January 11, 1993, FAR Subpart 42.15 and HHSAR 342.7002(c)(2)(iv). Upon contract completion, a final evaluation of the Contractor’s performance shall be completed by the Government (see Section J) H.8.

Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by P.L. 105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194) require that all EIT acquired must ensure that:

A. Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities; and B. Members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from an agency have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

This requirement includes the development, procurement, maintenance and/or use of EIT products/services; therefore, any proposal submitted in response to this RFP must demonstrate compliance with the established EIT Accessibility Standards. Further information about Section 508 is available via the Internet at: GOTOBUTTON BM_1_ http://www.section508.gov.

H.9. Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 12 If performance of the work specified herein require contractor personnel to have access to sensitive data, regular access to HHS-controlled facilities and/or access to HHS information systems, the Government may require that this effort will entail a sensitivity level 5 (Public Trust) background investigation.*

The contractor must contact to the HRSA Personnel Security Officer (Theresa Foster (301) 443-3498) so that the appropriate level of background investigation may be…