Questions and Answers - HT940626QE013.docx

Q1: Is there an incumbent contractor for these services? If so, please provide the incumbent contract number, and indicate how many Neonatologist and NNP positions are currently staffed/filled.

A1: Humana CSA HT940223C0001-Neonatologist onboard-1 (1 pending package) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner onboard-5 (4 pending packages).

Q2: What is the composition and experience level of the neonatology and OB/GYN teams (e.g., physicians, NNPs, RNs, etc.)?

A2: a. There are all levels of experience in the NICU, with NNPs, RNs and HMs as well as the OB team. b. The NICU team is ~3 RNs + an HM or more depending on census, 1 NNP, 1 Neonatologist.

Q3: What is the average monthly delivery volume, nursery census, and acuity mix (well newborn vs. late-preterm vs. higher risk infants)? How frequent are transfers to higher-level NICU care facilities?

A3: a. Avg delivery volume, 120. b. The NICU team does not cover the nursery. c. The NICU admits >/=32wga and 1500g, average census 4-6 about 2/3 late preterm, term resp distress etc. remaining 32-34wga. Transport on average 1-2/mo to level III/IV.

Q4: How frequently are call-back events triggered during on-call shifts?

A4: Varied, depending on unplanned issues or emergencies. Historically, the majority of the time there are no call backs, however times when call backs occur multiple times. This requirement will require active monitoring by the contractor to ensure coverage as required by the PWS.

Q5: How firm is the "every other week" Neonatologist rotation structure?

A5: There is flexibility. The government prefers 24 hr/day coverage as opposed to weekly coverage to allow more flexibility in scheduling coordination with the contractor. This requirement will require active monitoring by the contractor to ensure coverage as required by the PWS.

Q6: How often does the government change schedules within the 72-hour window?

A6: Varied, depends on unplanned issues or emergencies. This requirement will require active monitoring by the contractor to ensure coverage as required by the PWS.

Q7: How should contractors estimate call-back effort, given it's included in on-call pricing?

A7: Reference the revised PWS for additional detail.

Q8: What is the expected timeline for credentials and privileging approval?

A8: Once a complete package is received, 30-45 days. Incomplete packages will take longer.

Q9: Please describe the process and expected timeline for the security process.

A9: Once a complete security package is received, a member of the DHA security team will send information to login and complete SF-85 and will provide any additional steps from there. Timeline is between 30-45 days and is dependent on the completeness of the package and how responsive the candidate is to the security team’s requests.

Q10: Can clinicians begin providing services with interim security clearance?

A10: Yes.

Q11: Can the government confirm that the CLIN structure on the Pricing Worksheet is accurate, being only 2 CLINs, compared to section 3 of the PWS making reference to 4 separate CLINs for the Neonatologist?

A11: Reference the revised PWS for additional detail.

Q12: Since the PWS requires a minimum of six (6) hours of rest prior to a shift, if a Neonatologist performs extended call-back overnight, is the provider still expected to report for the 0700 shift? Does the Government provide flexibility or adjustment to the schedule, or should the contractor provide replacement coverage to meet rest requirements?

A12: Because the Neonatologist is on for 24h consecutive shift, there is no minimum rest for the Neonatologist as the NNPs are performing intermittent shifts. If safety due to lack of rest is a concern, the Neonatologist should coordinate concerns with the contractor who can coordinate with the COR and department.

Q13: Can the Government provide any historical data (call-back frequency, hours worked, delivery volume/NICU census)? If not, should offerors rely on their own assumptions for pricing?

A13: See #2 above. Call back frequency is not tracked, there are some months with 0 call backs, some with 4+. Hours worked are typically those listed as in house and on call, and do not frequently have more in house hours than those listed.

Q14: The PWS outlines shift and on-call requirements but does not specify the number of Neonatologists (Gov and Contractor) scheduled to onsite at a time. Can the Government confirm whether one Neonatologist is scheduled onsite at a time or are there multiple Neonatologists (additional Gov scheduled along with the contractor) scheduled concurrently?

A14: There is 1 Neonatologist scheduled on service and onsite at a time. The AD Neonatologist is not scheduled to be on at the same time as the contractor. Depending on the day, the Neonatologist Medical Director may be in house as well for admin etc.