IHS-24-RFP-1473508.pdf

Dementia Training and Education: IHS-RFP-24-1473508

Solicitation Number IHS-RFP-24-1473508

Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

PART 1 – DESCRIPTION

The Indian Health Service (IHS), Division of Clinical and Community Services (DCCS) requires contractor support to develop, implement, and evaluate Dementia Training and Education services and resources for the IHS system that includes federal, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health Organization (I/T/U) staff.

This solicitation is a Request for Proposal (RFP), prepared in accordance with FAR Parts 12 and 15. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-03. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

Instructions to Offerors are found in Section 5 (page 34).

PART 2 – SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AND PRICES

2.1 Contract Type:

The Government intends to make a single award hybrid Firm-Fixed-Price Contract, with a Labor Hour and Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) portion for a duration of five (5) years, consisting of one (1) base year, and four one year (4) optional periods. The IDIQ portion of the contract intends to issue Firm-Fixed-Price, and Labor Hour Task Orders.

The contract maximum ceiling amount for the IDIQ portion will be $3M over five (5) years, inclusive of options.

2.2 Pricing Schedule Firm-Fixed Price (Base Services)

Base Period

CLIN Description of Supplies/Service

Qty. Unit Total Price

Base Period: Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

1 EA

Base Year: Total Firm Fixed Price

Option Period 1

CLIN

Description of Supplies/Service

Qty. Unit Total Price

Option Period 1: Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

1 EA

Option Period 1: Total Firm Fixed Price

Option Period 2

CLIN Description of Supplies/Service

Qty. Unit Total Price

3 Option Period 2: Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

1 EA

Option Period 2: Total Firm Fixed Price

Option Period 3

CLIN

Description of Supplies/Service

Qty. Unit Total Price

Option Period 3: Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

1 EA

Option Period 3: Total Firm Fixed Price

Option Period 4

CLIN

Description of Supplies/Service

Qty. Unit Total Price

Option Period 4: Training and Education Contract for the Indian Health Services (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program

1 EA

Option Period 4: Total Firm Fixed Price

TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE

[CLIN 1] Base Period: Total Firm Fixed Price [CLIN 2] Option Year 1: Total Firm Fixed Price [CLIN 3] Option Year 2: Total Firm Fixed Price [CLIN 4] Option Year 3: Total Firm Fixed Price [CLIN 5] Option Year 4: Total Firm Fixed Price

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

The following chart and associated labor categories are for ad-hoc IDIQ services (via the issuance of separate task orders) only. Offerors may include and utilize any resources they find appropriate to complete the firm fixed price base services (CLINs 1-5).

IDIQ Labor Rate Pricing Chart: (Section 3.3)

Hourly Rates

Labor Category**

Estimated # of Hours Per

Year*

Base Year

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

Option Year 3

Option Year 4

Total Rate(s) x Hours

Project Director 1920

Project Manager 1920

Project Coordinator 1920

Physician Consultant

Nurse Consultant 120

Pharmacist

Consultant 120

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Consultant

Advance Practice Nurse Consultant

Psychologist Consultant

Training Specialist/

Instructional Designer

Community Health

Representative Consultant

Total IDIQ Portion Pricing* $

*Please note that the total pricing/estimated hours requested under this RFQ is anticipated to be for evaluation purposes only. Number of hours required will be specified on a task order basis.

**Please note alternate labor categories may be proposed provided that the Offeror provides detail on their functional equivalency to those listed in this RFQ. If an Offeror believes that this alternate labor category provides for the more productive use (and therefore deduction) of hours Offerors must provide explanation, and are cautioned that failure to do so may result in an unacceptable rating.

PART 3 – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

3.1 Background

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) affect lives in every Tribal and Urban Indian community. Age is the most significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population ages 65 and older is growing more rapidly than the United States (U.S.) population. Disproportionate rates of conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, traumatic brain injury, and many of the known risk factors for ADRD exist among AI/AN peoples. Dementia of all types is under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and undertreated including among AI/AN populations. Many individuals go unrecognized in the community, never seeking care and living with impaired cognition that puts them at risk for financial exploitation, poor health outcomes, and accidental injury. Failure to recognize dementia may also stem from the stigma associated with dementia and from a lack of awareness of available resources. People living with diagnosed dementia (PLWD) or undiagnosed cognitive impairment, often have multiple co-morbidities.

They routinely engage in a range of services within the health system from primary care and outpatient diagnostic services, to in-hospital stays. In addition, PLWD have a higher rate of repeated health crises and emergency department visits, particularly toward the end of life1.

Dementia diagnosis should most often be made in the primary care office or clinic, with specialty referral needed only when the presentation is not typical or apparent. But primary care providers may lack the knowledge or confidence to make the diagnosis or plan effective care, and ancillary health staff often lack knowledge of screening, recognition, and care management practices for people living with ADRD and their caregivers. A further limitation for providers is limited (or no) access to an interdisciplinary team to support care or specialists through consultation or referral to support diagnosis and management decisions. Effective disease management requires coordination of care between clinical and community-based services for both dementia-related and other co-occurring health issues. Care management crosses many disciplines and settings, involving medical care, nursing care, home care, rehabilitative therapies, personal care, social services, legal and financial services, and housing.

In FY 2021, the IHS received first-time appropriations for Alzheimer’s grants, followed by FY 2022 and FY 2023 appropriations. Based on Tribal Consultation and Urban confer in FY 2021, the following are among the established program priorities:

1. Cooperative agreements and program awards to I/T/U organizations for the development of comprehensive and sustainable local approaches to address ADRD. Efforts are focused on five primary drivers of comprehensive care, including awareness, recognition, diagnosis, assessment, management, and support of caregivers.

2. Support for ADRD clinical training and education as part of workforce development efforts that also include informal caregiver support via existing caregiver coaching approaches and the development of local caregiver-focused systems and supports.

3. Efforts to increase awareness, recognition, and detection of ADRD within and among I/T/U staff and systems to enable access to needed services and support for persons living with dementia and their families.

3.2 Scope of Work / General Requirements

The primary purposes of this contract are to 1.) Improve I/T/U staff knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to dementia care and management for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers by creating discipline-specific competency-based training opportunities, 2.) Establish new and manage existing pilot training programs, and 3.) Identify, train, and support a network of clinical and community dementia care Champions within the I/T/U system.

The goal is increasing recognition, diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) by incorporating culturally relevant (or adapted) evidence-based interventions and best practices in training, education, and support for I/T/U system staff. The desired impact is improving care and outcomes for AI/AN people with dementia and their caregivers.

Training and education services developed and implemented by the contractor must support the IHS in transforming clinical and community health staff practices and systems, embracing a person-centered care approach for PLWD and their caregivers.

1 https://www.jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(21)00570-3/fulltext

The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer the contract. The Contractor shall provide services with cadre of providers, faculty, and staff that have demonstrated subject matter expertise in the following areas:

• Evidence-based or evidence-informed clinical training and education approaches

• Clinical diagnosis and management of ADRD and dementia caregiving

• I/T/U system

• Health systems administration

• Tribal cultures, values, and traditions

• Expertise and demonstrated experience with intergovernmental and Tribal engagement

Contractor must leverage or use existing training, opportunities, and resources from federal and non-federal sources with culturally relevant adaptations, such as but not limited to HRSA’s Dementia Care Training materials or other commercial or non-commercial ADRD training resources. Commercial training options may not involve participant registration or any other collection of personal information (e.g., name, email) on external websites or systems. Cultural adaptations include modification of material from an evidence-base or best and promising practices that consider language, culture, and context that aligns with the cultural patterns, language, needs, and values of AI/AN communities. Training content and delivery methods shall incorporate adult learning principles and best practices for engaged learning and participant interaction, resulting in increases in I/T/U staff knowledge, competency, and confidence in dementia detection, screening, treatment, and comprehensive care management for AI/AN populations. Contractor shall develop short, medium, and long term metrics and tools to evaluate effectiveness and participant satisfaction with training, resources, and post-training support services. IHS shall retain sole and exclusive ownership of all content, resources, training, and deliverables.

3.3 Base Services (Fixed Price)

3.3.1 Kick-Off Meeting

The Contractor shall meet with the IHS Elder Health program team within fourteen (14) working days after execution of the base year contract, and within ten (10) working days after the exercise of each option period. The time and location, as well as the format of the meeting (virtual or in-person) will be determined by mutual agreement of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and contractor. The contractor will provide an agenda prior to the meeting. Kickoff meeting topics may include, but are not limited to:

Detailed review of the Contractor’s project work plan, including identification of project risk areas and Contractor outline of risk mitigation strategies.

Discussion of the format and timetable for deliverables.

Review and discussion of overall evaluation plan which shall include short and medium term outcome metrics, objectives for each activity, timeline, methods, and tools proposed by Contractor.

Review of the QASP.

Any other questions or issues identified by IHS or the Contractor.

Deliverables Meeting Agenda.

Meeting Notes.

Finalized work plan ten (10) working days after kick-off meeting, to be approved by COR.

Finalized evaluation plan fifteen (15) working days after kickoff meeting, to be approved by Alzheimer’s Data Coordinator & COR.

Finalized QASP fifteen (15) working days after kick-off meeting to be approved by COR.

3.3.2 Annual Status Report

The Contractor shall produce an annual project status report to be submitted ten (10) days prior to the completion of each contract year, on a schedule to be determined by the COR. The reports shall be submitted by email, and shall include, at a minimum, the following:

Description of the work completed on each contract task and deliverable;

Results of evaluation activities; and Resources expended by the contractor during the monthly reporting period.

Annual project report.

3.3.3 Weekly Status Meetings

The Contractor shall meet regularly with the program team on a schedule to be determined by mutual agreement of the COR and Contractor. The meetings will not exceed weekly meetings and will typically be limited to 1 hour, but may be on a less frequent basis, at the discretion of the COR. The meeting time, location and format will be determined by mutual agreement of COR and contractor. If the contractor anticipates any work plan changes, delay in deliverables, or any other obstacle, they shall alert and consult with IHS during these meetings.

Meeting agendas.

Meeting notes.

3.3.4 SME Panel

The Contractor shall assemble and coordinate a multidisciplinary subject matter expert (SME) consultant panel with expertise in geriatrics and dementia care to advise the curriculum, content, and training plan development and on an as-needed basis provide ongoing SME consultation in support of contract activities, e.g., teleconsultation task. SMEs must include a registered nurse, physician with geriatrics and dementia diagnosis and treatment expertise, advanced practice provider with geriatrics and dementia diagnostic and treatment expertise, AI/AN cultural expert with experience in elder care / services, pharmacist, psychologist or other behavioral health provider, and may include a neurologist, Tribal elder, public health or community health staff.

Project Key Personnel with appropriate, relevant credentials may substitute for any SME category.

Prior to onboarding, the COR shall review and approve each consultant selection.

Packet of resumes or curriculum vitae for proposed panel members.

Finalized list panelists with credentials and contact information.

3.3.5 Collaboration and Brief Assessment of Need

The Contractor shall propose an approach to ensure work is done in collaboration with existing IHS dementia training and education partners, agencies, and initiatives to include the Indian Country Dementia ECHO host, VA Geriatric Scholars program and others, to ensure cohesive and coordinated approaches to training and education. The Contractor shall conduct a brief series of no more than ten (10) discipline (e.g., provider) and domain-specific (e.g., diabetes program) key informant interviews in collaboration with the program team to inform training gaps and requirements.

Brief stakeholder and landscape analysis document.

Key informant interview guide.

Key informant interviews report.

3.3.6 Training Logistics

The Contractor shall be responsible for coordinating the logistics of all training to include but not limited to securing in-person training sites (with priority given to Federal facilities) for the trainings, payment of facility rental fees, on-site and web-based registration services, audio/visual services, web-based training coordination, training announcements, communications materials, agenda development, identification, recruitment, travel, per diem, lodging of non-federal subject matter expert trainers, securing and managing virtual training platforms for live virtual or on-demand training delivery, and providing Continuing Education Units (CEU), Continuing Medical Education (CME), and other continuing education credits relevant to primary audience types. All training sessions that are recorded, must be made available to the participants as ‘on-demand’ sessions. The method and mode of clinical training and education may include, but is not limited to:

• On-site training, education, and outreach in a rural, urban, tribal or urban setting (face to face).

May include individual Tribal or community, regional or statewide summit sessions, or training sessions.

• Virtual training sessions delivered via live webinar, enduring content, or other virtual delivery method.

• Clinical consultation and technical assistance

Draft and final written logistics report per training.

3.3.7 Credit Coordination

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and coordinating the appropriate number of CEU/CME credits from accredited providers for nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers, and behavioral health providers for each relevant training session.

CME/CEU description with mandated accredited provider documentation for participants.

CME/ CEU certificates to participants.

3.3.8 Curricula Development

The Contractor shall a develop competency-based, culturally relevant dementia training curricula using or adapting existing training content from federal or non-federal sources for physicians, physician extenders, registered nurses, public health nurses, community health representatives, pharmacists, and other ancillary clinical staff with differentiated discipline-specific training as indicated by need. Existing training may include but is not limited to HRSA’s Dementia Care Training materials or other commercial or non-commercial ADRD training resources.

Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) or non-commercial training content may be incorporated where appropriate as part of a customized blended learning solution to accelerate course development and where it results in the best value for the IHS. However, commercial training content options may not involve participant registration or any other collection of personal information (e.g., name, email) on external websites or systems. All final training content and resources must reside on or in IHS systems. IHS shall retain sole and exclusive ownership of all content, resources, training, and deliverables.

The IHS defines curriculum as a sequence of content units (learning experiences or courses) arranged in such a way that the learning of each unit may be accomplished as a single act.

Instructors or trainers may facilitate using instructional, curricular, or training materials as a foundation. Curriculum will include content plans and processes to structure courses to incorporate new content. The curriculum will provide the overall roadmap or blueprint for training that is informed by research, needs analysis, existing courses and content, and subject matter experts.

The curriculum and individual training courses must include and be built on learning objectives, which must include terminal learning objectives and may include enabling learning objectives.

Optional contractor proposed deliverables may include: Curriculum Requirements Document(s) (CRD) – The CRD reflects the high-level outline of all courses, their recommended pre-requisites and sequencing, learning modalities, schedule and other pertinent information. Or Curriculum Design Document(s) (CDD) – The CDD reflects detailed learning solutions or course design information.

Curricula.

Agenda.

Learning Objectives.

Contractor proposed deliverables.

3.3.9 Courses and Content

The Contractor shall provide courseware development for I/T/U healthcare facilities leveraging existing training based on adult principles of learning that maximizes participant engagement.

The IHS defines training courses as the unit(s) that form the building blocks of the curriculum, though in some instances, a single course may represent the curriculum. Training courses are based on learning objectives and represent a learning product, including the structure of the content, content, and instructional materials. Courses can be delivered through a variety of mediums.

Training, instructional, or curricular materials or content are all of the resources or assets used to facilitate the sequences of learning experiences or courses. Training content includes lesson or course plans, overall learning framework, and all the presentations, handouts, activities, tests, videos, case studies, role-playing exercises, job aids, assessments, scripts, guides, or other support materials learners need to develop their knowledge and instructors need to implement the course.

The Contractor shall deliver courses and content that conform to the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) for delivery via a government furnished Learning Management System (LMS). The IHS LMS supports SCORM 1.2 specifications. It also supports the SCORM 2004 (aka SCORM 1.3) specification, with the exception of these extensions:

Content Aggregation Model The Run-Time Environment Sequencing and Navigation

SCORM 2004 packages that do not use these extensions should function correctly.

The Contractor shall also deliver course content in a Microsoft PowerPoint (PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2019 or newer) and video format appropriate for YouTube for the IHS to publish information on its websites, newsletters, or other sources outside of an LMS.

Training course.

Training content.

3.3.10 Training Plan

The Contractor shall develop in collaboration with the program team a comprehensive training plan for review and approval that includes, at a minimum, training: topics, objectives, dates, audience(s), format (in-person, live webinar, on-demand training), and proposed instructors.

Training plan.

Topic calendar and descriptions for promotion and distribution online and virtually.

3.3.11 Live, Virtual, or Asynchronous Training Provision

As a part of the base services, the Contractor shall conduct live training in-person and virtual training for I/T/U facilities staff and host and support on-demand virtual asynchronous training that provides for unlimited usage.

The contractor shall be responsible for conducting one (1) pilot trainings for each unique discipline-specific training during an IHS-sponsored annual conference or training event. The training pilots will be used to evaluate the training process and achievement of educational outcomes and objectives, and shall result in necessary updates to training approach or content based on pilot results. In option years, each discipline-specific training shall be offered virtually at least once quarterly, and in-person at one (1) IHS sponsored annual conference or training event.

Additional in-person training options will be requested under the IDIQ portion of the contract as needed.

Training schedule and training logistics; see related Training Logistics Task.

Training materials and resources.

Certificate of attendance for non-CME/CEU participants.

CME/CEU certificates to participants.

Evidence of CME/CEU offerings with participants by location and total hours.

Roster of instructors.

Host a speaker preparation session within one (1) week of training dates.

Training announcements and communication materials, including web-ready content Evaluation tool/instrument for each training the content and format of which shall be reviewed and approved by IHS.

Evaluation report of each training and overall summary report to include at a minimum: number of attendees; list of attendees with contact information; I/T/U facilities served; retrospective pre-post or pre-post knowledge, attitude or behavior assessments; trainer evaluation; assessment of overall quality, successes, areas of improvement; and suggested future topics All training sessions that are recorded, must be made available to the participants as ‘on-demand’ sessions on the IHS Training Website and made available for posting to IHS YouTube channel.

3.3.12 Logistics and Management Support – Workforce Development

The Contractor shall provide logistical and management support for discipline-specific workforce development programs including the existing Indian Health GeriatricScholars (IHGS), and Geriatric Nurse Fellowship pilot programs. These programs are separate from training courses and have unique goals and objectives that include core learning in geriatrics from existing providers, a mentored approach to learning and skills application, and related practicums for a small cohort of applicants. The IHGS program recruited its second cohort of providers in July 2023 and has initiated training and engagement with trainees. The first cohort of IHGS trainees recruited in 2022 is in the process of finalizing year two mentorship and practicum opportunities. The Geriatric Nurse Fellowship has completed recruitment of its first cohort in December of 2023 with training and orientation in January 2024.

Serve as the primary point of contact for program trainees and applicants.

Manage the application, review by IHS team, and participant notification processes.

Update and develop related communications materials and resources.

Coordinate and facilitate program participant meetings and up to monthly peer-to-peer webinars for each program.

Coordinate mentor recruitment, tracking, and assignments.

Assist in the provision of technical assistance to program participants, including coordination and facilitation of one-to-one meetings with trainees to formulate program-specific activities and track progress. This shall require subject matter expertise in geriatrics, dementia, and quality improvement methods.

Coordinate end of program peer-to-peer sharing of results (e.g., posters, meetings, or webinars) and packaging and communication of trainee outcomes and activities for public audiences

Develop and implement training program evaluations.

Track training program status and training expenditures and result by trainee and coordinate with the IHS on trainee reimbursement or IHS issuance of funding.

Report on trainee outcomes individually and in aggregate at key phases during the respective programs.

Program descriptions for IHS Alzheimer’s program website.

Agenda and summary notes for all meetings.

Trainee tracking document by participant by program with relevant demographic details, training attendance, project topics, reimbursement, and other relevant program details.

Written summary of initial project focus areas by trainee for public distribution.

Updated program applications.

Updated letters of acceptance and rejection per program.

Participant mentor match list.

Mentor correspondence.

Updated and new assets related to mentored improvement projects and activities, e.g. poster or PPT template.

Certificates of completion at the end of the program year.

Training document detailing technical assistance requests.

Evaluation tool / instrument for each training the content and format of which shall be reviewed and approved by IHS.

Annual aggregate evaluation report summarizing all programs.

3.3.13 Training Technical Assistance and Support

The Contractor shall receive and coordinate responses to training and education technical assistance requests, in collaboration with IHS staff. Technical assistance may take the form of referrals to recommended resources including upcoming or past training webinars or recordings, and existing training and education programs.

Technical assistance tracking document with relevant demographic details and detailing the nature of inquiry.

Evaluation tool/instrument for each training the content and format of which shall be reviewed and approved by IHS.

Monthly reports summarizing technical assistance outputs.

Quarterly reports summarizing technical assistance outputs and outcomes.

3.3.14 Teleconsultation

The Contractor shall establish and ensure ongoing access for distance-based teleconsultation services to any clinician working at any I/T/U facility. This shall include the provision of expert, evidence-based guidance and clinical decision-making support to I/T/U health care providers on questions regarding dementia screening, case evaluation, treatment, and management. Clinical consultations shall be provided by a physician or advanced practice provider with expertise in dementia diagnosis, treatment, and care, with as needed consultation for complex cases by neurology or geropyschologists. Telephonic or web-based meeting consultative services will provide prompt response to providers during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. If lines are busy, a voice mail system will take messages and someone from the consultation team will provide a return phone call by the next business day (often the call will be returned the same business day). During “off hours” (nights, weekends, and holidays), calls will be routed to the voice mail system and returned the next business day. Providers may also submit their questions online (through the Contractor’s existing website), and a clinical consultant will call the provider within one business day to provide the consultation.

The contractor shall anticipate and manage up to 2 consultations requiring up to 2 hours each per calendar month or a total maximum of 24 consultations per year.

Assets to describe and promote teleconsultation services, to include at a minimum a website description, email text, and social media graphics and text.

Teleconsultation user tracking document with relevant demographic details and detailing the nature of inquiry to include at a minimum profession, state, topics discussed, intervention or diagnostic approach discussed, use per hour per day.

Evaluation tool/instrument to include at a minimum short term outcome metrics for satisfaction, description and categorization of practice change(s) as a result of the call, related patient case disposition description; the format of which shall be reviewed and approved by IHS.

Monthly reports summarizing teleconsultation outputs.

Quarterly reports summarizing teleconsultation outputs and outcomes.

3.3.15 Optional Periods

Option periods, if exercised, will continue the following tasks:

1. Kick-Off Meeting

2. Annual Status Report

3. Weekly Status Meetings Reduced to biweekly

4. Panel Assembly As needed to support and provide ongoing tasks and deliverables, including training provision Additional SME consultation support for new or expanded tasks related to ADRD or other topics, shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

5. Training Logistics Training logistics management for new or additional courses or course series related to

ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

6. Credit Coordination Credit coordination for live or virtual training provision shall continue for each training course or course series offered one time quarterly in option years Credit coordination for new or additional training courses or course series related to

ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

7. Course and Content Updates New or additional training courses or course series related to ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

8. Training Plan Develop and implement an annual training plan including development of any new training courses or content or updates to existing courses or content based on program evaluations, emerging science in the field in the ADRD field, and participant demand as determined by registration and evaluation findings

9. Live, Virtual, or Asynchronous Training Provision Each training course or course series developed in the base year shall be offered virtually one time quarterly in option years and one time in-person at an annual IHS hosted conference or training

On demand virtual training content developed in the base year shall continue to be offered, updated, and supported for option years

New or additional training content or methods of delivery related to ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

10. Logistics and Management Support IHS GeriScholars and Geriatric Nurse Fellowship shall continue in option years New discipline-specific workforce development programs and pilots related to ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

11. Training Support

12. Teleconsultation Up to 24 consultations per year in option years Additional teleconsultations related to ADRD or other topics shall be established by task order under the IDIQ

3.4 Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Services Associated with the Scope of Work

The contractor shall provide additional quantities of services via the issuance of firm fixed price or time and material task orders (the authority to issue T&M task orders shall only be valid years 1-3, it is anticipated that years 4-5 will be fixed priced exclusively), based upon the labor rates provided above. The performance period/delivery dates for services order shall be specified within each order. The combined price of all orders (separate from the fixed price portion) shall not exceed $3M, over the total period of performance (base and option years.)

The types of additional services included under this section will be reflective of the services described above, but cannot be fully estimated at the time of award, inclusive of:

1.) Additional Live, In-Person, or Asynchronous Trainings 2.) Training Logistics Support 3.) Logistics and Management Support 4.) Development of content for a Training Website

Labor Category Descriptions (IDIQ Portion)

Labor Category Minimum Requirements Project Director

Master’s degree in health or business-related field. Health-related fields may include but are not limited to nursing, public health, gerontology, psychology, or social work.

At least 7 years’ dementia-related subject matter experience with demonstrated subject mastery.

At least 7 years’ experience in progressive project management and program leadership, including large-scope project management and relevant related business and management tasks, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, development of and compliance with deliverables schedules, report completion, and problem-solving.

Proven track record of successful project delivery and overall program management.

Project Manager

Master’s degree preferred in a health-related field or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent relevant experience.

At least 5 years’ experience in project management, management, organizational and/or business improvement experience.

At least 3 years’ experience in dementia or other closely related health or aging field.

Proven track record of successful small-scale project management and delivery, including project planning (including tasks, timelines), resource allocation, compliance with deliverable schedule, scheduling, budgeting of projects related to required tasks, and report completion.

Project Coordinator Bachelor’s degree in a health-related or training and development field.

At least 3 years’ specialized experience in project coordination or management of dementia, aging, long-term services and supports, health, or public health projects.

Excellent verbal/ written communication skills and ability to manage communications with internal and external customers and stakeholders.

Physician Consultant: A doctorate in any medical field from an accredited body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education.

Current, active, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

At least 5 years’ specialized experience in geriatrics and dementia; specialty designation of neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, behavioral neurology, or geriatric neurology; and attest to expertise in diagnosis and care management of dementia, including differential diagnoses, complex case diagnosis, and treatment protocols for new and emerging pharmacotherapeutics.

Board certification preferred.

Nurse Consultant

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with an active registered nursing license.

At least 5 years’ specialized experience in geriatrics and dementia.

Pharmacist Consultant A PharmD degree from an ACPE-accredited school.

Licensed to practice pharmacy in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

At least 5 years’ specialized experience in geriatrics and dementia.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with dementia pharmacotherapy, including new and emerging therapeutics and treatment protocols.

Social Worker Consultant Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master’s degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Unrestricted U.S. state licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or Certified Independent Social Worker (CISW).

At least 5 years’ experience in geriatrics and dementia.

Advance Practice Provider Consultant

Graduate or higher level degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program or graduate of an accredited physician assistant school.

Current licensure or registration by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States in the relevant clinical discipline.

At least 5 years’ specialized experience in geriatrics and dementia; and attest to experience in diagnosis and care management of dementia, including differential diagnoses, complex case diagnosis, and treatment protocols for new and emerging pharmacotherapeutics. Board certification or specialty designation of neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, behavioral neurology, or geriatric neurology preferred.

Psychologist Consultant

Doctorate in psychology.

Current licensure or registration by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

At least 5 years’ experience in geriatrics and dementia.

Training, Learning and Development or Instructional Design Specialist or Coordinator

Bachelor’s degree in a training or learning and development-related field.

At least 5 years’ specialized experience in a training or instructional design or development role that includes training needs/ gap analysis, research to develop and revise training courses, collaboration with subject matter experts, application of tested instructional design theories, practices, and methods, curriculum and course development, training plan development, preparation of instructional materials and job aids, training evaluation, and use of state-of-the-art technologies for training delivery.

Excellent communication skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Excellent planning and time management skills.

Ability to convey complex information in a way that people understand.

Community Health Representative Consultant

Shall be a certified community health worker or community health representative, with a minimum of five (5) years of experience.

3.3.16 Key Personnel

HHSAR 352.237-75 Key Personnel (Dec 18, 2015)

The key personnel specified in this contract are essential to work performance. At least 15 days prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts (or as soon as possible, if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result of leaving the employ of the Contractor), the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer (and Contracting Officer Representative) and shall submit comprehensive justification for the diversion or replacement request (including proposed substitutions for key personnel) to permit evaluation by the Government of the impact on performance under this contract.

The Contractor shall not divert or otherwise replace any key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Government may modify the contract to add or delete key personnel at the request of the Contractor or Government. Prior to onboarding, the COR shall review and approve each consultant selection.

The Key Personnel under this contract is:

Labor Category Name Project Manager TBD (specified on award) Project Director TBD (specified on award)

Physician Consultant TBD (specified on award) Advanced Practice Provider Consultant TBD (specified on award)

3.4 Deliverables Schedule

Deliverable Frequency Copies Medium/Format Submit To

All

Unless otherwise specified:

Agendas due 2 business days prior to meeting.

Meeting notes due 3 business days after meeting.

Evaluation or data reports due within 30 days following each training or month of services/ support unless otherwise specified.

Drafts of assets, documents, content, or other medium designed for public distribution are due no later than 60 days prior to planned dissemination or use unless otherwise specified.

Written deliverables provided in MS Word or PDF via email attachment.

COR and Program Officer

3.3.1 Kick-Off

Meeting

One meeting per year– within 14 working days after contract execution in base year and 10 days after contractor execution with individual deliverable due dates as noted under Task.

Agenda due 5 days prior to meeting.

Meeting notes due 3 business days after kickoff meeting.

Draft work plan due 10 days after kickoff meeting.

Draft evaluation plan due 15 days after kickoff meeting.

Revised QASP due 15 days after kickoff meeting.

Written deliverables provided in MS Word or PDF via email attachment.

The QASP shall be finalized following award. The QASP is a living document and may be updated by the Government, as necessary.

Contract Officer, Program

Officer, and

COR

3.3.2 Annual Status

Reports

Once per year – 10 working days before the end of the base year period of performance.

Via Email Attachment.

Contract Officer, Program

Officer, and

COR

3.3.3 Weekly Status

Meetings

Weekly meetings.

Agendas.

Notes.

MS Word via email attachment.

3.3.4 SME Panel

SME Consultant panel finalized 60 days following award start date.

Package of all SME Consultant resumes or curriculum vitaes must be submitted for approval prior to final sub-contracting and panel members finalized. Via email attachment.

COR and Program Officer

3.3.5 Collaboration

and Assessment of

Needs

Stakeholder analysis completed by end of Quarter

1.

Assessment report due by end of Quarter 1.

3.3.6 Training

Logistics

3rd Quarter and ongoing. 1

3.3.7 Credit

Coordination

Accreditation provider documentation due dates based on accrediting provider requirements.

Participant certificates due within 7 days of course completion.

Data reports due within 30 days following each training or month of services/ support.

Certificates provided in pdf or other appropriate format and sent via email to participants.

COR and Program Officer

3.3.8 Curricula

Development

2nd Quarter. 1

3.3.9 Courses and

Content

3rd Quarter.

Draft course and course materials due 60 days prior to launch of pilot training to allow for review and comment.

New course or course content in option years due 90 days prior to first intended training to allow for review, approval, and comment.

Written and virtual deliverables provided in appropriate medium as determined by the Contractor via email attachment or other means as appropriate for file size, e.g., Dropbox or other file sharing.

3.3.10 Training

Plan

4th Quarter.

Draft plan due 30 days prior to first scheduled training.

Option year plans due 15 days after contract option execution.

3.3.11 Live, Virtual, Asynchronous

Training

Pilot virtual trainings 4th Quarter in base year. Pilot in-person training dates TBD by

IHS.

1 Varies.

Option year trainings provided virtually once quarterly and in-person once annually with dates identified by IHS.

training.

On demand asynchronous training made available within 30 days following each training for recordings and 60 days prior to stand-alone course release.

3.3.12 Logistics and

Management

Support

1st Quarter and ongoing.

Draft of assets to be publicly distributed due 30 days prior to planned distribution dates.

within 30 days.

Written deliverables provided in appropriate medium as determined by the Contractor via email attachment or other or other means as appropriate for file size, e.g., Dropbox or other file sharing.

COR and Program Officer

3.3.13 Training

Support

4th Quarter and ongoing.

training or month of services/ support.

Written deliverables provided in appropriate medium as determined by the Contractor via email attachment or other or other means as appropriate for file size, e.g., Dropbox or other file sharing.

COR and Program Officer

3.3.14 Teleconsultation

2nd Quarter and ongoing.

monthly, within 30 days of last day of previous month.

Teleconsultation service delivery as outlined in Task.

appropriate medium as determined by the Contractor via email attachment or other or other means as appropriate for file size, e.g., Dropbox or other file sharing.

COR and

Note: Unless otherwise specified above, days refers to calendar days.

The Government shall retain ownership and rights to all deliverables produced under this order and all subsequent task orders.

3.5. Period of Performance

The period of performance for the base period of the contract shall be one (1) year from the effective date of the contract, with four additional- one (1) year option periods for total maximum potential not to exceed five (5) years. If exercised, the option below will additionally extend the ordering period of the IDIQ portion.

Period Dates

Base Period One Year ARO (to be specified on order award) Option Period 1 Twelve (12) Additional Months (if exercised) Option Period 2 Twelve (12) Additional Months (if exercised) Option Period 3 Twelve (12) Additional Months (if exercised) Option Period 4 Twelve (12) Additional Months (if exercised)

3.6 Place of Performance

The primary place of performance shall be the contractor’s site.

3.5 Contract Administration

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The following COR will represent the Government for the purpose of this order:

TBD (To be specified on award) Indian Health Service Division of Clinical and Community Services Rockville, MD 20851

The COR is responsible for the following as required by this order: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the Statement of Work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluations; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person with authority to act as an agent of the Government under this order. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: direct or negotiate any changes in the order, including modifying or extending the period of performance, changing the delivery schedule, authorizing reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this order, or otherwise change any terms and conditions of this order.

The contact information for the Contracting Officer is the following:

Christopher R. McGucken Indian Health Service Division of Acquisition Policy Rockville, MD 20851 Christopher.McGucken@ihs.gov

(202) 677-5373

The contact information for the Contractor is the following: [TBD- Will be specified at time of award]

3.6 Payment

Payment will be made on a monthly basis following receipt of a proper invoice as determined by the COR, and in accordance with FAR 32.905. Invoicing under this order shall be processed through the Invoice Payment Platform (IPP), located at www.ipp.gov .

IPP is a secure, web-based electronic invoicing system provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRSTL). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M-15-19 Memorandum "Improving Government Efficiency and Saving Taxpayer Dollars Through Electronic Invoicing" directs Federal agencies to adopt electronic invoicing as the primary means to disburse payment to vendors.

If your organization is not currently utilizing IPP, following award of an order, your organization will be automatically enrolled by IHS. Your company’s IPP POC will be determined by the information listed in your SAM.gov account, and will receive two e-mails from the Bureau of Fiscal Service, one with a username and one with a temporary password. Please ensure your SAM.gov information is up to date.

If you are currently enrolled in IPP, either from a previous award with IHS or another Federal Agency utilizing IPP- you may use your existing IPP credentials for this order.

HHSAR 352.232-71, Electronic Submission of Invoice Payments (Feb 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), "Content of Invoices" and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system.

Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site.

(c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer's written authorization with each payment request.

(End of Clause)

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION(S)

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 42.15, IHS will complete annual and final contractor performance evaluations. Annual evaluations will be prepared to coincide with the anniversary date of the contract. Additional interim performance evaluations may be prepared at Contracting Officer discretion, as necessary. Final performance evaluations will be competed upon contract expiration.

IHS will utilize the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) in order to execute…