IHS PWS LSS Training - SSN 75H70424R00013.pdf

Performance Work Statement Lean Six Sigma Training Support

In Support of the Indian Health Service Office of Quality - Division of Innovation and Improvement (DII)

A. BACKGROUND:

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The mission of IHS is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level and assure that comprehensive, culturally acceptable personal and public health services are available and accessible to members of the 574 federally recognized Tribes across the United States. The Office of Quality was authorized in December, 2018 to integrate quality improvement efforts in a collaborative and organized manner across the IHS. The purpose of the Office of Quality is to strengthen the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure the delivery of quality health care at federally operated facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native people and is aligned with the IHS Strategic Plan 2019-2023. It consists of four Divisions, including: Enterprise Risk Management, Quality Assurance, Innovation and Improvement, and Patient Safety. The Office of Quality works across IHS Areas and facilities to identify needed quality improvement system changes, and methods and approaches to improve health care practices and processes using quality improvement methods and approaches.

The Office of Quality, Division of Innovation and Improvement (DII), was created in 2018 within the Office of Quality. The DII serves as the lead for healthcare quality improvement and innovation initiatives to develop proficiency in quality improvement efforts that will integrate quality in a collaborative manner across the agency. The DII team assists care teams with building capability to make changes and improvements in the way they organize and provide care. The DII provides training, facility support and resources to the Areas and Service Units to increase their quality improvement capacity.

A structured lean six sigma training program is essential to advancing the IHS mission of enhancing healthcare quality, improving operational efficiency, and optimizing resource utilization across the Indian health system. The DII seeks to implement this initiative through an evidence-based training platform designed to strengthen workforce capabilities in process flow analysis, waste reduction, error prevention, and system optimization. This initiative aligns directly with IHS’s Strategic Goal 1, which aims to establish IHS as a leading healthcare organization by fostering workplace learning, enhancing safety, and standardizing performance measures. The proposed lean six sigma training program will equip healthcare professionals, healthcare administrators, and administrative/support staff with the tools and methodologies needed to drive continuous improvement, ultimately improving patient outcomes and IHS operational performance.

The necessity of this initiative is further reinforced by the Office of Quality’s directive to ensure compliance with healthcare standards, promote patient safety, and enhance system-wide quality improvement efforts. Given the complexity of healthcare service delivery, a structured process improvement approach is vital for minimizing inefficiencies, reducing clinical errors, and ensuring regulatory compliance. A well-trained workforce proficient in continuous improvement methodologies will contribute to IHS’s ability to sustain high-reliability operations and deliver effective healthcare outcomes, a key component of the agency’s long-term strategic vision.

The training platform shall be designed to scale across all Federal IHS Facilities, creating a tiered learning system that develops a cadre of internal trainers capable of facilitating continuous improvement efforts at all levels. This model ensures the sustainability of process improvement initiatives while maximizing the return on investment in workforce development. Educational modules shall incorporate virtual evidence-based methodologies, experiential learning, and interactive discussion formats to engage participants and support knowledge retention.

To execute this initiative effectively, IHS intends to award a contract for the implementation of the lean six sigma training support platform. This contract will be managed under the DII Program Office and will build upon existing quality improvement efforts related to data utilization, performance measurement, and best practice standardization. The selected vendor shall demonstrate expertise in providing virtual, structured, and results-driven training solutions tailored to complex healthcare environments. The implementation of this initiative will serve as a critical step in transforming IHS into a high-performing, data-driven healthcare organization that prioritizes quality, efficiency, and patient-centered care.

B. OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquire a virtual lean six sigma training program and platform that provides advanced knowledge and practical skills in continuous process improvement. The content should include data analysis, structured methodologies, and tools that align with established quality and process improvement frameworks. The curriculum must support tiered learning that meets the ongoing and emerging needs in healthcare delivery and culminates in formal certification upon successful completion.

2. To build a sustainable infrastructure by fostering a workforce capable of applying process improvement strategies to reduce inefficiencies, enhance operational performance, and drive measurable outcomes within healthcare settings. To ensure scalability and internal capacity building, the program should include a “train-the-trainer” component that prepares select participants to facilitate future training and mentors across the Agency.

C. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE / PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance shall be for a BASE Period of twelve months from 09/15/2025 – 09/14/2026, with two (2) twelve-month (12) month Option Periods. The work shall be performed at the Contractor’s site, as appropriate. The place of performance for deliverables will primarily be virtual; with all training, support, and deliverables accessible remotely through the contractor’s secure web-based platform.

D. SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor shall provide comprehensive lean six sigma training, associated certifications up-to black belt, and implementation support to enhance IHS operational efficiency, reduce variability, and establish a sustainable culture of process optimization across the agency.

1. Training Development and Delivery:

1.1. Develop, customize, and deliver a structured training curriculum focused on data-driven problem-solving, process mapping, and workflow optimization.

1.2. Provide a scalable training approach with progressive yellow, green and black belt certification levels, allowing for the development of internal subject matter expert trainers to sustain long-term improvement efforts and capable of overseeing quality and process improvements at all levels.

2. Instructional Methodologies:

2.1. Offer interactive learning solutions, including self-paced e-learning modules, live virtual instruction, and hands-on project-based application.

2.2. Incorporate ongoing coaching and mentorship to reinforce practical skills and ensure knowledge retention.

3. Course Content and Materials:

3.1. Cover key principles of lean six sigma continuous process improvement, statistical analysis for performance measurement, root cause identification, constraint management, and change implementation strategies.

3.2. Provide comprehensive training materials, including manuals, toolkits, process templates, and software resources for practical application.

3.3. The training program will be structured into progressive belt levels and associated certification, each designed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of continuous process improvement methodologies and practical application.

3.3.1. Yellow Belt will introduce foundational concepts and provide participants with a comprehensive overview of structured problem-solving techniques, ensuring they develop a strong foundational knowledge to contribute effectively to process improvement initiatives.

3.3.2. Green Belt will expand on these principles, incorporating advanced methodologies for data-driven decision-making, in-depth statistical analysis, and the application of structured frameworks for sustained process optimization. This level will include a hands-on project requirement, where participants will apply learned concepts to a real-world improvement initiative within the agency.

3.3.3. Black Belt will prepare participants to lead enterprise-level continuous process improvement efforts by developing advanced expertise in systems analysis, predictive analytics, complex statistical modeling, and financial impact assessment. Black Belt will build upon the foundational and intermediate training from Yellow and Green Belt to manage high-impact, cross-functional projects aligned with agency-wide strategic goals. In addition, participants will gain skills in coaching, mentoring, and change management to ensure long-term integration of improvements into operations and policy. A capstone project will be required, demonstrating the participant’s ability to serve as internal experts and champions of continuous improvement across the agency.

4. Post-Training Support and Impact Measurement:

4.1. Offer ongoing consulting services, mentorship, and on-demand resources to support the practical application of training concepts.

4.2. Track participant progress, conduct performance assessments, and provide reports measuring training effectiveness and organizational impact.

4.3. Develop and deliver training to assist in the development of proficiency in continuous improvement methods and approaches across the agency.

4.4. Quality improvement training in specific tiers or belt levels related to continuous improvement.