PRSU PWS RN Acute Care Nursing May 2026 Long Term _MEW.docx

Pine Ridge Service Unit Acute Care Nursing PWS May 2026 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Pine Ridge Service Unit (PRSU) Acute Care Nursing Services

1.0 General

1.1 Introduction

The mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. The Pine Ridge Service Unit (PRSU) supports this mission by providing healthcare services to the Oglala Lakota Tribe population. This acquisition provides Acute Care Nursing Services to ensure continuity of care and maintain safe inpatient operations.

1.2 Objective

Provide qualified Registered Nurses (RNs) to deliver inpatient acute care nursing services, ensuring safe, continuous, and high-quality patient care in alignment with PRSU clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and standards of nursing practice.

1.3 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall furnish qualified Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide inpatient acute care nursing services consistent with the clinical capabilities of PRSU. Services shall include care for adult and pediatric patients, as applicable to assignment, with acute and chronic conditions typical of a rural healthcare setting.

Contractor personnel shall provide services within the scope of their licensure and in accordance with:

· PRSU policies and procedures

· Applicable standards of nursing practice

· Infection prevention and control requirements

· Patient safety standards

· Applicable Federal laws and regulations

Services may include, but are not limited to:

· Patient assessment and monitoring

· Medication administration

· IV therapy

· Emergency response and stabilization

· Care coordination and discharge planning

· Clinical documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)

· Participation in interdisciplinary care activities

· Patient and family education Contractor personnel shall comply with patient care assignments and clinical direction issued by authorized PRSU clinical leadership necessary for safe patient care operations. Such direction does not constitute Government supervision of contractor employees.

1.4 Background

The mission of the Pine Ridge Service Unit (PRSU), Indian Health Service (IHS), is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

PRSU serves the Pine Ridge Reservation, a rural and geographically remote area in the southwestern corner of South Dakota, approximately 100 miles southeast of Rapid City. The Pine Ridge Reservation is home to the Oglala Lakota Tribe and serves a population of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 residents.

The population served by PRSU has experienced significant historical and intergenerational trauma, which continues to influence health outcomes and access to care. Despite these challenges, the Oglala Lakota people demonstrate enduring resilience, cultural strength, and commitment to community healing.

Due to its remote rural location, PRSU faces ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified healthcare personnel. Contractor support is required to supplement nursing services during staffing shortages, employee absences, increased patient census, and other operational demands to maintain continuity of patient care.

1.5 Type of Contract Contemplated

Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Performance-Based Service Contract.

Payment shall be based upon successful completion of required staffing coverage and satisfactory performance in accordance with this PWS and the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

1.6 Period of Performance

To be determined (base and option periods as applicable).

1.7 Place of Performance

The primary place of performance is the PRSU Acute Care Nursing (ACN) Unit.

To support continuity of patient care and operational needs, Contractor personnel may be temporarily assigned to other PRSU clinical areas, provided such assignments remain within the scope of RN licensure and competency.

The Government will identify required coverage needs; however, the Contractor remains responsible for assigning qualified personnel to meet all required staffing coverage.

Services may be required on:

· Days

· Evenings

· Nights

· Weekends

· Holidays

· Emergency operating conditions Shift lengths may include 8-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour shifts based on operational needs.

2.0 Applicable Requirements

All Contractor personnel shall:

· Hold a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license from any U.S. state or territory

· Maintain all required certifications throughout the period of performance

· Successfully complete required credentialing and background investigations prior to performance Required certifications include:

· Basic Life Support (BLS)

· Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

· Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), when applicable to assignment Certifications shall be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent nationally recognized organization.

Contractor personnel shall possess a minimum of two (2) years recent inpatient acute care nursing experience within the last three (3) years.

3.0 Specific Requirements/Tasks

3.1 General Requirements

The Contractor shall manage all personnel, including:

· Scheduling

· Attendance

· Replacement staffing

· Workforce oversight

· Performance management The Contractor shall ensure personnel:

· Maintain required licensure and certifications

· Perform assigned duties competently

· Comply with clinical and administrative requirements

· Maintain professional conduct

· Follow PRSU infection control policies

3.2 Staffing and Coverage

The Government will identify required staffing coverage needs, including required shifts and skill mix.

The Contractor shall:

· Independently develop staffing schedules

· Assign qualified personnel

· Ensure all scheduled shifts are filled

· Maintain continuity of services at all times The Contractor shall maintain a minimum monthly staffing fill rate of 95% for all scheduled shifts unless otherwise excused by the Government.

The Contractor shall provide qualified replacement personnel for staffing shortages, absences, or vacancies as rapidly as operationally feasible and coordinate staffing contingencies with the COR or designated clinical leadership.

Payment under this contract is based upon successful fulfillment of required staffing coverage and satisfactory performance outcomes rather than hours worked.

3.3 Documentation

The Contractor shall ensure accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with:

· PRSU Health Information Management (HIM) policies

· Applicable regulatory requirements

· Standards of nursing practice

Contractor personnel shall complete all required documentation necessary to support continuity of care, clinical communication, and validation of services rendered.

Incomplete, inaccurate, or delinquent documentation may result in delayed acceptance of services and associated payment.

3.4 Training and Orientation

The Contractor shall ensure personnel complete all required:

· Orientation

· Clinical onboarding

· EHR training

· Security training

· Privacy training

· Infection prevention training prior to performing services independently.

3.5 Infection Prevention and Control

Contractor personnel shall comply with all PRSU infection prevention and control policies, including:

· Hand hygiene requirements

· Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements

· Isolation precautions

· Communicable disease protocols

3.6 Continuity of Operations

The Contractor shall ensure continuity of services during:

· Personnel absences

· Emergencies

· Adverse weather

· Increased patient census

· Other operational disruptions

The Contractor shall maintain contingency plans sufficient to support uninterrupted patient care operations.

4.0 Contractor Quality Assurance

The Contractor shall maintain an internal quality assurance program to monitor performance and ensure compliance with all contract requirements.

The Government will monitor performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

5.0 Deliverables

5.1 Staffing Coverage Reports

Description Submission of staffing coverage reports demonstrating fulfillment of required scheduled coverage.

Deliverable Standard

· Identifies scheduled shifts and assigned personnel

· Confirms completion of required staffing coverage

· Identifies vacancies or substitutions

Frequency Weekly Acceptance Criteria

· Demonstrates required staffing coverage

· Validated by COR and/or clinical leadership

· Supports verification of satisfactory performance

5.2 Invoices

Description Submission of invoices for services rendered.

Deliverable Standard

· Itemized by fixed-price staffing units, shifts, or coverage periods as defined in the contract schedule

· Supported by validated performance documentation Frequency Monthly or as specified in the contract Acceptance Criteria

· Matches approved staffing coverage records

· Meets invoicing requirements

· Free of discrepancies Special Conditions Invoices are subject to:

· QASP validation

· Performance review

· Acceptance of services Payment may be delayed, reduced, or withheld for unsatisfactory performance.

5.3 Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)

Description Formal response to identified performance deficiencies.

Deliverable Standard

· Root cause analysis

· Corrective measures

· Implementation timeline

· Prevention strategy Frequency As required Acceptance Criteria

· Approved by COR/CO

· Demonstrates measurable improvement

5.4 Incident Reporting

Description Reporting of adverse events or safety incidents involving contractor personnel.

Deliverable Standard

· Immediate verbal notification

· Written report within required timeframe

Acceptance Criteria

· Complete and accurate

· Complies with PRSU reporting procedures

5.5 Credentialing and Certification Documentation

Description Proof of required licensure and certifications.

Deliverable Standard

· Current unrestricted RN license

· BLS

· ACLS

· PALS

Frequency Prior to performance and ongoing maintenance Acceptance Criteria

· Verified and current at all times

· Meets PRSU credentialing standards

6.0 Deliverables Summary Table

7.0 Government Acceptance

Acceptance of services and deliverables will be based upon:

· Compliance with all PWS requirements

· Achievement of required staffing coverage

· Satisfactory clinical performance

· Validation through QASP surveillance methods

· COR determination of satisfactory performance

Acceptance shall be based upon successful completion of required services and performance outcomes rather than the number of hours performed.

Partial or conditional acceptance may occur when deficiencies are identified.

8.0 Meetings

8.1 Post-Award Kickoff Meeting

A kickoff meeting will be conducted within five (5) business days after contract award.

Purpose

· Review contract requirements

· Confirm staffing plans

· Review onboarding requirements

· Establish communication protocols The Contractor shall provide:

· Staffing plan

· Points of contact

· Mobilization approach

8.2 Intermittent Status Reviews

The Government may conduct status reviews as needed to address:

· Staffing concerns

· Documentation issues

· Operational adjustments

· Corrective actions

8.3 Monthly Performance Reviews

The Government may conduct monthly performance reviews to evaluate:

· Staffing fill rates

· Documentation compliance

· Incident trends

· QASP metrics

· Corrective actions

8.4 Performance Management Reviews

Formal reviews may occur when significant performance concerns are identified.

8.5 Meeting Documentation

Meeting records may be used to support:

· QASP surveillance

· Performance evaluations

· CPARS assessments

9.0 Required Travel and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Contractor personnel are expected to report to the designated PRSU worksite for all scheduled shifts.

Commuting costs and routine travel expenses are the responsibility of the Contractor and shall not be separately reimbursed.

10.0 Special Instructions

10.1 Continuity of Services (FAR 52.237-3)

This contract is essential to continuity of healthcare services at PRSU.

The Contractor shall:

· Ensure uninterrupted services during transitions

· Cooperate with successor contractors

· Provide reasonable transition assistance If exercised by the Government, services may continue for up to 90 days pursuant to FAR 52.237-3.

10.2 Transition and Phase-In/Phase-Out

The Contractor shall support orderly transition of services and ensure completion of all required documentation prior to contract completion.

10.3 Non-Personal Services Compliance

This is a non-personal services contract.

The Contractor retains responsibility for:

· Hiring

· Supervision

· Discipline

· Evaluation

· Compensation

Government personnel may provide clinical direction necessary for patient safety but shall not supervise contractor employees in a manner that creates an employer-employee relationship.

10.4 Patient Privacy and Data Protection

All Contractor personnel shall comply with:

· HIPAA

· IHS privacy requirements

· PRSU security policies Unauthorized disclosure of patient information may result in removal from the contract and additional contractual remedies.

10.5 Electronic Health Record (EHR) Requirements

Contractor personnel shall:

· Complete required EHR training

· Use only assigned credentials

· Maintain accurate documentation Failure to comply may result in:

· Removal of personnel

· Delayed payment

· Additional contractual remedies

10.6 Credentialing and Clinical Privileges

Contractor personnel shall complete credentialing and privileging prior to performance.

The Government reserves the right to:

· Deny privileges

· Suspend privileges

· Require removal of personnel

10.7 Workplace Conduct and Professional Standards

Contractor personnel shall:

· Maintain professional conduct

· Respect cultural values of the Oglala Lakota community

· Adhere to workplace standards

10.8 Incident Reporting and Risk Management

Contractor personnel shall immediately report:

· Patient safety incidents

· Adverse events

· Security concerns Failure to report incidents may result in corrective action or removal.

10.9 Government Right to Require Removal of Personnel

The Government may require removal of personnel who:

· Fail performance standards

· Violate policies

· Pose patient safety risks The Contractor shall provide qualified replacement personnel as rapidly as operationally feasible.

10.10 Section 508 Compliance

Any applicable electronic deliverables shall comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements.

11.0 Government Furnished Property/Equipment/Information

11.1 General

The Government will provide access to facilities, systems, and equipment necessary to support on-site performance.

All Government-furnished resources remain Government property and shall be used solely for contract performance.

11.2 Government Furnished Property and Equipment

The Government may provide:

· Clinical workspace

· Nursing stations

· Standard hospital equipment

· Computers and workstations

· EHR system access All equipment is provided “as-is.”

11.3 Government Furnished Information (GFI)

The Government will provide access to:

· EHR systems

· Clinical protocols

· Infection control procedures

· Emergency response procedures

· Administrative policies

11.4 Property Accountability

The Contractor shall:

· Exercise reasonable care

· Report damage or loss immediately

· Use property only for authorized purposes

11.5 Security and Access

Access to Government systems and facilities requires:

· Credentialing completion

· Background investigation completion

· Compliance with PRSU security policies

11.6 Limitations

The Government does not guarantee uninterrupted availability of Government-furnished equipment or systems.

11.7 Contractor-Furnished Property

The Contractor is responsible for providing:

· Uniforms

· Personal items

· Non-clinical supplies

12.0 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms