Question and Answer EMT 061626.pdf

Question # PWS Section Question Response

1 1

The PWS requires a student completion rate of ≥ 90% (Performance Requirements

Summary, Part 4). However, the PWS does not provide the contractor with any mechanism to screen, assess, or approve the twenty (20) students prior to enrollment. Will the Government provide the contractor with access to each student's academic records, EMT certification history, years of EMS experience, and any prior academic performance documentation before the program commences?

The student completion rate in the PRS is removed (see amended PWS Part 4). The government screened paramedic students with its EMS Medical Director. The contract awardee may request screening results related to the paramedic students.

2 1

Will the Government permit the contractor to administer a pre-enrollment academic and skills readiness assessment to all twenty (20) designated students prior to the program start date? This assessment would identify students who may require additional academic preparation before entering the paramedic program and would directly support the

Government's objective of achieving the ≥ 90% completion standard.

The student completion rate in the PRS is removed (see amended PWS Part 4). The contractor may administer a pre-enrollment academic and skills readiness assessment within the contractual period of performance at the contractor's expense. However, this is not a governemnt requriement.

Additionally, see section 3.5 of the amended PWS.

3 1

Is there a minimum EMT certification tenure or EMS field experience requirement for students selected to participate in this program?

If so, what is it?

If not, will the Government consider establishing one as a condition of enrollment?

Per the government/department screening process, the governmnet requires our paramedic students to have at least 1-year of active EMS experience.

4 1

Will student participation in this program be voluntary, or will some or all students be designated by their chain of command based on operational need?

The contractor's ability to achieve the ≥ 90% completion standard is directly affected by student motivation and self-selection. If participation is command-directed rather than voluntary, will the Government consider adjusting the completion rate AQL accordingly?

All students are designated by their chain of command. Once selected, participation by the paramedic student is mandatory. The student completion rate in the PRS is removed (see amended

PWS Part 4).

5 2

The PWS states that "failure to meet performance standards may result in corrective action, withholding of payment, or other contractual remedies" (PWS Section 3.0). If a student fails to meet the NREMT competency standard despite receiving full instruction, completing all required clinical and field hours, and exhausting all available remediation

— and this failure is attributable to the student's academic performance rather than any deficiency in the contractor's program delivery — will the Government hold the contractor liable under the ≥ 90% completion AQL?

The student completion rate in the PRS is removed (see amended PWS Part 4).

6 2

Will the Government consider a contractual provision that distinguishes between student attrition attributable to contractor performance deficiencies versus student attrition attributable to factors outside the contractor's control, such as student academic inability, voluntary withdrawal, medical disqualification, or command reassignment?

The student completion rate in the PRS is removed (see amended PWS Part 4).

7 2

The PWS requires 100% NREMT exam participation (all 20 students must sit for the exam). If a student is medically disqualified, reassigned by their command, or voluntarily withdraws prior to the exam, will the contractor be held in non-compliance with this standard? What is the Government's remedy process in such cases?

The PRS NREMT exam participation requirement is amended to remove the reuiremnt that all 20 students must sit for the exam (see amended PWS Part 4). However, 20 students must be schedule to for the exam and all eligible paramedic students are required to sit for the exam if they successfully complete the program with the contractor.

8 3

The period of performance is twelve (12) months from date of award. Our accredited paramedic program is designed as an 18-month curriculum to ensure full competency development in alignment with CAAHEP/CoAEMSP standards. Compressing this program to 12 months significantly increases the academic demands placed on students.

Will the Government consider an 18-month period of performance, or alternatively, will the Government accept a hybrid timeline that begins didactic instruction immediately upon award and extends field internships into a structured capstone period beyond month

12 if needed to ensure student competency?

The government's reqruiement is twelve (12) months. See amended PWS, Part 1.2.

9 3

If the program is delayed at the start due to student credentialing, base access processing

(DBIDS), or clinical affiliation establishment at US Naval Hospital Guam — factors outside the contractor's control — will the period of performance be adjusted accordingly, or will the contractor be held to the original 12-month timeline regardless?

The period of performance start date may be adjusted for delays outside of the contractor's control.

10 4

Section 3.1.2 requires clinical internships to be conducted at US Naval Hospital Guam or approved facilities.

Has the Government pre-established a clinical affiliation agreement with US Naval

Hospital Guam for this contract, or is the contractor expected to independently negotiate and execute that agreement?

If the contractor is responsible, what is the anticipated timeline for affiliation approval, and will that time be excluded from the period of performance?

Yes the government/department has a training Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with US

Naval Hospital Guam (USNHG) and the contractor is not required to negotiate an agreement with them. Clinical agreements outside of USNHG, if required, will be the contractor's responsibility and may be excluded from the period of performance.

11 4

Section 3.1.3 requires field internships to be conducted on ALS ambulances supervised by certified paramedic preceptors. Will JRM F&ES provide the ALS ambulances and preceptors for the field internship phase, or is the contractor responsible for sourcing and coordinating all field internship placements in Guam independently?

The government will provide the ALS ambulances. The government will not provide preceptors.

Refer to amended PWS Part 3.1.3, Objective#2 for the provision paramedic practical skills instructor and paramedic ambulance field preceptor.

12 5

Section 3.3 requires the contractor to arrange an Assistant Medical Director that meets

CoAEMSP standards. Will the Government assist in identifying and facilitating access to a qualified physician on Guam to serve in this role, or is the contractor solely responsible for recruiting, credentialing, and contracting with a Medical Director for the Guam-based program? This is a significant logistical and financial consideration that directly affects program cost and feasibility.

The government will arrange with USNHG for an Assistant Medical Director that meets

CoAEMSP standards which will be the delegated government/department EMS Medical Director.

See amended PWS Part 3.1.3.

13 N/A

The form 1449 does not let me fill out section 24 or page 3. Im trying to locate the correct section to fill in.

The PDF is not fillable. We recommend areaching out to a local APEX accelerator for assistance:

https://www.apexaccelerators.us/

14 3.2.1

Section 3.2.1, stating the contractor shall train (4) JRM F&ES Paramedics and provide:

- NAEMSE Level 1

- NAEMSE Level 2

- Skills Instructor Course.

NAEMSE Courses are only offered through NAEMSE, therefore a contractor cannot provide them. They can be completed online through the NAEMSE website, but cannot be offered by the Program offering the PM Course. How is this supposed to be facilitated?

The Contractor is to facilitate and pay NAEMSE the course fees for the (4) paramedics to take the courses online.

15 3.2.1

Will the twenty (20) designated JRM F&ES students be released from their normal duty schedule — either fully or partially — during the period of performance to participate in this training program? If so, what is the anticipated duty reduction (e.g., full release, 50% release, or release only during specific training phases such as the field internship)?

The 20 students that will be participating in this class will be on-duty on their regular work schedule (shift - 48 on / 48 off) during the period of performance and will have primary focus in the participation of this program outside of any major fire/EMS response.

16 3.2.1

If students will not be released from their regular duty obligations, would the Government consider extending the period of performance to 18 months to allow the required 1,488 hours of training to be delivered at a pace consistent with nationally recognized paramedic education standards and sustainable for full-time working adults?

JRM F&ES is not a high tempo environment and full participation of the program can be achieved while they are on-duty during their regular work schedule. The program deliver should be designed to meet the 48 on / 48 off work schedule and meet the 12-month PoP. The courses should be taught

Mon-Sun and includes holiday.

17 3.2.1

Is the Government aware that JRM F&ES firefighters operate on a 72-hour duty week, and has this been factored into the program design and the 12-month period of performance requirement?

Yes, the Government (JRM F&ES) is aware of their 72-work schedule (48 on / 48 off) and this should be factored in the 12-month PoP.