OCSQ39320130509SOW1.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Purchase Order: “Technical, Clinical, and Coverage Consultation for the ESRD Program, Survey & Certification, In Relationship to the New ESRD Core Survey Process”

I. Scope

This purchase order will provide technical consultation in the clinical psychosocial areas and the coverage-dependent areas of the new ESRD Core Survey Process. This support includes assistance with the ongoing analysis and interpretation of the ESRD Conditions, including the psychosocial areas and the Medicare coverage-dependent areas; development and implementation of ESRD survey protocols and tools; analysis of the implementation and appropriate usage of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 (KDQOL-36) instrument; development and implementation of ESRD training programs with associated expertise in converting training materials so that they are both 508 compliant and Web site accessible; consultation on issues related to clinical psychosocial practices in dialysis facilities; and assistance with updating the automated ESRD survey system (i.e., Surveyor Technical Assistant for Renal or STAR) and the training program that supports the STAR system.

A. Purpose of request: The purpose of this request is to purchase services from a contractor who has technical experience and expertise both in the clinical psychosocial areas and the Medicare coverage-dependent areas related to the new regulations of the ESRD Program. The contractor must have experience with the KDQOL instrument, STAR and ORACLE computer programs, and creating documents that are 508 compliant and Web site accessible for a Federal Web site.

B. Background and need: Through the legislative mandate of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997, the measuring and reporting about the quality of services in ESRD facilities is required. In 1997, Congress passed the BBA. Section 4558(b) of the BBA, titled Renal Dialysis Related Services, Implementation of Quality Standards, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a method to measure and report quality of renal dialysis services provided under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. CMS has been assigned responsibility for the development and implementation of this section of the BBA. As a part of this BBA implementation effort, CMS has developed new ESRD Conditions for Coverage which include quality measures and a new ESRD Core Survey Process which is risk-adjusted and outcome-oriented.

The strategy for the BBA is consistent with current efforts to improve both the quality of care in dialysis facilities and to improve the monitoring of health and safety aspects of that care. The Survey and Certification Group (SCG) within the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) is transitioning to a new ESRD Core Survey Process with updated, comprehensive ESRD Conditions and is moving toward national utilization of a new updated automated ESRD survey computer system (which incorporates the new ESRD Core Survey Process) in order to achieve a modern, data-driven ESRD survey process that efficiently and effectively monitors quality standards for health and safety in each ESRD facility..

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 changed the reimbursement system for ESRD services. The new reimbursement system required the implementation of a new monitoring system for ESRD facilities. MIPPA requires a system that includes ongoing monitoring of specific measures and values. The Survey and Certification Group is a CMS partner in assisting with the monitoring of the new reimbursement system, the Quality Incentive Program (QIP).

There is a need for contracted support services during this time of intense activity while the ESRD program is transitioning to a new survey process, new survey protocols and tools, and an updated computerized survey program. The contractor must possess in depth ESRD technical and clinical knowledge and an understanding of and experience with working with many aspects of the ESRD survey and certification program. This includes an understanding of the structure of the ESRD automated survey system, Surveyor Technical Assistant for Renal Disease (STAR). The contactor must also have detailed knowledge and experience with the content of the ESRD Conditions for Coverage and the traditional and new Core survey protocols, and an understanding regarding the impact the survey changes have on ESRD care and regulatory oversight. The contractor is expected to have enough understanding and experience to be able to evaluate the usability and efficacy of the new Core Survey Process and tools and to be able to assess the potential impact of changes and refinements to the new survey process. The contractor must possess the knowledge, experience, and communication skills to develop and conduct training programs for the technical and clinical aspects of ESRD care, the new ESRD survey process, and the automated STAR survey system to surveyors, nationwide.

II. Requirements

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the contractor shall furnish all the necessary services and material not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the requirements of this Statement of Work.

A. Requirements/Tasks to be Performed

Task 1: Provide technical and clinical expertise to the development of training materials for the ESRD survey and the STAR automated survey process, including materials related to the new ESRD Core Survey Process in both automated and manual forms. The contractor must have the ability to make the training materials 508 compliant and accessible on the CMS Web site.

Deliverable: Revise training materials for STAR and ESRD Training Courses, as needed and package and deliver those training materials to the designated CMS editorial and printing contractor.

Due Date: Throughout the contract period, deliverables of updated materials are required prior to the designated print date for each STAR and ESRD Training Course

Task 2: Develop and maintain a series of data-driven databases to support the ESRD Program. The contractor must have the capacity to produce databases in Excel, Word, Access, and Oracle. The databases will include databases of Frequently-Asked-Questions, Master Account Holders for data reports, facility-based waiver programs, and other program databases as defined throughout the year. The databases will be developed in an effort to understand and monitor clinical practices.

Deliverables: Updated versions of the databases required to support the ESRD Program will either be delivered to the CMS Web site or to program staff. The databases which are delivered to the CMS Web site must be made 508 compliant.

Due Date: Updated versions of the required databases which are posted to the CMS Web site will be delivered within 15 days of approvals and 508 compliance testing. Other data bases will be delivered as needed.

Task 3: Provide expertise and an impact analysis on psychosocial issues related to nephrology and on coverage policies related to nephrology. This includes keeping current on data, research, studies, articles, and policies related to these subject areas.

Deliverable: Reports on current and projected information and policies.

Due Date: As available and needed by the ESRD Survey and Certification Program.

Task 4: Technical Project Management: Provide project management for document control; programming and maintaining data bases; and arranging/conducting/attending meetings as requested by CMS.

Provide a monthly report that summarizes the activities, accomplishments, and barriers that occur each month. The total contract budget should not exceed an amount equal to .90 of an FTE.

Deliverable: Monthly Report

Due Date: Due on the 15th day of the following month for each full month of work.

B. Report Requirements

The contractor shall submit all reports electronically in Microsoft Word via e-mail to the Project Officer.

Cover to contain:

Contractor’s name and address Contract Number Report Number and Date including Deliverable Title and Period Covered

See “Schedule of Deliverables” for a complete listing of “Items to be Furnished and Deliverable Schedule”

C. Period of Performance

The period of performance for this contract is from July 5, 2013 through July 4, 2014.

D Government Property

None

III Quality Assurance

Review and approval of all documents submitted.

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Purchase Order: “Technical, Clinical, and Coverage Consultation for the ESRD Program, Survey & Certification, In Relationship to the New ESRD Core Survey Process”

The contractor shall submit all required reports and deliverables in accordance with the following schedule. Reports and/or deliverables submitted under this contract shall be in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.