PWS_Consolidated OT PT EM_24APR23 PUBLISHED DRAFT.rtf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Consolidated Doctor of Science University Affiliation for the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, Department of Graduate Education

GENERAL. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE), Graduate School, requires non-personal, non-severable services of an accredited university who will proffer the appropriate degrees for the Graduate Level Programs indicated in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) to students who successfully complete this specified program of instruction.

Background. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE), Graduate School, represented by its Dean, will oversee Graduate Education through the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence. The Graduate School’s mission is to educate the next generation of clinical and administrative healthcare professionals in the federal sector to serve as clinician scientists and leaders prepared for worldwide military health system practice. Uniformed service healthcare professionals are generalist practitioners who are assigned across the continuum of care in a variety of practice settings, including the deployed environment. The Graduate School’s various Doctor of Science program provide students with the knowledge, skills, problem solving abilities, duties, responsibilities, and ethics to deliver quality patient care and provides those concepts, principles, methods, and role models which will stimulate the continuous personal and professional growth of these officers. In support of this mission contracts have been established for the various programs to provide Accreditation required University Affiliation services. These contracts supported the Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy (W81K04-17-D-0017), the Doctoral of Science in Physical Therapy (W81K04-17-D-0018), and the Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with a Major in Emergency Medicine (W81K04-18-D-0019) Programs.

Scope of Work. The contractor shall provide all services, materials, and qualified personnel necessary to award graduate credits and the:

Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy.

The DScOT Program is approximately 60 semester hours in length and is taught primarily by Government personnel under the supervision of the Government’s Program Director, at BAMC, Fort Sam Houston Texas.

The program consists of five semesters. All semesters include didactic, clinical, and research activities. Total length of the program is 24 months. The clinical fellowship at BAMC is performed under the supervision of the director and faculty, all who hold the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification. The Program Director may hold additional national certifications such as Board Certification from the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC).

The Government will enroll a minimum of 1 student and a maximum of 6 students per year/class of the program beginning 15 May 2023 (with new classes, subject to continuing requirement, starting June 24, June 25 and June 26, June 27 and June 28).

Projected begin and end/completion dates for each class:

Begin Date Completion Date 3 June 2023 7 June 2025 2 June 2024 6 June 2026 3 June 2025 5 June 2027 5 June 2026 4 June 2028 4 June 2027 9 June 2029

There will be “overlapping” twelve-month periods between classes and each successive class of students will start in June of every year. There will not be a year in which no students will be enrolled in the program.

Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine- Physical Therapy) Program. The DScPT Program is approximately 60 semester hours in length and are taught primarily by Government personnel under the supervision of the Government’s Program Directors, at BAMC, Fort Sam Houston Texas, and the MEDDAC at West Point, New York.

The program consists of five semesters. All semesters include didactic, clinical, and research activities.

Total length of the program is 24 months. The clinical fellowship at BAMC is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association and is performed under the supervision of the director and faculty, all of whom are fellows in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. The clinical residency at West Point is also accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association and is performed under the supervision of the director, who is also the chief of physical therapy services at the MEDDDAC at West Point.

The Government will enroll a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 6 students per site/class of the PROGRAM beginning June 2023, June 2024, June 2025, June 2026 and June 2027).

Projected begin and completion dates for each class:

Class

Completion Date Sports Medicine PT (West Point) 3 June 2023 7 June 2025 Orthopedic Manual PT (BAMC) 2 June 2024 6 June 2026 Sports Medicine PT (West Point) 3 June 2025 5 June 2027 Orthopedic Manual PT (BAMC) 5 June 2026 4 June 2028 Sports Medicine PT (West Point) 4 June 2027 9 June 2029

Each site will start students in June of every other year, and there will never be a time when students are not enrolled in one of the programs.

Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with a Major in Emergency Medicine

The U.S. Army Physician Assistant DScPAS-EM Residency, referred to herein as "the Program," is 88 semester hours in length. It is taught primarily by core-faculty, government personnel under the supervision of the Program Chair as assigned by the MEDCoE Dean and Army OTSG Physician Assistant Consultant. The Program Chair is supported by the U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corp’s PA Graduate Education Manager and facilitated by the Corps Specific Branch Proponency Officer, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Current training sites, led by Program Directors, include the following locations: San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, TX, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, TX, and Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center, Nellis Air Force Base, NV. All students are active-duty, military, and NCCPA-certified PAs.

The Program consists of 16 didactic sections and 20 clinical rotations (see Exhibit A). This includes approximately 4,300 clinical training hours, approximately 740 hours of classroom instruction, lectures, substantive reading assignments, oral board examinations, written midterm and final examinations, monthly procedure practice labs, 16 exams based off didactic reading assignments and evidenced based medicine, and a robust scholastic requirements including lectures, case studies submitted for publication, and an original, doctoral dissertation research requirement. The completed research project manuscript must be suitable for submission to an indexed, peer-reviewed journal. In addition, residents are expected to be familiar with and support ongoing research from other residents and faculty within the DSc-EMPA residency and the local Emergency Medicine Physician residency.

The total Program length is 22 blocks spanning 18 months, plus an in processing / orientation month. Each academic year begins on or about 1 June. The maximum student load is 20 residents per academic year.

Projected begin and completion dates for each class:

Completion Date 15 May 2023 14 December 2024 15 May 2024 14 December 2025 15 May 2025 14 December 2026 15 May 2026 14 December 2027 15 May 2027 14 December 2028

Hours and Days of Operation: The contractor is responsible for providing administrative and educational support services between the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday except federal holidays, when the contractor is closed, or when the government facility is closed due to emergencies, administrative closings, or similar government-directed closings.

Recognized Holidays

New Year's Day, January 1st Martin Luther King's Birthday, 3rd Monday in January President's Day, 3rd Monday in February Memorial Day, Last Monday in May Juneteenth June 19th Independence Day, July 4th Labor Day, 1st Monday in September Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October Veteran's Day, November 11th Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November Christmas Day, December 25th

NOTE: Any of the above holidays falling on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday; holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the following Monday. Any holidays that are declared by Presidential Executive Order shall be observed in the same manner as the holidays listed above. If the area in which a Contractor HCP is scheduled to work is closed due to the holiday and the employee is not required to report in, payment will not be made for those hours. Closures of the installation due to inclement weather or other such acts of God shall be handled in the same manner.

The number of academic credits granted for each course is listed in the Program Curriculum and content maps. The contractor, in conjunction with the Program Director, shall evaluate current student contact hours to determine equivalent semester hours within 15 calendar days of contract award.

Identification of Privacy Act. This contract requires the development of a system of records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974.

The contractor shall use appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect any and all government data. The contractor shall also ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of government data in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including data breach reporting and response requirements, in accordance with DFARS Subpart 224.1 (Protection of Individual Privacy), which incorporates by reference Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 5400.11, “DoD Privacy Program,” October 29, 2014, and DoD 5400.11- R, “DoD Privacy Program,” May 14, 2007. The contractor shall also comply with federal laws relating to freedom of information and records management.

Security Requirements. The accountability and decision-making responsibility for any information relevant to students enrolled in the PROGRAM rests with the government. Access to student information is password protected. Beyond the academic status information, the contractor has no access to any other sensitive information. As part of the requirement for affiliation services, it is stipulated that the contractor be prohibited from sharing any information pertaining to the program with any third party

Safety Requirements: The contractor shall maintain safety and health standards compliant with requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Quality Assurance. The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP is the government’s internal plan for performing QA, and as such does not become part of the resultant contract.

POLICY FOR REPORTING INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARRASSMENT UNDER SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM (SHARP).

The contractor shall comply with MEDCoE Policy Memo 20-002, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), 16 March 2020. The SHARP reporting requirements apply only to knowledge obtained by contractor personnel while performing services under this contract.

The contractor shall require all CSPs with knowledge of an incident of sexual assault occurring on a Government facility, to include a Government leased facility, where the contractor is providing services under this contract, to report the incident to the contractor who shall immediately (within 24 hours) report the incident in writing to the government's COR. This reporting policy also applies to sexual assault incidents involving MEDCOM personnel that occur on the contractor’s owned or leased facility under this contract. All incidents shall be reported whether they involve contractor personnel or Government personnel, or other individuals, when the incidents occur on a Government facility, or a Government leased facility.

The contractor shall require all CSPs with knowledge of an incident of sexual harassment occurring on a Government facility, to include a Government leased facility, where the contractor is providing services under this contract, to report the incident to the contractor who shall immediately (within 24 hours) report the incident in writing to the government's COR. This reporting policy also applies to sexual harassment incidents involving MEDCOM personnel that occur on the contractor’s owned or leased facility under this contract. All incidents shall be reported whether they involve contractor personnel or Government personnel, or other individuals, when the incidents occur on a Government facility, or a Government leased facility.

Post Award Conference. The contractor shall attend a post award conference convened by the contracting activity/contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 42.5.

DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS:

Catalog. Any medium by which the contractor publicly announces terms and conditions for enrollment in the contractor’s institution, including tuition and fees to be charged. This includes “bulletin”, “announcement”, or any similar word the contractor may use.

Contracting Officer. An individual with authority to enter into, administer, and /or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. This individual is the only person with authority to bind the Government.

Contracting Officer’s Representative. An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

Course. A series of lectures or instructions, and lab periods, relating to one specific representation of subject matter. Usually, a student completes a course in one term and receives a certain number of semester hour’s credit (or equivalent) upon successful completion.

Curriculum. A series of courses having a unified purpose and belonging to one major academic field, which usually include certain, required courses and elective courses within established criteria. A curriculum usually covers more than one term and leads to a degree or diploma upon successful completion.

Distributive Learning. A multi-media method of instructional delivery that includes a mix of Web-based instruction, video conferencing, face-to-face classroom time, distance learning through television or video, or other combinations of electronic and traditional educational models.

Fees. Those applicable charges directly related to enrollment in the contractor’s institution. Unless specifically allowed in the request for service, fees shall not include any permit charges such as parking and vehicle registration or charges for service of a personal nature such as food, housing, or laundry.

Term. The period of time into which the contractor divides the academic year for purpose of instruction. This includes “semester", “trimester”, “quarter”, or any similar word that the contractor may use.

Tuition. The amount of money charged by an educational institution for instruction, including fees.

Acronyms.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The Government will provide overall governance and management of the entire Program. The Government will provide the contractor with certain property and services as required for successful completion of the program:

The Government will provide at least three dedicated occupational therapy faculty at the BAMC site; two full-time and one with some portion of their workdays dedicated to PROGRAM activities; all will hold National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and shall hold, as a minimum, doctoral degrees.

The Government will make faculty nominations after the academic credentials and experiences of each prospective candidate have been screened by the contractor to determine the appropriate faculty criteria at the contractor's institution. Appointments shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the PROGRAM faculty or the duration of the program’s affiliation agreement.

The Government will, by mutual agreement, add or delete curricular subject matter in accordance with BAMC and the contractor's graduate curriculum process.

The Government will provide the faculty and staff with the physical training facility (including a dedicated classroom, administrative, and clinical exam space), curriculum, supplies and books for the PROGRAM students.

The Government will screen all applicants and accept students into the PROGRAM.

The Government will ensure that the number of students enrolled are provided to the contractor prior to the start of each class.

The Government will ensure the PROGRAM Directors provide the contractor with the necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in each of the PROGRAM.

The Government will ensure admission credentials are provided 90 days prior to the start of the PROGRAM, which consist of academic transcripts for all completed graduate and undergraduate work and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

The Government will ensure that all PROGRAM students will have attained the following:

Master’s Degree from a didactic program in occupational therapy accredited or approved by AOTA’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Grade point average of 3.0 (total undergraduate and post-baccalaureate hours), and a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of at least 300.

The Government will ensure that at the end of each semester, the PROGRAM Director will compile student grades and forward them to the contractor.

The Government will provide the facilities and resources for student research.

The Government will review and approve, through official Military Institutional Review Board channels, all PROGRAM research protocols prior to data collection.

The Government will have the first right to publish PROGRAM research findings.

The program of instruction (POI) will be available to the contractor. The AMEDDC&S will provide the contractor with information relative to the PROGRAM to be used in the formulation of its Graduate School catalog.

The Government will withdraw/dismiss students who are failing to maintain military or academic standards.

The Government will provide healthcare and assume liability for all PROGRAM military/government sponsored students.

U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Unique Training.

Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP). The contractor shall ensure all contractor service providers receive Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training not later than 60 calendar days after the contractor locum tenens begin performance under this BPA. Training can be obtained either online or in person as offered at the installation where services are being provided. If the contractor locum tenens has an AKO account, they can access online the Team Bound Self Study course through Army Learning Management System (ALMS) at: http://www.atsc.army.mil/tadlp/delivery/alms.asp

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

Contractor Qualifications.

The contractor shall be fully accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDoE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The contractor shall have a Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy program in place and demonstrate that it has the legal authority and necessary support structure to confer a doctoral degree. If the contractor is associated with a School of Nursing, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized nursing accrediting body such as the AACN and/or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If the contractor has a nursing anesthesia program, it must be accredited by the COA. The contractor shall provide documentation of any/all accreditations for Government recordkeeping requirements. Notice of accreditation updates shall be provided to the COR within 15 calendar days of change. Accreditation loss is basis for termination for default.

The contractor shall be classified as a Doctoral University with Highest Research Activity (R1) or as a Doctoral University with Higher Research Activity (R2) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall provide services and staff on the main campus to support the requirements of Program faculty and students located at the MEDCoE, Fort Sam Houston, and Phase 2 sites. The contractor shall provide qualified personnel competent to manage the technical, educational, and administrative aspects of hosting an off-site graduate program that is designed to award a DNP degree to DoD and VA affiliated students enrolled in the PROGRAM. These responsibilities include:

Providing all administrative and institution accrediting information

Providing on-line orientation to university and library services to Program faculty and students.

Providing faculty appointment letters for Government faculty.

Facilitating programmatic changes necessary to maintain accreditation as a doctoral program.

Provide full registration for all students upon receipt of notification of selection by the Program Director. Registration will occur online. Review and accept the curriculum and educational objectives forwarded by the Government, will be provided to the contractor who shall provide input/feedback, if any, to the government no later than 10 days after receipt of the curriculum and educational objectives.

Performing all administrative functions necessary to admit, enroll, process, and graduate students.

Allowing student and faculty access to available research lab facilities to conduct Program research.

The contractor must have an on-line Blackboard or comparable Learning Management System capable of supporting distance education curriculum and communication platform. The contractor shall provide full access to this system and technology assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Program faculty and students. The contractor shall provide network access and a PROGRAM webpage highlighting the program-university partnership, program admission cycle and requirements, and general program facts. The contractor shall provide Program faculty and students access to video teleconferencing capabilities and equipment that allows for joint-faculty development and hybrid learning experiences among students on the main campus and off-site campus at Fort Sam Houston. The contractor must ensure full access to above systems capabilities to all Program faculty and students regardless of their location.

The contractor shall maintain the database of all information regarding student enrollment applications for the Program. Prospective students to the Program shall send GRE scores, transcripts, letters of recommendations and other required documents to the contractor. The contractor shall maintain the admission packets on all students until graduation. The PROGRAM Director and designated alternate (Deputy Program Director) shall be granted secure access to this on-line folder for the PROGRAM Admissions Faculty Board or when needed during the year. The on- line folder will be username and password protected.

SPECIFIC TASKS.

The contractor shall maintain standing as a university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or Western Association of Schools and Colleges).

The contractor shall demonstrate that the PROGRAM has been approved by the appropriate institution’s governing body, which is an independent policy-making body, capable of reflecting constituent and public interest within governance activities and decisions.

The contractor shall treat courses given at the MEDCoE as resident courses for the purpose of awarding credit and required degree.

The contractor shall offer an established appropriate degree approved by its internal governing body prior to the start of the contract and demonstrate by official letter that the Program has been approved by the appropriate institution’s governing body, which is an independent policy-making body capable of reflecting constituent and public interest within governance activities and decisions.

Shall delegate responsibility for the governance of the PROGRAM to the respective Program Director.

The Contractor shall review and accept the Program curriculum as developed by the government (see Exhibit A).

The contractor shall delegate grading authority to the Government PROGRAM Directors for courses taught by PROGRAM’s faculty.

The contractor shall award a letter grade for these courses to each student. Each student's official transcript will reflect the letter grade assigned by the faculty.

The contractor shall agree that if a grading disparity exists, the Government PROGRAM Director involved will appoint an additional faculty member to grade the work and the two most similar scores will be averaged to produce the final grade.

The University shall accept/enroll students currently enrolled in the present classes at the PROGRAM and students accepted for admission by the prior affiliating university (if applicable) for the first class that begins in the base period of performance. These students have already been determined by the PROGRAM admissions board to meet admission criteria of the program.

The contractor shall support the Program by making their Graduate Dean or his/her designee available to make annual site visits to attend class openings/registration, closings, and/or any other official functions mutually agreed upon in advance. These site visits may also include reviewing the curriculum, grading system, administrative procedures, and clinical performance. The contractor Graduate Dean may be scheduled to meet with MEDCoE leadership, Program faculty, and students in order to ascertain any issues concerning the contractor. The contractor Graduate Dean shall provide at least two weeks advanced notice of the site visit to the Program Director. Upon completion of the site visit, the contractor Graduate Dean or his/her designee will submit a site visit report to the PROGRAM Director.

The contractor shall coordinate a site visit by the Government Program Director. During the life of this contract, the Government Program Director will make a site visit to the contractor. The Program Director will meet with key contractor leadership to include the program liaison, Graduate Dean, and the contractor's Registrar or designee. The Government Program Director will meet with other key leaders (i.e., curriculum committee chair, resource management) as the situation dictates.

Program faculty shall be afforded all the same rights, privileges, and benefits afforded the contactor's graduate faculty at the contractor’s main campus upon award as long as the rights, privileges and benefits provide a benefit to the Government and do not contravene federal regulations governing standards of ethical conduct, to include Joint Ethics Regulation DoD 5500.7-R. Program faculty shall also be afforded the following rights, privileges and benefits to include:

Access to all research-related databases, reference management systems, on-line library, and other sources of information at the same level of access afforded to the faculty located at the contractor's main campus. These resources shall also be available to students enrolled in the Program.

Listing of Program faculty in the graduate catalog clearly indicating they are identified as belonging to MEDCoE, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

Attendance at faculty meetings and membership on appropriate graduate faculty committees

Faculty identification cards

Faculty parking passes as necessary

Faculty access to compete for contractor’s graduate and teaching grants

Faculty access to the contractor’s on-campus facilities

Notification of and admission to educational and faculty development offerings, relevant conferences on the main campus

The Government shall nominate members of the Program faculty for non-tenured, non-paying academic rank through the contractor’s institution. The contractor shall appoint rank equal to that held by non-tenured contractor faculty located on the main campus.

Faculty appointment shall be made after the academic credentials and experiences of each prospective candidate have been screened by the contractor to determine the appropriate faculty criteria at the contractor's institution. Appointment of faculty rank shall be made within 60 days of application. Appointments shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the Program faculty or the duration of the Program's affiliation agreement between the contractor and the Government, whichever terminates first.

The contractor shall permit Program faculty (selected by the Program Director) to be equal voting members on relevant graduate committees within the contractor's graduate programs. The Government faculty shall represent the Program on the graduate committee but shall not be required to support any projects of programs other than the Government Program through the committee membership.

The contractor shall receive a courtesy notification of the Program’s research initiatives. The Program is solely responsible for IACUC and IRB approval of PROGRAM research protocols and is not obligated to submit any research protocols through the contractor for approval.

Program graduate students shall be entitled all the rights, privileges, and benefits afforded to the contractor’s main campus graduate students to include the contractor’s on-line library, Blackboard, reference management system, writing and research services, and contractor bookstore discounts.

The Contractor shall provide full access to course registration for all applicants selected by the selection boards within no less than 60 days of the start of the program for a given year group. The contractor shall provide the Program Director, MEDCoE with an official list of student names that have been registered within 14 calendar days of the start of the program. The contractor shall maintain an academic record for each student enrolled in the Program and provide access to this record upon request by the student or at the same interval as for students in attendance at the contractor's main campus.

No students in the Program shall be charged for anything relating to performance under the contract.

The contractor hereby delegates to the Program Director the responsibility for the evaluation and acceptance of applicants into the Program. The contractor, in conjunction with the Program Director, shall mutually agree upon admission criteria that serves the Program. The contractor’s designee shall support a rolling selection board process which opens in February and closes on the first day of September of the year before the class starts (i.e., the window for applications is open from February 2017 to September 2017 for the class starting in June 2018). The Program Director shall require applicants to provide the contractor the necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in the Program. These admission credentials shall consist of academic transcripts for all completed graduate and undergraduate work, the GRE scores, letters of recommendation and curriculum vitae. The contractor’s designee reviews the applications for completeness and serves as a resource to applicants for questions and assisting in packet completion. Once the packet is deemed complete, the contractor’s designee will notify the Program Director so that a selection board may be convened. Within 10 working days of each selection board, the contractor shall provide acceptance letters to the applicants, respective Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs selection committees, and written notification to the Program Director of all accepted applicants.

Students admitted into the Program shall be entitled to the same rights, privileges, and benefits afforded doctoral students in residence at the contractor's main campus. For example:

A student identification card allowing access to library, bookstore, research laboratory (for PROGRAM related research), and other buildings on the main campus.

Online Official transcripts.

One Diploma sent directly to the student.

Admission to special events s (e.g., graduation ceremonies, luncheons, educational offerings, conferences)

Access to all research-related on-line databases, reference management systems, and other library resources normally afforded to students.

The contractor shall maintain administrative liaison by telephone and/or e-mail with the Program Director for the purpose of resolving issues relating to enrollment of each class.

Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy.

The Contractor shall maintain its accreditation by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) throughout the period of performance under the contract.

The contractor shall assign a faculty member to each capstone/doctoral project committee.

The contractor shall ensure that the assigned faculty participates in the capstone/doctoral project defense and grades the project. Participation may be in person or by Video Televised Conference (VTC).

The contractor shall appoint up to 12 members of the Government’s PROGRAM faculty, nominated by the government, for professional status (graduate faculty and/or professorial rank) at the contractor's institution. Appointments shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the Program faculty or the duration of the Program’s affiliation with the contractor’s institution. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of application submission.

The contractor shall perform the following:

Delegate responsibility for the governance of the PROGRAM to the Government PROGRAM Director.

Grant college graduate credit and the degree of Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy to students enrolled in either PROGRAM who:

Maintain an acceptable grade point average (3.0 on the 4.0-point scale) over the course of his/her respective PROGRAM.

Satisfactorily complete the capstone/doctoral project.

Pass the comprehensive capstone project/research oral board exam at each site, as well as a comprehensive clinical reasoning oral board exam at BAMC, for BAMC students.

Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy

The Contractor shall maintain its accreditation by the American Physical Therapy Association throughout the period of performance under the contract.

The contractor shall assign a faculty member to each capstone/doctoral project committee.

The contractor shall ensure that the assigned faculty participates in the capstone/doctoral project defense and grades the project. Participation may be in person or by Video Televised Conference (VTC).

The contractor shall appoint up to 12 members of the Government’s PROGRAM faculty, nominated by the government, for professional status (graduate faculty and/or professorial rank) at the contractor's institution. Appointments shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the Program faculty or the duration of the Program’s affiliation with the contractor’s institution. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of application submission.

The contractor shall perform the following:

Delegate responsibility for the governance of the PROGRAM to each Government PROGRAM Director.

Grant college graduate credit and the degree of Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy to students enrolled in either PROGRAM who:

Maintain an acceptable grade point average (3.0 on the 4.0-point scale) over the course of his/her respective PROGRAM.

Satisfactorily complete the capstone/doctoral project.

Pass the comprehensive capstone project/research oral board exam at each site, as well as a comprehensive clinical reasoning oral board exam at BAMC, for BAMC students.

Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with a Major in Emergency Medicine

Grant college graduate credit and a diploma attesting to award of the degree of DScPAS-EM to all Program graduates. Diplomas shall be provided to students in the university’s graduation ceremony in the same manner as diplomas are provided for the university’s other doctoral graduates. The graduate must:

Maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on the 4.0-point scale) over the course of the respective Program.

Satisfactorily complete the doctoral project as the lead researcher with a final manuscript that is acceptable for publication in a peer reviewed journal.

Pass the comprehensive research oral board exam at each instructional site.

Pass a comprehensive written examination and oral board examination that is based on the standards set by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Provide to the COR, no later than two weeks prior to graduation, one official transcript for each graduating student.

Grant to all Program graduates the same rights, privileges, and benefits as are afforded to contractor's other graduates.

Perform the following faculty-related services:

Appoint up to 80 members of the Program faculty, nominated by the government, for professional status (graduate faculty and/or professorial rank) at the contractor's institution. Appointments shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the Program faculty or the duration of the Program’s affiliation with the contractor’s institution. Appointments shall be made within 60 days of application submission.

Provide an annual report identifying current graduate faculty and faculty assigned professorial rank. The report shall be provided to the COR no later than 31 July of each year.

Deliverables:

The contractor shall submit reports of their visit within 14 calendar days after the visit. The report shall be submitted to the Commanding General, AMEDDC&S, 2250 Stanley Road, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, with a copy to the COR.

The contractor shall provide access to all electronic policy and procedure manuals pertinent to the operation of the Program, including any updates to the Program Director.

Graduate School Catalog. The contractor shall submit within 10 working days a proof of those portions of the catalog pertaining to PROGRAM to the Program Director for approval prior to printing/publishing. The contractor shall provide the Program Director one electronic copy of its Graduate School catalog for student and faculty reference.

The contractor shall provide any documents pertaining to PROGRAM (student transcripts, faculty minutes, site visit reports, faculty appointment letters, etc.) to the Program Director for the COA review: student transcripts within 10 business days of graduation, faculty minutes, and site visit reports within 14 calendar days after site visit. Faculty appointment letters shall be provided within 90 days of application.

The contractor shall ensure the students’ grades are available to the students at the end of each semester (Electronic and/or hard copy). The contractor shall document proof of degree conferment on the students’ official transcripts so that degrees are conferred no later than 30 days after the PROGRAM graduation. The contractor shall send graduating students’ diplomas to the students’ home addresses.

Sexual Assault Reporting. The contractor will immediately (within 24 hours) submit a written report of an incident of sexual assault to the COR.

Sexual Harassment Reporting. The contractor will immediately (within 24 hours) submit a written report of an incident of sexual harassment to the COR.

Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMR). The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the HRCO via a secure data collection site. The contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.ecmra.mil/.

Applicable Publications. Following is a list of basic publications applicable to this PWS. The most current version of the publication applies. Current issues of Army publications and links to other service publications can be accessed at http://www.apd.army.mil/. Army publications not on the internet or MTF policies and procedures can be obtained from the COR. DoD publications can be found at www.defenselink.mil/pubs or www.dtic.mil/whs/directives. The Publications have been coded as advisory or mandatory. The Contractor is obligated to follow those coded as mandatory only to the extent that they apply to this contract. Supplements, amendments, or changes to these mandatory publications may be issued during the life of the contract. Advisory publications may be used for information and guidance but are not binding for compliance.

Advisory publications:

Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy, 20 Sep 2012

Mandatory publications:

6.2.1. OTSG/MEDCOM Policy Memo 21-040, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program 07 October 2021

Indebtedness of Military Personnel, Army Regulation 600-15, 09 NOV 1999

DoD Privacy Program, DoDD 5400.11, 29 October 2014.

DoD Privacy Program, DoD 5400.11-R, May 14, 2007.

Personally Identifiable Information, Protected Health Information, and Federal Information Requirements

(Revised 10/27/2020)

7.1. General Requirements Overview - Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI) and Federal Information Laws

This Section addresses the Contractor’s requirements under The Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as set forth in applicable statutes, implementing regulations and Department of Defense (DoD) issuances. In general, the Contractor shall comply with the specific requirements set forth in this Section and elsewhere in this Contract. The Contractor shall also comply with requirements relating to records management as described herein.

This Contract incorporates by reference the federal regulations and DoD issuances referred to in this Section. If any authority is amended or replaced, the changed requirement is effective when it is incorporated under contract change procedures. Where a federal regulation and any DoD issuance govern the same subject matter, the Contractor shall first follow the more specific DoD implementation unless the DoD issuance does not address or is unclear on that matter. DoD issuances are available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.

For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply.

DoD Privacy Act Issuances means the DoD issuances implementing the Privacy Act, which are DoDI 5400.11, DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Programs, January 29, 2019 and DoDI 5400.11- R, Department of Defense Privacy Program, May 14, 2007.

HIPAA Rules means, collectively, the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Breach and Enforcement Rules, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and codified at 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 160 and Part 164, Subpart E (Privacy), Subpart C (Security), Subpart D (Breach) and Part 160, Subparts C-E (Enforcement), as amended. Additional HIPAA rules regarding electronic transactions and code sets (45 CFR Part 162) are not addressed in this Section and are not included in the term HIPAA Rules.

DoD HIPAA Issuances means the DoD issuances implementing the HIPAA Rules in the DoD Military Health System (MHS). These issuances are DoDM 6025.18, “Implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule in DoD Health Care Programs,” March 13, 2019, DoDI 6025.18, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule Compliance in DoD Health Care Programs, March 13, 2019, and DoDI 8580.02, Security of Individually Identifiable Health Information in DoD Health Care Programs, August. 12, 2015.

Defense Health Agency (DHA) Privacy Office is the DHA Privacy and Civil Liberties Office. The DHA Privacy Office Chief is the HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer for DHA.

7.1.1. Records Management

When creating and maintaining official government records, the Contractor shall comply with all federal requirements established by 44 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapters 21, 29, 31, 33 and 35, and by 36 CFR, Chapter XII, Subchapter B – Records Management. The Contractor shall also comply with DoD Administrative Instruction No. 15 (DoD AI-15), “OSD Records and Information Management Program” (May 3, 2013) and Records Management requirements outlined in the current TRICARE Operations Manual (TOM).

7.1.2. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Contractor shall comply with the following procedures if it receives a FOIA request and immediately contact the DHA FOIA Officer for evaluation/action:

The Contractor shall inform beneficiaries that DHA FOIA procedures require a written request preferably sent via the National FOIA Portal at: www.FOIA.gov. However, requesters may also submit requests via email at DHA.FOIA@mail.mil; or via postal delivery addressed to the DHA Freedom of Information Service Center, 7700 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, Virginia 22042-5101. All FOIA requests shall describe the desired record as completely as possible to facilitate its retrieval from files and to reduce search fees which may be borne by the requestor. Contract and/or Modification numbers must be included in all FOIA requests seeking DHA procurement records. Although the administrative time limit to grant or deny a request (ten working days after receipt) does not begin until the request is received by DHA, the Contractor shall act as quickly as possible and respond to DHA within ten working days.

In response to requests received by the Contractor for the release of information, unclassified information, documents and forms which were previously provided to the public as part of routine services shall continue to be made available in accordance with previously established criteria. All other requests from the public for release of DHA records and, specifically, all requests that reference FOIA shall be immediately forwarded to DHA, ATTENTION: Freedom of Information Officer, for appropriate action. Direct contact, including interim replies, between TRICARE contractors and such requestors is not authorized. The Contractor shall process requests by individuals for access to records about themselves in accordance with directions from the DHA Freedom of Information Service Center. If such a requestor specifically makes the request under the Privacy Act or does not make clear whether the request is made under FOIA or the Privacy Act, the Contractor shall process the request in accordance with directions from the DHA Privacy Office. If requestor specifically seeks PHI under HIPAA, the Contractor shall follow paragraph 8.1.6, relating to individual rights of access to PHI.

7.1.3. Systems of Records

In order to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act and the DoD Privacy Act Issuances, the Contractor shall identify to the DHA Contracting Officer (CO) systems of records that are or will be maintained or operated for DHA where records of PII collected from individuals are maintained and specifically retrieved using a personal identifier. Upon identification of such systems to the CO, and prior to the lawful operation of such systems, the Contractor shall coordinate with the DHA Privacy Office to complete systems of records notices (SORNs) for submission and publication in the Federal Register as coordinated by the Defense Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Transparency Division, and as required by the DoD Privacy Act Issuances.

Following proper SORN publication and Government confirmation of Contractor authority to operate the applicable system(s), the Contractor shall also comply with the additional systems of records and SORN guidance, in coordination with the DHA Privacy Office, regarding periodic system review, amendments, alterations, or deletions set forth by the DoD Privacy Act Issuances, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum 99-05, Attachment B, OMB Circular A-130, and Privacy Act of 1974 requirements applicable to contractors operating systems of records on behalf of federal agencies. The Contractor shall promptly advise the DHA Privacy Office of changes in systems of records or their use that may require a change in the SORN.

7.1.4. Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

If DHA data is stored on a Contractor owned system, a PIA is required from the Contractor.

7.1.5. Data Sharing Agreement (DSA)

7.1.5.1. (Applies if contract requirements involve the use of DHA data (including PII/PHI, a limited data set, or de-identified data)

The Contractor shall consult with the DHA Privacy Office to determine if the Contractor must obtain a DSA or Data Use Agreement (DUA), when DHA data will be accessed, used, disclosed or stored, to perform the requirements of this…