PWS_IPAP_Affiliation_DRAFT_22APR21.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP)

Bachelor and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies University Affiliation Services U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE).

1. General: This is a non-personal, non-severable services contract to provide university affiliation services for program coordination and administrative support services necessary to award a Bachelor of Science to students who successfully complete Phase I of the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) and a Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies to students who successfully compete both Phase I and Phase II of the IPAP training.

This is in support of the U.S. Army Military Graduate Program at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE).

1.1. Background: The U.S. Army IPAP is located within the Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Graduate School, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), Fort Sam Houston, TX. The mission of the IPAP is to provide the uniformed services with professional, highly competent, and compassionate physician assistants (PAs) who model integrity, strive for leadership excellence, and are committed to lifelong learning. This required the MEDCoE develop an affiliation with an accredited university that would agree to allow the Government to deliver its current curriculum, with military content infused to academically approve military affiliated students. This concept resulted in the establishment of the U.S. Army IPAP resulting in a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Physician Assistant degree and is herein referred to as the "PROGRAM." This PROGRAM provides students with the knowledge, skills, problem solving abilities, duties, responsibilities, and ethics to deliver quality PA patient care and provides those concepts, principles, methods, and role models which will stimulate the continuous personal and professional growth of these PA Officers.

1.2. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide services, materials, and qualified personnel necessary to award a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies to students who successfully complete this specified program of instruction indicated in Section 5 of the PWS.

1.2.1. Transition Period. The contractor shall ensure uninterrupted services by providing the government with services, upon award of the contract, to establish the foundation of the PROGRAM prior to the first class start in December 2022. These services shall include the following: coordination with and assisting the PROGRAM Director and faculty at Joint-Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH) in curriculum modifications, appointing PROGRAM faculty to the university, updating the university catalog to include PROGRAM faculty, modifying the university calendar to include the JBSA-FSH academic calendar, modifying the university’s course catalog, establishing an on-line website to advertise the PROGRAM, approving PROGRAM course electives, formally approving and admitting incoming PROGRAM students, initiating university regional accreditation approval due to substantive changes, university and PROGRAM faculty networking, field education PROGRAM modifications to include revising training agreements, and other administrative duties that will be necessary to offer a graduate physician assistant PROGRAM in December 2022 as well as to advertise the PROGRAM to potential students who will be applying to enter the PROGRAM in December 2023. The transition period will be from 1 August 2022 through 31 January 2023.

1.2.2. The Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) is taught by Government personnel under the supervision of the Program Director, at the MEDCOE, JBSA Fort Sam Houston Texas. The curriculum is contained in PWS Attachment 1.

1.2.3. The contractor shall ensure uninterrupted services by providing the government with services, upon award of the contract, to establish the foundation of IPAP prior to the first class start as indicated in issued Task Orders.

These services shall include the following: coordination with and assisting the Graduate School Dean, The Program Directors, and/or Faculty and Staff in curriculum modifications, appointing PROGRAM faculty to the university, updating the university catalog to include PROGRAM faculty, modifying the university calendar to include the Fort Sam Houston academic calendar, modifying the registrar course catalog, using an on-line website to advertise the PROGRAM, approving PROGRAM course electives, formally approving and admitting incoming PROGRAM students, initiating university regional accreditation approval due to substantive changes, university and PROGRAM faculty networking, and other administrative duties needed.

1.2.4. The PROGRAM consists of two phases: Phase I is 16 months in length and is mostly didactic, and consists of three classes with starting dates in January, April and August. Phase I is taught and completed at MEDCOE, JBSA, Fort Sam Houston. Phase II is 13 months in length and is mostly clinical. Phase II also has three starting dates in April, August and January, and is completed at various Army, Air Force and Navy military hospitals throughout the United States (U.S). The clinical internship is performed under the supervision of qualified clinical instructors appointed by the Government.

1.2.5. The Government will enroll at least 30 and not more than 80 students per class/cohort into each PROGRAM. The Government will enroll at least 30 and not more than 80 students per class/cohort into each PROGRAM. The program will consist of three Cohorts per year. Cohort 1 will start in December, Cohort 2 will start in April, and Cohort 3 will start in August.

1.2.6. The number of students enrolled will be provided to the contractor 14 calendar days prior to the start of each class.

1.3. Hours of Operation. The Government’s normal business hours are, 8 a.m. to 5.p.m. local time based on the location where services are being performed. The contractor may be required to perform services outside of normal business hours as outlined in Section 5 of this PWS.

1.3.1. Federal Holidays. The contractor will not be required to perform services on the holidays listed below.

Any of the holidays falling on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday; holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the following Monday:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King's Birthday President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

1.3.2. The number of academic credits granted 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 30 calendar days of contract award.

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

1.3.4. 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.

1.4. 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 “PROGRAMS” with any third party.

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

1.6. Quality Assurance (QA). 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.

1.7. POLICY FOR REPORTING INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

UNDER SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM (SHARP).

1.7.1. Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP). The contractor shall comply with TRADOC Policy Memo 4, Subject: TRADOC Policy Letter 4, Equal Opportunity (EO), Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program, and Treatment of Persons., or superseding DHA or DOD policy once issued and provided to the contractor. The SHARP reporting requirements apply only to knowledge obtained by contractor personnel while performing services under this contract.

1.7.2. The contractor shall require all contract service providers (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 of gaining knowledge) report the incident in writing to the Government's POC. This reporting policy also applies to sexual assault incidents involving MEDCoE 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.

1.7.3. The contractor shall require all contract service providers 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 POC. This reporting policy also applies to sexual harassment incidents involving MEDCoE 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.

1.8. 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.

2. DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS.

2.1. ACRONYMS.

AARTS Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript System ACCJC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges AR Army Regulation ARC-PA Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant CLEP College Level Examination Program COR Contracting Officer Representative CPARS Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System CSP Contract Service Provider DA Department of the Army DANTES Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support DPT Doctoral of Physical Therapy DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation System DFIBS Defense Biometric Identification Systems DoD Department of Defense

DoDD Department of Defense Directive FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation HLC Higher Learning Commission IAW In accordance with IPAP Interservice Physician Assistant Program JBSA Joint Base San Antonio KO Contracting Officer LEIE List of Excluded Individuals/Entities MEDCoE Medical Center of Excellence MSCHE Middle States Commission on Higher Education NECHE New England Commission of Higher Education NCCPA National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PA Physician Assistant PAEA Physician Assistant Education Association PHI Protected Health Information PII Personally Identifiable Information PAEA Physician Assistant Education Association PIEE Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan SACSCOC Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges SAT Scholastic Aptitude Test SCA Service Contract Act SHARP Sexual Harassment and Assault Reporting Program SMART Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript TFMC Tobacco Free Medical Campus US United States WASC Western Association of Schools and Colleges WAWF Wide Area Workflow WD Wage Determination WSCUC WASC Senior College and University Commission

2.2. DEFINITIONS.

2.2.1. Armed services. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard

2.2.2. 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.

2.2.3. Cohort. A class that encompasses all training from beginning to graduation (A group of students who work together for the duration of the program).

2.2.4. Contractor. The term as used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.2.5. Contracting Officer (KO). 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.

2.2.6. Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to monitor the contract performance. 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.

2.2.7. 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.

2.2.8. 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.

2.2.9. Deliverable. Anything that can be physically delivered (such as transcripts, diplomas, and identification cards) but may include non-physical things (such as electronic copies of graduate catalog, minutes, website).

2.2.10. Governance. For purposes of this requirement, this refers to governance of the PROGRAM.

2.2.11. Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). This document determines what tasks to be performed are mission essential tasks and should include metrics on how performance for each of the tasks will be measured.

2.2.12. Physical Security. Actions that prevent the loss, damage, or unauthorized access to applicant or enrolled student information.

2.2.13. Proffer. To provide applicable degree certifying that student has met the requirements of the MEDCoE curriculum.

2.2.14. Program Director. Government individual responsible for oversight of the Program.

2.2.15. Quality Assurance. The various functions, including inspection, performed by the Government to determine whether a contractor has fulfilled the contract obligations pertaining to quality and quantity.

2.2.16. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This is the government document that the COR will use to perform surveillance on the contractor. It includes all of the mission essential inspection requirements of the PRS plus other, non-critical elements that will have surveillance performed on them. It sets up the frequencies of inspections, the methods for performing the inspections, etc.

2.2.17. Quality Control. All necessary measures taken by the contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.3. Personnel.

2.3.1. Key Personnel. The contractor shall provide a contractor representative who shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters. The contractor shall designate their representative, in writing, and submit to the KO within 10 calendar days after award of contract.

2.4. Travel Requirements. The Graduate Dean, or his/her designee at the contractor’s site, shall make annual evaluation site visits to MEDCoE, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. These site visits may include, but are not limited to: monitoring the curriculum, reviewing lesson material, instructor performance, grading system, administrative procedures, and clinical internship performance. The Graduate Dean shall provide at least two weeks advanced notice of the site visit to the Program Director.

2.4.1. The contractor shall support the Program by making their Graduate Dean or his/her designee available in San Antonio for class openings/registration (one day), graduation ceremonies (one day), and/or any other official functions mutually agreed upon in advance.

2.4.2. The Graduate Dean or his/her designee will be available on-site for one day during accreditation site visits for the Accrediting Commission’s interviews.

2.5. Fort Sam Houston Access.

2.5.1. Effective as of 1 May 2013, access to Fort Sam Houston Main is closed except for pre-vetted and approved credential holders IAW Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 5352.242-9000 (Contractor Access to Air Force Installations); AFI 31-101 (Integrated Defense); AFI 31-113 (Installation Perimeter Access Control); and AFI 31-502 (Defense Biometric Identification Systems (DBIDS) Operations. Contractors providing services at Fort Sam Houston will no longer be allowed entry without an approved access credential. In an effort to standardize Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) policy, entry will not be allowed for those individuals who do not pass a criminal background check.

2.5.2. The contractor shall obtain base identification and vehicle passes, if required, for all contractor personnel who make frequent visits to or perform work on the Air Force installation(s) cited in the contract. Contractor personnel are required to wear or prominently display installation identification badges or contractor-furnished, contractor identification badges while visiting or performing work on the installation. The contractor shall submit a written request on company letterhead to the contracting officer listing the following: contract number, location of work site, start and stop dates, and names of employees and subcontractor employees needing access to the base. The letter will also specify the individual(s) authorized to sign for a request for base identification credentials or vehicle passes. The contracting officer will endorse the request and forward it to the issuing base pass and registration office or Security Forces for processing.

2.5.3. Contractor employees accessing the installation with a privately owned or company furnished vehicle will have the following proof: valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and a valid vehicle insurance certificate to obtain a vehicle pass.

2.5.4. Wants and warrants checks will be conducted for every contractor and/or employee. Personnel accessing the installation with a privately owned or company furnished vehicle shall have provided the following proof: You are responsible for ensuring your employees report to Bldg 4179 to present a valid photo ID and Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification upon request by the Security Forces. You are responsible for ensuring all installation access credentials issued to contractor employees are returned to the issuing office upon expiration, completion of contract, or termination of services. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in withholding of final payment and possible debarment from entering any JBSA installation.

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The Government will provide overall governance and management of the PROGRAMS through the Graduate School Dean and respective Program Directors, and in this capacity will:

3.1. Provide the facilities and resources for student research and training. This includes, but is not limited to, the instructional and training facilities, faculty and staff, curriculum, instruction, supplies, books, and travel costs for Program students.

3.2. The Government’s curriculum will be available to the contractor upon award. The MEDCoE will provide the contractor with information relative to the Program to be used in the formulation of its Graduate School catalog.

This catalog will be published by the contractor, and drafts of those portions pertaining to the Program shall be furnished to the Program Director for approval prior to printing.

3.2.1. By mutual agreement with the contractor, add or delete curricular subject matter in accordance with the Program and the contractor's graduate curriculum process.

3.3. The respective Program Directors will screen all applicants and provide the contractor, no later than 14 days prior to the start, all necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in the Program. These admission credentials will consist of electronic information provided by the applicant through the designated PROGRAMs Centralized Application Service application and includes verified academic transcripts for all completed graduate and undergraduate work, employment history, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and official Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores as applicable.

3.3.1.The government will ensure all Program students possess the following:

3.3.2.Required grade point average as outlined in the Program’s requirement.

3.3.3.Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)scores in accordance with the contractor’s graduate school admission standards (as required).

3.4. Provide to the contractor, no later than 30 days prior to the start of the Program, the necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in the Program. Credentials will consist of academic transcripts for all completed graduate and undergraduate work, plus the SAT score.

3.4.1.Provide the number of students enrolled to the contractor within 60 calendar days and list of names of enrolled students within 14 days prior to the start of each class.

3.4.2.Compile student enrollment documents and forward them to the contractor no later than 30 days after the beginning of each semester.

3.4.3.Assign student grades and forward them to the contractor no later than 30 days after the end of each semester.

3.4.4.Withdraw or dismiss students who are failing to maintain military or academic standards.

3.4.5.Provide healthcare and assume liability for all Program military or government sponsored residents.

3.5. Ensure Program faculty participate on Program graduate committees. However, Program faculty are not committed to support any contractor projects.

3.6. The Government will provide access to electronic student enrollment information, or hardcopy documents, and forward them to the contractor at the beginning of each program.

3.7. The Government will withdraw or dismiss students who fail to maintain military or academic standards.

3.8. Prior to graduation, the respective Program Director will forward the students’ course grades to the contractor.

3.9. Review and approve through official Military Institutional Review Board channels all Program research protocols prior to data collection.

3.9.1. The Government will have the first right to publish any program research findings. If findings are not published within 3 years of completion of data collection, the contractor may request the right to publish as first author. The Government will list any contractor faculty who substantially contributes to a research project as an author on abstracts and other publications. If findings are not published within 3 years of completion of data collection, the contractor may request the right to publish as first author.

3.10. U.S. Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Unique Training

3.11. 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 begin performance under this contract. 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

4. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES. The contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract, except for those items listed under paragraph 3 of this PWS.

4.1. Contractor Qualifications:

http://www.atsc.army.mil/tadlp/delivery/alms.asp

4.1.1. The contractor must be accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and must maintain said accreditation throughout the duration of the contract requirements.

4.1.2. The contractor shall maintain as part of its university system a program that awards both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physician Assistant Studies to students who successfully complete Phase I of the Program as well as a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), and has at a minimum been re-accredited at least once and has maintained continu4us accreditation. The university must maintain membership with the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

4.1.3.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.

4.2. Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall provide services and staff on the institutions main campus to support the requirements of the PROGRAMS faculty and students located at the MEDCoE, Fort Sam Houston, and associated sites. The contractor shall provide full registration for all students upon receipt of notification of selection by the Respective Program Director. 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 degrees to students enrolled in the PROGRAMS. These responsibilities include:

4.2.1.Providing all administrative and institution accrediting information

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

4.2.3.Providing faculty appointment letters for Government faculty.

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

4.2.5.Reviewing and accepting the curriculum and educational objectives forwarded by the Government, the curriculum will be provided to the contractor who shall provide input/feedback, if any, to the Government no later than 30 days after receipt of the curriculum and educational objectives.

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

4.2.7. Allowing student and faculty access to available research lab facilities and resources to conduct PROGRAM research.

4.2.8. 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 must have SPSS software or equivalent statistical package, Graph Pad Prism, and a reference management system available for on line use by 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 JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. The contractor must ensure full access to above systems capabilities to all PROGRAM faculty and students regardless of their location.

4.2.9. 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 Dean and Respective Program Director and designated alternate (Associate Dean and/or 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 user name and password protected.

4.3. Contractor shall provide degrees, storage space for students’ records; on-line learning management system available (24 hours) to program faculty and students; a website and technical assistance to promote the Army DPT Program; 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 shall provide administrative support services and staff on the main campus to support the off-site campus program at Fort Sam Houston; qualified personnel competent to manage the technical, financial, and administrative aspects of hosting an off-site accelerated graduate program that is designed to award a DPT degree to military affiliated students at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1. The contractor, will grant college graduate credit and award a Bachelor of Science to students who successfully complete Phase I of the IPAP and a Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies to students who successfully compete both Phase I and Phase II of the IPAP PROGRAM. Students must:

5.1.1. Maintain an acceptable grade point average (3.0 on the 4.0 point scale) over the didactic portion of the PROGRAM;

5.1.2. Complete all didactic course work and the residency portion;

5.1.3. Complete all other requirements of the iPAP PROGRAM; and

5.1.4. Graduate from the PROGRAM.

5.2. Student Eligibility.

5.2.1. The contractor shall review the admission credentials of prospective students. The contractor shall provide a report on the eligibility of the prospective students’ acceptance to the appropriate government selection board (PROGRAM Director) within 30 calendar days from receipt of admission credentials. Credits greater than 10 years old shall be noted on the report.

5.2.2. The contractor shall accept the admission, from any uniformed service, of students who have at least 60 hours academic credit from an accredited college/university, 30 hours of which must be in residence. The remaining hours may be derived from College Level Examination Program (CLEP) correspondence courses, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), military training credit on Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) transcript, Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), etc. The acceptability of prerequisite courses shall be determined by discussion between the contractor and the IPAP representative. The contractor shall waive any requirements for courses of a State or local nature for IPAP students.

5.2.3. Applicants will be approved by the government prior to the contractor providing their final approval.

5.3. PROGRAM Description

5.3.1. The IPAP provides students a physician assistant education with a unique military work focus that is infused throughout Phase I and Phase II of the curriculum. The goal of the IPAP is to prepare candidates for PA practice in a military specific environment.

5.3.2. The PROGRAM Director will provide the number of students enrolled, for the initial class, to the contractor 60 calendar days prior to the start of the first class with the intent of providing the number of enrolled students 90 calendar days out in subsequent class starts.

5.3.3. At the end of each grading period, the IPAP will ensure student grades are submitted to the contractor within 14 calendar day for posting to official transcripts.

5.3.4. The PROGRAM Director will recommend the contractor withdraw/dismiss students who are failing to maintain military or academic standards within 15 calendar days of the grading period.

5.3.5. Provide to the contractor within fifteen working days any change in student status (withdrawn, disenrolled, removed, or recycled to the next appropriate class).

5.3.6. The PROGRAM Director will submit proposed research, through official Military Institutional Review Board channels for review and approval.

5.3.7. The contractor shall delegate responsibility for the governance of the PROGRAM to the government PROGRAM Director. The contractor hereby delegates student grievance procedures and oversight of curriculum implementation to the government PROGRAM Director. Furthermore, the contractor, in conjunction with the government PROGRAM Director, shall mutually agree upon admission criteria that serves the PROGRAM. The PROGRAM Director shall provide the contractor with the necessary admission information for each individual desiring enrollment in the PROGRAM. Within 14 calendar days of each selection board, the contractor shall provide acceptance letters to the applicants and written notification to the PROGRAM Director of all accepted applicants.

5.4. PROGRAM Curriculum. The IPAP will use the Government’s curriculum and educational objectives.

5.5. Affiliation Services.

5.5.1. Provide full registration for all students upon receipt of notification of selection by individual service selection boards. The initial portion of registration will occur online and the remainder must be completed on site at IPAP, JBSA, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

5.5.2. Provide all necessary administrative services for the IPAP students to receive college credits and a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree with appropriate honors recognition.

5.5.3. The contractor shall delegate grading authority and responsibility for the governance of the Program to the Program Director. Each student will be awarded a letter grade for each course in the Program, and each student’s official transcript will reflect the letter grade assigned by the MEDCoE faculty.

5.5.4. Maintain the Phase I grade government for the master’s research paper and combine it with the student’s Phase II grade to complete the master’s degree.

5.5.5. Confer a Bachelor of Science degree to all IPAP students successfully completing Phase I of the IPAP and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies to all IPAP students successfully completing both Phase I and Phase II of the IPAP. Actual degrees/diplomas shall be mailed to Registrar, U.S. MEDCoE, JBSA, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, no later than three weeks prior to graduation. The master’s degree will identify students receiving honors recognition.

5.5.6. The contractor shall post grades in student transcripts and maintain transcripts (in accordance with university policy) for all contractor’s students. An official degree-posted transcript will be sent to the IPAP representative within two weeks of graduation.

5.5.7. Accept the grading system used by IPAP, as follows:

A+ = 97-100 A = 90-96 B+ = 87-89 B = 80-86 C+ = 78-79 C = 75-77 F = <75

5.5.8. Review and accept the curriculum and educational objectives forwarded by the Government. The contractor shall provide input/feedback, if any, to the government no later than 10 days after receipt of the curriculum and educational objectives.

5.6. PROGRAM Faculty.

5.6.1. The government will nominate, and the contractor shall appoint, members of the PROGRAM’s faculty applying for professional status into the contractor's institution within 60 days of receipt of application.

Appointments will be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the PROGRAM’s faculty, or the duration of this affiliation agreement between the contractor and the MEDCoE, whichever terminates first.

5.6.2. PROGRAM faculty shall be entitled the same rights, privileges, and benefits afforded contractor faculty at the contractor’s main campus and/or other satellite campuses as long as the rights and privileges provide a benefit to the government and do not contravene federal regulations governing standards of ethical conduct to include Joint Ethics Regulation Department of Defense (DoD) 5500.7.

5.6.3. The contractor shall provide opportunities for military related collaborative scholarly activity with the PROGRAM faculty, i.e., research, grants, and publications.

5.6.4. PROGRAM faculty may obtain faculty identification cards, as appropriate.

5.6.5. PROGRAM faculty may obtain faculty parking passes, as appropriate.

5.6.6. PROGRAM faculty shall be afforded faculty training opportunities with the contractor that are directly related the delivery of the PROGRAM.

5.7. PROGRAM student services shall include:

5.7.1. Maintaining academic records for each student enrolled in the PROGRAM and providing students a copy of their records at the same interval as students in attendance at the contractor's main campus.

5.7.2. The PROGRAM students shall be entitled the same rights, privileges, and benefits afforded graduate students in residence at the contractor’s main campus and/or other satellite campuses as long as the rights and privileges 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.

5.8. Contractor Required Visits. The contractor shall attend on-site registration for each incoming class.

5.8.1. The designated representative shall make an annual evaluation site visit to the MEDCOE at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

5.8.2. The contractor’s Dean or equivalent shall participate in class openings by VTC, attend graduation ceremonies at Fort Sam Houston, TX, or other official ceremonies mutually agreed upon in advance. The contractor shall not bill separately for travel.

5.8.3. All site visits shall be coordinated at least four (4) weeks in advance of the visit with PROGRAM

Director. The annual site visit may be held in conjunction with graduation ceremonies.

5.9. The contractor shall design within 60 calendar days of award a webpage to promote the Army IPAP.

The Government shall approve the webpage 14 calendar days prior to the PROGRAM start date. The contractor in conjunction with the PROGRAM Director shall maintain the webpage providing up-to-date information. The webpage must be accessible 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

6. Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMR). ACCOUNTING FOR CONTRACT SERVICES-The employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). (13) As part of its submission, the contractor will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) by the 5th working day of November whether or not they have completed this report. If the COR is unavailable, the contractor will notify the Contracting Officer.

7. Applicable Publications/Regulations/Standards/. 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.

7.1. Advisory publications:

7.1.1. Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy, 06 Nov 2014

7.2. Mandatory publications:

7.2.1. TRADOC Policy Memo 4, Subject: TRADOC Policy Letter 4, Equal Opportunity (EO), Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program, and Treatment of Persons.

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

7.2.3. DoD Privacy Program, DoDD 5400.11, 29 October 2014.

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

8. Exhibits/Attachments.

8.1. PWS Exhibits/Attachments

Exhibit A – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS) Exhibit B – Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (WD) Exhibit C - Tobacco Free Medical Campus (TFMC) Exhibit D - Exclusion from Participation in Federal Health Care Programs (LEIE)

Exhibit E - Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI) and Federal Information Laws

PWS Attachment 1 - Curriculum Listing for IPAP Program

8.2. Solicitation/Contract Attachments:

Attachment 1 - Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) http://www.apd.army.mil/ http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives