Responses to Questions_STEP RFR_06152020.docx

REQUEST FOR RESPONSES

FOR THE

COVID-19 STRATEGIC TESTING EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP)

ISSUED: MAY 22, 2020

DOCUMENT #: 20LCEHSSTEPRFR

COMMBUYS BID #: BD-20-1039-EHS01-EHS01-51861

Responses to Questions

June 15, 2020

This document contains responses to questions received from interested parties regarding the Request for Responses for The COVID-19 Strategic Testing Expansion Program (STEP) issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) on May 22, 2020. Answers have been provided to those questions which are of general interest and relevant to the preparation of a response to the RFR.

1. Does EOHHS have a preferred type of sample collection method that it wants contractors to perform (e.g. Nasopharyngeal, Anterior Nasal, Oral Swab, Saliva) or are all sample collection methods equally acceptable?

RESPONSE: While posterior nasopharyngeal swabbing is currently the required sample collection method for COVID-19 testing, Contractor should be able to adapt their processes to accommodate other sample collection types (e.g., anterior nasal swabs, saliva, etc.) and newer approved testing methods as they become available.

2. Is there an anticipated distribution of need across mobile collection vs. drive-up sites vs. walk-up sites vs. mixed sites?

RESPONSE: EOHHS is open to all test site distribution strategies. In its response, a Bidder should describe the testing strategies that it is most equipped to execute.

3. Are there any specific communities/geographies that EOHHS should be prioritized for expansion of access to COVID-19 testing?

RESPONSE: Preliminary analysis shows that the following counties should be prioritized for expansion of access to COVID-19 testing:

· Norfolk

· Middlesex

· Essex

· Hampden

· Berkshire

· Hampshire

· Franklin

4. Does EOHHS have a minimum anticipated volume at its sites?

RESPONSE: While Contractors must be prepared to begin testing services within seven (7) days of entering a contact with EOHHS pursuant to this RFR, Contractors will be required to engage with EOHHS in a planning phase to discuss how they will operationalize their proposals. This planning phase will include discussions in which EOHHS will assign Awardees specific geographies and testing capacity requirements.

EOHHS will provide Contractors with the minimum capacity expected at the site prior to the Contractor providing services at the Authorized Site.

5. Will the EOHHS guarantee an approximate volume for new sites that are stood up so that operations and supplies can be forecasted accordingly?

RESPONSE: Contractor must have the capacity to complete STEP Services for at least 500 individuals per day cumulatively across all site locations, with the minimum capacity of STEP Services per day per site to be specified by EOHHS in the form and manner specified in the Contract.

EOHHS has amended the RFR to allow bidders to propose an Authorized Site Minimum Monthly Payment. This will allow Contractor to indicate the minimum monthly payment required for Contractor to operate an Authorized Site, which will be paid if testing volume is insufficient to generate payment greater than this minimum payment. Contractor would be paid the greater of the Authorized Site Minimum Monthly Payment or the payment calculated based upon the number of completed tests.

6. Will there be a minimum notice period or operating period once a collection site is opened so that the operator can recoup start-up costs for a new collection site?

RESPONSE: EOHHS has amended the RFR and Model Contract to specify that each Authorized Site will remain open for at least 30 days after its opening (except for mobile testing sites).

7. Does the operator have a right of refusal if / when EOHHS requests a new site location?

RESPONSE: EOHHS has amended the RFR and Model Contract to indicate that Contractors have a right of refusal if EOHHS assigns the Contractor to complete STEP Services at an Authorized Site. EOHHS will consider refusals as a negative relevant factor when selecting Contractors for subsequent assignments to Authorized Sites. This right of refusal will apply when EOHHS requests a new site location, as well as the initial assignment of an Authorized Site.

8. How will work be allocated / assigned to the different parties contracted with the EOHHS?

RESPONSE: Contractors will be assigned to Authorized Sites at the sole discretion of EOHHS, based on price, capacity, quality of work, and average turnaround of tests at existing sites, and any other relevant factors. Selection as a Contractor does not guarantee that EOHHS will assign any Authorized Sites.

9. How will reimbursement for the uninsured work?

RESPONSE: Contractor must have the ability to bill all major health insurers and other third-party payors in the Commonwealth for the medical services (including specimen collection) they provide to patients under the STEP, including MassHealth, Medicare, and major commercial insurers. Contractor must also have the ability to bill for medical services provided to uninsured patients through the federal COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal. EOHHS does not guarantee any particular payment for STEP-related medical services, and EOHHS will not be liable for any payments for medical services that the Contractor is unable to secure from a patient’s insurer or other third-party payor, but expects that Contractors will make diligent efforts to secure such payments.

Health care providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing on or after February 4, 2020 can electronically request claims reimbursement for testing uninsured individuals for COVID-19 through the following platform: https://coviduninsuredclaim.linkhealth.com/

10. How will reimbursement from payors to labs that are not in network function?

RESPONSE: Contractors will not be required to perform laboratory processing of specimens directly but will be required to partner or coordinate with qualified processing labs to ensure timely processing of the tests and result reporting to patients. Contractors are expected to individually contract with laboratories and are expected to ensure such laboratories can bill to all major commercial and governmental payors in the Commonwealth.

11. Will commercial pricing information be published publicly or will it remain confidential with EOHHS?

RESPONSE: Contractor must have a publicly-listed price and process to support employers and other organizations that would like to purchase testing services at a site that are separate from the STEP Services payable by EOHHS under this contract (e.g., an employer seeking to test all employees, regardless of whether such employees satisfy DPH testing guidelines). The publicly-listed price should be stated as a per test rate and may not exceed the total of the MassHealth rates for the STEP-related medical service(s) provided at the site, plus the per test overhead rate the Contractor would receive if the testing were payable by EOHHS under this Contract.

12. On what criteria will EOHHS assess site operations once they are underway?

RESPONSE: Contractor must gather data to quantify the impact of the Project as a part of project implementation. Contractor will be required to submit a weekly report to EOHHS that contains the metrics listed in Section IV of Attachment A, Model Contract. EOHHS will assess site operations based upon this data and may consider any other information it has its possession.

13. Is there an outline of the State Service Requirement for the testing portion of the project?

RESPONSE: All tests provided at Authorized Sites must be molecular diagnostic COVID-19 tests.

14. Are you looking for the bidders to bid for the Operational portion and contract themselves with the testing laboratory?

RESPONSE: Bidders must have the ability to provide STEP services at Authorized Sites as requested by EOHHS. Bidders should contract individually with qualified processing labs that can ensure timely processing of the tests.

15. Is there a way for a laboratory just to bid on the testing portion of the project?

RESPONSE: Qualified processing labs should not submit bids for the STEP RFR unless they are able to provide all STEP Services. Labs may execute contracts directly with Contractors selected through this RFR if they are only able to perform laboratory processing of specimens.

16. Is the Testing Overhead Payment paid per test?

RESPONSE: The Testing Overhead Payment is a per test overhead payment, adjusted for the total number of individuals who receive STEP Services at a given Authorized Site. EOHHS has provided benchmark rates for per test costs. Priority will be given to Contractors whose price is at or below the benchmarks set forth in Attachment B, Cost Response Instructions and Workbook.

Note: EOHHS has amended the RFR so that Bidders can propose an Authorized Site Minimum Monthly Payment.

17. Is the Testing Overhead Payment paid in addition to what Contractors bill to insurers?

RESPONSE: The payment of the Testing Overhead Payment pursuant to this RFR is separate and distinct from any payment from health insurers or other third-party payors for the covered STEP-related medical services provided to particular individuals. These payments may include (but are not limited to) claims reimbursement through MassHealth, Medicare, and commercial insurers, as well as the federal COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal for medical services such as specimen collection. Contractors must have the ability, and will be expected to seek additional payment for STEP-related medical services through normal insurance billing processes, and must complete Attachment B, Cost Response Instructions and Workbook in anticipation of such payments.