RFI Cardio Tech.docx

The Regional Health Contracting Office-Central (RHCO-C) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of Brooke Army Medical Center to find potential sources to provide Cardiac Monitor Technician (CMT).

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT – This is a Request for Information (RFI) and is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future Request for Quote (RFQ), should one be issued. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

The Government will use responses to this notice in formulating its acquisition strategy. If the Government does not receive sufficient information in response to this notice to verify the potential for competition exists, it is possible that a sole-source contract, supported by a Justification and Approval document, will be issued to support the Government's requirement. RHCO-C is seeking the following information (please answer paragraphs below with your response):

1. Company name, DUNS number, CAGE code, and point of contact information (including phone number and email address), and socio-economic category(ies) as related to NAICS 622110 (General Medical and Surgery Hospital), such as 8(a), HUBZone, Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Small, or Other-than-Small.

2. Capability Statement (limited to ten pages), describing how your company meets the below objectives:

Certifications in addition to Basic Life Support EKG training certificate.

Education Requirements: Formal training program in dysrhythmia recognition and hold a current certification from such a course prior to performing CT/CMT services. The Government will administer a test on recognition and technicians specifically assigned to watch monitors will do so only after successful completion of a formal training course i.e. EKG completion certificate and an annual recertification to include a dysrhythmia test with 85% or above pass rate. Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience prior to employment by the Contractor.

Health Care Worker (HCW) shall have sufficient training/experience to be able to adequately perform the following:

· Assess the condition of up to thirty-two (32) patients by continuously monitoring electrocardiograph (EKG) recordings on a central station monitor. Admit and discharge patients from the monitoring equipment.

· Operate complex monitoring equipment, troubleshoot computer malfunctions, and communicate system problems with the appropriate personnel (head nurse, non commissioned officer in charge, Admin Officer on Duty (AOD). Annotation of all problems with monitoring systems and notification of problems must be made in logbook or designated notification system.

· At the discretion of the head nurse/charge nurse technicians will perform clerical duties to include answering the telephone, record messages, organizing patient files.

· Routinely collect, evaluate, and document each patient's cardiac rhythm status a minimum of once each shift and upon changes in rhythms. Each rhythm strip is analyzed for the following: PR interval, QRS interval, rate (atrial and ventricular), maintains patient rhythm, ectopic beats, ST segment changes and places strips in patient records. All documentation must be placed in the patient's chart prior to the end of the shift if patient is discharged or transferred.

· Records and identifies any changes in the patient's baseline cardiac rhythm, and immediately notifies nursing staff as changes occur. Also records cardiac rhythm during the following: cardiac arrests and resuscitation, cardioversion, and during administration of intravenous push medications such as Digoxin and Verapamil.

· Communicates with nursing personnel when changes in the monitoring parameters are required for a particular patient, and when changes in electrode placement are required.

· Follows the guidelines or standing operating procedures for Cardiovascular Technicians/ Cardiac Monitor Technicians and for cardiac monitoring systems.

· Cardiac monitor technicians will discuss any changes made in the monitoring parameters for a particular patient with the nurse caring for that patient. It is the monitor technician's responsibility to ask questions of the nurse if there are any questions about an arrhythmia or the setting of the limits.

· Cardiac monitors will be watched continuously and the head nurse or charge nurse will ensure that patient monitors are watched continuously. Break times will be coordinated with the head nurse or charge nurse.

· All changes from baseline rhythm will be reported to the nurse caring for that patient and annotated on the monitor watch flow sheet. Physicians will be notified of any changes by nursing personnel. Guidelines for the setting of alarm limits:

· Monitor alarms will be left on and volume set by charge nurse, in the event that a life-threatening emergency occurs requiring the presence of all unit staff members.

· The individual watching the monitors will initiate the log sheets. Initial input to be provided by the head nurse, charge nurse, or COR.

· Changes in the rhythm status, ectopic activity, and other pertinent information will be recorded by posting a rhythm strip on the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) approved document that has the patient's data (name, grade, unit, etc.).

· EKG alarms are preset with an upper limit of 150, a lower limit of 50, and a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) limit of 6 per minute. Limits may be individualized to each patient on the order of a physician or nurse. Alarm volume will be adjusted at the patient's bedside as deemed appropriate by the charge nurse.

· Respiratory alarms may be turned off unless a physician orders the alarm to specifically be turned on.

· Arrhythmia alarms are internally preset. Changes m arrhythmia alarm parameters require a physician's order.

· Only a physician or nurse may do the reclassifying of arrhythmias according to category of severity for monitor alarm purposes.

· Blood pressure alarms will be individually set according to parameters ordered by the physician.

· Alarms may be turned off only when a patient is at an appointment or showering. It is the responsibility of the nurse to remove and place leads on the patients. The Cardiovascular Technician/Cardiac Monitor Technician shall be notified of changes in alarm on/off status prior to and following a patient activity that could alert the baseline pattern.

· All bedside screens will be kept cleared, unless a staff member is using the monitor, so that access to all patient data will be available at the central station.

· Central station monitor banks will be left on at all times.

· Transmitter (TTX) numbers and the patient's last name will be used to identify patients.

· Cardiovascular Technicians/Cardiac Monitor Technicians will participate in the orientation process of personnel, nursing reports, patient care conferences, team conferences, discharge planning, unit conferences as deemed appropriate by the head nurse, and mandatory SAMMC training to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA, Joint Commission, and other necessary requirements.

· The Department of Nursing (DON) supervisory staff shall have the discretion of rotating the Cardiovascular Technicians/Cardiac Monitor Technicians throughout SAMMC's clinical areas but they will not be required to work out of their scope of practice.

· Unit managers may request by-name, Cardiovascular Technicians/Cardiac Monitor Technicians for their respective wards. If two or more unit managers request the same person, the Contractor will determine which unit to perform their services.

The response due date for this Request for Information is 3:00 PM CST, 30 December 2021. All questions and comments regarding this announcement shall be submitted via e-mail to the below POCs: