RFI Medical Accession Services Industry Questions to Draft PWS.pdf

Request For Information W81K0426RATBD - Medical Accession Services

1. The US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), Health Readiness Contracting Office (HRCO) has a personal services requirement for Medical Accession Services – United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM). The Contractor shall furnish qualified Fee Basis Providers (FBPs) to perform applicant medical-history reviews, medical evaluations, and reviews of medical tests and records for the purpose of determining whether applicants meet applicable military medical accession standards. This requirement includes personal health-care services authorized under 10 United States Code (USC) 1089 (Defense of certain suits in medical services) and 10 USC 1091 (Personal Services Contracts for health care responsibilities).

The scope includes medical accession support at 66 MEPS, HQ USMEPCOM, and other Government-designated locations. Performance includes the personnel, management, scheduling, quality, administrative, information-protection, travel, and transition activities necessary to support ordered medical accession services throughout the ordering period.

2. The Government is seeking information that will assist in furthering market research for the Medical Accession Services. NOTE: This RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts; this RFI is intended to be used for market research purposes only. Feedback is voluntary and is not required. The Government will not provide reimbursement for any costs incurred to participate in this feedback. Nothing stated is contractually binding.

3. In order to gain further insight into industry the Government has formulated some questions regarding the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). Please respond to these questions.

A. Staffing, Recruitment, and Retention:

These questions help the Government gauge whether industry can realistically meet the widespread and volatile staffing demands across 66 MEPS locations.

(1) Provider Pool Management: The PWS requires maintaining minimum and maximum provider pools at 66 distinct locations, plus a traveler pool. What strategies would your firm use to recruit and retain Fee Basis Providers (FBPs) in both high-volume urban areas and remote/hard-to-fill locations?

(2) Volume Volatility: Applicant processing volumes can fluctuate daily. How does your organization typically manage and compensate medical professionals when scheduled hours are unexpectedly reduced due to low applicant volume?

(3) Credentialing Timelines: The PWS sets strict timelines for FBP candidate packet submission and progression through the Designated Provider Categories (DPC-1 through DPC-4). Based on commercial standards and your experience, are the proposed credentialing and onboarding timelines realistic? If not, what durations do you recommend?

(4) Traveler Pool Feasibility: Are there any anticipated challenges in maintaining a weekly roster of at least 10 fully trained (DPC-3/4) providers ready to travel on short notice (36 hours), and how does industry typically structure compensation to incentivize this readiness?

B. Pricing and Contract Structure:

These questions aim to align the Government’s pricing model with commercial best practices to ensure fair and predictable costs.

(1) Pricing Mechanism: Given the varying workload and required minimum duty hours (7 hours), what pricing structure (e.g., Firm-Fixed-Price per hour, price per evaluation, hybrid fixed-price/cost-reimbursable for travel) do you consider most appropriate and cost-effective for this requirement?

(2) Cost Drivers: Aside from direct labor, what do you view as the most significant cost drivers or financial risks associated with the Draft PWS (e.g., malpractice insurance, FedRAMP IT requirements, parking, travel)?

(3) Malpractice/Liability: While 10 U.S.C. § 1089 provides certain protections, the PWS requires contractors to maintain liability insurance. How does your firm interpret this requirement, and does it align with standard commercial medical staffing practices?

C. Performance Metrics (AQLs) and Operations:

The Government needs to know if the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) are attainable without forcing contractors to bake massive risk premiums into their pricing.

(1) Fill Rate Feasibility: The PWS establishes an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 93% for filling daily FBP orders. Considering the current national landscape for medical providers and short-notice call-outs (illness, emergencies), is this 93% threshold commercially reasonable?

(2) IT & System Requirements: The PWS requires a FedRAMP Moderate authorized cloud service for scheduling visibility. Does your company currently possess or utilize a system meeting these criteria? Would this requirement present a barrier to competition?

(3) Workload Standards: Reviewing the workload standards in Attachment D (e.g., time allotted for history reviews, physicals, and complex reads), do these timeframes align with commercial medical evaluation standards?

D. Transition and Implementation:

These questions assess transition risk, which is historically a major point of failure in large-scale staffing contracts.

(1) Phase-In Period: Is the 120-day phase-in period sufficient to capture incumbent personnel, recruit new providers where necessary, complete credentialing, and establish the required scheduling systems?

(2) Incumbent Capture: What specific Government-furnished information (e.g., current FBP rosters, DPC levels, historical turnover rates) would be most critical during the solicitation phase to enable accurate transition planning?

E. Corporate Experience and Small Business Considerations:

(1) Relevant Experience: Can you provide a brief example of a contract where your firm successfully provided similar medical examination/staffing services on a national scale (50+ locations)?

(2) Small Business Capabilities: This requirement shall be set aside for small business (HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, or 8(a)), would your firm be able to perform at least 50% of the cost of the contract incurred for personnel, in compliance with FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) and how would your company satisfy this requirement?

4. Response Due Date: 4:00 P.M. CST on 11 September 2026 by submitting an email to all personnel listed below:

A. Ms. Darlene Riley, Contracting Officer, darlene.m.riley.civ@army.mil B. Mr. Carlos Ramirez, Contract Specialist, carlos.a.ramirez18.civ@army.mil C. Mr. Nate Trulove, Contract Specialist, nathaniel.w.trulove.civ@army.mil

1 Attachment:

1. Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)