RFP - 36C26220R0021 ED Staffing - VALBHS.docx

36C26220R0021

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

36C26220R0021 08-25-2020 Tashodra Rogers, Contract Specialist 562-766-2246 09-25-2020

00262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

X

621111 $12 Million

N/A

VA Long Beach Healthcare System 5901 E 7th Street

Long Beach CA 90822 00262 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center P.O. Box 149971 Austin, TX 78714-9971 http://www.tungsten-network.com/ 877-353-9791

See CONTINUATION Page The Department of Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System requires onsite Emergency Department Physician Services.

Please see Schedule of Services on Pages 7-9

Please see Performance Work Statement (PWS) on pages 10-51

See CONTINUATION Page

Alice McGruder Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

SECTION A……………………………………………………………………………………………...1

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

b) GOVERNMENT: Tashodra Rogers – Contract Specialist 36C262 Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive, Ste 600, Long Beach, CA 90815 Telephone Number: 562-766-2246 Email: Tashodra.Rogers@va.gov

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: Please contact Tungsten at the phone number or email address listed below to begin submitting your electronic invoices to the VA Financial Services Center for payment processing. If you have any questions about the e-invoicing program or Tungsten, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below:

· Tungsten e-Invoice Setup Information: 1-877-489-6135

· Tungsten e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com

· FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: 1-877-353-9791

· FSC e-Invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

5. SECURE FAX – Please review VA Handbook 6500 that requires the following statement on all cover sheets be included:

This fax is intended only for the use of the person or office to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or protected by law. All others are hereby notified that the receipt of this fax does not waive any applicable privilege or exemption for disclosure and that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please notify this office immediately at the telephone number listed above.

6. POST AWARD ORIENTATION – The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as required by Procurement Policy Memorandum (PPM) 2019- 01. https://www.va.gov/oal/docs/business/pps/ppm201901.pdf

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 NOTIFICATION TO OFFERORS

1. Authority: Under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7409 – Contracts for scarce medical specialist services; 38 U.S.C. 8153 – Sharing of healthcare resources; Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items, and; FAR Part 13— Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) requires a Contractor to provide Contract Emergency Department Board-Certified/Board-Eligible physicians for daily onsite Emergency Department shift coverage.

2. Offerors shall complete and return all information designated in the enclosed FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, paragraph b, and the addendum to 52.212-1, prior to the time specified in block 8 of standard form (SF) 1449 to be considered eligible for award. Failure to do so may preclude the Offeror from consideration for award.

3. QUESTIONS: Direct all Questions via email to the Contract Specialist (CS), Tashodra Rogers at Tashodra.Rogers@va.gov no later than September 4, 2020, 3:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time (PST). An amendment will be posted to www.beta.sam.gov to address any questions received on or about September 11, 2020 by 3:00 PM, PST.

4. DUNS NUMBER: Provide the Dun and Bradstreet Number assigned to your business in the space provided below (refer to FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items):

5. This requirement is set-aside 100% for Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs); only SDVOSBs verified in the VA’s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) site at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ at the time of proposal submission will be considered for award.

6. Post-Award Conference. The Awardee shall participate in a post-award orientation conference to review the on-boarding process for candidates and other post-award management procedures. The conference will include the Contracting Officer (CO), Contract Specialist (CS), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Awardee, and others designated.

B.3 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel to provide services necessary to perform onsite Emergency Department Physician Services to eligible beneficiaries of the Veteran Administration Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS). The VALBHS Emergency Services are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and follow the standards & guidelines set forth by American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). A contractor providing onsite emergency department physician services shall provide services that meet or exceed the ACEP Guidelines http://www.ACEP.org/ The staffing requirement is for Board Certified/Board Eligible Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians and Mid-Levels (Physicians Assistants (PA)/Nurse Practitioners (NP)). The VALBHS Chief of the Emergency Department maintains overall responsibility and administrative oversight for the VALBHS Emergency Department.

Place of Performance: Services shall be provided on site at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822.

Pricing Instructions:

The Contractor shall provide no less than eight (8) and no more than twelve (12) physicians and no less than two (2) and no more than four (4) mid-levels to be credentialed and be available for scheduling to meet the requirements of the contract.

BASE YEAR: OCTOBER 1, 2020 through SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Total for All CLINs for the BASE YEAR $____________________

Option Year One (1): OCTOBER 1, 2021 through SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

Total for All CLINs for the OPTION YEAR ONE (1) $____________________

Option Year Two (2): OCTOBER 1, 2022 through SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

Total for All CLINs for the OPTION YEAR TWO (2) $____________________

Option Year Three (3): OCTOBER 1, 2023 through SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Total for All CLINs for the OPTION YEAR THREE (3) $____________________

Option Year Four (4): OCTOBER 1, 2024 through SEPTEMEBR 30, 2025

Total for All CLINs for the OPTION YEAR FOUR (4) $____________________

Total for Base and all Option Years: $______________________________

B.4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

1. GENERAL:

1.1. Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide Board Certified/Board Eligible Emergency Department Physician and Mid-Level Services on site in accordance with the specifications contained herein to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS). A contractor providing onsite emergency department physician services that meet or exceed the American College of Emergency Physician Guidelines http://www.ACEP.org/

1.2. Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish services at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS) 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822.

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) Sharing Authority

1.4. Policy/Handbooks: the contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance:

1.4.1. VHA Directive 1101.05(2): Emergency Medicine

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3236

1.4.2. VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources Contracting - Buying https://www1.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=969&FType=2

1.4.3. VHA Directive 2006-041 “Veterans’ Health Care Service Standards” (expired but still in effect pending revision) https://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1443

1.4.4. VHA Directive 2010-018 “Facility Infrastructure”

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2227

1.4.5. VHA Directive 1192 “Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program” https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/flu/VHA_Directive_1192_Sep

1.4.6. VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank Reports – https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2135

1.4.7. VHA Handbook 1100.18 Reporting And Responding To State Licensing Boards – https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1364

1.4.8. VHA Handbook 1100.19 Credentialing and Privileging –

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2910

1.4.9. VHA Handbook 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records:

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=3088

1.4.10. Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended

http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm

1.5. Definitions/Acronyms- Terms used in this contract shall be interpreted as follows unless the context expressly requires a different construction and/or interpretation. In case of a conflict in language between the Definitions and other sections of this contract, the language in this section shall govern.

1.5.1. ABIM: American Board of Internal Medicine http://www.abim.org/

1.5.2. ACEP: American College of Emergency Physicians

1.5.3. ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

1.5.4. ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

1.5.5. ATLS: Advanced Trauma Life Support

1.5.6. AOD: Admitting Officer of the Day

1.5.7. BLS: Basic Life Support

1.5.8. CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation

1.5.9. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.10. CR: Contract Discrepancy Report

1.5.11. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.12. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.13. CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

1.5.14. Contracting Officer (CO) – The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

1.5.15. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor performs in accordance with and adheres to the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken.

1.5.16. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.17. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.18. Credentialing: Credentialing is the systematic process of screening and evaluating qualification and other credentials, including licensure, required education, relevant training and experience and current competence and health status.

1.5.19. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.20. ED: Emergency Department

1.5.21. EHR: Electronic Health Record - electronic health record system used by the VA.

1.5.22. FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards

1.5.23. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.24. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.25. HR: Human Resources

1.5.26. ISO: Information Security Officer

1.5.27. Medical Emergency - a sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably result in: Permanently placing a patient's health in jeopardy, causing other serious medical consequences, causing impairments to body functions, or Causing serious or permanent dysfunction of any body-organ or part.

1.5.28. MOD: Medical Officer of the Day

1.5.29. National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers).

1.5.30. NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. www.nlnac.org

1.5.31. Non-Contract Provider - any person, organization, agency, or entity that is not directly or indirectly employed by the Contractor or any of its subcontractors

1.5.32. NP: Nurse Practitioner

1.5.33. NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System

1.5.34. PA: Physician Assistant

1.5.35. PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support

1.5.36. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.37. PPD: Purified Protein Derivative

1.5.38. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.39. Privileging (Clinical Privileging): Privileging is the process by which a practitioner, licensed for independent practice; e.g., without supervision, direction, required sponsor, preceptor, mandatory collaboration, etc.; is permitted by law and the facility to practice independently, to provide specific medical or other patient care services within the scope of the individual’s license, based upon the individual’s clinical competence as determined by peer references, professional experience, health status, education, training and licensure. Clinical privileges must be facility-specific and provider-specific.

1.5.40. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.41. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.42. QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

1.5.43. Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA): The central office for administration of the VA medical centers through throughout the United States. The VHA is located in Washington, D.C.

1.5.44. Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN): The regional oversight for the VA medical centers.

1.5.45. VISTA (Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture): A PC based system that will capture and store clinical imagery, scanned documents and other non-textual data files and integrates them into patient’s medical record and with the hospital information system.

1.5.46. VetPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers.

1.5.47. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA medical Center, for purposes of this contract, this term shall mean the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS).

2. QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1. The Contractor’s physician(s) assigned by the Contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall have a current license to practice medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia) when services are performed onsite on VA property. All licenses held by the personnel working on this contract shall be full and unrestricted licenses. Contractor’s physician(s) who have current, full and unrestricted licenses in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered for the purposes of this contract.

2.2. Contractor Nurse Practitioners shall:

2.2.1. Be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master’s degree from a program accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. Authorization for perspective authority is required.

2.2.2. Have three (3) years of clinical nursing experience, with a minimum of one (1) year clinical experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), three (3) years preferred. At least one-year experience in outpatient care in an Emergency Department environment is also required.

2.2.3. Be currently certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

2.2.4. Be a U.S. Citizen or be legally eligible to work in the U.S. and have the ability to communicate, understand, read and write English proficiently.

2.2.5. Not be pending or have had past felony charges against him/her.

2.3. Contractor’s Physician’s Assistant (PA) shall:

2.3.1. Be a graduate of a PA accredited program recognized by the United States.

2.3.2. Maintain an active, current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia as a Physician Assistant.

2.3.3. Possess a minimum of one (1) year experience within the preceding three (3) years in an outpatient, Emergency Department environment.

2.3.4. Possess certification as a Physician Assistant as determined by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA).

2.3.5. Be certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

2.3.6. Be a U.S. citizen or be legally eligible to work in the U.S. and have the ability to communicate, understand, read and write English proficiently.

2.3.7. Not have had a medical license revoked or limited by a State, Territory, Commonwealth or the District of Columbia.

2.3.8. Not be pending or have had past felony charges against him/her.

2.4. Board Certification - All contractor’s physician(s) shall be Board Certified/Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Family Practice, and are required to be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must be kept up to date at all times. Documentation verifying current certification shall be provided by the Contractor to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.

2.5. Credentialing and Privileging –Credentialing and privileging is to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Handbook 1100.19 referenced above. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that proposed physician(s) possesses the requisite credentials enabling the granting of privileges. No services shall be provided by any contractor’s physician(s) prior to obtaining approval by the VALBHS Professional Standards Board, Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.

2.5.1. If a contractor’s physician (s) is not credentialed and privileged or has credentials/privileges suspended or revoked, the Contractor shall furnish an acceptable substitute without any additional cost to the government.

2.6. Technical Proficiency - Contractor’s physician(s), NPs, and PAs shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government’s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor shall provide documents upon request of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history for all contractor’s physician (s) and contractor’s physician(s) shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.

2.7. Continuing Medical Education (CME)/ Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor shall provide the COR copies of current CMEs as required or requested by the VAMC. Contractor’s physician(s) registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME to remain current. Contractor shall report CME hours to the credential’s office for tracking. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging. Failure to provide shall result in loss of privileges for contract physician(s).

2.8. Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): Contractor shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all training must be completed by the contractor’s physician(s) as required by the VA. For Emergency Departments, Board Certified/Board Eligible Emergency Medical Physicians are required to have current BLS and ACLS certification. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor.

2.9. Standard Personnel Testing (PPD, etc.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for physicians within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.

2.9.1.1. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor’s physician (s) {This is applicable to all health care workers}. A negative chest radiographic report for active tuberculosis shall be provided in cases of positive TST or IGRA results. The TST or IGRA testing shall be repeated annually.

2.9.1.2. MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians.

2.9.1.3. VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians.

2.9.1.4. ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians.

2.9.1.5. INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician has a medical contraindication to the vaccine, they shall be required to wear a mask during the Influenza season.

2.9.1.6. OSHA REGULATION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor’s physician (s); provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series and hepatitis B surface antigen test results following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident.

2.9.1.7. The VAMC shall notify the Contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. Contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel ( as published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return.

2.10. National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers). The Contractor shall have or obtain appropriate NPI and if pertinent the Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) be provided to the Contracting Officer with the proposal.

2.11. DEA - Contractor shall provide copy of current DEA certificate.

2.12. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all contractor’s physician(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it’s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (Jan 2008) and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.13. Citizenship related Requirements:

2.13.1. The Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall comply with any and all legal provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended; its related laws and regulations that are enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor as these may relate to non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract or subcontract for the Contractor while providing services to Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals;

2.13.2. While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation their status, as a result of their failure to maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of their admission into the United States. Additionally, the Contractor is required to comply with all “E-Verify” requirements consistent with “Executive Order 12989” and any related pertinent Amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations.

2.13.3. If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its Agency regulations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may, at its discretion, require that the foreign national who failed to maintain their legal status in the United States or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of the laws administered by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor, shall be prohibited from working at the Contractor’s place of business that services Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; or other place where the Contractor provides services to veterans who have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and shall form the basis for termination of this contract for breach.

2.13.3.1. This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

2.13.3.2. The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors response to the RFP using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.

2.14. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

2.14.1. Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed contractor’s physician(s) are not listed. Contractor should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMP’s may also be imposed against the Contractor that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries.

2.14.2. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed.

2.15. Clinical/Professional Performance: The qualifications of Contractor personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Center COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Handbook 1100.19. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the VAMC COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his designee. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract.

2.16. Non-Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all contractor’s physician(s) shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

2.17. Indemnification: The Contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against, all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, arising out of or resulting from the fault, negligence, or act or omission of the Contractor, its agents, or employees.

2.18. Prohibition Against Self-Referral: Contractor’s physicians are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor’s or their own practice(s).

2.19. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contractor’s physician(s) shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.

2.20. No Employee Status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor’s physician(s) furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract:

2.20.1. Workers’ compensation

2.20.2. Professional liability insurance

2.20.3. Health examinations

2.20.4. Income tax withholding, and

2.20.5. Social security payments

2.21. Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover Contractor or contract physician(s). When a Contractor or contractor’s physician (s) has been identified as a provider in a tort claim, the Contractor shall be responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a Contractor’s (or contract physician(s) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and/or insurance carrier.

2.22. Key Personnel:

2.22.1. The VA Full Time Equivalency (FTE): FTE is defined by VA as a minimum of 80 hours every two weeks and does not include holidays.

2.22.2. The Contractor shall propose no less than eight (8) and preferably no more than twelve (12) physicians and no less than two (2) and preferably no more than four (4) mid-levels to be credentialed and be available for scheduling to meet the requirements of the contract.

2.9.3 It is essential that continuity of services is maintained to the maximum degree possible, hence, substitution of contractor provided Physicians shall be limited to urgent/emergent absences of approved, assigned providers. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing coverage to the VA during periods of vacancies due to sick leave, personal leave, vacations and additional coverage as required. In the event a scheduled physician is unable to begin or complete an assigned shift, the contractor shall provide replacement physician coverage within 2 hours and notify the Contracting Office Representative (COR) or designee at the VALBHS immediately of the schedule change.

2.9.4. Personnel Substitutions: During the first ninety (90) calendar days of performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within 10 calendar day (s) after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After 90 days, the Contractor shall submit the information required below to the CO at least 10 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

2.9.4.1. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The CO will notify the Contractor within 10 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

2.9.4.2. For temporary substitutions where the key person shall not be reporting to work for 10 consecutive workdays or more, the Contractor shall provide a qualified replacement for the key person. The substitute shall have comparable qualifications to the key person. Any period exceeding two weeks will require the procedure as stated above.

2.9.4.3. The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. Should the VA COS or designee show documented clinical problems or continual unprofessional behavior/actions with any Contractor’s physician (s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said Contractor’s physician (s). The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor’s physician (s) conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.

2.9.4.4. Contingency Plan: Because continuity of care is an essential part of VAMC’s medical services, The Contractor shall have a contingency plan in place to be utilized if the Contractor’s physician (s) leaves Contractor’s employment or is unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

3. HOURS OF OPERATION

3.1. VA Business Hours: The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week including Federal Holidays.

3.1.1. Patients must be seen by a contractor’s physician(s) on-site at VALBHS in a timely manner in accordance with VA Rules and Regulations on clinic wait times and consult completion. Contractor shall notify the COR at least monthly about any obstacles to meeting this performance measure.

3.1.2. Contractor’s Physician(s) shall be available and present in the ED during normal VALBHS ED Hours of Operation, which will be established, and may be revised, as deemed appropriate for Veteran-patient care by the Chief of Staff. Currently normal clinic hours entail eight (8) and ten (10) hour-shift coverage.

3.1.3. Patients must be seen within 4 hours of the page when medically indicated.

4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. Clinical Personnel Required: The Contractor shall provide contractor’s physician(s) who are competent, qualified per this performance work statement and adequately trained to perform assigned duties.

4.1.1. Contractor’s physician (s) shall be responsible for signing in and out when in attendance. Time sheets will be used by the COR to confirm hours/day and services provided against the contractor’s invoices.

4.2. Standards of Care: The contractor’s physician (s)’ care shall cover the range of Emergency services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art health care treatment facility and the standard of care shall be of a quality, meeting or exceeding current recognized national standards as established by:

4.2.1. The American Board of Emergency Medicine

4.2.2. American Board of Osteopathic Emergency Medicine

4.2.3. Relevant professional societies including ACEP. SAEM, AAEM American College of Emergency Physicians: http://www.acep.org

4.2.4. The American Board of Internal Medicine http://www.abim.org/

4.2.5. VA Standards: VHA Directive 2006-041 “Veterans’ Health Care Service Standards” (expired but still in effect pending revision) https://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1443

4.2.6. The professional standards of The Joint Commission (TJC) http://www.jointcommission.org/emergency_department/

4.2.7. The standards of the American Hospital Association (AHA) http://www.hpoe.org/resources?show=100&type=8 and;

4.2.8. The requirements contained in this PWS

4.3. MEDICAL RECORDS

4.3.1. Authorities: Contractor’s physician(s) providing healthcare services to VA patients shall be considered as part of the Department Healthcare Activity and shall comply with the U.S.C.551a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records) 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records), Title 5 U.S.C. § 522a (Records Maintained on Individuals) as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (HIPAA).

4.3.2. HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA in order for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a health care provider for treatment. Based on this exception, a BAA is not required for this contract. Treatment and administrative patient records generated by this contract or provided to the Contractors by the VA are covered by the VA system of records entitled ‘Patient Medical Records-VA’ (24VA19). Contractor generated VA Patient records are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contractor shall ensure that all records pertaining to medical care and services are available for immediate transmission when requested by the VA. Records identified for review, audit, or evaluation by VA representatives and authorized federal and state officials, shall be accessed on-site during normal business hours or mailed by the Contractor at his expense. Contractor shall deliver all final patient records, correspondence, and notes to the VA within twenty-one (21) calendar days after the contract expiration date.

4.3.3. Disclosure: Contractor’s physician (s) may have access to patient medical records: however, Contractor shall obtain permission from the VA before disclosing any patient information. Subject to applicable federal confidentiality or privacy laws, the Contractor, or their designated representatives, and designated representatives of federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over Contractor, may have access to VA ‘s records, at VA’s place of business on request during normal business hours, to inspect and review and make copies of such records. The VA will provide the Contractor with a copy of VHA Handbook 1907.1, Health Information management and Health Records and VHA Handbook 1605.1, Privacy and Release of Information. The penalties and liabilities for the unauthorized disclosure of VA patient information mandated by the statutes and regulations mentioned above, apply to the Contractor.

4.3.4. Professional Standards for Documenting Care: Care shall be appropriately documented in medical records in accordance with standard commercial practice and guidelines established by VHA Handbook 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2791 and all guidelines provided by the VAMC.

4.3.5. Release of Information: The VA shall maintain control of releasing any patient medical information and will follow policies and standards as defined, but not limited to Privacy Act requirements. In the case of the VA authorizing the Contractor to release patient information, the Contractor in compliance with VA regulations, and at his/her own expense, shall use VA Form 3288, Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Individual’s Records, to process “Release of Information Requests.” In addition, the Contractor shall be responsible for locating and forwarding records not kept at their facility. The VA’s Release of Information Section shall provide the Contractor with assistance in completing forms. Additionally, the Contractor shall use VA Form 10-5345, Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records or Health Information, when releasing records protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332. Treatment and release records shall include the patient’s consent form. Completed Release of Information requests will be forwarded to the VA Privacy Officer at the following address: Troy Evans, Privacy Officer at 5901 E. 7th St. Long Beach, CA 90822 562-826-8000 x2650.

4.4. Direct Patient Care: estimated 90-95% the time involved in direct patient care.

4.4.1. Per the qualification section of this PWS, the Contractor shall provide the following staff:

4.4.1.1. Board Certified/Board Eligible Emergency Department Physicians

4.4.1.2. Physician Assistants/Nurse Practitioners

4.4.