RFP_NSTP_REDLINE_Amend_2.doc

RFP-CMS-2015-8A-NSTP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6PART I- THE SCHEDULE

6SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

6B.1

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

6B.2

TYPE OF CONTRACT

6B.3

DETERMINATION OF ORDER TYPE/PRICES/COSTS

6B.4

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS

6B.5 TRAVEL/OTHER DIRECT COSTS/ MATERIAL (Cost Reimbursement Task Orders including T&M)

7B.6 FIXED FEE (Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Task Orders)

8SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

8C.1

STATEMENT OF WORK

8CHAPTER 1. SCOPE

9CHAPTER 2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

11CHAPTER 3. INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT

13CHAPTER 4. WEBSITE MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE

14CHAPTER 5. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SERVICES

17CHAPTER 6. TRAINING SUPPORT- COORDINATION OF HOTEL, AUDIO VISUAL ONSITE SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

18CHAPTER 7. EDITORIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

18CHAPTER 8. TASKS

20SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

20D.1

PACKAGING AND MARKING

21SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

21E.1

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

21E.2

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

21E.3

ACCEPTANCE BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

22SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

22F.1

22F.2

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

22F.3

NOTIFICATION OF LATE DELIVERIES

22F.4

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

23SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

23G.1

ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

23G.2

PAYMENTS – VOUCHERS (COST REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS) (AUG 2013)

25G.3

PAYMENTS - INVOICES (FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS) (AUG 2013)

27G.4

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

27G.5

TECHNICAL DIRECTION

28G.6

CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) RESPONSIBILITY

29G.7

CORRESPONDENCE PROCEDURES

29G.8

SUBCONTRACT CONSENT

29G.9

USE OF GOVERNMENT DATA (REPORTS/FILES/COMPUTER TAPES OR DISCS)

30G.10

DISSEMINATION, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION

30G.11

WORKING PAPERS

30G.12

DATA TO BE DELIVERED

31G.13

PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

31G.14

CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION(S) (OCT 2014)

32G.15

TASK ORDER PROCEDURES

34G.16

TASK ORDER PROPOSALS

35G.17

INDIRECT COST RATES (SEP 2014)

39G.18

PAYMENT SELECTED ITEMS OF COST REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS

40G.19

ANNUAL WAGE DETERMINATIONS

40G.20

SECURITY CLAUSE – BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

45SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

45H.1

HHSAR 352.242-70 KEY PERSONNEL (JAN 2006)

45H.2

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

55H.3

HHSAR 352.224-70 PRIVACY ACT (JAN 2006)

56H.4

HIPPA BUSINESS ASSOCIATE CLAUSE (SEPT 2013)

61H.5

CMS INFORMATION SECURITY (APR 2013)

62H.6

SECTION 508 – ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

63H.7 REHABILITATION ACT, SECTION 508, ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS The Contractor shall comply with the Rehabilitation Action, Section 508, Accessibility Standards as referenced below.

63H.8

DATA USE AGREEMENT

63H.9

COSTS FOR CONFERENCES, MEETING AND RELATED TRAVEL

63H.10

FOOD CLAUSE

64H.11

CONTRACTOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY

67PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

67SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

67I.1

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

72I.2 HHSAR 352-252-20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (HHSAR) http://knownet.hhs.gov/acquisition/hhsar/default.htm

73I.3

DEFINITIONS HHSAR 352.202-1 (JAN 2006)

73I.4

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FAR 52.204-1 (DEC 1989)

73I.5 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS FAR 52.204-19 (DEC 2014)

73I.6 UPDATES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS FAR 52.209-9 (JUL 2013)

74I.7

FAR 52.215-19 NOTIFICATION OF OWNERSHIP CHANGES (OCT 1997)

75I.8

ORDERING FAR 52.216-18 (OCT 1995)

75I.9

ORDERING LIMITATIONS FAR 52.216-19 (OCT 1995)

76I.10

INDEFINITE QUANTITY FAR 52.216-22 (OCT 1995)

76I.11

FAR 52.216-23 EXECUTION AND COMMENCEMENT OF WORK (APR 1984)

76I.12

FAR 52.216-24 LIMITATION OF GOVERNMENT LIABILITY (APR 1984)

77I.13

FAR 52.216-25 CONTRACT DEFINITIZATION (OCT 2010)

78I.14

FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

78I.15

FAR 52.219-13 NOTICE OF SET-ASIDE OF ORDERS (NOV 2011)

78I.16 FAR 52.219-17 SECTION 8(a) AWARD (DEC 1996)

79I.17 FAR 52.219-18 NOTIFICATION OF COMPETITION LIMITED TO ELIGIBLE 8(a) CONCERNS (JUN 2003)

80I.18

FAR 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR FEDERAL HIRES (MAY 2014)

80I.19 FAR 52.232-99, PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (DEVIATION) (AUG 2012)

80I.20

ALTERATIONS IN CONTRACT FAR 52.252-4 (APR 1984)

80I.21

AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN CLAUSES FAR 52.252-6 (APR 1984)

81I.22

WITHHOLDING OF CONTRACT PAYMENTS HHSAR 352.242-73 (JAN 2006)

82PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

82SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

84SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR QUOTERS

84K.1 Completed by the Offeror: [The Representations and Certifications must be executed by an individual authorized to bind the Offeror.]

84K.2

ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS FAR 52.204-8 (DEC 2014)

87K.3

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS (FINANCIAL INFORMATION)

92K.4

INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS FAR 52.209-7 (JUL 2013)

94SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR QUOTERS

94L.1

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE FAR 52.252-1 (FEB 1998)

94L.2

RESPONSIBLE PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR SUBMISSION

95L.3

TYPE OF CONTRACT FAR 52.216-1 (APR 1984)

96L.4 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE AND SMALL BUSINESS STANDARD

96L.5

SERVICE OF PROTEST FAR 52.233-2 (SEP 2006)

96L.6

ALTERATIONS IN SOLICITATION FAR 52.252-3 (APR 1984)

96L.7

AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN PROVISIONS FAR 52.252-5 (APR 1984)

96L.8 SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (EIT) COMPLIANCE

97L.9

COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD

97L.10

COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION

98L.11 GENERAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR A MULTIPLE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT AND TASK ORDERS

99L.12

PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION

99L.13

PROPOSAL PRESENTATION AND DELIVERY

101L.14 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (Volume I)

104L.15

CONFLICT OF INTERST PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION (VOLUME II)

104L.16

CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (VOLUME II)

107L.17

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

109SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

109M.1

109M.2

GENERAL PROCEDURES

111M.3

TECHNICAL EVALUATION

113M.4

BUSINESS PROPOSAL (TASK ORDER 0001)

114M.5

EVALUATION OF THE TASK ORDERS

114M.6

EVALUATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION

114M.7

RESPONSIBLE PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR DETERMINATION

PART I- THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The purpose of this contract is to provide highly effective and efficient support for the CMS Survey and Certification Group (SCG) National Surveyor Training Program (NSTP), including instructors, instructional systems design, online hosting, Blackboard hosting, Learning Management System (LMS), editorial support and integration of these processes.

B.2

TYPE OF CONTRACT

This is a multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) five (5) year contract with provisions for pricing arrangements including, but not limited to, cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF), firm-fixed-price (FFP), time and materials (T&M) and labor hour (LH). Specific tasks and/or work to be performed, will be detailed in, and solicited by, individual Task Orders (TOs) issued under this IDIQ contract.

NOTE: Please be advised that if the Offeror does not have an accounting system that is adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract (FAR 16.301-3) and for accumulating and segregating costs under a Cost Reimbursement (CR) contract, it will not be eligible to receive CR TOs. Therefore, no CR TOs will be awarded to that Offeror pending approval of the accounting system(s).

B.3

DETERMINATION OF ORDER TYPE/PRICES/COSTS

Each Task Order Request for Proposal (TORP) sent to the Contractor will state the preferred pricing mechanism for that TO.

B.4

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS

During the contract period of performance, the Government shall place orders with each IDIQ Contractor totaling a minimum of $1,000 (inclusive of all costs and fee) over the life of the contract.

The maximum IDIQ amount (i.e., the maximum ceiling across all Contracts/TOs) shall not exceed $200,000,000 Million (inclusive of all costs and fee) over the life of the contract.

B.5 TRAVEL/OTHER DIRECT COSTS/ MATERIAL (Cost Reimbursement Task Orders including T&M)

Travel, Material and Other Direct Costs shall be reimbursed at actual costs incurred in accordance with 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, and the Federal Travel Regulation as applicable. These items will not be separately priced in this contract, but will be set forth, when applicable, on each TO.

B.6 FIXED FEE (Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Task Orders)

The fixed fee will be negotiated on a TO by TO basis as appropriate The fixed fee set forth in each individual CPFF TO under this contract will be paid in installments at the time of each monthly provisional payment. Unless otherwise indicated, the amount of each such fixed fee installment shall be paid at the same amount as the total fixed fee is to total estimated costs. NOTE: The payment of fixed fee under TOs is subject to the withholding provisions of FAR 52.216-8, entitled “Fixed Fee.” Any balance of fixed fee shall be paid to the contractor, or any overpayment of fixed fee shall be repaid by the contractor or otherwise credited to the Government, when specified in FAR 52.216-8.

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1

STATEMENT OF WORK

CHAPTER 1. SCOPE

1.A. – Background: tc "A.

Background " \l 3 The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency tasked with overseeing a variety of healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. It strives to ensure that the American public receives the highest quality of care, consisting of personalized, prevention-oriented, and patient-centered care, based on evidence about the benefits and costs applicable to each individual patient.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ), Survey and Certification Group, Training Team (SCG/TT) is responsible for providing leadership, overall programmatic direction and training to Regional Offices (ROs) and State Survey Agencies (SAs) for implementation and enforcement of health quality standards and safety requirements for Medicare/Medicaid providers and suppliers of health care services.

1. Statutory Authority

This training is mission critical by statute. Section 1819(g) of the Social Security Act mandates that the “Secretary of HHS, through the CMS Administrator, assure that surveyors are trained to make determinations about the Conditions of Participation (COP) of providers.” Related authority: US Code, Section 1396 – 1396v, Subchapter XIX, Chapter 7 and Title 42. Also: Chapter IV, Title 42, and Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations. And, Section 1919(g), “Survey and Certification Process,” subparagraph (iii), “The Secretary shall provide for the comprehensive training of State and Federal Surveyors in the conduct of standard and extended surveys….” No individual shall serve as a member of a survey team unless the individual has successfully completed a training and testing program in survey and certification techniques that has been approved by the Secretary.”

2. Variable Demand and Short-Notice Requirements

With the turbulent economic situation with State and Federal Agencies, the limited federal resources sent to states and the vast fluctuations in the cost of travel and lodging, it will be challenging to forecast and prudently use resources. The Training Schedule is often updated quarterly to meet ever-changing requirements. Additionally, regulatory changes and unanticipated events relative to public health and safety may require a specific and immediate response relative to training. Senior Leadership Staff may direct action to respond to ad-hoc events that are germane to the Survey and Certification mission requirements for training, professional development, onsite support or performance aids which will require redirection of resources.

1.B. – Purpose:

The purpose of this IDIQ Statement of Work (SOW) is to procure the services of one or more National Surveyor Training Program (NSTP) Contractors by establishing the fundamental activities that may be awarded in subsequent individual TOs. Further, the purpose of the NSTP IDIQ SOW is to provide instructional development, support and field instructors, website management & maintenance, training support and editorial services.

This includes, but is not limited to, instructor facilitation and conference presentations, courseware maintenance, instructional development for both traditional and distance learning, course management systems (e.g. blackboard), job aid development, streaming services, media production, fulfillment services, professional consultation, training needs assessment, gap analysis, training program evaluation, marketing services and procurement of supporting materials including the necessary hardware and software. All aspects of instructional systems design, development and implementation are included in this support. Provide professional development of instructors to ensure consistency of training and instructional competence. Support the Continuing Education Units (CEUs) process and International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) for most new and select courses. Support the updates to the Annual and Quarterly Training Schedule including making revisions, modifications to schedule, and location and/or number and delivery type of courses. Ability to respond and redirect resources to address ad-hoc requirements in support of the Survey and Certification mission requirements for training, professional development, support personnel and performance aids.

CHAPTER 2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.A. - Basic Requirements:

The NSTP IDIQ work shall include the following:

1. Furnish the necessary services and qualified personnel (defined as personnel with the skills and expertise to follow the best practices relevant to the work of the project), facilities, equipment, materials, and supplies not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the requirements set forth in this SOW and indicated in each individual TO.

2. Provide CMS, and other federal agencies as applicable with complete, timely, and accurate information on all actions upon request.

3. Perform requirements as defined in the IDIQ SOW and future TOs in accordance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and manuals.

4. Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of all actions. For example, CMS continually looks for innovation and improved processes when designing, developing and implementing surveyor training programs. As more training offerings are developed, and technology is further integrated into the delivery of training, the goal is to be more agile and nimble. This includes developing accurate, well-tested training courses efficiently with diminishing defects, better learning outcomes and experience.

5. Report in accordance with the stated deliverables and in any future TO as applicable.

2.B. - Fundamental Activities:

The focus of the work is to deliver a national training program for the CMS Survey & Certification Group (SCG). This training program includes courseware and curriculum on a variety of Health Care Survey and Certification Processes for the CMS Central Office SCG Group Divisions, which include the Division of Long Term Care, the Division of Acute Care Services, and the Division of Continuing Care Providers, and other program areas. The target audience for this national training program includes State Survey Agencies (SA), CMS Regional Offices (RO), Survey & Certification leadership staff, and CMS Central Office SCG staff.

This includes Instructor Support, to provide skilled CMS approved Subject Matter Experts to act as course presenters and instructor facilitators for a variety of CMS SCG training events. Training modalities may include traditional ‘face to face’ classroom training as well as a variety of distance learning methodologies (such as webinar trainings, synchronous and asynchronous online learning, teleconferences, etc.). Faculty development for instructor knowledge and presentation skills, travel support, and logistic support are included.

Website Management & Maintenance, to include and fully integrate the current three components of the:

SCG/Training Staff SumTotal LMS, SCG Surveyor Training Website, and

Blackboard

Instructional Design Services, apply the principles of Instructional System Design (ISD) for the analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation, and revision & maintenance of a variety of CMS SCG courseware, to include: face-to-face (f2f) classroom training, online surveyor and certification training (self-paced and instructor-facilitated / synchronous and asynchronous), distance learning tools and training aids, webinar training developments and archiving, and other media to assure that students are able to apply knowledge gains and skills to perform their survey and certification duties within State Survey Agencies (SAs) and CMS SCG Regional Offices (ROs).

Training Support, to coordinate with federal training coordinators to handle all logistics as required, related to CMS training courses whether online, face to face, or in a webinar format. Other support services include travel coordination and provision of onsite audio visual support.

Editorial Support Services to provide editing, formatting, archiving, warehousing, IACET management of courseware and reinforcing 504 and 508C compliance for CMS SCG training initiatives per CMS need.

CHAPTER 3. INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT

Under an awarded TO, the NSTP contractor shall provide instructors, Training Facilitators and Training Coordinators. The contractor will provide all non-federal instructors and necessary resources to assure that such instructors arrive at designated training locations with required materials, expert knowledge of the topics, demonstrable skills in delivering the training as CMS requires, and any related logistics. The following are examples of the nature of current contract instructors. Over time, the makeup of surveyor occupations and numbers required can change.

· Basic Long Term Care Course (BLTCC) - Traditional - currently using eight contract SME/instructors. The course requires three to six SME/instructors for the Traditional Class per course offering and one to three instructors per course BLTCC Traditional Magnet Area Training, depending upon the numbers of students enrolled in the class.

· Basic Long Term Care (LTC) Instructor Training for Trainers, the course requires that up to eight contract SME/instructors attend such training. Non-contract instructors, at CMS’ request, will also be allowed to attend this course. These non-contract instructors may include MAT instructors.

· Basic Life Safety Code Course (BLSCC) Blackboard, the course requires four contract SME/instructors per offering.

· Basic Life Safety Code Course - BLSCC Traditional, the course requires four SME/instructors per offering.

· Fire Safety Evaluation System - Health Care (FSES—HC), the course requires three SME/instructors per offering.

· Fire Safety Evaluation System - Board and Care Facilities (FSES—BC) the course requires three SME/instructors per offering.

· National Fire Protection Agency 99 (NFPA 99), the course requires two SME/instructors per offering.

· Life Safety Code (LSC) Instructor Training for Trainers, the course requires two SME/instructors per offering. Non-contract instructors, at CMS request, will also be allowed to attend this course.

· Faculty Development Program (FDP) Basic Instructor Course, the course requires two SME/instructors per offering. Faculty Development Program Evaluations uses one SME/instructor per evaluation.

· Home Health Agency (HHA) Course, the course requires two contract instructors per offering.

· Home Health Agency (HHA) Course, Magnet Area Training (MAT), the course requires two contract SME/instructors per offering.

· Hospice Course, the course requires four contract SME/instructors per offering.

· Training Coordinator Training (TCT), this course requires up to up to eight contract instructors depending on the curriculum. Non-contract instructors, at CMS’ request, will also be allowed to attend this course. This course runs for three days, currently once a year.

· Senior Executive Training Institute (SETI), this course requires up to up to six contract instructors depending on the curriculum. A VIP presenter will require honorarium and travel expenses. This event comprises of several significant parts dealing emerging guidance, budget trends and national statistics. This course runs for three days, currently once a year.

· End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Course, this course requires that up to seven contract SME/instructors. This course runs for four days.

· ESRD Annual Update, this course requires up to 10 evaluators. The course typically runs for two days.

· STAR, this course requires up to 8 contract evaluators. The course is typically four days in duration.

· State Agency Directors Orientation Course (SADOC), the course requires up to four contract SME/instructors per offering. This course runs for three days, currently on an annual schedule.

All instructors must be seasoned as both experts in their respective surveyor or certification field and have strong instructional presentation skills. Instructors must present the CMS perspective, and work closely in collaboration with CMS SMEs and Program Leads. Instructors must adhere to the highest ethical standards, and be diplomatic in interacting with students. The contractor should conduct ongoing facility development program to enhance the instructional skills and knowledge base of these instructors.

Training Facilitators and Training Coordinators (TCs)

Training Facilitators and Training Coordinators (TCs) perform essential support functions to support the instructors. Training Facilitators and TCs perform the coordination efforts for hotel contract, and input records for each class offering they are scheduled to cover into the CMS SCG LMS. They provide greeting and administration assistance for registering at classroom events. Coordinate with Audio Visual (AV) contract personnel with regard to onsite support. Travel, lodging and per diem for Training Facilitators and TCs to assigned events is required. Gather and send classroom student comment sheets and evaluation sheets to be recorded and processed by an editorial services contractor, see Chapter 7. Facilitators and TCs requests print of production from Government Print Office, and coordinate with the CMS Government Print Office Liaison. Facilitators and TCs advise the Training Director on low or high student enrollment, field problems with students and instructors, and are the first line personnel for management of issues concerning logistical support, training materials and instructors. Training Facilitators and TCs also manage Blackboard courses; handle course allotments; coordinate and act as a liaison between the training team at CMS, state training coordinators and regional training administrators. Host webinar presentations as assigned, assist students with using the webinar software and help troubleshoot issues. The Training Team’s official Training Schedule sets what, where and when Facilitators and TCs work.

CMS has been charged with recording the federal training provided to health care surveyors. This is accomplished through the SumTotal LMS, a database hosted externally by SumTotal Systems. Due to the costs associated with onsite training, increasing number of facilities approved for Medicare/Medicaid participation, and ongoing changes to laws, regulations, policies and procedures, we constantly explore alternative methods of providing quality training. The LMS provides access to live and archived web hosting and training 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the internet.

Magnet Area Training (MAT) is an agreement with certain large States to host and help instruct certain training. This saves on travel resources for the respective State and Students from other States who may attend if seating is available. A contract instructor or CMS representative is usually present to provide clarification of the policy questions. MAT trainings are incorporated in the master Training Schedule but are operated by the designated State Agencies (SA).

The Training Schedule guides and indicates which class is offered, the general location and when it is held. Due to changes in demand, the Training Schedule is updated, often on a monthly/quarterly basis. The FY 2015 Training Schedule is attached to this SOW. Class size can vary. Many Basic classes contain approximately fifty to one hundred students per offering and numbers of classes will vary by demand in a given year.

CHAPTER 4. WEBSITE MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE

The Website Management & Maintenance Activity represents those activities associated with hosting a large complex training website. This includes help desk, web master services for hosted products, securing the site, ensuring 504 and 508 8 compliance, and providing technical advice to contactors working under Chapter 5.

SCG Surveyor Training Website: Provides traditional Web-based Training courseware as well as providing a server that the contractor will use to support emergency preparedness contingency requirements by backing up on a quarterly basis, all tangible training products for this contract on said secure server at an approved distant location. The secure server will include an Inventory of course masters, all web-based lessons, a copy of the respective databases, installer directions (to launch the web material), a catalog containing digital copy of all media used, and digital copy of all signed copyright and model releases in PDF. The secure server will be Windows-compliant. The backup server will be tested live once per year. The site will operate 24/7 for online pre-requisite and niche training offered. Help desk will run during normal business hours covered by CMS states and territories. This site is located at http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/.

All web-based Training course completion data will be configured and transmitted to the SCG/Training Team LMS. All developed materials will be able to interface with the LMS. LMS Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) records will follow established record format (QIS is a specific type of student’s electronic tool for survey).

Program Online Course Content: Configures the training website, ensures section 508 compliance, security and other requirements to meet .gov requirements. Configures program to include flat files for CMS SCG LMS, linking video files and folders to and from commercial server farm (under a different contract). Responsible for developing code and fixing defects that are found during testing. Includes, but is not limited to coding, testing (all levels), Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) integration, correcting, debugging, compiling, program documentation, input/output functions, interfacing, change management, application and initial implementation training, enhancements, and maintenance. In authoring mode, this individual converts storyboards that were created by the instructional designer and others into code.

Demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager.

Online Course Help Desk and Website Coordination: Consolidate Help Desk to handle responses to Help Desk telephone calls, and e-mail. Coordinates and facilitates addressing of trouble-tickets received to support users of online, web-based and streaming training products, including help with login, accounts, testing, technical problems and other issues. Coordinates with CMS SCG Training Coordinator (TC) on course completions, also responsible for escalating and directing calls as needed to programmer, task manager and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Coordinates with the COR on requests outside of Help Desk functions, such as questions including but not limited to course prerequisites, registration and course access.

CHAPTER 5. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SERVICES

The Instrument/Item Development Activity represents those activities associated with developing, implementing, modifying, refining, or enhancing data items/elements within a data collection instrument as well as ensuring data element consistency, when able, across the settings that use data collection vehicles.

5.A. Development of Data Collection Tool/Assessment Instrument & Associated Instructions:

Under an awarded TO, The NSTP Contractor shall develop, or contribute to the development of data collection vehicles, such as data sets that are health assessment-based instruments and/or question banks, and which include data element items that are based on quality measurement domains, concepts, and priorities defined in each TO SOW. The Contractor will work collaboratively with other CMS components or entities in the development or modification of such data collection tools. Specifically, data elements used for quality measurement collection, or quality measurement and data element testing, should be considered for use in a standardized manner across settings so as to ensure measurement alignment, where able, at the data element level, regardless of setting.

Data collection sets shall be relied upon to ensure the use of standardized data elements. Therefore, the data element collection vehicles and data sets, such as a health assessment-based instruments, should be approached, in their development and modification, for the applicability of the data elements across the continuum of care settings, severity, population, etc. and shall provide the requisite data properties to calculate the quality measure(s) developed (see Chapter 4). In addition to the data elements providing for a standardized approach to data collection, the development of the data collection vehicles shall be considered for not only their ability to collect the data elements that will provide what is required to calculate the measure, they should also provide the additional data elements necessary to provide the ability to perform internal consistency determinations of the measure’s data, as well as other functions such as data validation, and reliability testing. The data collection vehicles should be developed, and maintained, with their potential use as a primary source, or as part of the medical record, when appropriate. Data elements may be required for purposes beyond quality measurement data collection, such as for disparities and gap analysis, payment, Medicare Certification, and care planning.

The NSTP Contractor shall develop, revise and/or, maintain Data Collection Tools/Assessment Instruments, Manuals or Instructions, and Updates as appropriate, associated with data collection instruments or assessment instruments specific to SCG programs, i.e. the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual, the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Manual, the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) CARE Data Set Quality Reporting Program Manual, etc. The Contractor may be directed to provide support to data-related standardization boards in efforts related to data element changes to the instruments. The Contractor shall work collaboratively with other CMS components when manual sections or chapters require revision/updating, or provide input, in such sections or chapter’s sections as required and requested.

5.B. – Standards:

The NSTP Contractor shall incorporate appropriate CMS-specified standards in defining data elements or for the transmission of data where applicable, into all data collection or assessment instruments and/or data items developed/identified under this IDIQ.

5.C. – Data Collection Tool/Assessment Instrument Updates:

5.C.1. – Updates:

The Data Collection/Assessment Instruments, Manuals, Instructions, and Updates shall include, but are not limited to:

a. A crosswalk of existing to new/revised data items

b. A crosswalk of data elements that may differ at the data element level but are congruent, and are (or will be) used in a common quality measure, e.g. data elements in cross setting measures.

c. Data elements used to calculate the measure

d. Data elements that are used to support those data elements used directly in the measure, e.g., pain assessment evaluation data elements that are used to lead to a pain measure score that is used in a measure’s construct.

e. Provide data logic, such as the data sub-specifications, associated with data elements used to support the data elements used in the measure calculation.

f. Skip patterns associated with responses

g. Coding response options and/or requirements

h. Specifications related to frequency of data collection, e.g. once and random, quarterly, annually, admission, intermittent, discharge, etc.

i. Provide and update a table, or matrix, that designates the exact use of each data element, and on which assessment.

j. Routine review of data element reliability, and validity, and recommended changes.

k. Consideration given to the use of a tested form design.

l. Provide PRA submission documents as required for data collection implementation.

5.C.2. Summary Report:

The Summary Report of New/Revised Data Collection Instruments or Data Items shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Annotated description of all of the data elements and their purpose/function, e.g., payment items, quality measurement-related items, care planning and/or protocol triggers, etc. with the inclusion of all of the uses of a particular data element when the data element is used for more than one purpose (e.g., for payment and quality measurement).

5.D. – Data Collection Instrument/Item Development Costs:

When reporting Instrument/Item Development costs, the NSTP Contractor shall include any hours/costs dedicated to refining, enhancing, developing, or modifying data collection or assessment instruments or data items/elements within a data collection instrument or database, and/or other activities meeting the characteristics described in the IDIQ SOW Chapter 5 (Data Collection Instrument/Item Development) and included in the specific TO.

As it relates to long term care –related trainings, Instructional design processes and procedures will be used to develop training and implement training for Survey and Certification occupations. This would include but not be limited to Long Term Care Surveyors (LTC) and Life Safety Code Surveyors (LCS), but there is surveyor training support needed for all other survey occupations, such as: Hospital, Critical Access Hospital, Basic Psych Hospital, EMTALA, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Home Health Agency, PRTF, CMHC, Hospice, etc.

Instructional Systems Design services include analysis, design & redesign, development, implementation, evaluation, dissemination, maintenance, and revision of training products for surveyor and certification specialist guidance and professional development for the CMS Survey & Certification Training Staff.

Instructional Systems Design services provide full instructional development services to create and maintain surveyor and certification specialist products and guidance for traditional classroom and online distance learning mechanism. ISD contributions or suggestions that improve the effectiveness of delivered training are encouraged.

The Contractor shall provide a full spectrum of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and Human Performance Improvement measures to enable an efficient and effective national training program for the CMS Survey & Certification Group survey and certification guidance and processes. Contractor shall conduct ISD per a reputable ISD theorist, such as Gagne’s Nine Events, and other ISD principles, as approved by the COR.

ISD services and efforts include analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation, revision and maintenance for product development.

CHAPTER 6. TRAINING SUPPORT- COORDINATION OF HOTEL, AUDIO VISUAL ONSITE SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS

By way of Training Support, primary services would include but not be limited to hotel site selection: negotiation of optimal pricing, conditions and amenities; contracting; contract signature; contract management; and due diligence on the qualification of the proposed hotel under Life Safety Code and Americans with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). [Note: The SCG/TT regularly utilizes 19 or more hotels across the country. Approximately 45% of the trainings and conferences are held in Baltimore. Due diligence, as noted above, is required only on those facilities that have not previously been utilized by CMS. COR approval is required before contracts are closed. Additionally, the SCG/TT can often ask SAs to assist by physically visiting the facilities on our behalf.] Additional services would include but not be limited to hotel registration and improving the quality and effectiveness of meeting facility packages to offer the best learning experience to users. Annual reporting on the volume of funds expended at each hotel, for each class, course or conference scheduled there. Also, preparation of budget of site funding, using the substantial room block to obtain best cost advantages to CMS related to free meeting rooms and supplemental onsite services. The contractor will also need to adhere to specified reporting requirements as outlined in the individual TO, and extensive coordination and collaboration with CMS Training Coordinators to plan logistics and arrangements in advance of every training event.

As it relates to onsite support, audio/visual equipment and services would be required for classroom support to Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Survey and Certification Group, Training Team (TT). CMS is using the Student Response System (SRS) in certain classes. This enables students to select/vote or otherwise respond to questions on PowerPoint slides. The statistical results can be shared during the class and may also be used for later analysis for courseware improvements. The SRS provides opportunities to interact with students and may also be used for testing or instructor and content quality assurance.

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the requirements of this SOW. A more detailed outline of the task will be provided in the individual TO SOW.

This work also includes the services of a Contractor to provide expert assistance with the ongoing transition support needed for TotalLMS. The TotalLMS is partially customized and there is a need for virtual training on many of the functionalities of the new TotalLMS. We will need help with conducting the usual offerings of initial trainings as well as expert project management for database administration and quality assurance. Assistance to the end users is also required. Provide current version TotalLMS training materials in conjunction with the SumTotal training materials. New ad-hoc materials to be developed as the need arise. The contractor shall provide TotalLMS administrative assistance and expert consultation on TotalLMS including interacting directly with SumTotal personnel and other contract personnel per direction of the COR. They shall provide analysis, design and development to address gaps in the SumTotal product and potential customizations which may be needed with the current configuration in order to meet the current needs of CMS. Also developing test scripts and performing testing and providing results of such testing of any current customizations when any software upgrades occur. They should provide onsite instructional assistance for all LMS trainings and offerings of the Sum Total training as well as provide assistance with scheduling and set-up for any virtual sessions regarding TotalLMS issues. The contractor shall provide assistance with additional rollout plans for the upgrades for all regions and states and respective LMS administrators.

CHAPTER 7. EDITORIAL SUPPORT SERVICES

This work would assure that courseware will meet CMS standards by acting as a Quality Assurance function, as well as keeping detailed historical records of all course materials and keep secured/back-up copies of these materials. ESS coordinates preparing courses formatting and seeking approval by preparing packages for accrediting agencies such as IACET. ESS makes copies of DVDs, and CDs will operate correctly on any current operating system used at CMS. Collect student, Training Coordinator, and faculty comment sheets, test results and survey results and produce comprehensive evaluation reports as well as an annual evaluation summary in a timeframe mandated by CMS. ESS will preserve the content, instructional design and format of training materials and only make changes to correct typos, grammar or when format is not laid out per the contractor(s) developing training or standard conventional formats accepted by CMS. Manage the processing of training materials to meet the print production schedule which is determined by CMS Print Liaison and integrate efforts with other contractors performing instructor support, instructional development, courseware maintenance, database registration and record keeping and webhosting.

Attention to detail is critical for all products and services. Courseware maintenance ensures all classroom materials are up to date. ESS will make training materials that require Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508 compliant.

This task covers all survey and certification products serviced with the CMS Surveyor Training Group.

CHAPTER 8. TASKS

All work required under this IDIQ SOW will be designated by issuance of individual TOs. TOs under this IDIQ SOW shall be issued only by a warranted Contracting Officer (CO) for CMS. Individual TOs issued under this contract may direct the contractor to perform all of the requirements listed herein, some of the requirements listed herein, or only one of the requirements listed herein. Furthermore, the workload volume designated at the time of award of a TO may be increased during the period of performance of the TO. The CO will notify the Contractor reasonably in advance of assuming the increase in workload volume so that appropriate actions may ensue.

The contractor, acting as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the government, shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not specifically provided by the government under this contract, as needed, to complete performance of the requirements described as directed by TOs.

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1

PACKAGING AND MARKING

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with the SOW, and any additional requirements set forth in individual TOs.

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses:

52.246-4

INSPECTION OF SERVICES - FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1996)

52.246-5

INSPECTION OF SERVICES - COST-REIMBURSEMENT (APR 1984)

52.246-6

INSPECTION - TIME-AND-MATERIAL AND LABOR-HOUR (MAY 2001) ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)

E.2

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. All work under this contract is subject to inspection and final acceptance by the CO or the duly authorized representative of the Government.

b. The Government's COR is a duly authorized representative of the Government and is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all items to be delivered under this contract.

c. Inspection and acceptance of the Contractor's performance shall be in accordance with the applicable FAR Clauses in Section E.1 above.

E.3

ACCEPTANCE BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

All items to be delivered to the COR who will be deemed to have been accepted 30 calendar days after the date of delivery, except as otherwise specified in this contract if written approval or disapproval has not been given within such period. The COR’s acceptance or revision to the items submitted shall be within the general scope of the work stated in this contract.

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses:

52.242-15

STOP-WORK ORDER (AUG 1989) ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)

52.242-17

GOVERNMENT DELAY OF WORK (APR 1984)

52.247-34

F.O.B. DESTINATION (NOV 1991)

F.2

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The ordering period for the IDIQ contract shall be sixty (60) months from the effective date of Contract Award.

F.3

NOTIFICATION OF LATE DELIVERIES

In the event the Contractor anticipates difficulty in complying with the agreed upon performance period in each TO, the Contractor must immediately notify the CO in writing giving all pertinent information, to include the date by which the Contractor expects to complete performance. However, this notification must be informational only in character and the receipt thereof must not be construed as a waiver by the Government of any delivery schedule, or as precluding any rights or remedies provided by law or otherwise under this contract.

F.4

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverables and reporting requirements will be specified in each individual TO and discussed during the negotiation of each TO.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1

ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

Appropriation:

TBD

Object Class:

TBD

Office Code:

TBD

CAN:

Amount:

TBD

G.2

PAYMENTS – VOUCHERS (COST REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS) (AUG 2013)

a. GENERAL: The Contractor may submit to the Government a voucher or Standard Form 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal, for payment in accordance with the instructions below.

b. METHOD OF PAYMENT: CMS shall only make an electronic payment for reimbursement of voucher submissions in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management. In order to receive payments, the contractor shall register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database in accordance with FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management. Failure to register in the SAM may prohibit CMS from making payments to your organization.

ADDRESS CHANGES: The contractor shall notify CMS’ Division of Accounting Operations of all EFT and address changes in SAM via the following email address: CCRChanges@cms.hhs.gov.

c. CONTENT OF VOUCHER - Vouchers shall include, at a minimum:

· Contractor’s name and address

· Contractor’s Tax Identification Number (TIN)

· Contractor’s DUNS Number

· Voucher Number to include the designation of the Contract Payment Category Type as follows:

· Contract Payment Category: Type I

· Contract and Order Number, as applicable;

· Contract line item number and/or Subcontract line item number;

· Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price/cost of the items actually delivered or services rendered, i.e., Labor category and labor hours x labor rate = total direct labor dollars, subcontractor costs, travel, other direct costs, overhead rate(s), etc.;

· Shipping and payment terms;

· Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

· Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the contract;

· Name, title, phone number and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;

· Name, title, phone number of person to be notified in the event of a defective voucher; and,

· Period of performance for delivery date of goods or services provided.

d. MAILINGS: Vouchers shall be submitted as follows:

1. ELECTRONIC MAIL: The Contractor shall submit an electronic copy of the voucher to both of the following individuals:

· Contract Specialist (CS) listed in the recipient key of the deliverable schedule for each individual TO award.

· COR listed in the recipient key of the deliverable schedule for each individual TO award.

2. REGULAR MAIL: An Original and one (1) hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

OFM/Division of Accounting Operations

P.O. Box 7520

Baltimore, MD 21207-0520

3. OVERNIGHT MAIL: If the Contractor chooses to use an overnight mail carrier, the original and one (1) hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

OFM/Division of Accounting Operations

7500 Security Boulevard/Mailstop: C3-11-03

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

e. PAYMENTS: The Government shall make provisional payments on all vouchers (pending the completion of a final audit of the Contractor's cost records) in accordance with -

· FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost & Payment, and

· FAR 52.232-1, Payments, and upon acceptance by the COR of the required supplies/services in accordance with the applicable FAR Inspection and Acceptance clause and the CO’s approval.

Reimbursement for vouchers submitted under this contract shall be made no later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of an acceptable voucher from the Contractor in the copies requested at the paying office designated above. Any discrepancies determined as a result of the audit could delay the processing of the voucher and may result in the voucher being returned to the Contractor for corrections.

f. INTEREST ON OVERDUE PAYMENT The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-177 (96 Stat.85.31 U.S.C. 1801) is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment of interest on payments made more than 30 calendar days after receipt of an voucher by the Division of Accounting Operations.

Determinations of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-125.

G.3

PAYMENTS - INVOICES (FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS) (AUG 2013)

g. GENERAL: The Contractor may submit to the Government an invoice for payment in accordance with the instructions below.

h. METHOD OF PAYMENT: CMS shall only make an electronic payment of invoices in accordance with FAR…