RFQ 36C26226Q0016.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 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. UEI: EFT:

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. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

36C26226Q0016 12-18-2025

Bill Cook 602-795-4289 01-08-2026

12:00 MST

36C262

NCO 22

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Gilbert Network Contracting 650 E. Indian School Rd.

Phoenix AZ 85012

X 100

X

561320

$34 Million

N/A

36C691

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

11301 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles CA 90073

36C262

NCO 22

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Gilbert Network Contracting

This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at:

http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp This is mandatory and the sole method for submitting invoices.

See CONTINUATION Page

This is a Request for Quote to provide Cardiovascular Technologist Staffing Services for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS).

Period of Performance is 05/01/2026 - 04/30/2031.

Please provide response directly to william.cook2@va.gov.

See CONTINUATION Page

X 1

William T. Cook

VA-VHA-RPOW-2023-0061

36C26226Q0016

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 CONTRACT PRICE INFORMATION

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

B.5 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.3 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

C.4 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

C.5 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.6 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

C.7 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.8 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

C.9 VAAR 852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR CERTIFIED SERVICE-

DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)

C.10 VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023)

(DEVIATION)

C.11 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

C.12 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (JAN 2025) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

C.13 MANDATORY WRITTEN DISCLOSURES

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

D.1 WAGE DETERMINATION

D.2 PRICE WORKSHEET

D.3 REFERENCE CONTRACT WORKSHEET

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(SEP 2023)

E.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.3 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

E.4 52.204-29 FEDERAL ACQUISITION SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY ACT ORDERS—

REPRESENTATION AND DISCLOSURES (DEC 2023)

E.5 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

E.6 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.7 ADDENDUM to 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

E.8 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

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:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C262 Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Gilbert Network Contracting

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

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or [] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

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

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 CONTRACT PRICE INFORMATION

This is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity, (IDIQ) contract with fixed-priced line items, which may result in a contract award. Prices in this schedule represent an all-inclusive rate including labor, incidental costs, overhead, and insurance premium payments for applicable insurance coverage. Costs not incorporated into the contractor’s price will not be reimbursed by the Government.

The guaranteed minimum amount for this contract is $1,000.00. The maximum aggregate value of the orders that can be placed under the contract is $7,000,000.00. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum amount.

The period of performance for this IDIQ contract is February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2031.

Pricing information for each contract year is included below.

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM

NUMBE

R

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVIC

ES

QUANTIT

Y

UNI

T UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

14,560 HR ________________ ________________

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST (7 FTE)

(REGULAR RATE)

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 05-01-2026 POP End: 04-30-2027 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561320 - Temporary Help Services PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: Q502 - Medical - Cardiology

100 HR ________________

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(OVERTIME RATE)

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 05-01-2026 POP End: 04-30-2027

3,600 HR ________________

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(ON CALL RATE)

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 05-01-2026 POP End: 04-30-2027

14,560 HR ________________

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST (7 FTE)

(REGULAR RATE)

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 05-01-2027 POP End: 04-30-2028

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(OVERTIME RATE)

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 05-01-2027 POP End: 04-30-2028

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(ON CALL RATE)

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 05-01-2027 POP End: 04-30-2028

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST (7 FTE)

(REGULAR RATE)

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 05-01-2028 POP End: 04-30-2029

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(OVERTIME RATE)

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 05-01-2028 POP End: 04-30-2029

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(ON CALL RATE)

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 05-01-2028 POP End: 04-30-2029

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST (7 FTE)

(REGULAR RATE)

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 05-01-2029 POP End: 04-30-2030

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(OVERTIME RATE)

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 05-01-2029 POP End: 04-30-2030

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(ON CALL RATE)

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 05-01-2029 POP End: 04-30-2030

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST (7 FTE)

(REGULAR RATE)

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 05-01-2030 POP End: 04-30-2031

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(OVERTIME RATE)

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 05-01-2030 POP End: 04-30-2031

CARDIOVASCULAR

TECHNOLOGIST

(ON CALL RATE)

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 05-01-2030 POP End: 04-30-2031

GRAND TOTAL ________________

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

STAFFING OF CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNICIANS

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide a minimum of 7 Cardiovascular Technologists at the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology lab at the VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90073. The contractor technologist shall provide a range of services in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein.

2.0 QUALIFICATIONS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST

Personnel assigned by the contractor to perform services covered by this contract shall be licensed in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia. The qualifications of such personnel shall be subject to review by the VA Chief of Staff and approval by the VA Facility Director. Competency requirements will be defined by the VA GLA Healthcare System. Only personnel approved by the VA shall be allowed to perform under this contract.

To qualify, a contract Cardiovascular Technologist must:

- Complete an accredited educational program

- Pass a certification exam

- Obtain certification in Registered Vascular Technologist offered by the American Registry of

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

Contractor personnel must have all required certifications and training to perform this position. The technician shall also have performed catheterization and electrophysiology laboratory procedures a minimum of 12 months within the past 24 months not including training. The Cardiovascular

Technologist shall have performed catheterization and electrophysiology lab services, procedures, all principle duties and responsibilities listed below for a minimum of two years.

Diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures include: Coronary angiography, coronary bypass graft studies, right and left heart catheterization ventricular angiography, complex hemodynamic assessment including valve assessment and cardiac physiology assessment, percutaneous coronary interventions, rotational atherectomy, intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, fractional flow reserve assessment, coronary microvascular disease assessment, endomyocardial biopsy, thrombolytic procedures, temporary pacemaker, aortic balloon pump insertion and management, Impella insertion and management, pacemaker/Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation, electrophysiologic studies, radiofrequency and cryoablations, transseptal puncture, and intracardiac echocardiography.

3.0 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Cardiovascular Technologist functions as the first assistant to the Cardiologist during the cardiovascular procedure. The Cardiovascular Technologist:

• Performs a wide range of diagnostic tests and support duties such as the collection of blood samples for analysis for research, coagulation studies and blood gas determination.

• Operates radiologic fluoroscopy equipment to allow the medical team to appropriately visualize images during the procedure.

• Assists or performs testing such as electrocardiograms (ECG), intravascular ultrasound, intracoronary pressure wire, drug exercise challenges, and the administration of dynamic electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter) analysis.

• Monitors cardiac rhythms and able to recognize abnormal and life-threatening rhythms.

• Performs other monitoring procedures such as oximetry, blood pressure, arterial monitoring, intracardiac monitoring and able to recognize abnormal readings.

• Performs patient care procedures such as applying dressings, and collection of specimens or blood samples for analysis, and removal of access sheaths.

a. The technologist is scrubbed and gowned and responsible for preparing the catheters, guide wires, transducers, angioplasty balloons, stents, manifold and ACIST assembly, and intracardiac echocardiography and intravascular ultrasound assembly. The incumbent may also function in the non-sterile, role (circulator) by positioning the patient, preparing the vascular access site on the patient, operating the electric exam table and radiologic equipment, opening sterile supplies and monitoring patient physiologic response to the procedure. During cardiac arrest the incumbent operates the defibrillator and initiates CPR.

b. The technologist:

• Performs diagnostic tests, both invasive and non-invasive, of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.

• Monitors. and collects data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiography, valvuloplasty, angioplasty, electrophysiology studies, cardiac pacing, or cardiac pacemaker or lead wire insertion, and cardiac implantable electronic device monitoring and reporting.

The incumbent supports the following medical procedures: right and left heart catheterization; ventriculography; coronary angiography; aortography; peripheral angiography; coronary and peripheral intervention; rotational atherectomy;

endomyocardial biopsy; aortic valvuloplasty; percutaneous closure of interatrial shunts including patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defects; planned structural heart interventions including transcatheter aortic valve replacement and percutaneous mitral valve repair, temporary pacemaker insertion; insertion of intra-aortic balloon; transseptal puncture; pulmonary vein angiography. The technician operates the following equipment:

multi-channel physiologic recorder; fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound consoles; rotational atherectomy equipment; external defibrillator; PC with windows spreadsheet.

c. The technologist sets up procedure suite ensuring sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the procedure being performed.

d. The technologist sets up fluoroscopy and hemodynamic monitoring computers, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure. The technologist also sets up the fluoroscopic system so that appropriate views of cardiac anatomy can be obtained and recorded for analysis. Current systems are Philips Medical, Biosense, ESI, and Medtronic cryoconsole.

Performs check of lead shielding equipment in compliance with National Standards (Joint Commission, OSHA).

e. The technologist prepares the various computer software and peripheral to quantitate coronary lesions and to generate reports, cardiac output (thermodilution, Fick determinations). The technologist also maintains logs of patient data, manage archiving of procedural logs, and maintains directory of archived studies currently in Siemens Syngo Dynamics.

f. The technologist:

• Performs daily calibration of equipment.

• Prepares physiologic monitoring equipment such as ECG, Oximetry, Intra-aortic Balloon

Pump (IABP), balloon catheters, code cart, intravascular ultrasound, Fick cardiac output device, therapeutic pressure wire, defibrillator and various other complex equipment.

• Performs quality checks for various lab analysis equipment such as blood gas, coagulation studies that are used throughout the procedure.

• Ensures that emergency medication is available in the suite, performing quality checks to verify outdates and competency of like containers to ensure sterility and correct medication dosage.

• Ensures proper function of digital fluoroscopy system.

g. The technologist:

• Provides reports, keeps records.

• Reviews test results with the interpreting physician. Assists with data collection and reporting for Cardiology Division Quality Assurance.

• Assists with equipment and supply management.

h. The technologist:

• Uses Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) for scheduling information, patient exam notes and results.

• Uses Personal Computer Network for access/input to Department files and information and computerized e-mail systems and internal Internet page.

• Must be able to use other computer-based data entry forms for recording preliminary data from each recorded examination.

• Assists in management of data transfer in Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) systems.

i. The technologist:

• Must be able to recognize normal anatomy and functional anatomy in diseased conditions.

• Must be able to recognize normal ECG and recognize abnormal rhythms. Must have knowledge and clear understanding of the coronary arteries and cardiac chamber anomalies as well as pressure requirements of the heart to anticipate and set up for the specific catheterization and/or electrophysiology procedures needed to make a diagnostic evaluation.

• Requires extensive knowledge and understanding of electrocardiography (ECG), how to perform the procedure accurately, understanding of abnormal cardiac rhythm during catheterization and electrophysiology procedures so that proper therapy is initiated.

4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The contractor Cardiovascular Technologist shall be subject to the same quality assurance standards of a quality meeting or exceeding current recognized national standards as established by The Joint Commission and Commission. The contractor shall perform services in accordance with the ethical, professional and technical standards of the healthcare industry as consistent with VA policy, regulations and procedures. Persons provided by the contractor shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the Government's requirements to include the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contract personnel shall be responsible for compliance with all procedures in accordance with applicable VA Healthcare System written policies and procedures. They shall not introduce new procedures or services without prior recommendation to, and approval of the VA Healthcare System or authorized representative and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

5.0 RECORD KEEPING SYSTEMS

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System has established and will maintain a record keeping system for verification of actual hours worked by contractor's employee. Contractor personnel must be present at the VA facility and must be performing the required services for the period specified, or the contract will be decreased accordingly during each billing cycle. Contract personnel shall complete the sign-in and sign-out sheet for each day worked.

6.0 STANDARD OF CONDUCT

The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of contract personnel whose 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 abuse, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by patients or other staff members to designated Government Representatives.

Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current Federal Personnel Regulations. Complaints concerning contract personnel's conduct with Government employees or patients shall be dealt with by the contractor and COR. The Contracting Officer (CO) is the final authority on validating complaints. In an event that contract personnel are involved and named in a validated complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the Contracting Officer.

7.0 ADMINISTSRATIVE DOCUMENTATION

Contract personnel shall report any unusual incidents within 24 hours by completing VA Form 10-2633 and submitting to the Director of Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) and Electrophysiology lab (EP Lab).

All accidents, malfunctions, injuries and deaths related to the delivery of services shall be immediately reported verbally to the COR. The contractor may be required to provide evidence of follow-up through a written report of the incident, describing the event, analysis of cause and effect, and corrective action taken. If such a report is requested by the COR, this will be done within three (3) working days of the verbal report.

All personnel providing direct patient care services must have appropriate identification and have evidence of appropriate training prior to providing any services to veterans.

Contract personnel accidents or injuries shall be handled by Contractor's Workers' Compensation coverage. VA shall not be invoiced for Workers' Compensation or other benefits payments for contract personnel. A complete accident report shall be promptly filed with the Department Chief.

8.0 ARRANGEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT STAFF

The contractor shall provide scheduled services throughout the contract period. In the event of the absence of contractor's personnel for any reason, the contractor shall bear the responsibility of providing replacement personnel to provide the scheduled services.

If services are disrupted for more than two (2) consecutive scheduled shifts or emergency response requests, the Government reserves the right to procure such services from an alternate source, until services are restored by the contractor. When the Government exercises its right to procure these services from an alternate source, the contractor shall reimburse the Government for all charges more than the amount that would have normally been incurred by the contract. A copy of the other source’s time sheet or other verifiable documentation shall be used as the basis for any reimbursement.

9.0 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government, if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest of perception of conflict of interest. The contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs unless such person seeks and receives approval in accordance with VA regulations and public law; nor shall the contractor employ any person who is a member of the immediate family of a VA employee at the VA GLA Healthcare System if the employment of that family member would create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, particularly regarding influencing the contract negotiations, terms of the contract or the work carried out under the contract. In any such case, VA must review the matter and give its approval in accordance with agency ethics rules.

10.0 GOVERNMENT TRAINING AND ORIENTATION

The VA will provide a briefing to familiarize contract personnel with policies and procedures on the first scheduled duty day or within a period acceptable to the VA.

The contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel attend and participate in VA or any other mandatory training to include but not limited to Diversity, Total Quality Improvement, Annual Fire Safety, Infection Control and Annual Information Security Training.

11.0 IDENTIFICATION BADGE

An identification (ID) badge will be issued by the VA to contract technicians providing services to beneficiaries at the VA. The appropriate ID badge must always be worn while on Government facility grounds, clearly displayed on the outermost garment (i.e. coat, jacket, sweater, shirt, blouse, lab coat, etc.).

12.0 PERSONAL HYGIENE AND CLOTHING

In performance of this contract, contract health care providers shall be neat, clean, well-groomed and shall otherwise exercise good personal hygiene. Appropriate and professional attire must always be worn.

Athletic and athletic style attire (i.e., jogging suits, sweatsuits, running shorts, tee shirts) shall not be worn by contract health care providers. A laboratory style coat must be worn over scrubs when the contract health care provider is not performing duties in a clinical examination area, operating or procedure rooms.

Medical scrubs are not to be worn outside the facility.

13.0 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Contract health care providers shall not perform services under this contract unless a pre-assignment medical examination has been performed within 30 calendar days of their first scheduled shift. Pre-assignment medical examinations shall be the responsibility of the contractor at no cost to the Government.

As a condition of employment Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all contract staff who will have occupational exposure to blood, other body fields, or other potentially infectious materials, shall receive Hepatitis B vaccine, sign a voluntary declination or have documented proof of immunity to Hepatitis B infection. The immunization shall be the responsibility of the contractor at no cost to the Government. As a condition of employment contract health care providers shall obtain an annual Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) skin test. Those with a positive skin test history shall complete an annual respiratory assessment questionnaire. The skin test respiratory assessment shall be the responsibility of the contractor at no cost to the Government.

Contract health providers having patient contact or exposure to biological or pathological specimens shall be immunized against, be granted an immunization waiver or have documented proof of immunity to:

rubella, mumps, polio and Hepatitis B. In addition, contact health care providers shall be free of infectious diseases (to include but not limited to active Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis) that might reasonably be expected to place the other workers, patients or the public at risk.

The contractor shall provide the Government with all the information necessary to ensure that Government records are maintained correctly and in compliance with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), OSHA and the Center for Disease health records requirements, for each individual contract health care provider.

The contractor shall provide the Government with certification that contract health care providers have completed the medical evaluation required above, a minimum of five (5) working days prior to performance of contract services. This certification shall state the date that the examination was completed, the name of the doctor who performed the examination, a statement concerning the physical health of the individual and the following statement:

[Name of contract health care provider] is suffering from no contagious diseases to Include Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Venereal Disease.

The Government may take nose and throat cultures from contract health care providers when required by Government Infection Control Committees (ICC).

When a health care provider has been found medically unfit for providing services required under this contract, they shall be required to discontinue working immediately. Contract health care providers shall not return to work until given clearance by the appropriate physician.

The Government will provide emergency health care for injuries sustained while on duty for contract health providers. These services will be billed to the contractor at the current full reimbursement rate.

14.0 DRUG SCREENING

Contractor health care providers are subject to random drug testing. They are also subject to drug testing when there is a reasonable suspicion of the drug use or impairment Includes, but is not limited to the following:

a. Observable phenomena, such as direct observation of drug use, possession, or the physical symptoms of being under the influence of the drug;

b. A pattern of abnormal conduct or erratic behavior;

c. Arrest or convictions for a drug- related offenses or the identification of the contractor's health care provider as the focus of a criminal investigation into illegal drug possession, use or trafficking;

d. Information provided either by reliable and credible sources or independently corroborated; or

e. Newly discovered evidence that the contract health provider has tampered with a previous drug test.

15.0 RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

The contractor and contract health care providers shall only release medical information obtained during active period this contract to those VA staff members involved in the necessary care and treatment of that individual patient. Patient list and name of patients are considered privileged information and shall not be disclosed or revealed in any way for use outside the VA without prior written permission from the Chief of staff or his/her designee.

16.0 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

The contractor shall adhere to the publications list that follows. The publications are maintained by the Government and are available through the COR. At any time, these publications are subject to change, made in the form of supplements or amendments issued at any organizational level and may affect contract performance.

a. A STATION MEMORANDA- Use Most Current Dated Publication:

NUMBER TITLE

11-11 Credentialing & Privileging 1-8 Patient's Rights and responsibilities 1-9 Improving Organizational Performance 136-34 Medical Records Content and Documentation 136-17 Privacy Act of 1994 136-40 Electronics Signature and Computer-based Medical Records

b. OTHER REFERENCES:

JC Standards for: (i) Ambulatory Care (Current Year); and (ii) Hospital (Current Year).

17.0 ADMINISTRATION FUNCTIONS AND ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

When requested by the Government, contract health care providers shall perform services to include, but not limited to, attendance and participation in meetings, professional staff conferences, other appropriate professional activities, assist with performance improvement activities and interface with the VA Medical Office or designee.

Contract health care providers are required to attend employee orientation and training on the VA computer system prior to starting work (This includes credentialed alternates.).

Contract health care providers must complete the IN/OUT processing procedures with the VA prior to the Contractor receiving payment for service.

18.0 PATIENT SENSITITVY

Contract health care providers shall respect and maintain the basic rights of patients, demonstrating concern for personal dignity and human relationships.

Complaints shall be investigated individually. Contract health care providers receiving more than two (2) verified complaints (COR, or Patient Representative) related to sensitivity within any construction (3) month period shall require the contract health care provider to complete a sensitivity training class before continuing to provide services under the contract. The contract health care provider's participation in sensitivity training class shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor at no expense to the Government. Depending upon the nature and severity of the complaint, the Government reserves the right to suspend performance of the subject contract health care provider or prohibit performance all together, as deemed appropriate.

19.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL POLICY

The contractor shall assume full responsibility for the protection of its personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility the contractor shall provide the following for their personnel:

*Worker's compensation.

*Professional liability insurance.

*Health examinations.

*Income tax withholding.

*Social security payments.

Payments for any leave, including sick leave or vacation time is considered the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor shall follow all existing local, state, federal and/or union laws/regulations relevant to fringe benefits and premium pay for their employees. Such personnel shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

20.0 SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is strictly prohibited on the grounds of any VHA facility. Per VHA Directive 1085 dated March 5, 2019, it is VHA policy that all VHA health care facilities, including hospitals, community clinics, administrative offices and Vet Centers, will be smoke-free for patients, visitors, contractors, volunteers, and vendors effective October 1, 2019. There will no longer be designated smoking areas.

21.0 WORK HOURS

The services covered by this contract shall be furnished by the Contractor as defined herein. The contractor shall be required to furnish such service with one technician shift beginning at 7:00am through 3:30pm and one technician shift starting at 9:00am through 5:30pm, or as deemed necessary by the directors of the Catheterization Lab and Electrophysiology Lab, or Chief(s) of Division of Cardiology between Monday through Friday, weekends and National Holidays except as described below. It is expected that each technician may be required to be on call approximately 8 days/month.

Overtime shall be approved in writing (e-mail) and permitted by the Catherization Lab Director and/or Electrophysiology Lab Director prior to any contracted technicians exceeding eighty (80) hours per two

(2) week period.

22.0 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

Listed below are the ten legal national holidays:

New Year's Day January 1 Martin Luther King's Birthday Third Monday in January President's Day Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Juneteenth June 19 Independence Day July 4 Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25

Holiday hours worked shall be invoiced at contract rate only. When one of the holidays falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a national holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a national holiday by US Government Agencies. Also included would be any day specifically set by the President of the United States of America as a National Holiday. The contractor shall only be paid for actual hours worked. Holiday pay is not authorized under this contract.

23.0 ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

The contractor shall ensure that all contract personnel have met qualifying criteria, including health requirements and current and valid licenses and certifications. The Government reserves the right to examine, approve and/or disapprove individuals based on the information provided in credentials and/or resumes, which must include (3) current references verifying practice experience. Ultimately, the decision to reject and accept individuals rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Non-acceptance of contract personnel does not relieve the contractor from satisfying and fulfilling the contract requirements.

24.0 POST AWARD PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE

The Contracting Officer will schedule a post-award performance with the contractor, if deemed necessary, for contract orientation purposes.

25.0 FIRE ALARM TRIP CHARGES

A fee will be assessed against any outstanding invoice or collected from the contractor when contractor or subcontractor personnel trip a fire alarm due to negligence, fault or failure to properly coordinate and request a system shutdown. This fee is necessary to defray the cost of VA personnel responding to the false alarm, disruption of Medical Center operations, false alarm response, any fines imposed by the Fire Department, and any other costs incurred by the Medical Center because of the false alarm. The amount of the penalty will be adjusted if the local and/or administrative costs change.

26.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Office of Security and Law Enforcements provides Department-wide policy on the assignment of appropriate position sensitivity designations associated with Department of Veterans Affairs positions involving national security and public trust responsibilities, and on the level of background investigations required for applicants for, and incumbents of, those positions. In addition to VA employees, the policy and investigative requirements are applicable to contractor personnel who require access to VA computer systems designated as sensitive.

Contractor and subcontractor personnel who require access to a VA computer shall be subject to all necessary background investigations and must receive a favorable adjudication from the VA Office of Security and Law Enforcement to ensure compliance with such policy. If such investigation has not been completed prior to contract commencement, the contractor shall be responsible for all actions of those individuals performing under the contract.

Should the contract require contractor personnel to maintain U.S. citizenship, the contractor shall be responsible for compliance. Regardless of U.S. citizenship requirements, contractor personnel are required to read, write, speak and understand the English language, unless otherwise specified in this contract agreed to by the Government.

The cost of such investigations shall be borne by the contractor, either in advance or as reimbursement to the Government. The level of sensitivity shall be determined by the Government based on the type of access required. The level of sensitivity will determine the depth of the investigation and the cost thereof.

Currently the estimated costs for such investigations are as follows:

LEVEL OF

SENSITIVITY

BACKGROUND

INVESTIGATION LEVEL

APPROXIMATE

COST

Low Risk National Agency Check with Written Inquiries $ 231.00 Moderate Risk Minimum Background Investigation $ 825.00 High Risk Background Investigation $ 3465.00

The contractor shall be required to furnish all applicable employee information to conduct the investigation, such as but not limited to, the name, address, and social security number of contractor personnel. The VA will provide all the necessary instructions and guidance for submission of the documents required to conduct the background investigation. Background investigations shall not be required for contractor personnel who will not be required to access VA computer systems or gain access to sensitive materials.

27.0 INVOICE AND PAYMENT

Payment is to be made monthly in arrears. The contractor shall submit invoices in original addressed to:

VAFSC, P.O. Box 149971, Austin, TX 78714. Invoices submitted for payment shall be reviewed for accuracy, verified against time records and attendance logs and shall be subject to approval by the Government prior to remittance of payment.

Any discrepancies found shall be brought to the attention of the contractor and shall be resolved. A corrected invoice must then be submitted by the contractor as instructed by the Government. Patients shall not be invoiced for services. The invoice MUST be itemized to include the following information:

(1) Name and address of the health care provider

(2) Health care provider’s tax ID number

(3) Date of service

(4) Hours worked

(5) Fees being charged for services rendered

(6) Extended amount due;

(7) Invoice number, date; and contract/Obligation number

Payment for services rendered by the contractor shall be made monthly upon receipt of a proper invoice.

When inadequate invoices are received (those lacking any of the essential items listed above), the vendor will be notified in writing within 7 calendar days of receipt of such bills that these bills cannot be processed for payment until a proper invoice is submitted. (Prompt Payment Act – Public Law 97-177)

The itemized invoice shall be verified for certification of the services rendered during the billing period.

The VA Contracting Officer’s Representative shall certify the contractor’s invoice for payment of services rendered.

28.0 EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

Before commencing work under this contract, the contractor shall furnish certification to the Contracting Officer that the coverage required (General & Professional Liability as well as Workers Comp) has been obtained and such policy shall state, “This policy may not be changed or cancelled without written notice to the VA Contracting Officer, VA Network Contracting Office (NCO) 22. Said policy must bear an appropriate “loss payable clause’’ to the United States as its interest may appear. Such evidence of insurance will not be waived.

29.0 INFORMATION SECURITY

The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. HIPAA and Privacy Training are required annually of all contractor personnel to ensure sensitive VA information is protected.

B.5 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/PRIVACY

1. GENERAL

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

2. ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

a. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

b. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness.

d. Custom software development and outsourced operations must be located in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S.

may be an evaluation factor.

e. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor's employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.

3. VA INFORMATION CUSTODIAL LANGUAGE

a. Information made available to the contractor or subcontractor by VA for the performance or administration of this contract or information developed by the contractor/subcontractor in performance or administration of the contract shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the prior written agreement of the VA. This clause expressly limits the contractor/subcontractor's rights to use data as described in Rights in Data - General, FAR 52.227-14(d) (1).

b. VA information should not be co-mingled, if possible, with any other data on the contractors/subcontractor's information systems or media storage systems in order to ensure VA requirements related to data protection and media sanitization can be met. If co-mingling must be allowed to meet the requirements of the business need, the contractor must ensure that VA's information is returned to the VA or destroyed in accordance with VA's sanitization requirements. VA reserves the right to conduct on site inspections of contractor and subcontractor IT resources to ensure data security controls, separation of data and job duties, and destruction/media sanitization procedures are in compliance with VA directive requirements.

c. Prior to termination or completion of this contract, contractor/ subcontractor must not destroy information received from VA, or gathered/ created by the contractor in the course of performing this contract without prior written approval by the VA. Any data destruction done on behalf of VA by a contractor/subcontractor must be done in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration

(NARA) requirements as outlined in VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management and its Handbook 6300.1 Records Management Procedures, applicable VA Records Control Schedules, and VA Handbook 6500.1, Electronic Media Sanitization. Self-certification by the contractor that the data destruction requirements above have been met must be sent to the VA Contracting Officer within 30 days of termination of the contract.

d. The contractor/subcontractor must receive, gather, store, back up, maintain, use, disclose and dispose of VA information only in compliance with the terms of the contract and applicable Federal and VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies. If Federal or VA information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies become applicable to the VA information or information systems after execution of the contract, or if NIST issues or updates applicable FIPS or Special Publications (SP) after execution of this contract, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to implement the information confidentiality and security laws, regulations and policies in this contract.

e. The contractor/subcontractor shall not make copies of VA information except as authorized and necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on contractor/subcontractor electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the contractor/subcontractor needs to be restored to an operating state. If copies are made for restoration purposes, after the restoration is complete, the copies must be appropriately destroyed.

f. If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.

g. If a VHA contract is terminated for cause, the associated BAA must also be terminated and appropriate actions taken in accordance with VHA Handbook 1600.01, Business Associate Agreements.

Absent an agreement to use or disclose protected health information, there is no business associate relationship.

h. The contractor/subcontractor must store, transport, or transmit VA sensitive information in an encrypted form, using VA-approved encryption tools that are, at a minimum, FIPS 140-2 validated.

i. The contractor/subcontractor's firewall and Web services security controls, if applicable, shall meet or exceed VA's minimum requirements. VA Configuration Guidelines are available upon request.

j. Except for uses and disclosures of VA information authorized by this contract for performance of the contract, the contractor/subcontractor may use and disclose VA information only in two other situations:

(i) in response to a qualifying order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) with VA's prior written approval. The contractor/subcontractor must refer all requests for, demands for production of, or inquiries about, VA information and information systems to the VA contracting officer for response.

k. Notwithstanding the provision above, the contractor/subcontractor shall not release VA records protected by Title 38 U.S.C. 5705, confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and/or Title 38 U.S.C. 7332, confidentiality of certain health records pertaining to drug addiction, sickle cell anemia, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or infection with human immunodeficiency virus. If the contractor/subcontractor is in receipt of a court order or other requests for the above mentioned information, that contractor/subcontractor shall immediately refer such court orders or other requests to the VA contracting officer for response.

l. For service that involves the storage, generating, transmitting, or exchanging of VA sensitive information but does not require C&A or an MOU-ISA for system interconnection, the contractor/subcontractor must complete a Contractor Security Control…