RFQ10_20_010_PY_AUDIOLOGIST_SERVICES_FBSU.pdf

SECTION B – CONTINUATION BLOCK

B.1 PRICE SCHEDULE – AUDIOLOGIST FOR FORT BELKNAP SERVICE UNIT:

The Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) is requesting quotes in accordance with the requirements of Request for Quotation (RFQ)10-20-010-PY to acquire Licensed Audiologist services for the Fort Belknap Service Unit, Harlem, MT. The procurement is being conducted pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR 37.101, Non-Personal Services Contract. Offerors are requested to propose an all-inclusive hourly rate when submitting a quote. Offers should be submitted for the base year and one subsequent option year.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circulars 2020-02 and 03. The associated North American Industry Classification System code is 621340 and the small business size standard is $8.0 million.

The Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS) intends to award a Requirements contract in response to Request for Quotation (RFQ)10-20-010-PY. The quantities specified in the schedule are estimates only. If the Government’s requirements do not result in orders in the quantities described as “estimated” in the Schedule, it does not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment.

B.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Performance of this contract shall be for twelve (12) months from date of award for 365 days, with one (1) 12-month option.

If the Government exercises the options pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000), the period of performance shall be extended in accordance with the following schedule:

Year Option Period

Option Year One (1) To Be Completed by Government at Time of Award.

B.3 PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT:

The purpose of this acquisition is to contract for a Licensed Audiologist for the Fort Belknap Service Unit (FBSU). FBSU is an Indian Health Center that provides healthcare for the service population on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, located in north central Montana.

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION: EST. QTY Unit Unit Price Estimated Total 01 Base Year 208 Hours $ $

02 Option Year One 208 Hours $ $

GRAND TOTAL: $_______________

B.4 WORK SCHEDULE:

The Fort Belknap Service Unit hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Audiologist’s schedule shall be coordinated with the Service Unit staff to coordinate the dates/times services are to be provided to ensure the schedule is prepared in advance and patients are scheduled. An Audiology clinic day is considered 4-8 hours in length with a minimum of 12 patients scheduled per clinic. The Contractor will provide two clinics per month with the option to add additional clinics per year depending on case load. The optional clinic days will be 4-8 hours in length with a minimum of 12 patients scheduled per clinic.

B.5 STATEMENT OF WORK:

The position is located at the Fort Belknap Service Unit in Harlem, Montana. FBSU and its satellite clinic, Hays Health Center, Hays, Montana provides ambulatory health care for the service population on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation. The contract Licensed Audiologist is responsible for providing Audiology Specialty Clinics in the Outpatient Clinic by assessing Audiology needs and providing the required Audiology care.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Provide direct diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services to patients of all ages (newborn, infant, child and adolescent, adult, elder) with a variety of acute and chronic health needs at FBSU.

• Responsible for the selection, provision and interpretation of comprehensive audiologic evaluations, to include, but not limited to the following: Air and bone conducting testing;

Otoacoustic Emissions testing; Soundfield testing; Play Audiometry; and other Site-of- Lesion tests.

• Participate in the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program upon request and approval. Provide training for the nurses, report data to the State of Montana, schedule re-screenings and appropriate referrals for further diagnostic evalutions.

• Provide audiologic rehabilitation services to include: Hearing aid evaluations, hearing aid orientations, aural rehabilitation, hearing aid fittings and follow-up, counseling the hearing impaired person, their family and other pertinent persons to help alleviate the effects of the hearing impairment.

• Responsible for maintaining inventory and accessories needed to provide a fully functioning hearing aid practice at the FBSU.

• Provide necessary paperwork to the Service Unit such as hearing aid/ repairs, ear mold order forms, requesting hearing aid supplies and complete a "Hearing Aid File" card on each hearing aid dispensed.

• Maintain inventory and calibration of audiologic equipment.

• Properly record audiology services in the patients’ Electronic Health Record (EHR).

• Establish hearing conservation programs, in-service training to nurses, physicians and other appropriate staff such as Maintenance and Dental Department staff, when necessary.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

• Thorough comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the complex principles, theories, techniques, and practices appropriate to the Audiology field such as can be gained through completion of education and training equivalent to the requirements for a Licensed Audiologist-Doctor of Audiology (Au.D). Must possess Au.D. degree, current state license, American Academy of Audiology (AAA) membership. Licenses: The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, obtain all licenses required for the completion of the work. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Evidence of such licenses shall be provided to the Service Unit before work commences. The provider is required to complete all requirements for the credentialing and privileging process.

• The practical application of these principles, theories, and accepted procedures characteristic of the Audiology profession.

• Knowledge of established professional audiologic concepts, principles, and practices;

and otologic diseases necessary to assess the extent of a hearing disorder and its effect upon the communication, health, vocation and socialization of patient for appropriate treatment or referral. Knowledge of Communication Disorders. All work must be to the level of acceptance as set out by local and national standards of care, by-laws, and licensing/accrediting agencies.

• Skill in verifying and operating analytical instruments sufficient to independently perform recurring test and analyses, and to make minor modifications within established guidelines. Professional competency in making prompt, decisive assessments of a wide variety of special patient conditions, to operating special equipment, and responding to urgent situations without delay. The Audiologist solves the majority of problems independently and oversees the full scope of Audiology care/services.

• Knowledge of aural rehabilitation procedures to provide appropriate amplification and counseling to the hearing impaired.

• Knowledge of the current VA hearing aids on contract, standards and advances in hearing aid fittings, earmold modifications, frequency response, and other electro-acoustics modifications.

• Familiar with ANSI standards of calibration.

• Knowledge of Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations related to patient confidentiality.

• Skills in oral and written communication to maintain effective working relationships with the Service Unit and Billings Area Office staff, Tribal personnel, vendors, contractors and other Federal, State and local agencies.

B.6 SCOPE AND EFFECT:

The purpose of the work is to operate the specialty clinic (Audiology) section of the Outpatient clinic. The work involves performing a full range of standardized Audiology evaluations using various complex instruments, following established policies and procedures. The work efforts affect the accuracy, reliability and acceptability of the services provided by the Audiologist for the immediate medical community. Program policies and practices as well as cultural, social and economic characteristics of the native population relative to adapting, redesigning or modifying Audiology principles to the varied population. Knowledge of the relative value for audiologic evaluations and the principles and practices that govern the evaluations to serve as technical authority, expert advice and direction about the audiological aspects of the health care delivery system.

PERSONAL CONTACTS:

Primary personal contacts are with the user population, to include all ages with various disease states, illnesses, deformities, injuries or handicaps. Other major contacts are with Providers and other support staff within the Outpatient Clinic, with other clinic and administrative staff of the facility and the Indian Health Service, and with various vendors. Telephone contacts with patients, vendors, and other staff members are frequent. Promoting and supporting a Quality Work Environment for all patients and staff is essential.

Coordination of care: The Contractor shall coordinate follow up care/visits with the patient. Any outside referrals will be followed up on to ensure continuity of care. Highly unusual problems will be reported to the patients Primary Care Provider or the Clinical Director or their designee.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:

The purpose of the personal contacts is primarily to deliver high quality Audiology care to the service population. Factual information is exchanged as well as planning and coordinating work with others. Methodological problems and possible solutions are discussed to clarify information wanted, to resolve operating problems and to agree upon schedules and plans.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is essentially sedentary, requiring periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying moderately heavy items such as boxes. Some lifting and assisting of elderly, handicapped or pediatric patients is required, especially with audiology patient positioning. Manual dexterity is required for audiology testing, especially calibration of sophisticated equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work is performed in the Outpatient clinic setting with a temperature-controlled environment.

The work may involve some exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious materials.

Special safety precautions are required. There is exposure to injured patients and people in pain.

Access to Buildings: It shall be the Contractor's responsibility, through the Clinical Director, or their designee, to obtain access to buildings and facilities and arrange for them to be opened and closed.

SUPERVISION:

The FBSU Clinical Director or their designee is responsible to supervise and monitor the Contractor. The Supervisor defines the continuing assignment with procedures and methods to be used, priorities and deadlines. The Supervisor assists the Contractor with difficult or controversial aspects of the job requirement. The Contractor uses initiative in planning and carrying out the day-to-day workload. Final work is reviewed as needed for conformance to policies, regulations, timeliness and satisfaction of the Supervisor.

GUIDELINES:

The Audiologist has a variety of guidelines available including established methodology and instruments, manuals, precedents in work, trade literature, technical references, established guidelines, regulations, policies, and agency practices. The Audiologist uses judgement in evaluation, interpreting, selecting, and applying the guidelines to specific situations and requirements. The Audiologist must also exercise judgement in adapting and modifying the established guides to solve problems encountered, in applying established methods and practices in new situations or in relating new assignments to preceding ones. The Audiologist exercises initiative to adapt general guidelines to the specific conditions and equipment available and modify them to reflect the standards and experience of Audiologists.

COMPLEXITY:

The work involved consists of a variety of Physician-Audiologist duties, performing a full range of standardized tests, often operating complex equipment in order to provide direct diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services to patients at the FBSU. To perform the tests/examinations, the appropriate exams must be selected, depending on the patient. Incumbent must be able to troubleshoot complex problems.

GENERAL QUALITY ASSURANCE:

All visits provided by the Contractor will be reviewed by the Health Information Management (HIM) staff and the billing department to ensure complete, accurate and billable documentation is completed. Chart/Peer review will be completed on a quarterly basis to ensure quality of care standards are met. Peer review will be done by a like provider. The frequency and number of peer reviews to be completed will be determined by the Service Unit Peer Review Policy. Peer reviews will be submitted to the Quality Assurance / Performance Improvement Officer. Review of statistics such as the number of patients seen per clinic will be reviewed on a regular basis.

B.7 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

The IHS shall supply all necessary equipment and supplies. The Fort Belknap Service Unit shall be responsible for getting the Contractor access and clearance to all computer services necessary to carry out their duties.

B.8 COMPUTER SECURITY:

Pursuant to the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA), the contractor will be required to complete a course in Computer Security Awareness Training (CSAT). This training must be completed annually by all employees including contractors, volunteers, students, and summer externs. The Contractor will be required to comply with the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201, "Personal Identity Verification of Federal Employees and Contractors," and the associated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementation guidance for personal identity verification for all affected contractor and subcontractor personnel. Access/clearance to all pertinent computer systems, including completing the Security Checklist, Rules of Behavior form, Security training; and if necessary, a Business Associate Agreement and/or Business Partner Interconnection Security Agreement (BPISA), should be coordinated with the Service Unit.

B.9 REQUIRED TRAINING:

Pursuant to the authorities in Indian Health Manual Part 3.20.1(D), the contractor shall be required to complete a training course on the policy for Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse by Health Care Providers within 30 days from the contract award date. This training must be completed by all Indian Health Service health care providers, including but not limited to employees, contractors, and volunteers. The Contractor shall be required to comply with the zero tolerance policy of the Indian Health Service for misuse of the health care provider’s authority and trust to sexually abuse or exploit children. The FBSU shall provide the training slide presentation to the Contractor, who upon completion of training will provide certification of training completion to the designated FBSU official.

B.10 PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF 1994:

The Contractor certifies that it will comply with the provisions of Public Law 103-227, Pro-Children Act of 1994, which imposes restrictions on smoking where federally funded children's services are provided.

B.11 CONTRACTING OFFICER AUTHORITY:

Authority to negotiate changes in the terms, conditions or amounts cited in this contract is reserved for the Contracting Officer.

B.12 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR):

The COR shall be responsible for: (1) Monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending technical changes; (2) Interpreting the Statement of Work; (3) Technical evaluation as required; (4) Technical inspections and acceptance; and (5) Assisting the Contractor in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance of this contract.

B.13 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

The Company is responsible for payment and reporting of employment taxes.

B.14 INVOICE SUBMISSION AND PAYMENT:

The Contractor shall submit its invoice to the Billings Area Financial Management Branch, P.O.

Box 36600, Billings, Montana 59107, with a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COR) at the Fort Belknap Service Unit, Harlem, Montana. The Contractor agrees to include the following information on each invoice: (1) Contractor's name and address; (2) Contact name, title, and telephone number; (3) Contract Number; (4) Invoice number and date;

(5) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed; (6) Remit to Address; (7) Taxpayer Identification Number (Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number); and (8) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (to ensure payment is made to the correct bank account) and vendor mailing address, as provided in the System for Award Management (SAM), formerly known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Payment shall be made in arrears by the Billings Area Financial Management Branch, P.O. Box 36600, Billings, Montana 59107.

The Contractor must complete the following:

Tax ID: CAGE:

DUNS:

Point of Contact:

Phone:

Email:

B.15 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:

Contractors cannot serve as expert witnesses in any suit against the Federal Government. Many of the IHS patients receiving services may only speak their Native language and/or reside on a Native American Reservation, therefore, the Contractor must demonstrate sensitivity to cross-cultural and language differences. The Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that the Contractor maintain complete confidentiality of all administrative, medical and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that comes to his/her attention or knowledge. The Privacy Act carries both civil and criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of records. Violation of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action. All IHS regulations and policies applicable to these Acts shall be enforced. The Contractor shall comply with IHS facility infection control and safety procedures, practices, and standards.

B.16 REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT:

This contract type allows the Service Unit to place orders with the Contractor utilizing estimated quantities in the price schedule. The specified quantities are estimates only. If the Government’s requirements do not result in orders in the quantities described in Section B.1, it does not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment. The Indian Health Service will process the purchase order through the Agency’s automated accounting and procurement systems, iProcurement/UFMS and PRISM.

Estimated Quantity for Base Year: 208 Hours Estimated Quantity for Option Year One: 208 Hours

B.17 ORDERING PROCEDURES:

Purchase Order will be processed through the automated procurement system PRISM. The Medical Services Department at the Fort Belknap Service Unit is responsible for generating the requisition in iProcurement/UFMS. Once the requisition is approved the procurement/supply office will process the requisition into a purchase order in PRISM. Once the purchase order is approved it shall be faxed or e-mailed to the Contractor by the procurement/supply office.

The following step illustrates the scheduling procedures for purchase order:

Step 1: The Medical Services Department contacts the Contractor to coordinate the schedule (e.g., FBSU processes patient appointments for Audiology Specialty Clinic, discusses dates for Specialty Clinic with Contractor, etc.). Estimates are based on upcoming schedules. The Contractor will only be paid hourly for actual services provided.

B.18 CHILD CARE NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK AND INVESTIGATION (CNACI):

A CNACI must be completed for all Indian Health Service (IHS) contractor personnel within the Billings Area. Public Law (P.L.) 101-630, Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and P.L. 101-647, Crime Control Act of 1990, require the IHS to conduct a character and criminal history background investigation on all contractors performing services in IHS facilities.

The Service Unit will conduct the character and background investigations.

Fingerprints must also be taken as part of the pre-employment process and must be completed before the Audiologist is allowed to work. The fingerprints should be coordinated with the Service Unit.

B.19 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Proposals will only be accepted via email to prudence.yellowowl@ihs.gov in response to this RFQ. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD: Your proposal must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFQ. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 90 days from the date of receipt by the Government.

mailto:prudence.yellowowl@ihs.gov

PURCHASE ORDER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov

52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer MAY 2011 Fiber Content Paper

52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor JAN 2011 Personnel

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance OCT 2018 52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror JUL 2016 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance JUL 2016 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and DEC 2014

Certifications 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic NOV 2015

Corporations 52.213-4 Terms and Conditions—Simplified Acquisitions OCT 2019

(Other Than Commercial Items) 52.215-5 Facsimile Proposals OCT 1997

52.216-18 Ordering OCT 1995 52.216-21 Requirements OCT 1995

52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation JUL 2013 52.223-5 Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know Information MAY 2011 52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace MAY 2001 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text AUG 2011

Messaging While Driving 52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification APR 1984 52.224-2 Privacy Act APR 1984 52.227-14 Rights in Data—General MAY 2014 52.227-17 Rights in Data—Special Works DEC 2007 52.228-5 Insurance—Work on a Government Installation JAN 1997 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes FEB 2013 52.232-3 Payments under Personal Services Contracts APR 1984 52.232-18 Availability of Funds APR 1984 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment and APR 1984

Vegetation 52.237-3 Continuity of Service JAN 1991 52.237-7 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance JAN 1997 52.242-15 Stop Work Order AUG 1989 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work APR 1984 52.243-1 Changes – Fixed Price Alternate I (Apr 1984) AUG 1987 52.245-1 Government Property JAN 2017 52.245-9 Use and Charges APR 2012

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS:

52.204-7 System for Award Management OCT 2018 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting JUL 2016 https://www.acquisition.gov/

CLAUSES IN FULL TEXT

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services NOV 1999 The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 10 days before expiration of contract.

52.217-9 Option to Term of the Contract MAR 2000

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION REGULATION

(HHSAR) (48 CFR Chapter 3) Clauses

315.215-70 Late Proposals and Revisions DEC 2015 352.222-70 Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment DEC 2015

Opportunity Investigations 352.223-70 Safety and Health DEC 2015 352.224-70 Privacy Act DEC 2015 352.224-71 Confidential Information DEC 2015 352.226-3 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act DEC 2015 352.237-70 Pro-Children Act DEC 2015 352.237-71 Crime Control Act – Reporting of Child Abuse DEC 2015 352.237-72 Crime Control Act – Requirement for Background DEC 2015

Checks 352.237-73 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Act DEC 2015 352.237-74 Non-Discrimination in Service Delivery DEC 2015 352.239-73 Electronic Information and Technology Accessibility DEC 2015 Notice 352.239-74 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility DEC 2015

EVALUATION FACTORS:

The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(1) CURRENT, UNRESTRICTED LICENSES. Potential contractors must submit a copy of a current Audiology License with price quote. = 35 points.

(2) RESUME/CURRICULUM VITAE. Potential contractors must submit resume/CV with price quote. Resumes/CV's must include information relating to: (a) Professional Education; (b) Certifications; and (c) Previous jobs. = 35 points

(3) COMPANY PAST PERFORMANCE. The Company must demonstrate its record of successful performance in past contracts and/or jobs, Government and/or commercial. Each offeror will be evaluated on its performance under existing and prior contracts/jobs. The offeror must include at least three references. In evaluating past performance the Government may also use information from its own files, information provided by the offeror, or from any other sources it deems appropriate. Offerors will be given the opportunity to clarify information concerning the relevancy of an offeror’s past performance information, and any adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond. If the offeror has no relative past performance, they shall affirmatively state so. NOTE: The Government reserves the right to contact any reference provided by the offeror in evaluating the offeror’s past performance. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to use any information that comes to the attention of the Government in evaluating the offeror. = 30 points

EVALUATION APPROACH: The content of the written quotations, as well as information derived from discussions/negotiations, if discussions are held, will be evaluated to determine the degree and extent to which the requirements and objectives set forth in the solicitation are satisfied. No assumption will be made by Government evaluators regarding areas not defined in the offeror's written material/information provided to the Government for evaluation.

EVAULATION METHODOLOGY: A team of Government personnel will evaluate the quotations. The quotations will be evaluated in accordance with the aforementioned factors. Any quotation that is unrealistic, in terms of technical approach, schedule commitments, and or costs (high or low) will be deemed unacceptable.

BASIS FOR AWARD: Selection of the successful offeror will be made based on the evaluation criteria. The quotations will be evaluated and a contract awarded under the Best Value Continuum approach to permit tradeoffs among cost or price and non-cost factors. This will allow the Government to consider award to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror who meets or exceeds the technical acceptability standards established in the factors referenced above.