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. DUNS: DUNS+4:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. 2/2012)

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

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 60

36C26326R0063 10/09/2026

Shanna Comparato, Contract Specialist

402-995-3692 11/10/2026 10:00am CDT

36C263

Department of Veterans Affairs Network 23 Contracting Office Shanna Comparato, Shanna.Comparato@va.gov

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul, MN 55101

X 100

X

621511

$41.5 Million

N/A

X

36C368

Department of Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System 4101 Woolworth Avenue h Omaha, Nebraska 68105-1850

36C263

Department of Veterans Affairs Network 23 Contracting Office

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul, MN 55101

To all offerors

Department of Veterans Affairs

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin, TX 78714-9971

See CONTINUATION Page

This is a solicitation to procure a 5-Year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract under the authorities of: FAR 12, 38 USC 8153, FAR 15, and VAAR 873, to procure Pathology Services for the Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS)

Quantities in the Schedule of Services (Attachment A) are Estimates.

See B.2 for Schedule of Services, on Page 5

See B.3 for Performance Work Statement, Pages 6 - 30

See CONTINUATION Page

X -One-

Logan Gahring VA-VHA-RPOC-2026-0025 Contracting Officer mailto:Shanna.Comparato@va.gov

36C26326Q727 | VA NWIHCS Pathology Services

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 Contract Administration Data B.2 Schedule of Services B.3 Performance Work Statement (PWS) B.4 VA Information and Information System Security / Privacy Language B.5 Records Management NARA Language (May 2017)

SECTION C – CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 FAR 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (October 2025)(Deviation) C.2 FAR 52.216-18 Ordering (August 2020) C.3 FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations October 1995 C.4 FAR 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Deviation)(November 2025) C.5 FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (November 1999) C.6 FAR 52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (April 2026) C.7 FAR 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (November 2025) (Deviation) C.8 FAR 52.240-93 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (November 2025) (Deviation) C.9 Supplemental Insurance Requirements C.10 VAAR 852.211-76 Liquidated Damages – Reimbursement for Data Breach Costs (February 2023) 52 C.11 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (February 1998)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: NWI Pathology QASP Attachment 2: Contractor Rules of Behavior, 6500.6 Appendix D Attachment 3: Immigration and Nationality Act Certification Attachment 4: Organizational Conflict of Interest Attachment 5: Pathology Schedule of Services (Spreadsheet) Attachment 6: VA Memorandum VA Technical Reference Model_WebCIMS 447341 Attachment 7: VA Updated Security Requirement for Network Connected Medical Devices and Systems_7566605 Attachment 8: ANP-RPT-6 Intradepartmental Consult Form

SECTION E - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

E.1 FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (October 2025)(Deviation) E.2 Proposal Submission Instructions (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1) E.3 FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (October 2025)(Deviation) E.4 FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984) E.5 FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest (November 2025)(Deviation) E.6 FAR 52.252-5 Authorized Deviations in Provisions (November 2020) E.7 FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (February 1998)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 Contract Administration Data Under the authority of 38 USC § 8153, the Contractor agrees to provide Health Care Resources in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein, to furnish to and at the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System (NWIVAHCS), the services and prices specified in the Sections B.2 (Schedule) and B.3 (PWS).

1. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: All contract administration will be handled by:

CONTRACTOR:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Telephone:

E-mail:

CAGE:

SAM UEI:

GOVERNMENT:

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contract Office 23 (NCO 23) 316 North Robert Street St. Paul, MN 55101-1495 Contracting Officer: Logan Gahring, 319-339-7113 Logan.Gahring@va.gov

Contract Specialist: Shanna Comparato, 402-995-3692 or Shanna.Comparato@va.gov

Contracting Officer Representative: Megan Hollibaugh, 402- 995-3604 Megan.Hollibaugh@va.gov

2. Contractor and Government points of contact can be changed by written notification to the other party. Notification will be placed in the Contract file and will not require a modification to the Contract.

3. CONTRACT REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the Contractor will be made in accordance with

FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management, and VAAR 852.232-72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

4. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: The Contractor shall perform no service until funding is provided for the applicable performance period and the Contracting Officer authorizes such services in writing.

5. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted electronically monthly in arrears. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will review all invoices submitted. The COR is responsible for certifying invoices for payment for only those services received and deemed acceptable by VA. Once certified by the COR, payment can be made via the Tungsten Network. See Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 6.2 for billing instructions.

6. POST AWARD ORIENTATION: The Contracting Officer will schedule a post award orientation for contract orientation purposes as required by VA Acquisition Manual, Part M 842.502-70.

7. SECURE COMMUNICATION: This document is intended only for the use of the person or office to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or protected by law. All others are hereby notified that the receipt of this document does not waive any applicable privilege or exemption for disclosure and that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this document in error, please notify the Contracting Officer listed in Section 1 above.

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

AMENDMENT NO. DATE

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section8153&num=0&edition=prelim mailto:Logan.Gahring@va.gov mailto:Shanna.Comparato@va.gov mailto:Megan.Hollibaugh@va.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_232_33 https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/852.232-72-electronic-submission-payment-requests.?searchTerms=852.232-72 https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/852.232-72-electronic-submission-payment-requests.?searchTerms=852.232-72 https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VACOOALALF/ALFA/SitePages/VAAM.aspx?reg=M842#_M842.502-70__Key

B.2 Schedule of Services In accordance with FAR Parts 12, 15 and VAAR 873, the Contractor shall provide unit pricing for all Diagnostic Tests listed in (Section D, Attachment 5, Pathology Schedule of Services) for each ordering period in order to be eligible for contract award.

The total extended estimated pricing shall be all-inclusive (including transportation and other associated costs). The Contractor shall enter the total for each year of the Ordering Period to the corresponding year on the (Section D, Attachment 5, Pathology Schedule of Services) and input into the tables below under the Schedule of Services. Tests referred within the Contractor-owned laboratory network or subcontracted laboratories shall be at no additional transfer charge or confirmation charge to the Government.

ORDERING PROCEDURES: This is a Fixed Price (FP), Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract under C.6 FAR 52.216-22.

Actual quantities may vary from the quantities listed in Section D, (Attachment 5 - Pathology Schedule of Services).

The Task Orders shall be funded for each Period of Performance to be furnished under this contract and shall comply with C.4 FAR 52.216-18 and C.5 FAR 52.216.19. Any services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of Delivery Orders or Task Orders by the Contracting Officer or Administrative Contracting Officer. Orders may be issued by electric commerce methods.

In Accordance with FAR 16.504(a)(1), The guaranteed minimum and maximum dollar amounts are listed in the table below. These following amounts cover the Minimum and Maximum of the Five-Year Ordering Period. The maximum dollar amounts shall not be exceeded.

IDIQ Established Minimum and Maximum dollar amounts for the Five-Year Ordering Period

Minimum $2,000.00 Maximum $8,000,000.00

Period of Performance: One Ordering Period of Five Years. (April 1, 2027 – March 30, 2032).

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Year 1 of Ordering Period, Period of Performance– 4/1/2027-3/31/2028

Line Item Services Total Estimated Price, Year 1 of Ordering Period 0001 Pathology Services in accordance with the PWS

Year 2 of Ordering Period, Period of Performance– 4/1/2028-3/31/2029

Line Item Services Total Estimated Price, Year 2 of Ordering Period 1001 Pathology Services in

Year 3 of Ordering Period, Period of Performance– 4/1/2029-3/31/2030

Line Item Services Total Estimated Price, Year 3 of Ordering Period 2001 Pathology Services in

Year 4 of Ordering Period, Period of Performance– 4/1/2030-3/31/2031

Line Item Services Total Estimated Price, Year 4 of Ordering Period 3001 Pathology Services in

Year 5 of Ordering Period, Period of Performance– 4/1/2031-3/31/2032

Line Item Services Total Estimated Price, Year 5 of Ordering Period 4001 Pathology Services in

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR ALL FIVE YEARS OF THE ORDERING PERIOD:__________________________ https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-12 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-15 https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/part-873%E2%80%94simplified-procedures-health-care-resources https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_22 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_18 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_18 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_216_19 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-16#FAR_16_504

B.3 Performance Work Statement (PWS)

1. GENERAL:

1.1. Services Required: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System , has a requirement for medical laboratory and testing analysis services. The Contractor shall be responsible for performing pre-analytic processing as defined in its laboratory manual, analysis, and reporting of analytical results and interpretation for clinical and anatomical pathology specimens as requested by participating facilities (listed below) during the contract period. The contractor shall provide Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services, on a scheduled basis, in accordance with the specifications, terms and conditions herein. VA will be responsible for specimen collection, preparation, grossing (with the exception of, cytology specimens); global surgical pathology cases would require grossing by the contractor. The VA will accession histology and cytology cases, VistA accessioning, preservation and storage of final slides and blocks. All slides and blocks must be returned to the VA for permanent storage

1.2. Lab Referral Services: Lab Referral Services will be provided for the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 23 Midwest Healthcare System Services for the following participating facilities:

1.2.1. Omaha VA Medical Center – Man Laboratory

(4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, Ne 68105)

1.2.2. Lincoln Community Based Outreach Clinic (CBOC) – Main Laboratory

(420 Victory Park Drive Lincoln, Ne 68510)

1.2.3. Grand Island Community Based Outreach Clinic (CBOC) – Main Laboratory

(2201 North Broadwell Avenue Grand Island, Ne 68803)

1.3. Authority: Title 38 USC § 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 13, 15, and VAAR Part 873

1.4. Policy/Handbooks: The Contractor shall be subject to the following policies and regulations including any subsequent updates during the period of performance of this contract. Copies of most current VA and VHA publications are located at: https://www.va.gov/vapubs/ and http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/.

1.4.1. VA Directive 1663: “Health Care Resources Contracting – Buying”

1.4.2. VHA Handbook 1100.18 “Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards”

1.4.3. VHA Directive 1100.21(1) “Privileging 17 QM Quality Management”

1.4.4. VHA Directive 1106, “Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service”

1.4.5. VHA Directive 1601B_04 “Decedent Affairs”

1.4.6. VHA Directive 1907.01(1): “VHA Health Information Management and Health Records”

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

1.4.8. VA Directive 6004, “Configuration, Change, and Release Management Programs”

1.4.9. VA Directive 6300, “Records and Information Management”

1.4.10. VA Directive 6371, “Destruction of Temporary Paper Records”

1.4.11. VA Directive 6500, “VA Cybersecurity Program”

1.4.12. VA Directive 6517, “Risk Management Framework for Cloud Computing Services”

1.4.13. VA Directive 6513, “Secure External Connections”

1.4.14. VA Handbook 6300.1, “Records Management Procedures

1.4.15. VA Handbook 6500, “Risk Management Framework for VA Information Systems, VA Information

Security Program”

1.4.16. VA Handbook 6500.2, “Management of Breaches Involving Sensitive Personal Information”

1.4.17. VA Handbook 6500.3, “Certification and Accreditation of VA Information Systems

1.4.18. Cancer Protocol Templates | College of American Pathologists

1.4.19. Title 42 CFR 415.170 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section8153&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-15 https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/part-873-simplified-procedures-health-care-resources https://www.va.gov/vapubs/ http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=969&FType=2 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1364 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=10179 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=11663 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=5627 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=9235 https://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=1412&FType=2 https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=997&FType=2 https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=742&FType=2 https://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=852&FType=2 https://www.cap.org/protocols-and-guidelines/cancer-reporting-tools/cancer-protocol-templates https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=86bf0715d3684453723e81b6f9e530fb&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se42.3.415_1170

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

1.5.1. AABB: Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies

1.5.2. ACO: Administrative Contracting Officer

1.5.3. ANSI: American National Standards Institute

1.5.4. AP: Anatomical Pathology

1.5.5. AMA: American Medical Association

1.5.6. ASCP: American Society for Clinical Pathology

1.5.7. BAA: Business Associate Agreement

1.5.8. BBA: Balanced Budget Act

1.5.9. C&A: Certification and Accreditation (Authorization)

1.5.10. CAP: College of American Pathologists

1.5.11. CBOC: Community Based Outpatient Clinic

1.5.12. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1.5.13. CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report

1.5.14. CEU: Certified Education Unit

1.5.15. CFR: Code of Federal Regulations

1.5.16. CASA: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance

1.5.17. CLIA: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988

1.5.18. CME: Continuing Medical Education

1.5.19. CMP: Civil Monetary Penalty –(42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7a)

1.5.20. CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

1.5.21. CO: Contracting Officer- The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

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

1.5.23. COS: Chief of Staff

1.5.24. COTR: Contracting Officer Technical Representative

1.5.25. CP: Clinical Pathology

1.5.26. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

1.5.27. CPT: Current Procedural Terminology

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

1.5.29. Critical Value/Test: A test result that requires evaluation by a physician or other health care provider as soon as verified. Failure to take appropriate action as a result of a critical value might cause harm or undue suffering for a patient. A list of critical values is to be made available to VISN 04 upon request.

1.5.30. DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency

1.5.31. DOB: Date of Birth

1.5.32. DMS: Data Management System

1.5.33. ESCCB: (VA) Enterprise Change Control Board

1.5.34. EHR: Electronic Health Record – Electronic Health Record system used by the VA

1.5.35. EMR: Electronic Medical Record

1.5.36. FAPIIS: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System

1.5.37. FAR: Federal Acquisition Regulation

1.5.38. FDA: Food and Drug Administration

1.5.39. FISMA: Federal Information Security Management Act

1.5.40. FOIA: Freedom of Information Act

1.5.41. FSC: Financial Services Center

1.5.42. FTCA: Federal Tort Claims Act

1.5.43. HCR: Health Care Resources

1.5.44. HCS: Health Care System

https://www.aabb.org/ https://www.ansi.org/ https://www.ama-assn.org/ https://www.cap.org/ https://www.cdc.gov/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/100th-congress/house-bill/5471/text https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title42/pdf/USCODE-2024-title42-chap7-subchapXI-partA-sec1320a-7a.pdf https://www.cms.gov/ https://www.cpars.gov/ https://www.dea.gov/ https://www.foia.gov/

1.5.45. HEDIS: Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set

1.5.46. HHS: Department of Health and Human Services

1.5.47. HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

1.5.48. HIS: Hospital Information System

1.5.49. HL7: Health Level Seven

1.5.50. IDIQ: Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity

1.5.51. ISO: Information Security Office or Officer

1.5.52. LIN: Line-Item Number

1.5.53. LIS: Laboratory Information System

1.5.54. LOINC: Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes

1.5.55. NARA: National Archives and Records Administration

1.5.56. NCQA: National Committee for Quality Assurance

1.5.57. NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology

1.5.58. NPI: National Provider Identifier: NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by

HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers).

1.5.59. NWIHCS: Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare System

1.5.60. OIG: Office of Inspector General

1.5.61. OIT: VA Office of Information and Technology

1.5.62. OMB: Office of Management and Budget

1.5.63. OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

1.5.64. PHI: Protected Health Information

1.5.65. PLMS: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services

1.5.66. POC: Point of Contact

1.5.67. POP: Period of Performance

1.5.68. PPIRS: Past Performance Information Retrieval System

1.5.69. PWS: Performance Work Statement

1.5.70. QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

1.5.71. QC: Quality Control

1.5.72. QASP: Quality Assurance Plan

1.5.73. QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement

1.5.74. RA: Regulatory Agency

1.5.75. RFP: Request for Proposal

1.5.76. Routine Test: A test that is usually performed at high volume in which the result is required in 24 hours generally.

1.5.77. SF: Standard Form

1.5.78. OI: Security Office Identifier

1.5.79. SON: Submitting Office Number

1.5.80. Special Handling: Unusual circumstances may dictate the need for a specimen to be picked up, run out of sequence at a special time, or reported within a shorter than usual time.

1.5.81. SSN: Social Security Number

1.5.82. STAT: A designated category of tests that requires immediate processing to expedite results to physicians handling potentially life-threatening cases.

1.5.83. TAT: Turnaround Time - The length of elapsed time between pick-up or dispatch of specimen from the contractor’s laboratory until the receipt of the completed printed/ electronically transmitted report back in the lab.

1.5.84. TC: Technical component (CMS pricing) of a service or procedure and includes the cost of equipment and supplies to perform that service or procedure.

1.5.85. TIC: Trusted Internet Connection

1.5.86. TJC: The Joint Commission

1.5.87. VA NWIHCS: The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care

System.

1.5.88. VAMC: Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1.5.89. VetPro: a federal web-based credentialing program for healthcare providers https://www.hhs.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/programs/hipaa/index.html https://www.archives.gov/ https://digital.va.gov/office-of-information-and-technology/ https://www.osha.gov/ https://www.jointcommission.org/ https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/ https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/

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

1.5.91. VISN: Veterans Integrated Services Network - The regional oversight for the VA medical centers

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

1.6. Regulatory Compliance: Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining contractor’s facility in regulatory compliance with respect to VA, Federal and State regulatory agencies including but not limited to: VA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as to accrediting entities such as but not limited to College of American Pathologists (CAP), American Association of Blood Bankers (AABB), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Joint Commission (JC). These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assuring acceptable levels of risk for Veteran safety, maintaining adequate quality of services to facility providers and their Veterans, and working with VA to minimize inappropriate utilization of laboratory resources through utilization review and consultation.

Contractor shall be required to report all findings and actions to the VA periodically to assure contractor and VA compliance with regulations and by-laws.

1.7. Facilities: The contractor shall provide and maintain facilities including, but not limited to buildings, utilities, environmental control, communications, and information systems for the execution of professional services in such a state as to ensure continuity and level of quality required to maintain regulatory compliance. The right is reserved to thoroughly inspect and investigate the establishment, facilities, business reputation and other qualifications of any bidder and to reject any bid, irrespective of price, that shall be administratively determined, lacking in any of the essentials necessary to assure acceptable standards of performance.

1.8. Equipment: The contractor shall provide and maintain laboratory testing instruments and other ancillary equipment at contractor’s site in support of professional services in such a state as to assure continuity and level of quality required to maintain regulatory compliance. Equipment provided by the Contractor for use at the VA NWI facility will be returned to the Contractor when requested, or at the end of the contract.

1.9. Supplies: The contractor shall provide all supplies necessary to support professional services in such quantities and state of condition as to assure continuity of said services to the facility’s practitioners at a level of quality required to maintain regulatory compliance. This includes all materials necessary to collect, preserve, transport (this includes containers of various sizes for the specimens, collection containers (of such quality that specimens will not be compromised, i.e., polypropylene)/kits for both surgical and cytopathology specimen(s) immunofluorescent preservative, EM fixative, flow cytometry preservative, etc.), and process specimens examined at the contractor’s facility as part of the provision of the professional services. A detailed list is provided:

1.10. The Contractor shall contact the assigned point of contact for each participating facility within a minimum of five (5) calendar days after award to coordinate the furnishing and delivery of specimen collection and transportation supplies, communication terminal and connections, and the installation of equipment.

1.11. The Contractor shall provide each participating facility supplies and equipment within five (5) business days after receipt of the order. The assigned point of contact for each facility will request replenishment of supplies from the Contractor on an as needed basis.

https://www.va.gov/health/ https://www.va.gov/HEALTH/visns.asp

Table 1.11 NWIHCS – Omaha/Lincoln/Grand Island Division Supplies

ITEM

Furnished by:

10 mL Formalin filled containers Contractor 30 mL Formalin filled containers Contractor Cytolyt Contractor Pap Kits Contractor Tissue Media - Flow Contractor 4 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 8 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 16 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 32 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 64 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 86 oz. Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor 5.7L Containers (to be approved by the VA) Contractor Blue Cassettes Contractor Requisition forms Contractor Special Media or Tubes for Samples Contractor All Supplies for Special Tests (e.g. Viral Studies) Contractor

1.12. Personnel: The contractor shall provide all personnel necessary at contractor’s site to support technical services in such number and level of professional experience as to assure continuity and level of quality as established by this facility to meet regulatory requirements by VA and JC regulations. The contractor shall have adequate personnel to be able to provide the full schedule of services within established turn-around times. All personnel shall be properly trained, boarded, professional personnel to provide services as necessary to support the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System mission.

1.13. Oversight: To the degree the contractor maintains authority over its personnel, in cooperation with the VA, the contractor shall provide all necessary administrative and personnel management resources to maintain appropriate professional behavior to ensure continuity and level of quality as established by this facility to meet regulatory requirements by VA and Regulatory Agencies. In addition, the contractor will be responsible through an appointed medical director to provide supervisory oversight to personnel at contractor’s facilities

1.14. Term of Contract: ONE ORDERING PERIOD of FIVE YEARS is effective April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2032.

2. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS:

2.1. Licensing and Accreditation:

2.1.1. The Contractors' Laboratory Director, Medical Technologists, Medical Technicians, Cytotechnologists and

Pathologists shall meet and maintain the Personnel qualifications required by CLIA. Further, the Contractor will provide evidence of the Contractors’ current compliance thereof. All Staff shall be appropriately licensed/accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), The Joint Commission or (other Accreditation Body). In addition, the laboratory must be certified and maintain certifications meeting the requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.

2.1.2. All professionals providing services under the terms of this contract will be appropriately certified and/or licensed as described herein and possess the requisite skills and experience to perform P&LM services. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that contractor employees performing work on this contract are fully trained and competent to perform the required work. The contractor is required to develop and maintain the following documents for each contractor employee working on the contract: credentials and qualifications for the job; a current competency assessment checklist (an assessment of knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors required to perform a job correctly and skillfully; includes knowledge and skills required to provide care for certain patient populations, as appropriate); a current performance evaluation supporting ability of the contractor employee to successfully perform the work required in this solicitation; a https://www.cap.org/ https://www.hhs.gov/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/100th-congress/house-bill/5471/text list of relevant continuing education for the last two years, and a current provider license is required.

Contractor will ensure that VA NWIHCS always has a current copy of provider license(s).

2.1.3. License: All licenses held by the contractor staff working on this contract shall have a full and unrestricted valid medical license to practice medicine in a state, Territory or Commonwealth of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The physician must maintain a current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active/current licensure. Contractor staff must submit evidence of at least one full, active, current and unrestricted licensure, registration, certification, and/or other relevant credentials, for verification prior to appointment and throughout the employment process, as requested by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Contractor is responsible for keeping the VA COR apprised of anything that would adversely affect or otherwise limit their clinical privileges. NOTE: Failure to keep VA fully informed on these matters may result in administrative or disciplinary action.

2.1.4. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all personnel (1) possess the requisite credentials to practice at the full performance level of their profession. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing of all malpractice investigation or licensure or certification suspension that concerns the Contractor, or any discovery of any disciplinary action taken against laboratory/laboratories performing under the contract within 24 hours of notification of an investigation or suspension.

2.1.5. The Contractor shall maintain current accreditation and notify the Contracting Officer of all lapses in state license and or accreditation (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification, COLA, CAP, JC, etc.) The Contractor shall provide a copy of the renewed licenses to the Contracting Officer before expiration.

2.1.6. Professional Liability Insurance: The Contractor shall provide and maintain professional liability insurance by a commercial insurance company in the business of providing the required insurance coverage.

2.1.7. Board Certification/Eligibility: All contract Pathologists must have current American Board of Pathology specialty and/or subspecialty certification (AP/CP certification is preferred). Certification must be maintained throughout the course of the contract. All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must be kept up to date at all times. Documentation verifying current certification must be provided by the contractor on an annual basis. Cytotechnologists must be American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified.

2.1.8. Pathologists: The Contractor shall sufficient Pathologist coverage, who will regularly consult with VA

Pathologists and other associated Healthcare Providers at the participating facilities cited in Section 1.2. The Contractors Pathologists shall have graduated from an approved School of Medicine or Osteopathy; and shall have completed a residency or fellowship in Pathology acceptable to the United States Surgeon General and shall possess a valid license to practice clinical reference laboratory services from a United States jurisdiction.

2.1.9. The Contractor shall provide the following information prior to contract award, and upon proposed change of any Key Personnel:

2.1.9.1. Provider Name with their Title/Position and Grade/Rank

2.1.9.2. Curricula Vitae, (Not to Exceed 2 pages, per ) – Is this required?

2.1.9.3. Technical Staff Competency Skills Assessment

2.1.9.4. CAP and or any Proficiency Exam participation for the last two (2) years

2.1.9.5. Proficiency Examination Exception Reports for the past two (2) years

2.1.10. Technical Proficiency: Contractor’s physician(s) shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government’s requirements, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language, fluently. Contractor will provide documents upon request from the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Education: Contractor staff must possess a degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or Osteopathic Medicine.

The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.

2.1.11. Continuing Medical Education (CME)/Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor will provide the COR copies of current CMEs/CEUs as required or requested by the VA NWIHCS. Contractors registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CMEs/CEUs to remain current. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging.

Failure to provide will result in loss of privileges.

2.1.12. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all Contractor’s employees are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it’s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D (Attachment D.4) of the solicitation document.

2.1.13. Citizenship-Related Requirements:

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

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

2.1.13.3. If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its

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

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

2.1.13.5. The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors’ response to the RFP using the subject attachment (Attachment 3) in Section D of the solicitation document.

https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/852.209-70-organizational-conflicts-interest.?searchTerms=852.209-70 https://www.uscis.gov/laws-and-policy/legislation/immigration-and-nationality-act https://www.e-verify.gov/ https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-12989-economy-and-efficiency-government-procurement-through-compliance https://www.federallawyers.com/new-york/18-usc-1001-general-federal-false-statements-statute/#:%7E:text=The%20federal%20law%2018%20USC%201001%20makes%20it,need%20to%20contact%20a%20federal%20defense%20lawyer%20immediately.

2.1.14. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement:

2.1.14.1. In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities shall not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

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

2.1.14.3. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded

Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors or firm is/are not listed as of the date the offer/bid was submitted to the government for consideration.

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

2.1.14.5. DEA: Contractor shall provide copy of current DEA certificate (if applicable) for Nebraska where services will be provided under this contract.

2.2. TECHNICAL DIRECTION: The qualifications of contractor personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Center COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Handbook 1100.19. Technical direction of all clinical personnel covered by this contract will be provided by the VA NWIHCS COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his/her designee. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request during the administration of the resultant contract.

2.3. NON-PERSONAL SERVICES: This contract is a non-personal healthcare services contract. “Non-personal services contract means a contract under which the personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees.” The parties agree that the contractor, all contractor staff, agents and sub-contractors shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

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

2.3.2. No Employee status: The contractor shall be responsible for protecting the contractor’s staff furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the contractor shall provide or certify that the following are provided for all of their staff providing services under the resultant contract:

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9a694b060cc37fd4JmltdHM9MTY2NTYxOTIwMCZpZ3VpZD0yNzgzM2Y0Yi1jODM5LTZkZDctMDhhNC0yZDdlYzk0NzZjNDEmaW5zaWQ9NTE5OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=27833f4b-c839-6dd7-08a4-2d7ec9476c41&psq=HIPAA&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9waGxwL3B1YmxpY2F0aW9ucy90b3BpYy9oaXBhYS5odG1s&ntb=1 https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2015 https://www.hhs.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/ http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2910 https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2910

2.3.2.1. Workers’ compensation

2.3.2.2. Professional liability insurance

2.3.2.3. Health examinations

2.3.2.4. Income tax withholding, and

2.3.2.5. FICA and Medicare tax withholding

2.3.3. Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover contractors’ or sub-contractors’ staff. When a contractor or a member of their staff has been identified as a provider in a tort claim, the contractor is responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a contractor’s staff action or non-action is the responsibility of the contractor and/or insurance carrier.

2.3.4. Malpractice Claims: The NWIHCS Facility Director or designee will provide written notification to all licensed practitioners when a claim for medical malpractice is filed with respect to care provided by that practitioner (reference VHA Directive 2009-032). Such notification must be provided within 30 days from the date Regional Counsel notifies the facility Director that a claim for medical malpractice has been filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), Title 28 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1346(b), 2671-2680.

Please reference:

https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=361153& FileName=VA263-12-R-0372-005.PDF

2.4. GENERAL:

2.4.1. The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided but retains no control over the medical or professional aspects of services rendered (e.g., professional judgments, diagnosis for specific medical treatment).

2.4.2. To the extent that this contract is subject to Section 952 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 1395(v)(1)(I), and the regulations promulgated hereunder, and the cost or the value or the services provided is $10,000 or more over a 12-month period, the contractor shall allow the Comptroller General and their duly authorized representatives to have access to the contractor’s contract, books, documents and records until the expiration of four years after the services are furnished under the Agreement. FAR subpart 4.7. Subpart 4.7 - Contractor Records Retention | Acquisition.GOV

2.5. KEY PERSONNEL AND EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTIONS:

2.5.1. During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death or termination of employment. The contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After the initial 90-day period of the contract the contractor shall submit the information required below to the CO at least 25 days prior to making any permanent substitutions. NOTE: Contractor will not be reimbursed for any services performed by a contractor not identified on the contract.

2.5.2. The contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, with complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information required by the CO. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the individuals being replaced. The CO will notify the contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

3. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1. SERVICES REQUIRED: Contractor shall provide Pathology and Laboratory Medicine services for VA…