Second Responses to Questions_STEP RFR_07092020.docx

REQUEST FOR RESPONSES

FOR THE

COVID-19 STRATEGIC TESTING EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP)

ISSUED: MAY 22, 2020

AMENDED AND RESTATED: JUNE 15, 2020

DOCUMENT #: 20LCEHSSTEPRFR

COMMBUYS BID #: BD-20-1039-EHS01-EHS01-51861

Second Responses to Questions

July 9, 2020

This document contains responses to questions received from interested parties regarding the Request for Responses for The COVID-19 Strategic Testing Expansion Program (STEP) issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) on May 22, 2020, and Amended and Restated on June 15, 2020. Answers have been provided to those questions which are of general interest and relevant to the preparation of a response to the RFR. A first group of responses to questions was posted on June 15, 2020.

1. Is EOHHS open to alternative site models? (i.e., where existing infrastructure exists such as retail / clinic locations)?

RESPONSE: EOHHS will consider all proposals for site models, including mobile, drive-up, and site-based models. Bidders should provide details for their proposed site model within their bid.

It should be noted that the purpose of the STEP RFR is to expand testing capacity and implement new testing sites where there is an unmet testing need. Contractors will be expected to set up Authorized Testing Sites in areas designated by EOHHS and be able to move testing locations within 7 days if necessary.

2. Will EOHHS offer reimbursement for testing services that are denied by insurance carriers or for the uninsured where reasonable efforts of the testing entity do not result in payment?

RESPONSE: As stated in Section 4.3: Insurance Billing of the STEP RFR, “EOHHS does not guarantee any particular payment for STEP-related medical services, and EOHHS will not be liable for any payments for medical services a Contractor is unable to secure from a patient’s insurer or other third-party payor. As to EOHHS, the Contractor’s Testing Overhead Payments will be considered payment in full to the Contractor for all services provided under this RFR.”

3. Why is a detailed cost breakdown required when the supplemental payment is tied to volume?

RESPONSE: Bidders are required to submit a detailed cost breakdown in Amendment B, Cost Response Template, an expectation that is included in many EOHHS procurements. This requirement ensures that the Bidder has thoroughly considered the costs associated with running a Project and will be able to sustainably operate the Project through the contract term. Additionally, by providing a detailed cost breakdown for proposed work, Bidders have an opportunity to justify their proposed Authorized Site Minimum Monthly Payment and per-test rates.

4. Can EOHHS provide more information on the requirement for public pricing for employer testing and why this needs to be fixed to the MassHealth rate?

RESPONSE: As a STEP provider, Contractors are participating in increasing access to testing to individuals across the Commonwealth and have access to funding streams not available to other testing providers. In order to serve as partners with EOHHS, Contractors will be expected to charge fair rates to employers, comparable with MassHealth rates, when establishing service agreements that fall outside of this Contract.

5. How should care be managed for patients that are found to be COVID positive? Is there a referral partner for patients not served by the testing entity?

RESPONSE: All Contractors must have a process in place to report results to all patients who are tested at their Authorized Site. The process for receiving and reporting results and for follow up counseling is detailed in Section 3: Scope of Work in Attachment A, Model Contract.

EOHHS does not have a referral partner, Bidders are expected to set up their own processes and provide a detailed proposal for providing results and follow up counseling in their bid.

6. On page 8 of the STEP RFR it states, “tabbed page between sections”, what does this mean?

RESPONSE: Bidders can disregard this requirement. With these responses to questions, EOHHS is amending the amended and restated RFR to remove this requirement. Please see Amendment #2 to the RFR as posted on COMMBUYS.

7. Do we need to include full job descriptions in our Programmatic Response?

RESPONSE: Summary job descriptions in the Programmatic Response are considered adequate responses.

8. Is the state going to make changes to ensure we are reimbursed for asymptomatic testing?

RESPONSE: The purpose of the STEP RFR to facilitate the provision of diagnostic testing consistent with testing guidelines set by the Department of Public Health (DPH). Current guidelines provide for testing of symptomatic individuals and for close contacts. EOHHS cannot commit as to changes that may or not be made by DPH to testing guidelines, nor to any changes to ensure that providers are reimbursed for testing asymptomatic individuals.

9. How is this different than the DPH program that is reimbursing providers at cost?

RESPONSE: The DPH testing program is a short-term program for a select number of participants to provide additional testing sites in pre-designated areas. It allows all individuals in those communities, including asymptomatic individuals, to receive testing services during select days and times.

The STEP RFR is open to all bidders and the program is set to run until December 31, 2020. The purpose of the STEP RFR is to respond to unmet testing needs for symptomatic and/or close contact individuals in all areas of the Commonwealth. Bidders on the STEP RFR must be able to adjust their testing sites to the needs of the Commonwealth as they arise and as EOHHS determines the yet unknown locations.

10. Will EOHHS change the contract so that Bidders are not required to have appropriate PPE and testing supplies, since sometimes these are unavailable? How about the 72-hour testing requirement?

RESPONSE: EOHHS does not intend to amend the contract at this time. Bidders are expected to take steps to ensure that they have appropriate PPE and testing supplies, and that their laboratory partners are able to provide results within 72 hours of testing.

11. Why is there a reimbursement rate for <500 tests/day, when it says the mandatory minimum is 500 tests/day?

RESPONSE: The 500 tests per day minimum capacity applies to all Authorized Sites that a Contractor may be operating at one time. For instance, a Contractor may be operating 5 sites at one time, with each testing site having a testing capacity of 100 tests per day.

Additionally, the 500 tests per day minimum reflects only the capacity required of a Contractor, while the Testing Overhead Payment is dependent on the number of tests provided each day.

12. Are tests provided at existing sites (e.g., clinics) counted toward the 500 test/day minimum?

RESPONSE: No, the 500 test per day minimum is only applicable to Authorized Testing Sites that are assigned under the STEP RFR.

13. Can EOHHS provide specific geography information?

RESPONSE: Bidders should include detailed information regarding the geographies that they are best equipped to provide STEP Services to within their bid, in addition to reflecting the costs required to service those geographies within the Attachment B: Cost response template.

EOHHS will deploy Contractors to set up Authorized Sites across the Commonwealth as information becomes available regarding unmet testing need. EOHHS will consider all Contractors for Authorized Sites but will review which Contractors are best equipped to provide STEP services in a given geography and will prioritize the Contractor that is best equipped to serve a given location.

If a Contractor is selected to set up an Authorized Site within a given location, they have the right to refuse the site within 24 hours of EOHHS notifying them if they are unable to adequately provide services in the given location.