Solicitation Attach C. SOW_Autopsy.pdf

SOW BETWEEN PIMA COUNTY AND WHITERIVER SERVICE UNIT

FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES

1) Purpose. The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the responsibilities of the parties for the provision of Medical Examiner services by County to Nation, and to address legal and administrative matters among the parties.

2) Definitions.

a) AUTOPSY – means the postmortem examination of a body, including the internal organs and tissues, to determine the cause of death or pathological changes and conditions.

b) EXTERNAL EXAMINATION – means the postmortem examination which excludes the internal examination where cause and manner of death may be reasonably ascertained without the direct inspection of internal organs.

c) BOARD CERTIFIED PATHOLOGIST – means a board certified, or board eligible, physician who is a specialist in diagnosing the abnormal changes in organs and tissues removed during postmortem examinations.

3) Term.

a) Period of performance will be for base plus (4) years of service.

4) Scope

County will:

a) Provide those services customarily provided by the County Medical Examiner pursuant to A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 3, Article 12 on behalf of Nation;

b) Except for services provided by residents training under the supervision of County’s staff forensic pathologists, assure that physicians performing under this Agreement are Board Certified Forensic Pathologist(s) and licensed to practice in the State of Arizona; Fully comply with all applicable provisions of law and other rules and regulations of any and all governmental, accrediting and regulatory authorities relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians;

c) Provide 24-hour staff availability for consultation with the Nation designated personnel;

d) Perform autopsies in a timely fashion;

e) Provide forensic pathologist or otherwise qualified staff to testify in court whether as an expert or fact witness;

f) Perform forensic and non-forensic autopsies. Some or all of the following service tasks may be performed, based upon the Pima County Medical Examiner’s determination of need for each case:

i) Prepare body for autopsy.

ii) Take photographs of decedent.

iii) Take fingerprints of the decedent.

iv) Take x-rays of decedent, if necessary.

v) Prepare documents required for court testimony.

vi) Collect evidence, if necessary.

vii) Obtain specimens for possible toxicology testing

viii) Provide a complete and detailed autopsy report for each individual case.

ix) Maintain secure records containing the appropriate professional and supportive information and documentation pertaining to individual cases. Each case may contain the following information:

(a) Law Enforcement agency preliminary report;

(b) Law Enforcement initial report of case;

(c) Any autopsy or examination report;

(d) Histological evidence;

(e) Slides and/or photographs of the decedent if any;

(f) Fingerprints of the decedent;

(g) X-rays of the decedent, if any;

(h) Past medical history of decedent, if any;

(i) Narrative entries of any other informational aspects concerning decedent, if any;

(j) Copy of signed death certificate.

(k) Submit to Nation, by the 15th working day following the month in which service is rendered, supporting documentation of cases completed during the previous month and, if applicable, accompanying reports.

(l) Perform other duties related to this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Signing death certificates for cremation authorization.

(ii) Authorize anatomical gifts.

(iii)Provide information to family members, the public and other service agencies as authorized by law including, when appropriate, to Consulates and other agencies that track or maintain databases regarding missing persons

(m) Serve as the Mass Fatality Coordinator

5) Payment

II. Payment and Invoicing Instructions:

Invoices shall be prepared with the following information CLEARLY identified on the invoice:

1. Invoice Date and Number

2. Contract Number

3. Charges for service or products identified BY LINE ITEM Number

4. Brief description of products or services rendered

5. Charges should follow Line Item structure on contract to include Quantity, Unit of Issue, Unit Price, and Total Amount as applicable

6. Dates of Service or Shipment

Invoices shall be prepared and submitted electronically and in accordance with rates and terms as stated in the contract. Invoices should be sent electronically to the following departments and addresses in the same e-mail:

Finance: PHXAreaAP-team@ihs.gov

For purposes of interest accrual and time of official receipt, Finance is designated as the point of receipt for the Government. Invoices shall be submitted electronically to the e-mail address listed above.

Acquisitions:

A copy of the invoice should be sent electronically to the contract specialist(s) at the address listed above.

Service Unit Representatives: alysia.cardona@ihs.gov for WRSU

A copy of the invoice should be sent electronically to the Service Unit Representative(s) at the address listed above.

6) Mutual Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, WhiteRiver Service Unit (WRSU) shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Pima County, its officers, departments, employees and agents from and against any and all suits, actions, legal or administrative proceedings, claims, demands, or damages of any kind or nature which result from any act or omission of WRSU, its agents, employees or anyone acting under its direction, control or on its behalf unless due solely to county negligence.

7) Compliance with Laws

The parties shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, standards and Executive Orders, without limitation to those designated within this Agreement.

The laws and regulations of the State of Arizona shall govern the rights of the parties, the performance of this Agreement and any disputes hereunder. Any action relating to this Agreement shall be brought in an Arizona court in Pima County provided that nothing herein shall be interpreted as an express or implied waiver of either party’s sovereign immunity.