Sources Sought Contract Opportunities.pdf

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Responses to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes and this notice is being posted to

Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE

AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Responses to this sources sought is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.

This is a NON-PERSONAL services agreement to supplement staffing levels of Registered

Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at the

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS). The number of staff needed to fulfill the contract are estimated at 25 RNs for Med Surg/CLC/Wound Care, Estimated 15

RNs for Dialysis, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Perioperative Care Unit (PCU)/Post Operative

Care Unit (PACU), Emergency Department (ED), Estimated 3 Surgical Technicians, Estimated 2 Sterile Processing Specialists (SPS)/ Medical Supply Technician (MST)

Sterile Processing /CNAs, Estimated 4 LPNs for CLC and Wound Care, Estimated 18

Certified Nursing Assistants for Med-Surg, ICU, CLC, SPS/Quality Assurance (QA)

Medical Supply Technician. Contractors’ personnel shall perform on-site nursing services for varying periods of time and in various areas of the Medical Centers and, based on their qualifications, may be required to work in areas of the highest need on the date of their scheduled shifts, specifically, but not limited to, Med Surg, Specialty, Geriatrics and Extended

Care (CLC), Sterile Processing Service, and Ambulatory Care. The preponderance of need is during weekend, holiday, evening, and night hours. Contractors’ personnel shall be subject to the quality assurance standards established by The Joint Commission and shall perform in accordance with ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures, and protocols.

Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish services at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health

Care System (SLVHCS) at 2400 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119.

This will be posted as a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

Offeror’s response to this Notice shall include the following information:

• Offeror’s company name, UEI, Federal Tax ID, address, point of contact, title, phone number, and email address.

• This requirement is planned to be posted as a 100% SDVOSB Set-Aside. Offeror’s interested in bidding on the solicitation, please verify that you can provide Estimated

25 RNs for Med Surg/CLC/Wound Care, Estimated 15 RNs for Dialysis, Intensive

Care Unit (ICU), Perioperative Care Unit (PCU)/Post Operative Care Unit (PACU), Emergency Department (ED), Estimated 3 Surgical Technicians, Estimated 2

Sterile Processing Specialists (SPS)/ Medical Supply Technician (MST) Sterile

Processing /CNAs, Estimated 4 LPNs for CLC and Wound Care, Estimated 18

Certified Nursing Assistants for Med-Surg, ICU, CLC, SPS/Quality Assurance (QA)

Medical Supply Technician.

• Provide the Offeror’s capability to meet this requirement to include how they would meet scheduled coverage for the Estimated 25 RNs for Med Surg/CLC/Wound

Care, Estimated 15 RNs for Dialysis, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Perioperative Care

Unit (PCU)/Post Operative Care Unit (PACU), Emergency Department (ED), Estimated 3 Surgical Technicians, Estimated 2 Sterile Processing Specialists

(SPS)/ Medical Supply Technician (MST) Sterile Processing /CNAs, Estimated 4

LPNs for CLC and Wound Care, Estimated 18 Certified Nursing Assistants for

Med-Surg, ICU, CLC, SPS/Quality Assurance (QA) Medical Supply Technician, especially weekend, holiday, evening, and night hours. This requirement period of performance is estimated to include a Base Year and four additional ordering periods for a total of 5 years.

• If applicable, provide past capability/evidence of providing 50 or more physicians/nurses or capability to do so due to the large scale of this potential requirement of an estimated

70 Nurses.

• Offeror’s type of business and socioeconomic status since this is planned to be a total

Service Disable Veteran Owned Business Set-Aside.

The NAICS code is 621399, (Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners) (size standard of $8 million). Responses must be received no later than 3 pm Central Time, 2

December 2024. Responses may be emailed to thomas.kovarovic@va.gov using “Agency

Nurse New Orleans Sources Sought Response” in the subject line. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. After review of the responses to this sources sought notice, a solicitation announcement may be published on Contract Opportunities. Responses to this sources sought notice are not considered adequate responses to the solicitation announcement. All interested offerors will have to respond to the solicitation announcement in addition to responding to this sources sought notice. All interested parties are reminded to be registered with System Award

Management (SAM) at https://beta.sam.gov/ to be eligible for award of Government contracts.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Registered Nurse (RN): The RN will utilize their broad-based clinical knowledge to effectively assess, implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist patient/residents in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning rehabilitation, evaluate patient/resident response to actual or potential health problems, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient/resident and their significant others. Nursing care is performed in accordance with the Louisiana Registered Nurses Practice Act and within the individual nurse’s scope of license. The VA Nurse Manager(s), or appropriate nursing leadership delegate (i.e. Assistant Nurse Manager), will provide the RN with clinical oversight during their tour of duty. More specific duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse are described below and shall be assessed by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) VAMC prior to provider acceptance.

https://beta.sam.gov/

(1) Maintain patient/resident confidentiality and a safe patient/resident care environment, including familiarity with requirements such as medication administration, patient/resident/family education, discharge process, restraint usage, hazardous waste disposal, etc., as defined by The Joint Commission and all other VA regulatory bodies (i.e. Long-Term Care Unannounced Survey Program and Office of Inspector General).

(2) Provide patient/resident-centered care by performing the following tasks:

• assess the health care needs of the patient/resident and maintain or develop a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals.

• assess and act on significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition.

• carry out the plan of care by performing/assigning delegated tasks.

• collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record.

• complete nursing assessments within required time frames, and in accordance with policy and procedure.

• identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident.

• meet the health care needs of patient/resident by assessing and assisting the patient/resident to meet expressed needs.

• meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients/residents and/or families.

• prioritize and complete tasks within the RN’s assigned shift.

• update patient/resident care plans.

• notify assigned physician of any changes in condition.

• report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership.

(3) Perform the following tasks:

• perform head-to-toe assessment.

• insert IV lines.

• care and management of peripheral and central lines, including PICC lines.

• administer medication including IVs.

• coordinate and participate in admission and discharge of patient.

• measure vital signs, including pain (the 5th vital sign), pulse oximetry, etc.

• perform wound care assessments including dressing changes (sterile and non-sterile) and obtaining wound cultures as necessary.

• obtain and deliver specimens to lab.

• perform tracheostomy care.

• perform non-acute ventilator care, if needed

• perform suctioning including oral, nasogastric, and tracheostomy.

• perform deep suctioning, which may include obtaining specimens.

• assess for and administer tube feedings.

• assist with routine urinary and bowel elimination including catheters, colostomies, and digital stimulation.

• educate patients/residents and/or families regarding health and diagnoses and medication administration including indications for the medication.

• respond and assist in an emergency situation.

• provide clinical oversight to Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Health Technicians

• One-to-one observation to include virtual observation.

• Performing capillary blood glucose and monitoring

b. Licensed Practical Nurse: The LPN will utilize their broad-based clinical knowledge to effectively screen, implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist patients/residents in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning rehabilitation, evaluate patient/resident response to actual or potential health problems, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient/resident and their significant others. Nursing care is performed in accordance with the Louisiana Practical Nurses Practice Act and within the individual nurse’s scope of license. The LPN will work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse to deliver comprehensive health services to patient/residents. More specific duties and responsibilities of the Licensed Practical Nurse are described below.

(1) Maintain patient/resident confidentiality and a safe patient/resident care environment, including familiarity with requirements such as medication administration, patient/resident/family education, discharge process, restraint usage, hazardous waste disposal, etc., as defined by The Joint Commission and all other VA regulatory bodies (i.e. Long-Term Care Unannounced Survey Program and Office of Inspector General).

(2) Provide patient/resident-centered care by performing the following tasks:

• evaluate health care needs of the patient/resident and provide to RN to assist with developing a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals.

• notify RN of any significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition

• obtain and deliver urine specimens to the lab.

• carry out the plan of care by performing assigned tasks.

• collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record.

• complete nursing documentation within required time frames

• identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident.

• meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patient/residents and/or families.

• prioritize and complete tasks within the LPN’s assigned shift.

• report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership.

(3) Perform the following tasks:

• administer PO, IM, and subcutaneous medications including providing patient education.

• administer tube feedings and set up trays.

• assist with care including catheters, condoms, colostomies.

• assist with mobility including transfers, transfer devices, and ambulation.

• educate patients/residents and/or families on medication administration.

• measure vital signs, including pain the 5th vital sign, pulse oximetry, etc.

• measure intake and output for urine and drains.

• participate in admission and discharge of patient.

• perform wound care including dressing changes and obtaining wound cultures as necessary.

• provide comfort measures including repositioning, bathing, activities of daily living, range of motion, and hygiene (shaving, brushing teeth, dressing)

• assist with routine urinary and bowel elimination including catheters, colostomies, and digital stimulation.

• respond and assist in an emergency situation as instructed.

• Performing capillary blood glucose and monitoring

• Insert intravenous lines.

c. Certified Nursing Assistant: The Certified Nursing Assistant will help patients/residents by supporting personal hygiene and daily living needs, providing comfort, assisting with ambulation to the bathroom and bathing, and vital sign monitoring. The CNA will work under the guidance of a Licensed Nurse to deliver comprehensive health services to patient/residents.

• Provides patients' personal hygiene by giving bedpans, urinals, baths, backrubs, shampoos, and shaves; assisting with travel to the bathroom; helping with showers and baths.

• Provides for activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, feeding patients as necessary; ambulating, turning, and positioning patients; providing fresh water and nourishment between meals.

• Provides adjunct care by administering enemas, douches, nonsterile dressings, surgical preps, ice packs, heat treatments, sitz and therapeutic baths, applying restraints.

• Maintains patient stability by checking vital signs and weight; testing urine;

recording and documenting intake and output information on appropriate forms and in the electronic medical record.

• Provides patient comfort by utilizing resources and materials; transporting patients; answering patients' call lights and requests; reporting observations of the patient to nursing supervisor.

• Documents actions by completing forms, reports, and records.

• Maintains work operations by following policies and procedures.

• Protects organization's value by keeping patient information confidential.

• Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and The Joint Commission standards.

• One-to-one observation to include virtual observation.

• Performing capillary blood glucose and monitoring

d. Medical Supply Technician (MST) Sterile Processing: The Medical Supply Technician receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. The Medical Supply Technician is under the supervision of the Assistant Chief, Sterile Processing Service.

• Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.

• Inspects, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors.

• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

e. Quality Assurance (QA) Medical Supply Technician: The Quality Assurance (QA) Medical Supply Technician ensures the quality and integrity of the overall sterile processing procedure and unit. Also serves as the monitoring specialist for all activities of SPS, which includes the operating room case cart management system. The QA Technician is under the supervision of the Chief and/or Assistant Chief, Sterile Processing Service.

• Monitors the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME. This includes following the use of bacteriological controls, principles and methods of sterilization, packaging, and assembly of simple to more complex items for therapeutic and surgical procedures.

• Develops procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program.

• Maintains a system of internal and external reviews ensuring overall compliance of all critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME used within the medical center.

• Tracks and analyzes required documentation pertaining to critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME within the scope of SPS for quality control purposes.

• Utilizes qualitative analysis tools to prepare reports for trending, evaluate operations and facilitate improvements in workflow and quality processes.

• Troubleshoots computer programs related to SPS operations and trains staff on the inputting of data associated with the cleaning and sterilization of equipment, biological processing, and quality assurance programs.

• Collaborates with SPS management when deviations occur.

• Validates SPS policies on cleaning and sterilization as it relates to manufacturer information for use, standards, and mandates.

• Updates the quality assurance program annually or when manufacturer information and guidelines are changed.

f. Surgical Technician: The Health Technician (Surgical) functions as an integral part of the surgical team. Works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist/anesthetist, and registered nurse as a member of the direct patient care team, before, during and following surgical intervention for all general, urologic, otorhinolaryngological, ophthalmologic, orthopedic, plastics, neurosurgical, robotic surgeries, and oral surgery.

• Independently reviews future surgery schedule daily to determine availability of specialized instruments, equipment, and implants.

• Sets up sterile field, insuring completeness and accuracy of needed equipment, instruments and supplies and remains accountable for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.

• Assumes accountability to rotate through all surgical specialties to maintain current comprehensive knowledge of complex surgical procedures, ever-changing techniques, and highly technical instrumentation.

• Notifies supervisor accountable for overseeing correctness of sets of deficiencies before surgical procedure starts.

• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.

• Prepares surgical devices during procedures.

• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.

• In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), the incumbent performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy.

• He/She is responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.

• Receive tissue specimens and cultures for laboratory analysis and ensure circulating nurse receives correct information for labeling purposes.

• Perform surgical technician duties in accordance with comprehensive knowledge of and adherence to current medical center, departmental, VHA policies, The Joint Commission, and OSHA policies.

• Prepare and apply sterile dressings following procedure.

• Independently implement infection control standards as required in the current hospital and specific departmental infection control policies.

g. Wound Care: The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting.

• RN: Assess, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on skin and wound assessment findings.

• Assess the health care needs of the patient/resident and maintain or develop a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals.

• Assess and act on significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition.

• Carry out the plan of care by performing/assigning delegated tasks.

• Collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record.

• Complete nursing assessments within required time frames, and in accordance with policy and procedure.

• Identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident.

• Meet the health care needs of patient/resident by assessing and assisting the patient/resident to meet expressed needs.

• Meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients/residents and/or families.

• Prioritize and complete tasks within the RN’s assigned shift.

• Update patient/resident care plans.

• Notify assigned physician of any changes in condition.

• Report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership.

• Performs the full scope of wound assessment and management including measurement, staging of pressure injuries, cleansing, application compression therapy, and selection and application of wound care treatments and therapies.

• Completes comprehensive skin and wound assessments and recommends appropriate prevention and/or treatment interventions (and may include ostomy and continence care).

• Treatment recommendation may include wound dressings, advanced therapies, specialty mattresses, innovative technology (mobile application, 3D imaging, Telewound, etc.) and other resources.

• Provides timely and accurate documentation of skin and wound issues using Veterans Affairs (VA) approved enterprise standardized electronic health record (EHR) system.

• Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs, condition, and safety of the patient.

• Codes Minimum Data Set assessments in Caribou and initiate and update care plans.

• LPN: Provide patient/resident-centered care by performing the following tasks:

• Evaluate health care needs of the patient/resident and provide to RN to assist with developing a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals.

• Notify RN of any significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition

• Obtain and deliver urine specimens to the lab.

• Carry out the plan of care by performing assigned tasks.

• Collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record.

• Complete nursing documentation within required time frames

• Identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident.

• Meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patient/residents and/or families.

• Prioritize and complete tasks within the LPN’s assigned shift.

• Report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership.

• Assist in wound care, dressing changes, and other routine medical procedures.

• Adhere to infection control protocols and contribute to maintaining a safe and sterile environment.