Sources Sought PHYSICIAN SERVICIES.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS

TITLE: PHYSICIAN SERVICES

NOTICE TYPE: SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS

Sources Sought Number: W912HZ24SS9619

This is a Sources Sought for information and preliminary planning only. THIS IS NOT A

SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM

THIS SYNOPSIS. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, particularly small business. The Government will use responses to this SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS to make appropriate acquisition decisions. The Government invites contractors with the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements below to submit a Capability Statement.

The Sources Sought is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Market Survey is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this Market Survey. All information submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any private sector input as a result of this Market Survey. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this survey or results of information submitted.

Interested contractors responding to this market survey must provide a capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills, capability to fulfill the Governments requirements stated above. The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough detail, but not to exceed 10 pages, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the requirements below. Submissions that do not meet all requirements or are not submitted within the allotted time will not be considered. The Government respectfully requests information on or before 2:00 PM CST, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Please provide capability statements to Ethel D.

Grant, Contract Specialist, via email at ethel.d.grant@usace.army.mil.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 621111 Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) with a Small Business Size Standard of $16 million.

The Government is seeking responses to this sources sought synopsis from all interested businesses capable of providing these services. Small businesses in all socioeconomic categories (including Small, 8(a) Business Development Program, Historically Under-Utilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB), Woman Owned (WOSB)) are highly encouraged to identify capabilities to meet the requirement for the ERDC.

1. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED. The Contractor shall primarily provide physician's services on-site at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), located at 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

1.1 Hours of Performance. Services shall be provided Monday and Wednesday, Federal holidays excluded, for four hours per day, with the hours of performance to be from 08:00 to 12:00. Days and times of service may be changed by written memorandum of agreement between the parties without modification to the contract. The physician may occasionally be contacted by the Government at other times for medical guidance or assistance during normal business hours. Services will not be required during any period when the location is closed, for example, during inclement weather or on a locally observed holiday.

1.2 Key Personnel. The list of physicians which the Contractor submits with his/her proposal shall be considered the Approved List of Physicians and all physicians on that list shall be considered Key Personnel. Accordingly, no substitution of personnel shall be made without approval of the Government.

1.3 Continuity of Services. In the event the Contractor's regular physician is unable to provide the scheduled services, the Contractor shall furnish a substitute from the Approved List of Physicians, who shall provide services as specified herein.

1.4 Procedures. Services performed under this contract shall be in accordance with procedures required by AR 40-3, "Medical, Dental and Veterinary Care," and AR 40-5, "Preventive Medicine." A copy of each document will be made available to the physician for use under this contract.

2. SCOPE.

2.1 Occupational Safety and Health. On-site physician's services shall be furnished under this contract for civilian and military employees of ERDC in support of their occupational safety and health programs.

2.2 Military Sick Call. Physician's services shall be provided in support of limited sick call for the military personnel on active duty at ERDC; and for their eligible dependents 12 years of age and older.

2.3 Emergency Medical Services. For life-threatening medical disorders, such as cardiac arrest, arising during the times the physician is on-site, emergency medical care shall be given to any employee, contractor, or visitor at ERDC, until the patient can be transferred to emergency medical personnel.

3. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. Physicians performing under this contract shall be licensed medical doctors who are qualified to practice in the Vicksburg, Mississippi area. They shall be graduates of a medical school approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association.

Additionally, all physicians performing under this contract shall have education, training, or experience either in preventive medicine or in occupational health.

4. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.

4.1 Support. The Government will provide the following at no cost to the Contractor:

(a) Facilities for patient waiting, interviewing/counseling, examination, treatment, and recovery.

(b) Facilities for the physician's administrative activities.

(c) Storage area for the physician's supplies and equipment.

(d) Furniture, equipment, and computer.

(e) Office and patient care supplies.

(f) Patient appointment/scheduling services.

(g) Patient medical record management.

(h) Registered Nurse.

(i) On-site transportation necessary for response to medical emergencies and for inspection of the work environment.

(j) Overall management of the health services program, including the establishment of program priorities, non-medical procedures, and policies.

4.2 Employability Decisions. Physicians may be asked to make recommendations to management regarding employability, but physicians do not have authority to release employees from work.

The decision as to whether or not an employee is able to perform his/her regular duties (or light duties) is a management, not a medical, decision. Medical information may be relevant, but the Government is responsible for considering other, non-medical issues and for making final decisions on such matters. The responsibility for determining an individual's ability to perform the essential duties of a particular position rests solely with the Government.

5. PHYSICIAN'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

5.1 Medical Direction. The physician shall serve as Agency Medical Official, shall provide medical expertise to the Safety and Occupational Health program, and shall provide to the Nurse such medical guidance as required to perform nursing services.

5.2 Communicate with Patient's Personal Physician and/or with Government-paid Physicians at Remote Locations.

With the patient's consent, the physician may communicate with the patient's personal physician and/or with Government paid physicians at remote locations on all health matters, e.g., abnormal physical findings, emotional disturbance, care of occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses, return to work, rehabilitation, and job requirements.

5.3 Immunizations. The physician shall provide medical counsel concerning immunization of civilian employees, military personnel, and eligible military dependents 2 years of age and older.

5.4 Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In collaboration with the Government nurse, industrial hygienist, and safety specialist, the physician shall provide prompt diagnosis and treatment and shall assist in obtaining rehabilitation services for occupational injuries and illnesses to civilian employees and to military personnel.

5.5 Occupational Physical Examination (Medical Surveillance) Program.

5.5.1 Upon request from the Chief of Occupation Health and Safety, the physician shall work with the registered nurse in establishing appropriate protocols for occupational medical examinations, including such factors as: employee inclusion criteria, required medical tests and examinations, frequency of tests and examinations, employee notification procedures, interpretation of results, and identification of follow-up requirements.

5.5.2 Occupational physical examinations performed under this contract will usually be one of two types: either pre-hire or periodic. Pre-hire physicals are performed to ensure the potential new employee is physically able to safely perform the duties of the position. Periodic physicals are given to employees who are exposed to environmental conditions which may result in occupational illness or injury.

5.5.3 In addition to performing physical examinations, as the Agency Medical Official, the physician will be required to interpret physical capacities of individuals in relation to the requirements of assigned duties. The physician's interpretation shall be based upon the documented results of a recent medical examination (performed either under this contract or by physicians under separate contract to the Government), all of which will be recorded on Standard Form 78, Record of Physical Examination.

5.5.4 The physician shall discuss and interpret medical findings with individuals when health problems are found. The physician may refer patients for further medical attention as the situation warrants. When appropriate, patients will be encouraged to consult their personal physician. Upon request by the patient's personal physician and with the patient's permission, the results of examinations conducted under this contract will be transmitted to the patient's personal physician.

1.6 Return to Work Evaluations. Upon request by the Government, the physician shall interview or examine an employee returning to work after disability or illness absence and shall review reports from the employee's personal physician. When indicated, the physician shall confer with the employee's personal physician in order to determine the employee's fitness to return to work. The physician shall exercise medical judgment in recommending any appropriate modifications or changes in the employee's normal work assignments, considering the employee's disability, physical requirements of the employee's position, and established Government policy.

1.7 Non-occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Physical Examinations. See paragraph 2.3, above, regarding life-threatening medical disorders, such as cardiac arrest, arising during the times the physician is available under this contract.

1.7.1 Civilian Employees. The diagnosis and treatment of non-occupational injuries and illnesses among civilian employees are primarily the responsibilities of each individual's personal physician; therefore, services provided under this contract for these types of injuries/illnesses shall be limited to the following:

(1) First-aid or palliative treatment of minor disorders if the condition is one for which the individual would not reasonably be expected to seek the attention of his/her personal physician.

(2) Treatment which will enable the employee to complete the current work shift before consulting his/her personal physician.

1.7.2 Military Personnel and their Eligible Dependents 12 Years of Age and Older. In the diagnosis and treatment of non-occupational disabilities of military personnel and their eligible dependents 12 years of age and older, physician's services provided under this contract shall be limited to the following as stated in AR 40-5 Preventive Medicine:

(1) Limited sick call: outpatient diagnosis and treatment services not requiring X-rays or lab tests, may include the writing of prescriptions if the physician deems it appropriate. See exclusions listed in paragraph 6, below.

(2) Physicals: preschool and athletic physicals for school-age dependents of military personnel.

5.8 Education, Counseling, and Referral. In collaboration with the nurse, the physician shall counsel and instruct patients in healthful living, in both the work and non-work environment. Patients shall be given advice about health needs and available community facilities.

5.9 Absence/cost Control. At the request of the Government and in collaboration with the nurse, the physician shall:

(1) Examine employees before they leave work due to alleged illness or injury or upon their return to work following absence due to alleged illness or injury.

(2) Examine an employee who has applied for or who is receiving continuation of pay or compensation as a result of an on-the-job injury or disease to determine medical limitations that may affect placement decisions.

(3) Periodically review the personal health records of employees with excessive absenteeism due to illness or injury. On a selective basis, and by request of management, interview or examine employees with frequent or questionable illness absence records.

(4) In support of the Army's goal of reducing Office of Worker's Compensation Program (OWCP) costs: closely monitor (through follow-up evaluations, review of medical reports, or telephonic consultations with the patient's treating physician) the status of any employee who is out of work more than 3 days; advise the treating physician as to the availability of light duty; and assure the treating physician that the Government will adhere to any physical restrictions that he/she may impose.

5.10 Inspection of the Work Environment. As deemed appropriate and necessary, the Government will provide the physician an inspection tour of the work environment for the purpose of detecting and appraising health hazards and to familiarize the physician with the physical requirements of various job categories. The physician shall also provide recommendations for any preventive or corrective actions needed to ensure a safe, healthful work environment.

5.11 Health Record Maintenance. The physician shall assist the nurse in developing and maintaining a complete individual patient health record, including examination reports, care given at each visit to the health service, and illness absentee reports. All health records shall be kept confidential.

5.12 Consultation to Management. Upon request by the Government, the physician shall provide medical consultation to management concerning the Safety and Occupational Health program and related areas such as OWCP, OSHA, and the American with Disabilities Act.

5.13 Evaluation of Requests for Reasonable Accommodations. Upon request by the Government, the physician shall evaluate the medical usefulness of accommodations suggested by the employee or the employee's personal physician.

5.14 Commercial Driver’s License Physicals. The US Department of Transportation

(DOT) requires Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders to be examined periodically to ensure the drivers' ability to safely operate commercial vehicles. Physicians performing under this contract are required to perform DOT medical examinations of ERDC employees whose jobs require CDL. Not later than May 21, 2020, physicians performing under this contract shall be registered in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners maintained by the DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

5.15 Underwater Diver Physicals. It is desirable, but not required, that the physician performing under this contract be qualified to perform underwater diver physicals for ERDC employees whose jobs entail underwater diving duties. In order to be qualified to perform such physicals, the physician must be either a Diving Physician, an Aviation Medical Examiner, or other licensed physician trained in hyperbaric medicine. Physicians who perform underwater diver physicals will be required to sign a fitness for duty letter stating that the physician is experienced with and/or knowledgeable of the specific requirements of dive medicine, hyperbaric medicine, or similar applicable medical fields and that to the best of his knowledge the employee is (or is not) cleared for underwater diving activities.

Underwater divers must be re-examined by a physician and reapproved for diving duties annually or after any serious injury or illness.

6. EXCLUSIONS. This contract does not include:

(1) Prenatal, postnatal, and child (less than 2 years old) care.

(2) Obstetrics.

(3) Gynecology.

(4) Surgery.

(5) Routine eye examinations. (Except and identified in para 5 and the section regarding physicals)

(6) Dental care (other than emergency care and palliative treatment).

(7) Laboratory services.

(8) X-ray examinations.

(9) In-patient services.

(10) Drugs and medication.

(11) Ambulance services.

(12) House calls.

(13) Prosthetic devices.

(14) Orthopedic aids.

(15) Inspection of work areas more than 10 miles from Vicksburg, policies.

(16) Nervous, mental, and emotional disorders.

(17) Medical and surgical care of personnel who are hospitalized, or who are receiving treatment under conditions that provides a basis for separate reimbursement.

(18) Drug screening.

Contracting Office Address:

3909 Halls Ferry Road VICKSBURG, Mississippi 39180-6199 United States

Place of Performance:

3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180

United States

Primary Point of Contact.:

Ethel D. Grant, Contract Specialist ethel.d.grant@usace.army.mil Phone: (601) 634-2372

Your responses shall be provided via email to Ethel D. Grant at Ethel.D.Grant@usace.army.mil and are due no later than 2:00 PM CST Thursday, June 6, 2024.

All email correspondence must include the Solicitation Number W912HZ24SS9619. Questions and responses may be submitted to Ethel D. Grant via email. Responses to this Sources Sought is limited to ten pages.

mailto:Ethel.D.Grant@usace.army.mil