36C25525R0003 healthcare for homeless veterans

The Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Kansas City VA Medical Center hereafter referred to as KCVAMC is located at 4801 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64128, and is need of a Contracted Emergency Residential Services (CERS) model of residential care at a facility located within 15 miles of the above Medical Center.  These services, not to exceed 45 Veterans at any one time, are to be provided to homeless Veterans as defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).  The VA National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (“the Center”) will provide ongoing training for program development for both contract providers and VA staff. Contractor will be evaluated based on the Center’s established evaluation protocol and program fidelity measures.

Contracted Emergency Residential Services (CERS) programs target and prioritize homeless Veterans transitioning from literal street homelessness, Veterans being discharged from institutions, and Veterans who recently became homeless and require safe and stable living arrangements while they seek permanent housing. CERS Programs, either directly or through linkage with community and other VA services, provide time-limited services such as supporting mental health stabilization, SUD treatment services, enhancement of independent living skills, vocational training, and employment services. Emphasis is placed on referral and placement in permanent housing or longer-term residential programs utilizing VA and/or community resources. Lengths of stay in CERS typically range from 30 to 90 days with the option to extend based on clinical need.

Eligibility will be determined by the VA, based on veteran status; meeting the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act definition of homelessness (see http://www.hudhre.info/hearth/ for additional information); and an assessment by the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program resulting in a determination of making the Veteran highly vulnerable and requiring CERS services.  This is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract in accordance with FAR 16.5 for a base year and four option years, with an estimated period of performance as reflected in the schedule above.

Background and Overview:

The Secretary of the VA has set a zero-tolerance policy for homelessness within the Veteran population.  As part of the Plan to End Homelessness among Veterans announced in late 2009, the Veterans Health Administration has been increasing both capacity of existing programs and services offered to program participants.  The plan calls for utilizing new models of care not previously offered by VA.

The VA’s Plan to End Veteran Homelessness calls for enhancing current homeless service capacity as well as developing new programs and initiatives in concert with community and federal partners. This contract will enable a community provider to offer homeless Veterans services through a CERS model of residential care.  This model will offer services to homeless Veterans under the HCHV CERS program enhanced by the services as defined in the PWS.  Rapid stabilization of the Veterans’ medical, mental health, substance abuse and other psychosocial problems to place Veterans in other appropriate transitional or permanent housing within 30 to 60 days, with no more than 120 days, without a planned reason for the extension approved by the VA Liaison, is an expected outcome of this Contract.

The community-based Contractor should have a minimum of 18 months experience with direct service to the homeless documented in the proposal.   

This contract will be awarded to a Contractor having an acceptable facility within 15 miles of the VA Medical Center.  If no facilities are available within this area, consideration will be given to the Contractor whose facility meets all the stated requirements and is closest to the Medical Center.  A VA Liaison to the Contractor will be identified by the homeless program leadership at VA.  This individual will act as the clinical liaison for all client related issues between the Contractor and VA by providing clinical oversight.  The VA Liaison will not provide direct clinical supervision to contract staff.  The VA Liaison will consult with and provide input to the Contractor as needed.

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, housing, material and supplies necessary to provide emergency residential placement, treatment, and supportive services through the HCHV program CERS Model. Services will be provided on-site at the Contractor’s facility, in accordance with all terms, conditions, provisions and requirements listed herein.  The prices provided in the Price Schedule shall be inclusive of all “basic services” as may be necessary in the treatment of the Veteran.  “Basic services” shall be as defined in the Performance Work Statement.