Online web based training

Added: Apr 16, 2012 1:18 pm This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, and 13.106, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued; the provisions and clauses incorporated herein are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-23, effective June 12, 2008. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Employee Education Resource Center, St. Louis, MO proposes to enter into a firm fixed price, competitive commercial. This solicitation is unrestricted and The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 611710 and the small business size standard is $7.0 million.



Responses are due Tuesday April 17, 2012 by 12pm CST. Questions are due by Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by 9am CST.

E-mail to Wanakee.Strickland@va.gov.













Statement of Work



Title: On Line Training for VA Audiologists



Service Required: Online Continuing Education Courses for Audiologists Practitioners in VA



Requesting Service: VA Employee Education System (EES)



1. Scope



Contractor shall provide on-line courseware that will provide VA Audiologists instruction in relevant topics from their workplace or home, via information technology.

" Courseware is to be interactive in nature.

" Courseware is to be hosted on servers provided and managed by the contractor or the contractor's designee (server will not be managed by VA/EES).

" No additional computer requirements beyond current systems and software already available through VA are to be necessary for VA staff to access the on-line set of courses.



a. Background



Access to Audiology training that is meaningful and accessible within work schedules. Distance Learning using interactive computer-based courses can assist the VA Audiologists in meeting the required training goal by providing on-line access to Audiology training.



b. Objectives



As a result of receiving on-line training in Audiology, VA clinicians will meet training requirements, improve knowledge and skills in Audiology and utilize information technology to overcome time and distance in obtaining this information. VA Audiologists will be able to continue their work routines without the necessity of travel and extensive time away from essential duties. The VA Audiologists will be able to experience the value of distance learning, as a staff development process.



2. Applicable Participant Information



Registration for individuals using the course material will include their username (email address) and password (to be provided by the Contractor.



3. COTR, project manager, eLearning producer and content specialist



COTR: Eunice L. Beckwith, Employee Education System St. Louis, One Jefferson Barracks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63125; 314-894-5703 or FAX 314-894-6550. e-mail: eunice.beckwith@va.gov.



Project Manager: Eunice Beckwith, EERC St. Louis, #1 Jefferson Barracks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63125; 314-894-5703 or FAX 314-894-6550. e-mail: eunice.beckwith@lva.gov



Content Specialist: Kyle Dennis, PhD., Deputy Director, Audiology, 50 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20422. Phone: 202 745-8000 E-mail: Kyle.Dennis@e2k.va.gov



4. Specific Tasks



Phase I: Planning



" Confidentiality and Non-disclosure

All preliminary and final reports, all associated working papers, and all other materials deemed relevant by the VA which have been generated by the contractor in performance of this SOW are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the COTR at the completion of the project. The Contractor agrees that these documents will not be distributed to anyone who is not an employee of the Contractor and/or whom would not be subject to the Contractor's policies and procedures concerning confidentiality and non-disclosure of client information.





" Within five days of award of contract, Contractor shall participate in a conference call with the COTR and the project manager to review specifics relating to the procedures for access to on-line training, registration, and reporting aspects of this training.



" The staff from VA Audiologists shall indicate numbers of persons who will be taking specific on-line courses.



" Contractor shall describe on-line courses to meet training needs in Audiology. These courses shall have been listed in the proposal in response to this statement of work. (See deliverables for appropriate course titles to meet VA Audiology requirements.)



" Contractor shall provide orientation for COTR and two other individuals selected by COTR. The orientation session shall provide the knowledge and skills necessary to provide training for VA Audiology staff in log-on, course access, course documentation, and other relevant procedures, including trouble-shooting. This orientation shall be conducted electronically and by phone.



Phase II Set up



" VA Audiology staff shall provide data to contractor indicating information they wish to have entered for participants; format will be EXCEL or text file.



" The Contractor shall have voucher numbers that will be matched to a user name (email address) and password once the user has logged on. The Contractor will make available online a Certificate of Completion (with CEU's) from that log-on information. No set up of names, etc will be necessary.



" Contractor shall provide assurance in writing that no other use shall be made of these data.

" Contractor shall provide log-on and password procedures for VA staff on the site registration page as well as in writing to Project Manager and COTR.



" Project Manager shall announce availability of on-line courses to VA staff and procedures for log-on and access to the on-line courses.



" Contractor representative shall be available by phone and/or e-mail to Project Manager and COTR for questions regarding log-ons.



Phase III Implementation



" Contractor shall provide 24/7 accessibility via the Internet for designated VA staff.



" Contractor shall notify Project Manager & COTR by fastest means if electronic access is unavailable.



" If on-line access is unavailable, contractor shall indicate to Project Manager & COTR by fastest means when system is expected to be available, and confirm when access is restored.



Phase IV Reports



" Every 90 days contractor shall provide the Project Manager with a summary report indicating names of individuals who have completed a course(s) successfully and what courses those participants have completed. Contractor will provide this report electronically.



5. Period of performance



The initial requirement is for VA Audiologists to have access to the on-line courses on immediately after contract is awarded. Performance Period shall last until all funds associated with this Contract are depleted.



6. Deliverables



" List of on-line courses that meet Audiology training criteria shall be part of proposal.



" Web-based delivery system for on-line courses in Audiology topics.



" Thirteen months to access the existing on-line courses for which Audiology staff has signed up.



" Hosting of courses on a server outside VA.



" Charge against Contract amount to be $99.00 for each course completed by authorized A participants. A course will be considered completed after successful completion of the post-test. No personal charges will be assessed to individual participants.



" Direct log-in capability for designated Audiology clinicians.



" Post-tests available on line for each course (embedded in software) and online availability of CEU Certificate for students/participants upon successful completion of each post-test.



" Interactive courses.



" Training for COTR, Project Manager & content specialist (three VA personnel).



" 24/7 access to on-line courses for VA Audiology staff.



" Technical support will be available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time through the length of access to the on-line courses. Toll-free Technical Support is available at 1-800-753-2160. On-line Technical Support shall also be provided via Frequently Asked Questions and by e-mail



" Secure, on-line records for employees entered into data base, first name, last name, and e-mail address (data provided by VA)



" Reports will be provided to Project Manager regarding designated participants' course completion.



" User-friendly interface to on-line courses (after introductory training by COTR, Project Manager or content specialist, VA staff should have minimal difficulty logging on to system for reasons other than network outage).



" Course content developed by academic or commercial health care professional organizations.



" Technical and content documentation provided electronically.



" Subjects suited for inclusion in on-line curriculum are representative topics suited for meeting VA Audiology staff training needs.



Alarming Facts About Smoke Detectors



Fitting Hearing Aids with Cochlear Implants

An Audiologist's Guide to the Physician's Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)

Genetics and Syndromes Associated with Hearing Loss, Presented in Partnership with the Ohio Academy of Audiology

The Follow-up Process

A Consultative Selling System for Audiologists

Classroom Acoustics: What You Need to Know and More - Presented in Partnership with the IL Academy of Audiology

Customized Sound Therapy for Tinnitus Control

What is Old is New Again

Open Fitting, Then and Now

Non-linear Amplification for Severe Hearing Loss

The Evolution and Case for Bilateral Amplification

Validation of Speech Recognition in Noise Ability

Open Ended Plumbing: When Hearing Aids Come off the Coupler

Probe Microphone Measures, Then and Now

Directional Microphones in Classrooms

Time Compressed Speech is Back. ... This Time with Hearing Aids

Revisiting an Old Audio Outcast

Have Digital Hearing Aids Lived Up to their Promise?

Combined Electric and Acoustic Stimulation

Clinician Fit-to-DSL Targets: Preliminary Results From a Network Study

Cochlear Implants, The Past to the Present: A Review of Technology, Candidacy and Outcomes

Current Topics in Educational Audiology

Modified Verification Approaches for Frequency Lowering Devices

Universal Design for Hearing: Considerations for Examining Hearing Demands and Developing Hearing Friendly Workplaces

Cochlear Implant Candidates in MY Practice? Yes, There Are!

The Fine Tuning Process

Audiological Counseling: A Forgotten Skill

Dilemmas in Hearing Care: Case Studies and Discussion, presented in partnership with the IL Academy of

Facts & Myths Surrounding Noise Management Systems - What Happens in the Real World?

Telecommunications Accessibility Update: Cell Phones and Cordless

Top Ten Reasons for Hearing Aid Delight

Integrating Evidence Based Principles (EBP) to Provide Best Practice for Your Patients

Ethical Equilibrium: The Changing Landscape of Ethics

"The Little Patient That Could" - Self-efficacy and Hearing Aid Success, Presented in Partnership with the MN Academy of Audiology

Teaching Hearing Conservation and Awareness to the Audio and Music Communities

Standard v. Special Fitting Considerations

Central Auditory Plasticity and Development in Children with Hearing Impairment

Medical-Legal Issues in Noise-induced Hearing Loss

IMC: Strategic Marketing for 21st Century Audiologists, Part I

Preferred Listening Levels and Trainability: Historical Perspectives and Practical Considerations

IMC: Strategic Marketing for 21st Century Audiologists, Part II

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Making a Diagnosis and Checking it Twice

Scoring the Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) Test: Using All the Elements

Hearing Loss Prevention in Schools of Music & Music Instruction

Scoring Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) Items: Plugging in the Best Information

Cost Effective Hearing Health Care Services in Long-Term Care Settings

Computer-Assisted Speech Training for Cochlear Implant Patients: Feasibility, Outcomes, and Future Directions

Quantifying Signal-to-Noise Ratio Loss Through Speech-in-Noise Testing

Ear Kissing (REKS): What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!

Music-Induced Hearing Loss: Risk and Prevention for Musicians and Music Consumers

New York & Federal Law, Regulations and Professional Conduct for Hearing Aid Dispensing

Customizing Advanced Technology Fittings

OC Fittings: Considerations Regarding Prescriptive Methods and Function of Special Hearing Aid Features

OC Fittings: Potential Impact of Cochlear Dead Regions on OC Candidacy

OC Fittings: Fact & Fiction - Observations from the Trenches

OC Fittings: Unique Acoustic and Verification Considerations

Measuring Quality in Your Practice

Audiologic Rehabilitation with Adults & Significant Others - Is it Really Worth It?

The NAL-NL2 Prescription: Background, Derivation, and How it Differs from NAL-NL1

Managing Patient Expectations

Top Ten Tips for Successfully Managing Employees

Convert and Connect - Making the Web Work for Your Practice

Preceptor Training for AuD Students and Externs: Making Supervision Count

Factors in the Perception of Environmental Sounds by Patients with Cochlear Implants Presented in Partnership with the IL Academy of Audiology

Presenter: Valeriy Shafiro, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Audiology,

The Art and Science of Teaching Practice Management -Preview of the University of Pittsburgh Teaching Conference in Partnership with the University of Pittsburgh

Billing & Coding - UpdateS

Infection Control - HIV, the Immune System, and Developing Written Protocols

Motivating the Older Patient to Take Action

OAEs: Theory & Practice, Presented in Partnership with IL Academy of Audiology

A Practical Approach to Hearing Aid Selection for Adults with Severe Hearing Loss

Correlations in Vestibular Test Findings

Behavioral Evaluation of Hearing in Babies - Yes, You Can!

Adult Hearing Loss Management: Evening the Legs of a Three-Legged Stool

Infection Control - Putting the Pedal to the Sterilized Metal

Audiologist's Assistants to the Rescue - New Ways of Incorporating Assistants to Increase Profitability & Productivity

Fitting Recommendations for Severe Hearing Loss - Research Update

Preventing Clinical Errors for Hearing Care Professionals

Hearing Aid Outcome - Subjective and Objective Measures

Pharmacology 101: Basic and Clinical Applications for Audiologists. Presented in Partnership with OAA

Clinical Applications of the Performance Perceptual Test (PPT)

How Smoking Affects the Auditory System

Introducing the AARP Hearing Care Program

Dispensing a Hearing Aid Brand: What is Important to Audiologists and Their Individual Decision Choice?

This is Spinal Tap (At Least it Feels That Way): Improve Communication & Counseling During Pediatric Evaluations

Audiology's Dirty Little Secret: The Disappearing Air-Bone Gap

Auditory Processing in Adults

Verification of Advanced Hearing Aid Features for Average Joes

The Essential Building Blocks of Hearing Aid Outcomes: Applying Evidence-Based Thinking

Pediatric Vestibular Evaluation

Clinical Encounters: How Well Do We Really Know Them?

Clinical Evaluation of Hearing Protectors

The Alternative to Advertising: The Medical Referral Marketing Process

When to Change Amplification Technology in Children

Bilateral Hearing: How Do Cochlear Implant Users Benefit?

Noise Risks and the Early Identification of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Youth

There is Change in the Air: An Update on Reimbursement Issues and Coding

Recreational Firearm Noise Exposure

Prevention of Hearing Loss in

Supervision of Clinical Fellows: A Mentoring

The Basics of Supervision: Roles, Responsibilities, and Realities

Construction Noise: How Bad Is It and What Can Be Done About It?

Investigation of Work-Related Hearing Shifts

Economics of Auditory Training

Innovative Trends in Pediatric Hearing Aid Verification

CAP Testing 101: Recommendations for Testing and Interpreting, Presented in Partnership with ILAA

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say to Patients

Patient Centric Practice Management

ENG/VNG: Questions & Answers

Straight Talk on Frequency Compression in Hearing Aids

Friday Special: Coding Update

How 'Real' Are Real-Ear Measurements for Use with Open-Fit Hearing Aids?



Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: An Update on Clinical Preview Exam



Words of Wisdom from Marion Downs - A Perspective on Hearing In Children

Frequently Asked Questions About Fitting Hearing Aids to the Pediatric Population

Starting a Private Practice

Current Issues in Pediatric Amplification

Audiologists and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Development, Implantation, and Clinical Implications of a Fully Implantable Hearing Device

A Review of Applying Expansion in Hearing Aid Fittings

The Brain is for Speech, the Ear is for Music

Internet, Marketing and Your Practice Website

Modality Specificity in Diagnosing (C)APD: A Reasonable Expectation?

Fitting Options for Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss

How to Integrate Hearing Assistance Technology (HAT) into your Practice

Coding and Billing QNA - II

EBP Speech Audiometry and Hearing Benefit Over Time

Practical Suggestions for Open Fit Hearing Aids

Review of Music Induced Hearing Loss Research

Clinical ECAP Measurement Techniques and Tips

Audiology & Quality of Life: Is there a Connection?

Evidence Based Practice

Expanding Criteria for Cochlear Implants

Coding and Billing QNA -I

Convincing Patients to Take Your Advice:A Blueprint for Building Trust With Patients

Using Financial Data In Your Private PracticeCEUs/Hours: Offered: AAA/0.1 Intermediate; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; IHS/1.0

Preview Exam



Designing Effective Patient Education Materials for Older Adults

Noise Exposure in NYC Subways

Buffalo Model and CAPD Therapy

Musicians and the Prevention of Hearing Loss- an Introduction

The Fixation Suppression Test in ENG

Effect of Speech Presentation Level on Acceptable Noise Levels

Assessment and Management of Minimal and Mild Hearing Loss in Children

Connecting Families to the EHDI Process

The Mechanical Removal of Cerumen

Including Normally Developing Toddlers and Preschoolers in Early Intervention Group Aural Rehabilitation Therapy

Musicians and Hearing Aids

Translating Compression Research into Clinical Decisions

Open Canal Hearing Aids: Selection and Fitting Considerations

Amplification Protocols for Infants and Children

Improving Patient Retention in Your Practice

Hearing Aid Pricing Using Elasticity

Perception and Coding for Cochlear Implants

FM System Fitting and Verification

An Introduction to the Advantages and Limitations of Various Business Legal Structures

Ethics in Audiology

Hearing Aid Compatibility for Digital Wireless Phones

Common Errors in ENG/VNG

Congenital CMV Infection and Hearing Loss

Website Best Practices and the AO Website Program

Auditory and Vestibular Evoked Potentials in Clinical Testing and Research

Audiologic Rehabilitation with the Geriatric Population

Tools for Successful Use of FM Systems in Schools

Acceptable Noise Level and Hearing Aid Use

Static Position Test in ENG: Technical Issues and Interpretation

Output Levels of Personal Stereo Systems, and What Audiologists Need to Know

Otoacoustic Emissions: What, When, Where, Why, Who and How

Probe-Mic Measures: Yes, They are Still the Best Way to Verify Hearing Aid Performance!

The Benefits of Nonlinear Frequency Compression for a Wide Range of Hearing Losses

Separating Fact from Fiction: Making Sense of Processed-Based Noise Reduction

Coupler Assessment of Open Canal Hearing Instruments

The Benefits of Nonlinear Frequency Compression for People with Mild Hearing Loss

Planning Ahead - Retirement Benefits for an Uncertain Future

Modified Verification Approaches for Frequency Lowering Devices

Standard Versus Special Fitting Approaches

Listener Preferences and Trainable Hearing Aids: Historical Perspectives, Current Trends and Practical Considerations

Acoustic Reflex Threshold (ART) Patterns: An Interpretation Guide for Students and Supervisors

Communication Diet Theory: An Extended Foundation for Hearing Rehabilitation

Author: Graham Weir

Unidentified and Underserved: Cochlear Implant Candidates in the Hearing Aid Dispensing Practice

Audiologic Rehabilitation with Adults & Significant Others: Is it Really Worth It?

Cost-Effective Hearing Health Care Services in Long-Term Care Facilities

Factors in the Perception of Environmental Sounds by Patients with Cochlear Implants

An Introduction to Reflective Practice for Audiologists

Advanced Technology Fittings - Customizing Features

A Montage of Outstanding Questions and Clinical Applications of Otoacoustic Emissions

Measuring Quality in Your Practice: First Rate Clinical Practices = Unsurpassed Business

Managing Patient Expectations

Adults with Severe Hearing Losses: Practical Approaches to Making Hearing Aid Selection Decisions

Resume Redux - Tips for Tough Times

The Performance Perceptual Test (PPT): Clinical Applications



Motivating the Older Patient to Take Action

Subjective and Objective Measures of Hearing Aid Outcome

Discovery/Fulfillment: A Consultative Selling System for Audiologists

Severe Hearing Loss - Recommendations for Fitting Amplification

Improving Communication and Counseling for Pediatric Audiology Evaluations

Options for Preserving Residual Hearing with a Cochlear Implant

(C)APD Testing and Interpreting 101: Recommendations for Audiologists

What is Important to Audiologists and Their Individual Decision Choice when Dispensing a Hearing Aid Brand?

Auditory Processing in Adults: Beyond the Audiogram

Effects of Smoking on the Auditory System

The Vanishing Air-Bone Gap - Audiology's Dirty Little Secret

There is a Change in the Air: An Update on Reimbursement Issues and Coding

New Methodologies for Determining if Two Cochlear Implants are Necessary

How Bad is Construction Noise and What Can Be Done About It?

Audiologic Predictors of Real-World Hearing Aid Success: An Evidence-Based Review

Listening from the Heart: Improving Connections with our Patients

Common Clinical Encounters; But Do We Really Know Them?

the Pediatric Patient

Ten Million Reasons to Think About the Internet, Marketing and Your Website



Pediatric Hearing Aid Verification: Innovative Trends

Evaluating the Performance of Digital Hearing Aid Features: A Real-World Approach

The Essential Building Blocks of Hearing Aid Selection and Fitting: A Beginner's Guide to Applying Evidence-Based Thinking



The Economics of Computer-Based Auditory Training



Learning the Art to Apply the Science: Common Questions Related to Pediatric Hearing Instrument Fitting

Applying Expansion in Hearing Aid Fittings: Subjective and Objective Findings

Audiology and HIV: Developing Best Clinical Health PracticesCase Study Outcomes of Hearing Impaired Listeners Using Nonlinear Frequency Compression Technology



Changes in Hearing Aid Benefit Over Time: An Evidence-Based Review

Americans with Disabilities Act: What you Need to Know

Pediatric Audiological Diagnosis and Amplification

Protocols for Fitting Infants and Young Children with Amplification



Translating Compression Research Into Clinical Decisions

APD Evaluation to Therapy: The Buffalo Model



Connecting Families to the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Process

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Part IV: Strategic Integration-IMC in Action



Audiology and Quality of Life: Is there a Connection?



Hearing Assistance Technology: Integrating HATs into Clinical Practice



Predicting Real World Hearing Aid Benefit with Speech Audiometry: An Evidence-Based Review

The Future is Here: The Otologics Fully Implantable Hearing System

Musicians and the Prevention of Hearing Loss: An Introduction

Gaining an Agreement from Your Patient: Things You Probably Didn't Learn in Graduate School



Laboratory Measures of Hearing Aid Outcome: More Than Just Nostalgia for the '70s

The Medical Referral Marketing Process - The Alternative to Advertising



Supervision of Clinical Fellows: A Mentoring Process







7. Government-provided Materials and Responsibilities



VA shall provide the following elements to the contractor:

1) Complete spreadsheet of all VA Audiologists authorized to use this series of on-line training. This spreadsheet shall include the participant's first name, last name, and e-mail address.



Specific responsibilities:

1) The VA Project Manager and the COTR will establish time and location convenient to principals involved in the project for kick-off meeting. This meeting shall occur within one week of contract award.

2) The Project Manager and the COTR will review all deliverables.

3) The COTR will notify contractor in writing via e-mail whether a deliverable is approved or whether changes are necessary.

4) The COTR shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer of all changes that will require a modification to the contract to include contractual delays, cost overruns and unresolved problems.







NOTICE OF THE FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITY LAW AFFECTING ALL ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENTS

(SECTION 508)



On August 7, 1998, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended to require that when Federal departments or agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use Electronic and Information Technology, that they shall ensure it allows Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by other Federal employees.



Section 508 required the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) to publish standards setting forth a definition of electronic and information technology and the technical and functional criteria for such technology to comply with Section 508. These standards were published with an effective date of December 21, 2000. Federal departments and agencies must develop all Electronic and Information Technology requirements to comply with the standards found in 36 CFR 1194.





SECTION 508 - ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (EIT) STANDARDS



The Section 508 standards established by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) are incorporated into, and made part of all VA contracts, solicitations and purchase orders developed to procure Electronic and Information Technology (EIT). These standards are found in their entirety at: http//www.section508.gov. A printed copy of the standards shall be supplied upon request. The contractor shall comply with the technical standards at 36 CFR 1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications, 1194.24 Video and Multimedia products, and 1194.31, Functional Performance Criteria in performing this contract.