Palliative Care Rural Initiative CREATION OF RURAL AREA END OF LIFE CARE MODELS

The Department of Veterans Affairs Midwest Healthcare Network (VISN 23) has a requirement for a contractor to perform a survey leading to the development of a plan for enhanced communication, coordination, and streamlined community hospice services for Veterans residing in rural communities. Contractor duties will include surveying all “rural†hospice sources (list provided by VA), as well as identifying and surveying community healthcare providers offering end of life services within VISN 23’s catchment area (throughout ND, SD, NE, IA, MN – see VISN 23 Web site). The survey will be aimed at producing a plan of action to increase access, improve communication, and streamlining the reimbursement process for veterans residing in rural areas in need of these services. This task is 10% of the total project. Utilizing the results of the survey, the contractor will be ultimately be responsible to collaboratively work with interested hospice / end of life organizations to develop four care coordination models. These models will consist of tools and resources, (utilizing VA provided models). The contractor will also provide one model of their own. All models will serve the purpose of bridging the gap between the VA and rural community hospice or other end-of-life care providers to produce a replicable program for entire Midwest Healthcare Network, and will be shared nationwide with the Veteran Health Administration. This task is 75% of the total project. At completion of the project, the contractor will compile and provide the VA 10 hard copy and electronic versions of the survey results and five models created. All reports, surveys, and models created under this contract will be the sole property of the VA. This proposed procurement is for services for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with one contractor. This is a Sources Sought notice only and is not a request for competitive quotes. No formal solicitation document exists at this time. This proposed procurement is for services for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with one contractor. The NAICS Code is 541611, $7.0M. Responses to this notice should include the following: Name and address of firm, Socio-economic factor, and most importantly; any pertinent information which demonstrates your firms' ability to meet the above requirement. All responses shall be submitted no later than March 14, 2011 at 4pm, central standard time. The preferred method of response is via email to Stuard.eidenschink@va.gov. Responses will also be accepted via mail; Attention: Stu Eidenschink (04-S), VA Medical Center, 2101 Elm Street, Fargo ND 58102..