Q401--crna staffing services

RFQÂ 36C25222Q0541

Question and Answers

Is this a new requirement or contract renewal? Â

This is a new requirement.

Is this contract only for veterans?

This is a total Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set-aside.

Is there an incumbent on this contract?Â

No

How does the government want us to communicate our Past Performance?

Please refer to the Instructions to Offerors section of the solicitation for technical price and quote submittal instructions.

How does the government want us to communicate the COVID Vaccination Status of our providers? Is that before or after the proposal is submitted?Â

This should be included with each candidate s proposal package.

Is there any chance that this contract will be extended?

The Government may extend the term of the contract by exercising option periods.

How much time does the VA anticipate it will take to credential, privilege and provide medical staff appointments for the two CRNA providers?

The base period of performance will be for one year. The provider start dates can be different from the award date depending on adjudication and clearances.

Does the VA anticipate this will be completed in time for the POP start date of 1 Jun 2022?

The start date for the providers is determined on the response and return of requested documentation the providers must complete and the VetPro / Background Investigation clearance.

Â

Is there mandatory VA training and orientation? If so, is the training on-site? If so, are the training hours billable to the government?

The VA has mandatory training that must be completed as part of the onboarding process.

Â

The solicitation states the contractor shall provide the following for these personnel:Â

·             Workers compensationÂ

·             Professional liability insuranceÂ

·             Health examinations/immunizations/vaccinationsÂ

·             Income tax withholding, andÂ

·             Social security payments.Â

Can the government clarify if it expects the contractor to be the actual payor of those items for the CRNAs, or can the contractor provide sufficient compensation to the CRNAs in kind, as well as verify that the CRNAs possess the listed items?

The Contractor is responsible.

Â

The government states The payment for any leave, to include sick leave, annual leave, administrative leave, and holidays, are the responsibility of the contractor. Â But, on page 5, the government states that each CRNA is responsible to work 1992 hours annually. This is easily calculated as 2080 available annual hours minus the specified 11 Federal Holidays.Â

This is correct.

Â

On page 10, the government states the work schedule is five (5) days a week, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays.

Correct

Â

Can the government clarify if it expects a 3rd CRNA to be credentialed in order to provide coverage for sick leave or annual leave? Or does the government accept that sick leave or annual leave will reduce the 1992 expected annual hours?

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure authorized key personnel follow the work schedule.

Â

On page 67, the government states to submit the following

Â

5.     Copy of all current licenses and certifications of proposed service providers and competency checklists.

6.     Three work related references for the providers.

7.     Evidence of Malpractice Insurance including Professional Liability coverage for all proposed providers.

8.     Information on malpractice claims, termination or suspension of privileges for each proposed service provider.

Â

This verbiage assumes that every responding small business has already recruited for, and begun the hiring process for this solicitation. In this healthcare environment, especially for highly sought after CRNAs, it is not feasible to begin the hiring process for CRNAs when the position is only pending (i.e. the small SDVOSB has not been awarded the contract yet), let alone provide costly malpractice insurance for named CRNAs in a position that is not yet guaranteed. Respectfully request that the government consider removing requirements #5 - #8.

This is a government requirement and will not be removed.

Â

From the time of RFQ submission, to award, to POP start date, the CRNAs submitted with the application may have already taken another position elsewhere. In such a situation, will the government accept fully qualified alternate CRNAs before the POP start date?Â

Please provide the candidate packages as part of the initial quote and each proposed candidate will be evaluated. Once the contract is awarded it is the responsibility of the Contractor awardee to ensure the required amount of authorized key personnel fill the requirement.

Is there a page limit for the individual volumes or the entire proposal?Â

There is no page limit, however if you need to submit multiple emails, please ensure you follow the instructions for subject line and add for example 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.

Does the technical volume need to address specific topics?Â

Please refer to Instructions to Offer section.

How much past performance must the offeror submit to be considered?

Please provide past performance within the last 3 years.

Must the Past Performance be submitted on a specific form or in a specific format?

There is no specific form or format.

Can the proposal due date be extended?

The solicitation will be extended until Friday, May 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. local time.