Q401--Temporary Nurse Services for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

The following pats of the solicitation shall be amended:

Page 56 section E.2 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS PROPOSAL SUBMISSION paragraph 1, g, vii is amended to read Complete Contract Reference Worksheet using attachment D.1 in response to the Experience evaluation factor.

All non-overtime line items shall have the following language added up to and including a 12-hour shift . Please see the attached amended schedule of services and price.

Questions/Answers to Solicitation 36C26223R0020, Nurse Staffing Services for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Question Do I send you a business Proposal for this ?

Answer Please reference E.2 for Proposal Submission Instructions.

Question Is this an SDVOSB set aside? If we do not have this certification are we not allowed to submit a bid for this solicitation?

Answer This procurement is set aside for SDVOSBs. Please reference 852.219-73

Question Can a SDVOSB apply pending a UEI?

Answer FAR Clause 52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT, is included in section E.9 of the solicitation by reference. Per this clause, paragraph (b) (1), An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation, and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation.

Question Is there a contract that preceded this one? If so, what is the contract number(s) and who is the incumbent contractor(s)?

Answer The current task orders are 36C26221N0873 and 36C26221N0852. The incumbent is Associated Health Professionals, Inc.

Question How many awards are anticipated?Â

Answer This information is not available.

Question Do the hours listed in D.2+Price+Worksheet represent a current staffing requirement for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System?

Answer The hours listed in Section D.2 Price Worksheet represent the estimated number of hours required for nurse services for each year of the 5-year period of performance.

Question 11.5 The Contractor shall provide the Government with certificates of completion for any related testing/requirements that show compliance with TJC, OSHA and the Center for Disease Control requirements, for all contract nursing staff.Â

Answer The contractor shall provide the Government with Certificate of Tuberculosis (TB) Test and Certificate of Testing for MMR Titers are required for each nurse. A negative TB test is required prior to beginning performance. An MMR Titers negative test is required within the first 30 days.

Question 5.1.6. Â A copy of the nurse candidate s curriculum vitae, accompanied by that individual s sworn affidavit of the truthfulness of same, indicating experience, training, and technical expertise in the type of care to be rendered. Will the government accept company onboarding procedures that verify employment, education, technical expertise, and licensure in lieu of a sworn affidavit from the nurse?

Answer Yes, this will be accepted for consideration, however all prospective LVN, RN, and NP candidates are required to complete VetPro for experience, education, and licensure verification prior to beginning services.

Question How many references are required to be submitted with the proposal to satisfy the requirement mentioned under Volume 2 on Page 57 of the solicitation document by using the Attachment D.1 Reference Contract Worksheet.

Answer There are no required minimum or maximum number of references.

Question Do we need to submit only the mentioned attachments under Section h. Proposal Submittal with the proposal?

Answer Please reference Section E.2 for proposal submittal instructions.

Question Is this a SCA contract that requires benefits to be provided?

Answer The service contract act applies to this procurement, please reference section D.3 for the list of DOL required wages.

Question Do you want a blended 12 hour rate in the Unit Price and then OT after 12 hours?

Answer Line items for all non-overtime services are for a 12-hour shift. Overtime line items are for over 12 hours. See updated schedule of services and price.

Question The Wage Determination has 6 wages listed for RN s - what Wage Level does this Solicitation consider RN General  (RNG)  RN I or RN II ?Â

Answer Please consult your legal counsel or consult with the Department of Labor.

Question What Level is considered  RN Specialist (SRN)  - RN II Specialist or RN III Specialist?

Answer Please consult your legal counsel or consult with the Department of Labor.

Question I do not see that you are requiring Resumes and credentials to be submitted with the bid, is that accurate?

Answer Please reference Section E.2 for proposal submittal instructions.

Question Do we have to be in business a minimum of 2 years in order to apply?

Answer There is no minimum requirement for an offeror to be in business. However, all other eligibility requirements as stated in the solicitation are required.

Question Reference RFP p. 57 of 79, para. 2.a: May offerors submit multiple task orders under a single IDIQ contract as a single Past Performance/Experience citation for the purposes of evaluation?

Answer Yes, task orders under IDIQ contracts may be included as reference contracts.

Question Reference RFP p. 57 of 79, para. 2.a: Are offerors required, encouraged, or permitted to submit CPARS, PPQs, or other supporting documentation to assist the Government in evaluating offerors Past Performance/Experience?

Answer Please reference Section E.2 for proposal submittal instructions.

Question How many FTEs were on the previous contract? Has the PWS Changed?Â

Answer This information is not available. The PWS has changed since the previous contract.

Question If we have a teaming agreement with a subcontractor, does the subcontractor's experience count as experience for the prime?Â

Answer A subcontractor s experience will be considered when evaluating the experience evaluation factor.

Question Please let me know if OT is after 8 hours or after 40 hours.

Answer Line items for all non-overtime services are for a 12-hour shift. Overtime line items are for over 12 hours. See updated schedule of services and price.

Question Anticipated/Projected by the VA, Â FTE s subject to each clin in the contract.

Answer The estimated numbers of hours per nurse specialty per year is included in section D.2 Price Worksheet. FTE information is not available.

Question Historical average number of FTE s subject to each clin in the contract.

Answer This information is not available.

Question Availability of Government Housing.

Answer There is no Government housing available for contract nursing staff.

Question What are the guaranteed minimum hours a Temporary Service nurse will work (i.e. 13 weeks min) and will nurses be cleared by the VA for terms exceeding 13 Weeks?

Answer The Government does not guarantee any services over the guaranteed minimum amount identified in the schedule of services and price, section B.2.

Question For the subcontracting of this work, does the References Contract sheet come from each hospital per each staffing nurse. For example, I will be submitting a reference contract for 5 nursing positions (REGISTERED NURSE, SPECIAL REGISTERED NURSE, LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE, CERTIFED NURSING ASSISTANT, AND NURSE PRACTITIONER)?

Answer Per section E.2, paragraph 2a, Offerors shall describe their specific experience providing nurse staffing services. For each reference contract the Offeror submits as evidence of its experience providing nurse staffing services, the Offeror shall provide the following information using the Attachment D.1 Reference Contract Worksheet.

This is a Request For Proposal (RFP) for nursing services at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

See attached RFP with attachments.