Q517--Pharmopack Monthly Rental Fee Base plus Four Option Periods

This procurement is set-aside for Small Businesses. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Tennessee Valley Health System (TVHS) is seeking one or more SDOVSB s with the capability to provide Rental/Leasing of CAREFUSION PYXIS® PHARMOPACK Medication packaging and barcoding technology Pharmacy Service for a Base and Four Option Years.

STATEMENT OF WORK PART A GENERAL INFORMATION

A.1 INTRODUCTION

This document is intended to continue the current Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack . The Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack replaced theTalyst® AutoPackager, 10yrs old outdated and no longer supported technology, in October of 2019 integrating with the Carefusion Pyxis® Enterprise Server medication storage and distribution system at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS).

A.2 BACKGROUND

Upon receipt of the Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack in October 2019 for the Murfreesboro Campus of TVHS and in November 2019 for the Nashville Campus of TVHS; it has taken the full six months to present, May of 2020, to bring all medications loaded and validated and all communications operational with VA systems meeting all VA security requirements. Increasingly complex technologies to receive, store, count, package and dispense medications in whole or for any part of the medication use system are difficult to assimilate with VA systems. Six (6) months to accomplish this is not unreasonable. But a change or lapse in contract would cause undue costs to the VA to restart that process now complete. At both campuses repackaging bulk purchased medication into the BCMA compatible unit dose medications for inpatient medication administration rather than manufacturer purchased unit dose medications saves substantial medication purchase costs per packet across approximately 12,000 to 15,000 packets used every day for inpatient medication administrations. This reduces pharmacy unit dose purchase cost by approximately $218,400 to $273,000 annually. Loss of the bulk to unit dose repackaging capability would be costly in both monies and safety.

A.3 SCOPE OF WORK

The Carefusion Pyxis® PharmoPack is an enterprise-wide system covered by the Carefusion Pyxis® national Business Access Agreement (BAA) and already approved for network connectivity by TVHS ISO/IRM. It attaches to and communicates across local area networks both locally and at remote, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) by way of one main server, currently situated in the Nashville Inpatient Pharmacy area. The system will seamlessly communicate with existing Pyxis® equipment in all patient care areas to support adequate drug storage within TVHS.

STATEMENT OF WORK PART B WORK REQUIREMENTS

Describe the tasks to be accomplished. Describe the work in detail. Divide the work into tasks. Describe tasks as what is to be accomplished. Identify and describe the key elements of each task.

TASK

COMPLETION CRITERIA

Maintain a network interface for the Pyxis® server in accordance with established Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines for servers with HIPAA and patient specific information.

The main server will be maintained in the Nashville Campus Inpatient Pharmacy

The server is operational

The interface responds appropriately to PING command and communicates with all current and future associated devices

TASK

COMPLETION CRITERIA

All Pyxis® PharmoPack are assigned appropriate IP addresses.

IRM will generate the IP addresses

IRM will compare the optimal specifications to the existing systems and equipment and determine the need to change any local settings (such as a VLAN).

Each Pyxis® PharmoPack that connects to and communicates with the Pyxis® server has an IP address and Pyxis® personnel use the assigned IP address to maintain all devices

Provide/configure connectivity to the Pyxis® server.

Adequate computer port connections are available and operational for each PharmoPack .

All PharmoPack devices communicate with the Pyxis® server

Install and configure PharmoPack client software to allow logon and access to all PharmoPack functionality and all Pyxis® medstations local and remote.

PharmoPack client software will be maintained and operated successfully.

Maintain all required databases on the Pyxis® server and ensure that the device is fully functional.

The Pyxis® server has:

All required and updated databases so as to be fully operational

Communicates with all devices, both local and remote (CBOC).

Configure and deploy any newly required PharmoPack devices, insuring as seamless a transition as possible between any required installations.

Onsite personnel will setup, configure and insure operation of devices

The Pyxis® PharmoPack will directly backup archive files to a designated network folder. No intermediate steps, devices or storage media will be needed to accomplish this task.

Installation of any new devices may be staged by:

Pyxis® and VA personnel will be onsite and insure proper configuration and operation of PharmoPack devices

VA IRM personnel will designate a network folder that will receive and retain archive files from the Pyxis® System. The network folder will be included in routine network backups.

TASK

COMPLETION CRITERIA

VA IRM and Pharmacy personnel (and possibly Pyxis® personnel) will recover and secure information devices (e.g., hard drives) containing sensitive data (e.g., HIPAA and/or patient specific information).

VA IRM and Pharmacy staff will

Evaluate any devices requiring decommission and containing sensitive information (i.e., HIPAA, patient specific or proprietary information) and return them to the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System IRM staff for proper handling and decommissioning. Pyxis®/Carefusion will be responsible for final disposition of any devices deemed to be their property.

Train designated VA personnel in the use and configuration of client and administrative software and hardware controls.

Pharmacy and IT personnel will indicate their training needs were accomplished for day to day operation of the PharmoPack system.

Carefusion will assist in setting up an internal training program for all Pharmacy Staff.

If Necessary, Carefusion will assist in setting up an internal training program for all IT personnel.

Carefusion will assist with materials needed for a continuing training program for all new hires.

At the completion of training, all Pharmacy personnel will be able to effectively operate the PharmoPack system. Also, IT personnel will be capable of supporting the needs of the Pharmacy staff in PharmoPack general support.

STATEMENT OF WORK PART C SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Place of Performance

Pharmacy Service main servers, PharmoPack and PharmoPack workstations

Period of Performance Routine maintenance, routine and emergency service, non-routine service to include at least software and hardware updates and necessary upgrades for five years (one initial year with lease options to renew for years two through five)

Special Considerations

Contractor Furnished Materials

CAT5 data line of sufficient length for manipulation and connection of PharmoPack devices to existing computer port connections.

Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) and/or surge supressor devices for all equipment not already so buffered.

Government Furnished Materials and Services

TVHS will furnish an intact, operational data network and server host site sufficient for effective day to day operation of the PharmoPack system.

TVHS will furnish power (emergency red plug) and network receptacles for operation of the PharmoPack system.

Qualifications of Key Personnel

Pyxis® will ensure that personnel furnished for support and configuration of PharmoPack devices have sufficient experience and knowledge so as to properly install and configure PharmoPack devices.

TVHS will ensure that personnel furnished for installation, configuration and day to day operation of the PharmoPack System:

Have successfully completed training to operate the PharmoPack System

Have successfully completed all training necessary to protect sensitive information used in day to day PharmoPack Operation.

Security Requirements

PharmoPack devices will communicate over network connections considered secure as measured against Department of Veterans Affairs National, regional and local guidelines.

Part of the maintenance contract with CareFusion Pyxis® PharmoPack will allow and require remote access to the PharmoPack System by Pyxis® technical personnel. Pyxis® will set up an account with the Department of Veterans Affairs that permits communication with the local Pyxis® System via Virtual Private Network (VPN). Under certain catastrophic circumstances, communication via modem MAY be allowed (providing all permissions to use the modem are granted through the facility ISO).

Physical Security

The PharmoPack devices will operate in an environment that is observable and/or physically secured.

Information Systems Security

Access to PharmoPack software and hardware operation is protected by the same safeguards as is standard on all Department of Veteran's Affairs workstations and servers and is compliant with national guidelines.

Antiviral software, firewall software and any other software necessary to secure uninterrupted operation and protect sensitive VA data will be applied to the PharmoPack and servers as is standard for all Department of Veteran's Affairs workstations and servers and compliant with national guidelines.

CareFusion Pyxis® PharmoPack will have and maintain a Business Access Agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs and comply with requirements detailed below in C3.4.1.1.3.

VAAR- 852.273-75 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (Interim - October 2008)

The contractor and their personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards and VA policies as VA personnel, regarding information and information system security. These include, but are not limited to Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Appendix III of 0MB Circular A-130, and guidance and standards, available from the Department of Commerce s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This also includes the use of common security configurations available from NIST s Web site at: http://checklists.nist.gov

To ensure that appropriate security controls are in place, contractors must follow the procedures set forth in VA Information and Information System Security/Privacy Requirements for IT Contracts located at the following Web site: http://www.iprm.oit.va.gov\

These provisions shall apply to all contracts in which VA sensitive information is stored, generated, transmitted, or exchanged by VA, a contractor, subcontractor or a third-party, or on behalf of any of these entities regardless of format or whether it resides on a VA system or contractor/subcontractor s electronic information system(s) operating for or on the VA s behalf.

Clauses 3.4.4.5 and 3.4.4.6 shall apply to current and future contracts and acquisition vehicles including, but not limited to, job orders, task orders, letter contracts, purchase orders, and modifications. Contracts do not include grants and cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C. §6301 et seq.

Certification of Compliance.Â

I certify that all requirements applicable to this contract are in compliance with the stated clause VAAR Clause 852.273-75.

________________________________________________

Authorized Company Representative Signature

Contractor s Statement of Release - In consideration of the modification agreed to herein as complete equitable adjustment, the Contractor hereby releases the Government from any and all liability under this contract for further equitable adjustments attributable to this modification.Â

TVHS will provide a secure or observable area for operating each device of the PharmoPack system.

STATEMENT OF WORK PART D EVALUATION FACTORS

D. The Government will award a task order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

D.1.  Implementation and maintenance at earliest possible date

D.2.   Presence of working, documented VA interface within other VA s

D.3.   Compatibility/connectivity with automation currently onsite in the TVHS Pharmacy

D.4. Remote access capability

D.5.   Past Performance/Experience

D.6.   Price

Implementation, Interface, Remote Access, and Past Performance/Experience when combined are significantly more important than Price.

Solicitation documents will be available on or about August 20, 2020. All pertinent information regarding this solicitation will be posted on the Contract Opportunities website.