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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF OCTOBER 26, 2013 FBO #4354
DOCUMENT

Q -- ECG Services - Palo Alto - Attachment

Notice Date

10/24/2013
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

621111 — Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21);VA Northern California HealthCare System;5342 Dudley Blvd. Bldg 98 (NCO 21);McClellan CA 95652-1012
 

ZIP Code

95652-1012
 

Solicitation Number

VA26114I0044
 

Response Due

10/28/2013
 

Archive Date

11/27/2013
 

Point of Contact

Victor Sepulveda
 

E-Mail Address

3-4560<br
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Total Small Business
 

Description

The Network Contracting Office 21 is conducting market research for the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System to identify potential sources for a contract to provide echocardiograph monitoring services. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely to obtain industry capability to meet this requirement and request comments of the attached draft SOW. This RFI DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT REQUEST PROPOSALS/QUOTATIONS/BIDS. This RFI is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.201(e). The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and the Government's use of such information. If any information is considered proprietary please mark as such. This RFI describes the Department of VA's basic requirement. The Dept. of VA requests comments on the attached DRAFT SOW and responses to the following questions: 1) Does the attached SOW provide enough information for industry to provide a technical and price response? 2) What technical factors are not identified in the SOW that is essential to successful performance? 3) What would be the preferred contract type for these services? 4) Have you provided these services for Federal Agencies? 5) Can these services be provided under a firm fixed-price contract? 6) What are the customary price provisions, structure or drivers? Firms responding to this RFI should include company name, cage code, point of contact, address and indicate whether they are a small business. For the purposes of being considered a small business, the following applies: NAICS Code 621111, Size Standard $10 million. The Government reserves the right to set-aside any subsequent acquisition based upon known sources and/or responses to this synopsis. Firms should provide capability statements not to exceed 5 pages and should include responses to questions and/or comments on Dept. of VA basic requirement attached to this notice not later than Monday, October 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. PST to be considered as part of the Government's market research. Submissions shall be sent via e-mail to the attention of Victor Sepulveda at victor.sepulveda@va.gov. Do not contact medical center staff in regards to this requirement, as they are not authorized to discuss matters related to this procurement action. All questions should be submitted in writing via email for this procurement to the Contract Specialist. Telephone calls will not be accepted. Statement of Work I. Description of Services 1. Scope of Work: Contractor shall provide Ambulatory ECG Monitoring System and Web-based Clinical Reporting Module for Veterans of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) in the Cardiology section. All services will be performed on-site at the VA Palo Medical Center. The contactor will generally be working with staff cardiologists. 2. Specific Contractor Tasks include: Contractor to provider Ambulatory ECG Monitoring System and Web-based Clinical Reporting Module Device: Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry (MCOT)/ w/Event Monitor Purpose: Cardiac symptoms are often transient in nature such that it is difficult to obtain an ECG the exact time they occur. Oftentimes, clinically relevant abnormalities and life threatening rhythms have no cardiac symptoms. Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry (MCOT) or the wEvent monitor is the solution to this problem. MCOT and wEvent are used for patients experiencing intermittent symptoms, such as palpitations, syncope, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Patients are provided with state of the art technology in the form of a portable device which allows them to record their ECG in real time while symptoms are actually occurring. In each device, there is an Auto-Trigger technology which offers ECG monitoring that is programmed to recognize rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia and asystole. When the device recognizes these rhythms, it automatically records the patient's ECG, independent of the patient physically activating the device. This technology captures dysrrhythmias when they would otherwise go undiagnosed. The ECG is automatically transferred to Contractor's cardiac monitoring center, where it is immediately reviewed and the cardiologist is informed according to pre-selected notification criteria. Location: Cardiovascular Out Patient Clinic/The Patient's Home Procedure: The device is given to patients to use for 2 weeks to 1 month depending on the indication for MCOT/wEvent monitoring. Initially, EKG technicians will instruct and explain to the patients about what the device is, how to use it, how to hook it up, and how to place leads. They will then hook up the device, and let the patient go home with specific instruction in order to continue to have the device on for the duration of evaluation. Contractor will schedule a call with the patient to establish a baseline from home. Alternatively, the monitor will be sent directly to the patient, and the patient will be hooked up at home. After the evaluation period, the patient returns the device to the company in the UPS envelopes provided. Data Management: 1. Data is transmitted wirelessly via cell phone towers. While patient is wearing the device, daily reports will be made available to VAPAHCS via fax or online. When asymptomatic and/or symptomatic ECG events are transmitted to the Contractor, an alert is sent out to the ECG director for evaluation. The computerized results will then be generated and this is seamlessly assimilated into the VAPAHCS clinical records. An End of Service Summary Report is often available 3-5 days after the monitor is shipped back to Contractor (Access to the data from the website is limited to the physicians and/or any other authorized representative responsible for evaluating the data.) 2. ECG Evaluation: Once the ECG data is ready for evaluation, the company alerts the department in 2 ways. The company initiates a call to the cardiology department and sends the data via fax to alert the authorized representative. They call the department to alert the TBD by VAPAHCS. The device has been tested and certified by the Biomedical department. The associated web based application has been evaluated secure by IRMS and the Security office. This web site is also accredited by Health and Human Services. Contractor reporting site has been developed enabling access to patient reporting 24 hours a day at the physician's or authorized representative's convenience through password protection. Contractor site provides the following data: 1.Enrollments - the ability to enroll patients directly on line or fax Reports - a convenient access to your patient reports. These reports can be sorted by your preference and printed individually or in a batch mode 2.Contact Us - communication directly to Contractor customer service 3.Account Info - to view or change your account set-up and preferences. Quality of data is tested initially when the patient is first attached to the device. The EKG technician will test the device and will test transmission to the company. If applicable, medical record documentation must be sufficient to supports patient care and VHA medical cost care recovery initiatives. Complete all other documentation as required by VA/VHA/ Medical Center regulations, policies, or procedures Attend VA meetings regarding quality assurance/improvement, JCAHO compliance, etc., if assigned. Provide effort toward satisfying any other requirements as assigned or defined elsewhere in this contract. If applicable, Contractor personnel shall perform administrative services, which include, but are not limited, to the following: 1. Completion of required clinical and medical record documentation including the use of computerized patient record systems where applicable. 2. Attend service staff meetings and perform other administrative tasks as required. Maintain work area in a safe and orderly manner and perform other related activities and special assignments as required. 3. Contractor personnel may participate in VA research projects with the concurrence of the Cardiology Service Chief, provided that all VA regulations and requirements are met. 2.3. Employees hired will wear a VAPAHCS identification badge on the front of their clothing, as is required of other employees working at the VAPAHCS. 2.4. Contractor shall provide Cardiology Electrophysiology services during normal work hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work will normally, but not always, be scheduled during these hours; lunch is a 30-minute break. 2.5. Contractor shall be responsible for payment of any leave, including sick leave, vacation time or holiday pay. 2.6. Contractor shall provide emergency on call coverage (if included in contract terms) on the uncommon tour of duty shifts, including weekends and holidays. It is anticipated that after-hours urgent/emergent needs for care subsequent to cases performed by the Contractor during normal working hours will be addressed using the fee basis method, with the patient being transported to the Contractor's institution for after-hours care. However, if a patient is deemed unsuitable for transport or is unable to be transported, or in the event that other issues preclude his/her treatment at Contractors' institution, after-hours work can be performed by Contractor's personnel at VAPAHCS. Urgent or emergent cases arising de novo after normal working hours will be handled similarly. 2.7. When clinically necessary for patient care, urgent/emergent studies/procedures will be performed, interpreted and officially reported as soon as possible. 2.8. Contractor shall work collegially with technologists, nurses, supply personnel, administrative personnel, transporters, privacy personnel and support staff within the institution. They will work collegially with other clinical services at VAPAHCS and with Cardiology in particular, in terms of clinical cases, utilization of shared procedure suites, and selection of instrumentation, supplies and equipment. 2.9. Contractor shall ensure the accuracy of reports and verify them within 48 hours of each patient's time of registration for the study at hand, in compliance with VA Central Office Performance Measure requirements. 2.10. Contractor shall participate in clinical and educational conferences, as established with the Cardiology Service Chief. Such conferences may include tumor boards, root cause analyses, conferences related to new initiatives under consideration, multi-disciplinary conferences, resident conferences, staff meetings and faculty meetings, among others. 2.11. Contractor shall bill and be paid for actual services provided by Contractor personnel including "availability" or "on-call" services as provided herein. 2.12. Contractor personnel shall be available to furnish required services on an as needed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week 365 day per year including local, state and Federal holidays. This includes an "on call" requirement (if applicable); a pager shall be carried at all times. Doctor must respond by phone or in person within 15 minutes of being signaled via pager. If responding by phone to a pager signal, they shall respond in person as dictated by the medical situation. 2.13. Contractor shall be readily available by pager (or other adequate medium in the event of paging system malfunction) during usual working hours. 2.14. Holidays are defined by the Office of Personnel Management as follows: New Years Day, Martin Luther Kings Birthday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas AND any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. 3. Contractor Personnel: 3.1. Key Personnel and Temporary Emergency Substitutions--The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel (all personnel working on this contract must have Contracting Officer (CO) approval once a clearance submittal by a contract employee has been successfully accepted by the and access granted by the CO): Attachment A: Contractor Personnel a. During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period of the contract, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions. b. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel. c. For temporary substitutions where the key person will not be reporting to work for three (3) consecutive work days or more, the Contractor will provide a qualified replacement for the key person. This substitute shall have comparable qualifications to the key person. Any period exceeding two weeks will require the procedure as stated above. (Note: See clause VAAR 852.237-7, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (JAN 2008)) 3.2 The contractor shall be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility, the contractor shall provide the following for these personnel: Workers compensation Professional liability insurance Health examinations Income tax withholding Social security payments The parties agree that the contractor, its employees, agents and subcontractors shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose. 3.3. Contract costs is expected to include salaries, fringe benefits, vacation pay, holiday pay, academic support allowance and malpractice expenses. The government will reimburse the contractor for actual terminal vacation (accumulated annual leave) benefits paid to key personnel in the event they leave the contractor's employment prior to the end of any contract period listed herein. However, the contractor is required to provide the services as required herein, per the contract, with a qualified employee. The government reserves the right to reject any contractor personnel and refuse them permission to provide services. The government, at its option, can reduce the contract price in the event services are not provided per in accordance with the contract clauses available herein. 4. Qualifications. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that that he or she is fully trained and completely competent to perform the required services covered by this contract. 4.1. Contractor personnel shall perform services in accordance with ethical, professional and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures and protocol. Contractor personnel shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the requirements stated herein including the ability to understand, speak, read and write the English language. 5. Responsibility: The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided, but retains no control over the medical or professional aspects of services rendered (e.g. professional judgments, diagnosis for specific medical treatment). II. Administrative Requirements. 1. Credentialing and Privileging. 1.1 Initial applications for clinical privileges and applications for renewal of privileges must be submitted to the Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR and/or designee), upon notice of contract award. The COTR and/or designee will present such applications to the credentialing and privileging office for review. Prior to providing services at VAPAHCS all Contractor personnel must be verified by the COTR as having been credentialed and privileged (this must be documented by the COTR). Additionally, if requested, the Contractor shall make all proposed personnel available for interview prior to commencement of work and during the credentialing and privileging process 1.2 The qualifications of all personnel shall be subject to review by the VAPAHCS Chief of Staff or higher, if there is a conflict of interest per VHA HANDBOOK 1660.3, 22 Sep 08, and approval of the Director, VAPAHCS. 1.3 Should the personnel proposed by the Contractor to provide services under this contract be denied privileges, or should the privileges of Contractor personnel be suspended, terminated, or revoked, the Contractor, as well as the employee(s) in question, shall be notified by the Contracting Officer the basis for such actions. 1.4 Contractor shall insure that all contract personnel providing service under this contract have met the credentialing and privileging requirements set forth in the Veterans Health Care Administration (VHA) Handbook 1100.19 Credentialing and Privileging dated March 6, 2001. In addition, contractor shall insure that contract personnel participate in continuous quality improvement programs as described in VHA Handbook 1100.19 cited above. 1.5. Privilege renewal shall be in accordance with Joint Commission requirements. 1.6. Prior to providing any services under this contract, all contractor personnel must receive and acknowledge receipt (as outlined in paragraph 4) of VHA Handbook 1660.3, Conflict of Interest Aspects of Contracting for Scarce Medical Specialist Services, Enhanced Use leases, Health Care resources Sharing, Fee Basis and Intergovernmental personnel Act Agreements (IPAS), dated July 24, 2002. 1.7 Contractor personnel who provide services under this contract will be required to report specific patient outcome information, such as complications, to the Chief, Cardiology Service or his/her designee. Quality improvement data provided by the Contractor personnel and/or collected by the VAPAHCS will be used to analyze individual practice patterns. This data may be used by VAPAHCS when renewal of clinical privileges is required of Contractor personnel. 1.8 Contractor personnel who were previously credentialed and privileged by VAPAHCS may be exempt from this contract requirement provided that they can provide documentation to support current and active privileges 1.9 VAPAHCS reserves the right to refuse or dismiss contract personnel whose personal or professional conduct jeopardizes patient care or the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Reasons for refusal or dismissal include, but are not limited to, unsatisfactory performance prior to and/or during the term of the contract, failure to receive favorable adjudication during a VA background investigation, failure to satisfy the requirements of the contract, physical or verbal abuse to patients, staff, or visitors, intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, ethical misconduct, conduct resulting in formal complaints by patients or other staff members, and any other valid reason considered objectionable. 2. Training. Complete annual mandatory training by using the mandatory packet, attending training in person, or by going-on-line to complete the training. Complete mandatory security training, sign computer security agreement, receive training on the mandatory private policy, and receive copy of the Privacy Directive, VA Directive 6504, Restrictions on Transmission, transportation and use of, and access to VA Data Outside VA Facilities. The Compliance and Business Integrity Training & Education-Contract (Revenue Cycle) Employees includes the following training: 2.1. Awareness Training: Contractor employees shall complete initial compliance awareness training within 30 days of commencing work under this contract as well as complete annual compliance awareness refresher training. At a minimum, Compliance and Business Integrity (CBI) awareness training will include the following topics: (a) the revenue cycle, (b) seven elements of an effective compliance program, (c) definition of high risk areas, and (d) definition of any compliance concerns and how to address a compliance concern. This requirement can be fulfilled by completing the training module available via the following Internet site: http://www.visn21.med.va.gov/CBI.asp 2.2. Remedial Training: When notified, contract employees must complete remedial training and education to address any detected compliance exceptions. 2.3. Proof of Training: Contract employees are responsible for submitting proof of awareness and remedial training completed to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for this contract. The COTR will retain proof of training in accordance with applicable Records Control Schedule. 3. Contractor Personnel Security Requirements - Information Systems Access All Contractor employees, who require access to VA computer systems and will work more than six (6) months (180 days) under this contract, shall be the subject of a background investigation and must receive a favorable adjudication from the VA. This requirement is applicable to all subcontractor personnel requiring the same access. If the investigation is not completed prior to the start date of the contract, the Contractor will be responsible for the actions of those individuals they provide to perform work for VA. Contractor personnel who previously received a favorable adjudication as a result of a Government background investigation may be exempt from this contract requirement provided that they can provide documentation to support the previous adjudication. Proof of previous adjudication must be submitted by the Contractor to the VA through the VA Contracting Officer. Proof of previous adjudication is subject to verification by the VA. Some positions may be subject to periodic re-investigation. For those Contractor employees who will work less than six (6) months (180 days) under this contract, a background investigation is not required; however, such employees will be required to initiate a SAC for Fingerprint Only prior to providing services under this contract. 3.1 Position Sensitivity - The position sensitivity has been designated as: Low Risk 3.2 Background Investigation - The level of background investigation commensurate with the required level of access is: NACI 3.3 Contractor Responsibilities. In order to conduct a background investigation the Contractor shall submit or have their contract personnel submit the following required forms to the COTR. The COTR will arrange a time for contract personnel to complete fingerprint verification. 3.3.1. Standard Form 85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions 3.3.2. Standard Form 86A, Continuation Sheet for Questionnaires 3.3.3. Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment 3.3.4. Electronic Fingerprint Verification OR FD 258, U.S. Department of Justice Fingerprint Applicant Chart 4. Access to and Safeguard of VA Information/Computer Systems 4.1.1. VA may provide contract personnel with access to VISTA, CPRS and/or other general files maintained on VA computer systems via personalized VA access codes. These access codes are confidential and are to be protected by the end user. Sharing of these access codes or misuse of VA information/computer systems is a Federal crime and may result in criminal penalties. When contract personnel no longer provides services to VA under the contract or no longer needs access to VA information systems, the Contractor shall immediately inform the COTR so that the appropriate contract person's access codes can be terminated. The COTR will be responsible for ensuring that such access codes are deactivated. 4.1.2. All contract personnel accessing VISTA, CPRS, or any other VA information/computer system, will be required to complete VA Information Security Awareness Training and VHA Privacy Policy Training annually and sign all applicable computer user agreements prior to accessing VA systems. The COTR will be responsible for ensuring and documenting that this requirement is satisfied. Contract personnel shall maintain, access, release, and otherwise manage the information contained on VA information/computer systems in accordance with all VA/VHA security policies, applicable VA confidentiality statutes (Title 38 U.S.C. Section 5701 and Title 38 U.S.C Section 7332) and the respective regulations implementing these statutes, and Federal statutes and/or regulations applicable to Federal agency records. Copies of this information discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs can be provided to the Contractor and contract personnel upon request. 4.1.3. Contract personnel with access to VA information/computer systems shall take reasonable safeguards, both physical and electronic, to safeguard the information and prevent unauthorized disclosures. Should contract personnel know, or suspect, that VA information/computer security was compromised or that VA information was, or could possibly be, disclosed to an unauthorized party, contract personnel must immediately report such knowledge or suspicion to the COTR, who will then immediately notify the appropriate VA officials. 4.1.4. If contract personnel are authorized by VA to access VA information/computer systems remotely via non-VA issued computers, the Contractor will ensure that such computers are consistent with VA requirements, and will upgrade those computers (hardware and/or software) if instructed to do so by VA in order to ensure compatibility and security when VA information/computer systems are accessed by the end user. Individually identifiable health information will not reside on the contractor's computer hard drives. After contract award, VA reserves the right to inspect the contractor's facilities, installations, operations, documentation, records, databases, and computers to ensure these requirements are met. 4.1.5. The Contractor shall make its internal policies and practices regarding the safeguarding of medical and/or electronic information available to VA, and any other Federal agencies with enforcement authority over the maintenance and safeguard of such records, upon request. 4.1.6. The Contractor shall follow all of the previously mentioned statutes and respective regulations implementing these statutes as well as VA Directive 6504 - Restrictions on Transmission, Transportation and Use of, and Access to VA Data Outside a VA Facility, VA Directive 6601 - Removable Storage Media, and any other VA/VHA policies and procedures governing the information discussed in this section of the contract. Copies of the information discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs may be viewed by contract personnel in the Office of Information Security (see the Information Security Officer). 4.1.7. Any changes in the laws, regulations, or VA/VHA policies or procedures governing the information covered by this section of the contract, during the term of this contract, shall be deemed to be incorporated into this contract. 5. Handling of Records 5.1. By performing services under this contract, the Contractor is considered part of the VA healthcare activity for purposes of the following statutes and respective regulations implementing these statutes: Title 5 U.S.C Section 552a (Privacy Act), Title 38 U.S.C. Section 5701, Title 38 U.S.C. Section 5705, Title 38 U.S.C Section 7332, and Public Law 104-191 (HIPAA). Contract personnel shall have access to patient medical records and general files only to the extent necessary to perform their contractual duties. Contract personnel shall only release medical information obtained during the course of this contract to those VA medical staff members involved in the necessary care and treatment of the individual patient in which the information pertains. Notwithstanding any other clause and/or provision of this contract, if a request for release or disclosure of information is not necessary for the care and treatment of an individual patient, the Contractor and contract personnel shall not disclose any information contained in general files, patient records, and/or any other individually identifiable health information, including information and records generated by the Contractor in performance of this contract, except pursuant to explicit instruction and written approval from VA. For the purposes of this paragraph, instruction to disclose or copy such records and/or information may only be provided by the following: VA Regional Counsel and Chief, Health Information Management Service/Privacy Officer through the VA Contracting Officer. Violation of the aforementioned statutes may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 5.2. Contract personnel who obtain access to hardware or media which may manipulate or store drug or alcohol abuse data, sickle cell anemia treatment records, records or tests or treatment for or infection with HIV, medical quality assurance records, or any other sensitive information protected under the statues and implementing regulations previously mentioned in paragraph 6.1, above, shall not have access to the records unless absolutely necessary to perform their contractual duties. Any contract person who has access to the previously mentioned data and/or information must not disclose it to anyone, including other contract personnel not involved in the performance of the particular contractual duty for which access to this data and/or information was obtained. 5.3. Information or records accessed and/or created by the Contractor in the course of performing services under this contract are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable federal law, regulations, and/or VA/VHA policy. The Contractor will not copy information contained in VA information systems, either by printing to paper or by copying to another digital format, without the explicit instruction and written approval from of the officials listed in paragraph 5.1., above, except as is necessary to make single copies in the ordinary course of providing patient care. The Contractor will not commingle the data from VA information systems with information from other sources. Contractor shall report any unauthorized disclosure of VA information to the officials listed in paragraph 5.1., above. 5.4. If this contract is terminated for any reason, the Contractor will provide VA with all individually identifiable VA patient treatment records or other information in its possession, as well as any copies made pursuant to paragraph 5.3., above, within five (5) calendar days of the termination of this contract. 5.5. The Contractor shall follow all VA policies regarding the retention of records. 5.6. The Contractor shall follow all of the previously mentioned statutes and respective regulations implementing these statutes as well as VHA Handbook 1605.1 - Privacy and Release of Information and any other VA/VHA policies and procedures governing the information discussed in this section of the contract. Copies of the information discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs may be viewed by contract personnel in the Information Protection Program (see the Privacy Officer). All contract personnel with access to any of the previously mentioned records (electronic or paper) will be required to complete VHA Privacy Policy Training and Information Security Awareness Training before accessing such record systems. This training must also be completed annually. The COTR will be responsible for ensuring and documenting that this requirement is satisfied. 5.7. Any changes in the laws, regulations, or VA/VHA policies or procedures governing the information covered by this section of the contract, during the term of this contract, shall be deemed to be incorporated into this contract. 5.8. VA has unrestricted access to the records generated by the contractor pursuant to this contract. 6. HIPAA Compliance Under HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, the Contractor providing services under this contract is considered to be a "covered entity," and thus is not required to enter into a Business Associate Agreement with VA. However, the Contractor must observe Public Law 104-191 and all respective regulations implementing this law while providing services under this contract. III. Quality Management. 1. Quality Assurance 1.1 The Contractor shall perform services under this contract in accordance with the ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry, and must meet, or exceed, the current quality assurance standards recognized by Joint Commission and mandated by VHA quality assurance policies and/or performance measures. A copy of these standards, policies, and performance measures may be viewed by contract personnel in the Office of the Chief of Staff. 1.2 The Contractor will not participate in, nor be a party to, any activities which are in conflict with Federal and/or State guidelines. In the event the Contractor encounters said conflicting situations, the Contractor will notify the COTR or the Contracting Officer to resolve such issues. The Contracting Officer will document and be responsible for resolution of any such situations. Neither the VA nor the Contractor will be responsible for any delays or failures to perform due to causes beyond each party's control. 1.3 In order to adequately protect VA patients, the Contractor shall not introduce new procedures or services without prior recommendation to, and approval from VAPAHCS Chief of Staff or Director. 1.4 All services provided under this contract will be subject to Quality Assurance and Utilization Review procedures of VAPHCS. 1.5 Quality Improvement: Quarterly Quality Improvement meetings may be held. This data will be evaluated by the physician(s) working in the cardiology area. Further, a Contract Performance Evaluation form will be completed at the end of each quarter of the performance period (base year and options) and a copy forwarded to the Contracting Officer. 2. Contract Monitoring Procedures In order to adequately document services provided under this contract, a record keeping system of Contractor workload performed will be established and implemented by the COTR. All record keeping, documentation collected and maintained by the COTR shall be accurate, complete and current, and is subject to review by the Contracting Officer at any time. After contract award, any incidents of contractor noncompliance with the terms of this contract, as supported by record-keeping documentation, shall be forwarded immediately to the contracting officer. Quarterly, the COTR will provide a written statement to the VA contracting officer to include a summary of contractor actions and a statement indicating whether all requirements of the contract have been fulfilled as agreed. IV. Personnel. 1. Emergency Health Services: The VA will render emergency health services for an incapacitating injury or otherwise serious illness occurring while on duty. All services, to include wages earned during the period of initial medical evaluation provided by the VA, shall be reimbursed by the contractor. The contractor shall furnish the VA with the necessary injury/illness form(s) for reporting purposes. The VA for statistical and/or billing purposes will retain a copy of the complete form(s). 2. Infection Control Requirements: 2.1. In general, all contract personnel must comply with OSHA requirements for healthcare facilities. All contract personnel are required to have annual PPD/TB screenings, current immunizations, and record of having been offered Hepatitis B vaccine prior to commencement of work. 2.2. A record keeping system that confirms compliance these OSHA requirements and VA medical center memorandums shall be established and maintained by the Contractor. Such records will be made available to the COTR or VA Contracting Officer upon request. 2.3. Health Tests - Contractor attests that assigned personnel have fulfilled all testing and screening requirements as described below prior to providing services at first duty shift. Evaluations and tests shall be current within the past year. 2.4. Tuberculosis Testing - All Contractor personnel shall provide proof of a negative Quantiferon-GIT testing. The Quantiferon-GIT test shall be repeated annually. 2.5. Rubella Testing - All contractor personnel shall provide proof of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella or a rubella titer of 1.8 or greater. If the titer is less than 1.8, a rubella immunization must be administered with follow-up documentation to the COTR. 2.6. Varicella (chicken pox) testing -. Provide a history' of varicella or, if unknown, results of a varicella antibody test; and if non-immune, vaccination with varivax. 2.7. OSHA regulation concerning occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens - The contractor shall provide a generic self study training module to its personnel; provide Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to its personnel who elect to receive it; maintain and distribute an exposure determination and control plan to its personnel; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident. 2.8. Contracted physician shall receive training in universal precautions and blood borne pathogens, TB education, hazardous material management and life safety management (fire preparedness). Training will be provided prior to initial assignment, at annually thereafter and as needed. 2.9. VA will notify the contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. The contractor's occupational health provider shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for "infection control" in health care personnel (AJIC 1998; 26:289-354) for disease control. The contracting agency shall provide follow up documentation of employee's clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return. 3. Identification, Parking, Smoking and VA Regulations: 3.1. Contract personnel shall maintain a neat personal appearance and maintain a professional decorum. Contract personnel shall wear protective clothing as required. 3.2. Contract personnel shall wear visible identification badges while on Government property. 3.3. It is the responsibility of contract personnel to park in designated parking areas only. Parking information and parking decals and stickers will be available from the VA Police. The Government will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the contract personnel. 3.4. Intoxication, debilitation resulting from drug use, insubordination, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks and possession of weapons is prohibited and grounds for immediate removal from VA facility. Enclosed containers, of any nature, are subject to search. 3.5. Violations of VA regulations may result in a citation answerable in the U.S. Federal District Court, nota local district, state or municipal court. V Government Furnished Property: The government shall furnish equipment and supplies required for performance under this contract at the VAPAHCS. Contract personnel shall be responsible for requesting necessary supplies and be responsible for the routine maintenance of government furnished equipment.
 

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Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: VA261-14-I-0044 VA261-14-I-0044_1.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=1061804&FileName=VA261-14-I-0044-000.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=1061804&FileName=VA261-14-I-0044-000.docx

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Record

SN03221896-W 20131026/131024234237-9f9884c99e4939689517a3a9a1744a19 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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