SOURCES SOUGHT
Q -- Sources Sought - On-Call RN Vascular Access and Maintenance
- Notice Date
- 10/27/2021 11:26:45 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 621399
— Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners
- Contracting Office
- 255-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 15 (36C255) LEAVENWORTH KS 66048 USA
- ZIP Code
- 66048
- Solicitation Number
- 36C25522Q0037
- Response Due
- 10/27/2021 2:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 02/03/2022
- Point of Contact
- Stephen V Showers, Contract Specilaist, Phone: 9139461111
- E-Mail Address
-
Stephen.showers@va.gov
(Stephen.showers@va.gov)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- NOTICE: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. This notice is a market survey and is for information only to be used for preliminary planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR QUOTES AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. The Veterans Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 15, has been tasked to solicit for and award On-Call Registered Nurse (RN) Vascular Access and Maintenance Service. Place of Performance will be at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (VAMC), Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. Potential sources are responsible for providing all personnel and necessary equipment, supplies, tubing, etc., to include a portable ultrasound machine to provide services required to perform On Call Vascular Access RN and Maintenance Services as identified herein to eligible beneficiaries of the VAMC) in accordance with VA and all applicable national standards. These services will be required to support the facilities increased need during and after the COVID-19 crisis. On call Registered Nurses (RNs) o include a portable ultrasound machine) to perform Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC), midline insertions, as well as needed de-clotting procedures, for Veterans at the VAMC. The RN will utilize the BioFlo with ENDEXO and Pressure Activated Safety Valve (PASV) technology PICC Line. The RN assigned to these areas provide direct and indirect nursing care, by contributing to the patient s assessment, determining priorities, identifying nursing measures and therapeutic objectives, and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of nursing care. The RN is subject to the professional direction of the VA Nurse Manager or designee while on site. On evenings, nights, holidays and weekends, the RN reports through the Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD) or charge nurse. If interested, vendors shall submit the following capability statement that addresses and identifies / demonstrates each of the following: Your ability to provide a temporary Registered Nurse to perform this requirement onsite for the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Your ability to provide services within 12 hours of notification. How quickly can you respond (if not 12 hours of notification)? Do you have certified nurse s available who can perform this service? Do you have certified nurses that are trained on the Bioflo with ENDEXO and Pressure Activated Safety Valve (PASV) technology PICC Line? What other PICC Lines have the nurses been trained on? Summarize your experience in providing these services to your customers. How often have you done so, when was the last award (month/year)? The business type/size of your company DUNS Number Do you have an FSS Schedule (yes or no)? If yes, include the number, expiration date and listing of Special Item Number(s) (SIN) covered. Additional information provided from the DRAFT Performance Work Statement: 1.1. Staff/Facility- The Contractor shall be an established business that has at least (3) years experience providing staff to Government and/or Private Sector medical facilities. The Contractor will be required to demonstrate their ability to successfully provide personnel who can meet fully the qualification requirements and the requirements of service. 1.2. Registered Nurses (RNs). Contract Vascular Access RN (those with experience in Intensive Care, Medical-Surgical Units, Telemetry and Cardiac Monitoring and Emergency Room) shall have: 1.2.1. Graduation from a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 1.2.2. License/Certification - The Contractor s personnel assigned to perform the services covered by this contract shall have a current license in at least one State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia when services are performed onsite on VA property. 1.2.2.1. All licenses and certifications held by the Contractor s personnel shall be full and unrestricted licenses. Contractor s personnel who have current, full and unrestricted licenses in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered for the purposes of this contract. 1.2.3. Current Basic Life Support certification. If assigned to a specialty clinic, contract nurse/RN shall also have current ACLS certification. 1.2.4. A current CV which identifies the provider s education and professional qualifications commensurate with the position or specialty for which they are being offered to perform. 1.2.5. Experience- Contractor s personnel shall have at least (3) years experience performing vascular access in a medical care setting and such be referenced on their resume A minimum of one (1) year direct patient care experience within the last three (3) years. VA experience is desirable. 1.2.6. Credentialing and Privileging Contract nurses/RNs fulfilling the conditions of the contract shall be subject to all bylaws, rules and regulations of the VAMC. Each contract nurse/RN shall be credentialed and privileged, as applicable, prior to providing services and must be found acceptable by the Medical Executive committee and Governing Body. Credentialing and privileging is to be completed in accordance with VHA Handbook 1100.19 referenced above. The ability for an individual nurse to continue to render services under the contract shall be dependent upon demonstration of clinical competence. Clinical competency shall be assessed on an ongoing basis, is true for all contract nurses/RNs, and to the reported as provider specific practice information at the time or an accreditation body with equal or better standards Joint Commission. 1.2.6.1. If a contract personnel (s) is not credentialed and privileged or has credentials/privileges suspended or revoked, the Contractor shall furnish an acceptable substitute without any additional cost to the government. 1.2.6.2. Documentation includes but is not limited too: 1.1.7.2.1. A signed consent for release of information. 1.1.7.2.2. A copy of the contract nursing 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. 1.1.7.2.3. A list of all states in which the contract nursing candidate currently holds or has held a license to practice related services. 1.1.7.2.4. Certification of current physical examination for each contract nursing candidate. The certification shall contain a signed statement by the examining provider that the nursing candidate is free of any contagious diseases. The examination shall comply with public health regulations covering immunization and blood test requirements. Physical examination shall be current within thirty (30) calendar days prior to application for privileges. 1.2.6.3. Denial/Termination of Privileges. 1.2.6.3.1. Action to limit, suspend, or revoke clinical privileges shall be in accordance with the procedures outlined in HCS regulations and local Medical Staff Bylaws. 1.2.6.3.2. The contractor shall be notified by the Contracting Officer or COR, as soon as possible when the necessity to exercise such authority becomes apparent. The Contracting Officer or COR shall also provide the contractor with copies of documentation initiating the revocation process if such action becomes apparent. 1.2.6.3.3. Non-Acceptance of Contract Nursing Candidates. The contractor shall ensure that all contract nursing candidates have met the qualifying criteria, including health requirements and with valid licenses. Ultimately, the decision to accept or reject nursing candidates rests with the VA. Non- acceptance of contract Providers does not relieve the contractor from satisfying and fulfilling the Task Order requirements. 1.2.7. Technical Proficiency - Contractor s personnel shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor shall provide documents upon request of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational/work history for all contract personnel(s) and contract personnel (s) shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior. 1.2.8. Continuing Medical Education (CME)/ Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor shall provide the COR copies of current CMEs as required or requested by the VAMC. Contract personnel (s) registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME to remain current. Contractor shall report CME hours to the credentials office for tracking. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging. Failure to provide shall result in loss of privileges for contract personnel (s). 1.2.9. BLS & ACLS: Contractor s personnel shall have and maintain BLS and ACLS certification. Contractor shall provide copies of certification cards for personnel providing services under the contract to the COR prior to award and as renewed. 1.2.10. Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): Contract nurses/RNs shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all training must be completed by the contract nurses/RNs as required by the VA. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor. 1.2.11. Standard Personnel Testing: Contractor shall provide proof of the following tests for personnel within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR. Tests shall be current within the past year. 1.2.11.1. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor s physician (s) {This is applicable to all health care workers}. A negative chest radiographic report for active tuberculosis shall be provided in cases of positive TST or IGRA results. The TST or IGRA testing shall be repeated annually. 1.2.11.2. MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}. 1.2.11.3. VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}. 1.2.11.4. ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}. 1.2.11.5. RUBELLA TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of immunization for all Contractor s personnel for measles, mumps, rubella or a rubella titer of 1.8 or greater. If the titer is less than 1.8, a rubella immunization shall be administered with follow-up documentation to the COR. 1.2.11.6. INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician has a medical contraindication to the vaccine they shall be required to wear a mask during the Influenza season. {This is applicable to all health care workers}. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that all personnel are compliant with the requirements outlined in VHA Directive 1192. The contractor shall provide VA with documentation of vaccination, e.g., signed record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy, or a copy of medical records documenting the vaccination. The contractor is required to submit annual certification to the COR that all contract personnel performing services at VA facilities are in compliance with VHA Directive 1192. 1.2.11.7. OSHA REGULATION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor s nurses; provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series and hepatitis B surface antigen test results following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident. 1.2.11.8. The VAMC shall notify the Contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. Contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel (as published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return. 1.2.11.9. National Provider Identification (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers). The Contractor shall have or obtain appropriate NPI and if pertinent the Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) be provided to the Contracting Officer with the proposal. 1.2.11.10. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all contract personnel (s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (Jan 2008) and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document. 1.2.12. Citizenship related Requirements: 1.2.12.1. The Contractor certifies that they shall comply with any and all legal provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended; its related laws and regulations that are enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor as these may relate to non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract or subcontract for the Contractor while providing services to Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; 1.2.12.2. While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation their status, as a result of their failure to maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of their admission into the United States. Additionally, the Contractor is required to comply with all E-Verify requirements consistent with Executive Order 12989 and any related pertinent Amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations. 1.2.12.3. If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its Agency regulations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may, at its discretion, require that the foreign national who failed to maintain their legal status in the United States or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of the laws administered by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor, shall be prohibited from working at the Contractor s place of business that services Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; or other place where the Contractor provides services to veterans who have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and shall form the basis for termination of this contract for breach. 1.2.12.4. This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001. 1.2.12.5. The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors response to the RFP using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document. 1.2.13. Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 1.2.13.1. Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed Contractor s employee (s) are not listed. Contractor should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMP s may also be imposed against the Contractor that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries. 1.2.13.2. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed. 1.3. Clinical/Professional Performance: The qualifications of Contractor s personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Center Chief of Nursing Service and/or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Handbook 1100.19. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the VAMC Chief of Nursing Services and/or designee. A COR will also be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract. 1.4. Non Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all Contractor s personnel shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose. 1.5. Indemnification: The Contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against, all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, arising out of or resulting from the fault, negligence, or act or omission of the Contractor, its agents, or employees. 1.6. Prohibition Against Self-Referral: Contractor s personnel are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor s or other practice(s). 1.7. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contractor s personnel shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy. 1.8. No Employee status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor s personnel furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract: 1.8.1. Workers compensation 1.8.2. Professional liability insurance 1.8.3. Health examinations 1.8.4. Income tax withholding, 1.8.5. Social security payments 1.8.6. Health examinations to include: 1.8.6.1.1. Annual TB Skin Test and recent chest X-ray if there is a history of positive TB skin test 1.8.6.1.2. Evidence of Hepatitis B immunity (hepatitis immune titer, if the individual has had the series of shots; if no immunity, evidence that the individual has started the Hepatitis B vaccination series 1.8.6.1.3. Evidence of a Hepatitis C titer 1.8.6.1.4. Varicella titer if contracted employee has not had chicken pox 1.9. Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover Contractor or Contractor s personnel. When a Contractor or Contractor s personnel has been identified in a tort claim, the Contractor shall be responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a Contractor s (or Contractor s personnel) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and/or insurance carrier. The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of the Business Community to include Small Business or Large Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUBZONE, 8(a), etc., to complete and perform a Firm-Fixed-Price contract. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought announcement a synopsis and/or solicitation announcement may be published at a later time. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsive contractors. The duration of the requirement is for a one-year base period with four each, one-year option periods. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code applicable to this acquisition is 621399 and the Product Service Code (PSC) is Q401 Support Management: Data Collection. The Small Business Size Standard for this acquisition is $8M. Before an award can be made, the contractor MUST be in the System For Award Management (SAM). SAM is an official website of the U.S. government. There is no cost to use SAM. The website address is: https://www.sam.gov.sam/
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/72fc64a8a68843b3a1242e6f53e51a9d/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center 1500 N. Westwood Blvd, Poplar Bluff MO 63901-3318, USA
- Zip Code: 63901-3318
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 63901-3318
- Record
- SN06165931-F 20211029/211027230110 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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