Contracting Officer 90C DVA Medical Center/Outpatient Clinic, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130

Q -- HOME HEALTH CARE SOL 523-9-98 DUE 021698 POC William D. Higgins (617) 232-9500 extension 5535 This combined synopsis/quotation for commercial items is prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 of the FAR, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the final request for quotation; quotes are being requested and a written quotation will not be issued. This quotation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 46. REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall provide Home Health Aide and Home Health Nurse Visits to benificiaries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for whom such care is specifically authourized by the Boston VA Medical Center. The Boston VA Medical Center's catchment area includes the following Massachusetts counties: 1.Berkshire 2.Bristol 3.Essex 4.Franklin 5.Hampden 6.Hampshire 7.Middlesex 8.Norfolk 9.Plymouth 10.Suffolk 11.Worcester. The contractor may provide a seperate price for each county. Contractor shall provide the following services (identified by CPT code): 90130-99, 90140-21, 90140-99, 90150-21, 90150-99, 90160-21, 90160-99, 90170-21, 90170-99, 99341-99, 99342-21, 99342-99, 99343-99, 99351-21, 99351-99, 99351-P1, 99352-21, 99352-99, 99353-99, H5190-21, H5190-99 Contractor must provide a seperate price for each CPT code. PERSONNEL: The following are minimum qualifications for personnel directly engaged in the work to be accomplished under the contract: Home health aide services shall be provided by persons who have successfully completed appropriate training and education consistent with Massachusetts State law and regulations. 2) Home health nurse visits shall be provided by a registered nurse currently licensed in the state of Massachusetts. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS: 4.1 The contractor must be a licensed home health agency and must strictly comply with JCAHO standards. 4.2 The contractor (provider) will be responsible for supervising and coordinating the daily services provided by the homemakers/home health aides/home health nurses. 4.3 It is agreed that duly authorized representatives of the VA will periodically verify the delivery of services using methods such as random telephone inquiries to patients. It is understood that this does not relieve the contractor in any way of the responsibility for monitoring of the daily care and medical treatment of the veteran. 4.4Contractor will provide and document appropriate orientation programs for all employees involved in providing the homemaker/home health aide/home health nurse services under this contract, to include safety and equipment management appropriate to the service provided, patient confidentiality, etc. A copy of documentation of this orientation shall be provided to the Contracting Officer upon request. 4.5 Contractor will have written policies and procedures regarding staff credentials. All services provided by the contractor will be performed by a competent professional who is familiar with the nature of the services involved and fully qualified under the laws of the State of Massachusetts. Evidenceof each employee's certification/ licensure/training shall be provided to the Contracting Officer upon request. 4.6 Contractor shall maintain an on-going quality assurance program to objectively and systematically monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of services, resolve problems identified, pursue opportunities for improving services, and provide self-assessment of compliance with this contract. The Contractor shall provide the VA with a quarterly summary of supervisory activities (quality assurance measures, spot checks, assessments, etc.) relating to veteran patients. 4.7 The contractor agrees to accept referral of and to provide homemaker/home health aide/home health nurse services specified in this contract for any person the VA determines to be eligible, regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin of the person for whom such services are ordered. 4.8 It is agreed that the VA may readily have access to all medical records concerning the veteran's care in this program. Records on all VA beneficiaries shall he retained by the contractor for a period of at least three years following termination of care at VA expense. 4.9 The VA Medical Center is required to make an assessment of the needs of each patient participating in this program, no less than once every 6 months, to determine appropriateness of continuing services. The patient may continue to receive services at VA expense as long as the VA CHNC agrees that services are appropriate. 4.10 It is understood that the VA will make payments under this contract only for the amount of care specifically authorized. The patient or members of the patient's family may choose to purchase additional services at their own expense above and beyond the VA funded care. 4.11 Primary Medical Care for veterans receiving services under this program will be provided by the VA Medical Center. 4.12 It is impossible to determine the exact or estimated amount that will be expended under the contract it is understood that no obligation will be incurred by the VA under this contract until authorizations are issued for homemaker, home health aide and/or home health nurse services for specific beneficiaries prior to start of service. 4.13 It is understood that all travel costs associated with Homemaker/Home Health Aide/Home Health Nurse services will be included in the unit cost for service provided. No additional costs will be paid to the contractor. 4.14 The VAMC does not reimburse for medical supplies or medications. payment shall be made. RESPONSIVENESS: 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Item applies with paragraph (a) completed as follows: Award will be made to the offeror that meets the solicitation's minimum criteria for technical acceptability at the lowest price. To be determined technicall y acceptable, the offeror must provide references from a minimum of three (3) major, current accounts in the New England area for whom the offeror provides similar service. FAR clause 52.212-4, contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items applies wit h the following addendum provisions and clauses. FAR 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options; FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services; FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, with Paragraph (a) completed as follows "The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days..." and Paragraph (c) completed as follows "The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed three(3) years"; and FAR 52. 232-18, Availability of Funds The addendum also establishes FAR 52.212-4 paragraph (t) which contains a continuation of the schedule of supplies/services from blocks 18 through 21 of the SF 1442 FAR clause 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Item (JUN 96) applies with the following applicable clauses for paragraph (c): FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, FAR 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires, FAR 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts). Bidders may obtain the latest Wage Determination NO. 94-2255 Rev. 13 dated 3/7/96 which establishes the prevailing wage guidelines for this acquisition by calling the contact number identified below. INSURANCE: Before commencing work under this contract, the contractor shall acquire a Certificate of Insurance in accordance with FAR clause 52.237-7 INDEMNIFICATION AND MEDICAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (SEP 1989) with the last paragraph "a" completed as follows: The contractor shall maintain during the term of the contract liability insurance issued by a responsible insurance carrier of not less than the following amount(s)per speciality per occurance $1,000,000.00 NOTICE TO QUOTERS: For further information and applicable forms, please call (617) 232-9500 extension 5535). SUBMISSION OF QUOTES: Quotes shall be received at Contracting Officer (90C) Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02126-4893 by 4:30pm local time December 31, 1997 All quotes shall be clearly marked with the quoter's name and quote number. POINT OF CONTACT: For information, questions and availability of forms, addendum, wage determination, technical exhibits, etc. please contact Mr. William D. Higgins 232-9500 extension 5535 or request the same via fax (617)278-4546. (0022)

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