Office of Justice Programs,Contracts Branch,810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531

U -- EXPERT MEDICAL REVIEW OF DISABILITY CLAIMS SOL OJP-98-R-015 DUE 092598 POC Melissa Martel,Purchasing Agent,202-616-9900 or Raymond C. German,Contracting Officer,202-307-0086 The Office of Justice Programs(OJP),The Bureau of Justice Assistance(BJA),Public Safety Officer's Benefits Program(PSOB) is seeking a physician contractor to provide all the necessary personnel,facilities,equipment,materials and services to perform medical reviews of PSOB disability claims to assess the residual functional capacity of claimant public safety officers.The physician contractor has instant access to a national network of physicians that are skilled in assessing and treating catastrophically injured patients. The BJA will be able to rely on this network as a referral source to obtain disability assessments locally for injured public safety officers. The physician contractor reviewer is well versed in the requirements of the PSOB Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). It is imperative that these cases be reviewed expeditiously, and that final dispositions be made. The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1) Review PSOB disability claims, and issue findings and recommendations, in writing, to the BJA within 45 days of receipt. Returned medical reports will describe the assessment of claimant's residual functional capacity as set forth in section 32.2(r) of the PSOB implementing regulations (28 CFR 32). Responses to any specific questions in the BJA transmittal memorandum will be provided. The report will include recommendations for occupational and physical therapy, and may at the reviewing physician's discretion, identify doctors and other service providers in close proximity to claimant that may be of particular assistance to the claimant. 2) When the physician contractor determines that additional medical assessment is necessary in order to make definitive findings and recommendations on residual functional capacity, physicians in close geographic proximity to the claimant, and who are known by the recommending physician to be reliable, will be identified for the BJA. The BJA will then assume responsibility for referring claimant to a local physician identified by the physician contractor, and for payment of that physician. 3) When the PSOB denies a disability claim, claimant has the right to an administrative appeal procedure, which is set forth in the PSOB implementing regulations. Claimant has the right to present new evidence or testimony in support of the original claim. At the request of BJA, the physician contractor will review information received through the appeal process and, consistent with Section 5(a) above, issue written findings and recommendations. The physician contractor will assign the analysis of information received during the appeal process to a physician not previously involved in the case. 4) All written communication between the physician contractor and claimant, or claimant's representatives or doctors, shall be processed through the BJA. Oral communication between the physician contractor and claimant, or claimant's representatives or doctors, shall be preceded by telephonic notification of BJA. When prior notification of BJA is not possible, the physician contractor shall notify BJA no later than the next business day following the oral communication. This requirement does not apply to physical examinations of claimants, the results of which will be contained in the physician contractor's report to BJA. Period of performance will be upon issuance of a purchase order and continue through November 1999 unless canceled by BJA or physician contractor with 60 days prior written notice.Interested offerors shall submit a written request to the above address or fax a written request to (202)307-0086 no later than fifteen(15) days after publication of this announcement. All responsible sources may submit an offer. Posted 09/09/98 (I-SN247626). (0252)

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