Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Business Center, 5901 East Seventh Street, Bldg 149, Long Beach, CA 90822

Q -- SUPPLY, PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION (SPD) TECHNICIANS SOL RFQ 600-033-00 DUE 022500 POC Ronald Ferrer (562) 961-8062 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Request for Quotes and a written RFQ will not be issued. This RFQ No. 600-033-00 and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. Simplified acquisition procedures apply and the VA will conduct the procurement according to Parts 12, 13 and 15. Contract Line Item 001: The Contractor shall provide two (2.0) Full-Time Equivalent Employee (FTEE) Technicians to work in the Supply, Processing and Distribution (SPD) Section of the Nursing Service at the Addelair D. Guy III VA Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) located at 1700 Vegas Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89106. Pricing shall be submitted on a per-hour basis. Each FTEE shall be able to work the following work shifts for a period of ninety (90) days (est. 520 hours), effective upon date of award: 7:00 am -- 3:30 pm and 8:00 am -- 4:30 pm., Monday thru Friday. Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 1) Transportation of contaminated instruments, preparation of instruments and sets for sterilization, sterilization processing and labeling of sterile supplies. 2) Pick up incoming supplies from the warehouse and store supplies in specific storage locations. 3) Assist nursing and other clinical areas requiring medical supplies and equipment based on clinical schedules and individual requests. 4) Conduct periodic inventories of storage areas and assist with compiling supply orders. 5) Restock supply room and clinical areas. 6) Check inventory of sterile supplies utilizing FIFO concept, and removing any outdated items. 7) Maintain records on stock levels and recommend revisions. 8) Provide periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new instruments and equipment, new sterilization procedures, and developments in microbiology, bacteriology, infectioncontrol and therapeutic practices as they relate to sterile supply operations. 9) Clean all shelves, racks, exchange lockers, and exteriors of stationary equipment, using prescribed procedures and materials. 10) Have knowledge of all items available in SPD and their location. 11) Operate various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, heat sealers, and sterilizers. 12) Maintain records on the use and maintenance of equipment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Knowledge required by the position: (a) Understanding of the basic principles of microbiology as they apply to medical supply operations and specially relate to the importance of clean and sterile supplies in the care and treatment of patients; (b) Understanding of the importance of precautions necessary to protect oneself and others in handling and transporting contaminated supplies and equipment from the user area to the decontaminated area; (c) Knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques as they pertain to proper cleaning and disinfecting of instrument and equipment, instrument packaging, sterilization principles, storage, and shelf life characteristics; (d) Working knowledge of a wide variety of surgical instruments and supplies and the ability to discriminate among similar appearing instruments. Ability to substitute like items when requested items are unavailable; (e) Basic understanding of medical terminology and surgical procedures and of human anatomy and physiology. 2. Supervisory Controls: (a) The Contractor is assigned to SPD to support all medical and surgical elements of the ACC. The SPD Supervisor has indirect control over the Contractor and provides instructions to the Contractor on situations that are not routine; (b) The Contractor handles work independently. The Contractor is expected to work with ACC personnel in maintaining the required supplies and requesting any new items required. Contractor is expected to turn-in all excess supplies and equipment; (c) The Contractor's work is reviewed by spot checking of supply closets.The Contractor's work is also monitored through complaints from doctors, nurses, medical technicians and other VA employees. 3. Guidelines: (a) MP-2, Subchapter E, part 108-76, SPD Handbook and SPD Training Manual; (b) Listing of tray or set contents, equipment operating instructions, shelf life guidelines, and inventory procedure; (c) The Contractor follows established guidelines; however, the Contractor is expected to use sound judgment in issuing items in short supply, in suggesting substitute when necessary, and in recommending stock level revisions. 4. Personal Contacts: Personal contacts are with physicians, nurses and other clinical and administrative employees throughout the medical facility who use the supplies provided. 5. Purpose of Contacts: The purpose of contacts is to receive requests for medical supplies and instruments, to clarify requests, to explain delays, and to provide advice concerning substitution of supplies. 6. Physical Demands: (a) The Contractor usually stands moves from one partof the room to another while performing duties. Frequent lifting of instrument sets and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds is required. Frequent walking to the clinic areas for pick up and delivery of supplies; (b) The Contractor regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds in crowded quarters and works them over slight rises. 7. Work Environment: (a) On a regular and recurring basis, the Contractor alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. In both areas, the Contractor wears special protective clothing which may be uncomfortably warm. While handling contaminated medical supplies, the Contractor also wears rubber gloves and an apron. The work area is often hot and humid. The Contractor is subject to slipping on wet floors. The Contractor is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items, to cuts from both clean and contaminated instruments, and dermatitis from frequent contact with cleaning agents. Contractor may also be exposed to ethylene oxide gas, body fluids, mucus, and bits of body tissue. Use of ultrasonic equipment may require use of ear protectors. Elements of Performance Standards 1. Decontamination: (a) Collects soiled contaminated medical supplies and using prescribed solution and techniques, prepares instruments for reuse; (b) Thoroughly checks instruments for cleanliness and excessive wear to assure acceptability. 2. Preparation and Sterilization: (a) Assembles and wraps instruments and trays choosing correct instruments, supplies and wrapping materials with a 95% accuracy rate as observed by the VA SPD supervisor or using services; (b) Determines proper method of sterilization, labels and indicator tape; (c) Correctly and safely operates sterilizers; (d) Visually inspects sterilized items to assure sterilization and package integrity with no more than five (5) unobserved defects during the reporting period. 3. Inventory Management: (a) Provides stock inventories and replenishment orders to assure that all required items are on hand when needed with no more than 10 out-of-stock situations reported during the contract period; (b) Report noticeable changes in stock inventories and new or unusual activities that impacts the budget process with a 98% accuracy as observed by the VA SPD supervisor. 4. Program Responsibility: (a) Works closely with the using services to determine or monitor program needs and provides the sources and financial impact of the decisions reached; (b) Closely monitor the fund control point and provide timely updates of potential problems and budget forecasting. 5. Customer Service: Relationship with VA personnel must be consistently courteous and cooperative in nature. Other Terms and Conditions 1. Language Requirement: Contractor shall have the ability to read, understand, speak and write the English language fluently; 2. Identification: An identification (ID) badge will be issued by the VA and shall be worn by Contractor at all times while on VA grounds, clearly displayed on the outermost garment; 3. Personal Hygiene and Clothing: In performance of this contract, Contractor shall be neat, clean, well groomed and shall otherwise exercise good personal hygiene. Medical scrubs and laboratory coats may be provided by the VA. 4. Smoking Policy: Smoking is not permitted within or around the VA, except in designated areas. 5. Invoice: The Contractor shall submit invoice and any additional details necessary to identify services rendered, monthly, in arrears addressed to: VA Finance Services Center (593), P.O. Box 149971, Austin, TX 78714 or fax to (512)460-5432. 6. Contractor Personnel Policy: The Contractor shall be entirely responsible for providing appropriate benefits, vacation time, sick days and federal and state requirements for all personnel performing under this contract such as, but not limited to professional liability insurance, workers' compensation, income tax withholding, social security payment, health examinations, availability of health insurance and payment of overtime. 7. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -Commercial Items (Jan 1999): The Contractor shall meet the qualifications specified above. The Government reserves the right to examine, approve and/or disapprove individual based on the information provided in resumes, which must include three (3) current references verifying experience. Contractors must meet the minimum Qualifications and Past Performance requirements as described. Prospective Contractors must provide the necessary information indicating their ability to meet the minimum requirements listed. Contractor shall submit a completed copy of representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certification-Commercial Items (Oct 1999). The full text of clauses identified herein may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http://www.arnet.gov/far and http://www.va.gov/oa&mm/vaar. The following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses and provisions also apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial (Nov 1999); 52.212-4, ContractTerms and Conditions-Commercial Items (May 1999); 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (May 1999); 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999); 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Feb 1999); 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (Apr 1998); 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998); 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (Jan 1999); 52.232-18, Availability of Funds (Apr 1984); 52.233-2, Service of Protest (Aug 1996); 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996); 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer -- Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999); 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (May 1998); and 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989). In addition, incorporated herein by reference are the following VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) clauses and provisions: 852.216-70, Estimated quantities for requirements contracts (Apr 1984); 852.237-70, Contractor Responsibilities (Apr 1984); 852.270-1, Representatives of Contracting Officers (Apr 1984); and 852.270-4, Commercial Advertising (Nov 1984). All interested vendors are invited to submit quotes (SIC 7361). Quotes shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., local time, February 25, 2000, to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Business Center, Attn: Ronald Ferrer (NBC/MP), 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822. Facsimile offers are accepted at (562)961-8067. FAR Provision 52.215-5, Facsimile Proposals (Oct 1997), is hereby included. Contact Ronald Ferrer at (562)961-8062 for information regarding this notice. Posted 02/18/00 (W-SN426907). (0049)

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