Department of Veteran Affairs, Contracting Officer 90C, VA Medical Center, Bldg 41, 2200 Ft Roots Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706

Q -- TEMPORARY RN'S SOL RFQ 598-15-2000 DUE 032900 POC Sheila Reed, Contracting Officer (501)257-1053 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. This acquisition is set-aside for small businesses. The SIC Code is 8049 and the small business size standard is $5.0 million. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). ALL OFFERS ARE DUE MARCH 29, 2000 3:00 p.m. local time. If mailed submit to Chief A&MMS (90C/NLR), VA Medical Center, Sheila Reed, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706. If hand carried deliver to: Acquisitions, VAMC, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., Bldg. 41, Rm. 223, North Little Rock, AR. The performance period will be April 1, 2000 through September 30, 2000 with2 option years. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT: Provide a minimum of nine (9) up to fifteen ( 15) full-time positions (40 hours) per week. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)-Certified Specialty Nurses is required for supplemental staffing in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas. Quotations will be considered only from bidders who are regularly established in the business called for and who are financially responsible and have the necessary personnel to furnish service in the volume required for all the items under this contract. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract to the offeror or offerors determined to be most advantageous to the government. The government may make multiple-awards to the responsible offerors in accordance with FAR clause 52.216-27. Successful bidder shall meet all requirements of Federal, State, County, or City codes regarding operations of this type of service. WORK HOURS: Coverage will be required as follows: three (3) days, four (4) evenings, three (3) nights. Periodic adjustments to schedules may be made due to staffing levels. Tours are flexible and can be arranged with the Nurse Manager. Federal Holidays observed are Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day for a total of ten (10). Contractor personnel shall be under the guidance and direction of the VA Nurse Manager and will not be in any supervisory position during the term of the contract. The contractor's personnel shall not be considered a VA employee for any purpose. SCHEDULING: The VA reserves the right to cancel, change any scheduled shift of any personnel and will provide at least a two (2) hour notice to the Contractor prior to cancellation of a shift. Cancellation of a shift with two (2) hour notice provided shall be at no cost to the VA. If the VA fails to provide two (2) hour advance notice the Contractor may charge the VA for the first two (2) hours of the shift. This contract shall provide maximum flexibility to the VA Nurse Manager in scheduling. The contractor shall provide a point of contact authorized to conduct scheduling changes, additions and cancellations seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours per day. KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS REQUIRED (QUALIFICATIONS): a. Must be licensed, unrestricted to practice as an RN, and, ACLS- certified in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia; b. Proficient in spoken and written English; c. A graduate of a professional nursing school approved by the State at the time the program was completed; d. Individuals must meet physical requirements to perform the full range of duties; e. Require a minimum of one (1) year critical care experience and pass a medication test. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITES: The Contractor shall be responsible for providing worker's compensation, professional liability insurance, health examinations, income tax withholding, social security payments, pre-employment drug testing or post-employment drug testing with the contractor prior to reporting to duty at the VA. The Contractor will provide proof of current licensure and proof of TB Skin testing prior to reporting to the VA. The Contractor is required to provide immediate notification if there is pending or has been any action pending with the State Board. Payments for any leave, including sick, vacation, holiday, etc. are the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor will ensure personnel complete Nursing Service Basic Orientation which includes mandatory training sessions required by the VA. The training is approximately 4 hours and will be held at the VA Little Rock, AR. The contractor shall ensure proper dress code (uniforms or scrubs must be worn, and will not be provided by the VA) and conduct of employees. Contractor will submit monthly, in arrears, invoices covering services rendered during the month to Fiscal Officer (04C3), VA Medical Center, 2200 Ft. Roots Dr., Bldg. 41, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706. CONTRACT MONITORING PROCEDURES: At the time of contract award the Contracting Officer will appoint a Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) or alternate designee to assist with the contract monitoring requirements. The contractor will be required to carry the following types and amounts of insurance throughout the contract period: Worker's Compensation and Employers Liability ($100,000), General Liability ($500,000 per occurrence). This synopsis/solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http://www.arnet.gov.far. (FAR 52 Clauses) and http://www.gov/oa&mm/vaar/ (VAAR 852 Clauses). Offerors shall provide a completed set of provisions with quotation found at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items is applicable. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items is applicable. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes: a. Availability of Personnel. Availability of personnel and time frames is approximately equal to cost. Offerors shall submit for evaluation time frames and schedule for providing the required personnel. b. Price. Award may be made without discussions, therefore offerors are encouraged to offer the best price at the time of submitting initial offers. The burden of providing current and complete past performance is the responsibility of the offeror. The past performance references may be used to determine the responsibility determination and best value decision. A detailed plan shall be submitted describing the firm's ability to furnish nine (9) RN's. The narrative shall show evidence of reliability, financial responsibility and credibility. Provide contingency plan to be used in the event of unexpected absences or required replacements due to rejection of contract personnel. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provisionat FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items is applicable. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items is applicable; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items. The following clauses in paragraph (b) are checked as applicable: 1,2,3,6-11 and paragraph (c): 1,2; 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity; 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards; 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services; 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract; 52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification; 52.232-18, Availability of Funds. VAAR Clauses 852.219-70, Veterans Owned Small Business; 852.236-89 Buy American Act; 852.237-70, Contractor Responsibilities; 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers; and 852.270-4, Commercial Advertising. Quotations shall be submitted to the address listed above and directed to the attention of Sheila Reed (90C). Posted 03/20/00 (W-SN436294). (0080)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0056 20000322\Q-0003.SOL)