Q -- MEDICAL SERVICES/OPTOMETRIST

Notice Date

September 15, 2000

Contracting Office

Contracting Officer (90C), Dept of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bldg 5 Rm 212, Alexandria, LA 71306

ZIP Code

71306

Solicitation Number

502-06-01

Response Due

September 22, 2000

Point of Contact

Bernice Griffin 318-473-0010 X 2240

E-Mail Address

bernice.griffin@med.va.gov (bernice.griffin.@med.va.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services, (OPTOMETRIST/SCARCE MEDICAL SERVICES) prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This procurement is conducted under simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR part 13. This announcement constitutes a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) and a written solicitation WILL NOT be issued. Offers shall be considered responsive only if clear and convincing evidence is included documenting that the offeror can meet the requirements of the Government. Solicitation number is 502-06-01 and it documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-19 and VAAR # 21. It is unrestricted. All responsible sources may submit an offer for consideration. The standard industrial classification code is 8042 with $5.0 million annual sales limitation for small business. The Contractor shall submit a curriculum vitae, a minimum of three references (include names and phone numbers), previous employers and documentation sufficient to complete credentialing and privileging processes and evaluation of qualifications and suitability to meet government needs -- education, board certification status, relevant training, experience, pending or settled challenges to license, and status of any claims. Credentialing and privileging prior to acceptance is essential Requirement: One (1) Board Certified or Board Eligible OPTOMETRIST for approximately one year. Services needed October 2, 2000 through September 30, 2001; however, if an acceptable optometrist is not available to commence 10/02/2000, a starting date of October 10, 2000 may be considered. Services are required twice weekly. Specific days will be coordinated between the Director of Specialty Care Healthcare Line and the Optometrist. Reimbursement shall be on a "per clinic" basis. (1) Estimated 108 clinics @ $______________ = $ ____________. Work schedule is twice weekly, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. Clinics falling on a holiday may or may not be rescheduled for another day. The ten holidays observed by the government include New year's Day, Martin Luther Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other day proclaimed by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. One optometrist for the duration of the contract term is preferred for continuity of care and credentialing processes. Any proposed substitute(s) shall have qualifications that are equal to or higher than the qualifications of the person being replaced. The Contracting Officer shall evaluate requests for substitution of personnel and promptly notify the contractor in writing whether the request is approved or disapproved. No overtime, sick, vacation, or holiday coverage/pay is included. Payment will be made for full clinic services. Any portion of a clinic provided will be reimbursed, at the discretion of the Healthcare Line Director, for the actual portion of services provided based on average number of patients seen. No callbacks or overtime included. The contract may be changed by written modification. It is anticipated that a single award, firm-fixed-price contract will be awarded under the authority of Title 38 USC Section 8153 and public law 104-262. Responsibilities: OPTOMETRIST is responsible for all facets of services required of a qualified optometrist by and at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Alexandria LA and includes but is not limited to the following: (a) 1) Provide detailed diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures necessary for the management of Refractive anomalies, 2) Problems of binocular vision, ocular motility, accommodation of visual perception, 3) Other complex visual and ocular anomalies including aphakia, keratoconus, aniseikonic and other related anomalies. 4) Write prescription for eyeglasses (b) Complete appropriate government forms such as the prescription and Veteran's authorization for eyeglasses. (c) Patients in need of advanced medical or surgical eye care (Ophthalmologist) services that are outside the scope of general Optometric practice, shall be referred/discussed/coordinated with the designated physician(s) in the Eye Clinic. (d) Document findings in the VA VISTA electronic medical records system. Optometric care shall be rendered as established by industry and VA standards. The contract Optometrist shall be in good standing with the profession with knowledge and abilities current to equipment, medication and techniques. The Board Certified/ Eligible Optometrist shall provide comprehensive optical services for inpatients and outpatients in a clinic setting with all phases of optometric services. Clinic workload averages 20-25 patients per day. Other duties include computer documentation of findings and impressions and accession of reports and records. Contract Optometrist shall communicate with other professionals to ensure quality patient care. Documentation and services shall be performed in accordance with all VAMC established principles, ethics, standards, rules and regulations as set forth in VHA Directives, Medical Staff Bylaws, Medical Center Memorandums, AMA, and JCAHO standards, principles and ethics. The Director of Information Management or his designee will address computer usage and security requirements. All data is proprietary and shall not be shared or manipulated in any manner. Contract monitoring and verification of services provided shall be under the direction of and monitored by the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, the Director of Specialty Care Healthcare Line (SCHCL) and the Chief of Staff. Any incidents of contractor non-compliance evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be reported immediately by the COTR to the Contracting Officer. Teamwork and ability to work independently without supervision are essential. The Chief of Staff is the final authority for services provided under the terms of this solicitation and any resulting contract and shall maintain an ongoing utilization review. All rules, regulations and laws applicable to privacy of patient, documentation and records apply. VA reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time for noncompliance or if services are no longer needed. Preferred payment method is weekly in arrears using Government purchase card but other arrangements may be made. PAYMENT IS ON A PER-CLINIC-BASIS TO INCLUDE 20-25 PATIENTS PER CLINIC. A Clinic is estimated at 6 hours of direct patient care and an additional 1-2 hours to handle any other duties necessary to follow through on patient care issues. A certified sign-in will be maintained for signature upon arrival at the Clinic to commence work and again upon completion of duties prior to leaving the facility. Certified sign in/out is essential to process payment for services provided. Preferred payment method is monthly in arrears by Government purchase card; however, other arrangements may be considered. Payment shall not exceed two clinics per week. The Clinic rate is an all-inclusive rate and no additional consideration will be made. The Contractor shall accept payment for services rendered under this contract as payment in full and will not bill the veteran or a third party insurer for any services covered under this contract. Qualifications: Contract Optometrist shall be licensed in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States or District of Columbia with current full, unchallenged and unrestricted license; shall be board certified or board eligible with less than four years post residency. The contract shall speak, understand, read and write the English language fluently; be COMPUTER LITERATE, preferably with knowledge of DHCP/VISTA electronic medical records documentation access and input. Specific instruction of VA electronic records systems will be provided; however, basic computer skills are a must. He/she shall be a US citizen and possess required elements to be credentialed and privileged in accordance with VA regulations. Optometrist credentials/qualifications are subject to review and approval of the Medical Center Chief of Staff and Medical Center Director. The Alexandra VAMC Credentialing Officer shall be provided all requested documentation necessary to credential and privilege the physician prior to acceptance at this facility. The OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities applies. Personnel Policy: The contractor shall be responsible for protecting contracted Optometrist assigned to this facility. The contractor shall provide worker's compensation, professional liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, health examinations, income tax withholding and social security payments. Original Certificate of Insurance must be provided prior to acceptance of a physician. Sick leave, vacation, or other benefits are not the responsibility of the Government. At no time shall the contracted physician be considered a VA employee for any purpose. Contractor Performance Monitoring: Monitoring clinic(s) worked will be accomplished with sign-in/sign-out sheets maintained by the secretary of Specialty Care Healthcare Line (SCHCL) and verified by the Director of SCHCL documenting arrival(s) and departure(s). The Director of SCHCL will be designated Contracting Officer's Technical Representative and shall monitor performance for contract compliance, knowledge, skills and behavior and immediately notify the Contracting Officer of any noncompliance or unacceptable behavior. Substitution of Optometrist requires specific authorization by the Contracting Officer, Director of SCHCL, and the Chief of Staff. Any substitute must complete the entire processes listed above. The Government may award from documentation provided without further discussion. SUBMIT BACKUP DOCUMENTATION WITH OFFER (CV, education, affiliations, experience, etc). Award will be made to the offeror whose quote conforms to the requirements of the solicitation; best meets the minimum needs of the Government and offers the lowest price. Best value to the Government and veteran shall determine award considering past performance, technical/qualifications and cost, considering (1) Prior experience, demonstrated capability and continuity (one physician for the duration of the contract); (2) Past performance/experience and references; and (3) Cost. Applicable regulations include: FAR 52.252-2 Clauses incorporated by Reference (FEB 98). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at the/this addresses):http://www.arnet.gov/far or http://va.gov.oa&mm/vaar/vaartoc.htm (end of clause) Provisions at 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (MAR 2000) without addendum applies. Clauses at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions (MAY 99) applies with addendum. FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999); VAAR 852.237-7 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (Oct 96) in the amount of $1 million per occurrence, FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (AUG 2000) apply. The following FAR clauses are also applicable: FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35 Affirmative Action, 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped, 52.222-37 Employment Records on Special Disabled Veterans, 52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification, 52.224-2 Privacy Act, VAAR 852-237-70 Contractor Responsibilities (APR 1984), VAAR 852.270-1 Representatives of the Contracting Officer (APR 1984) VAAR 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising (NOV 1984), VAAR 852-271-70 Services Provided Beneficiaries (APR 1984). The following clauses listed in FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35 Affirmative Action for Disabled, 52.222-36 Affirmative for Handicapped, 52.222-37. FAR Clause 52.212-3 Contractor Representations and Certifications must be provided with offer and is available at the Internet address or by fax from this office (318-473-0010 X 2240). Facsimile quotes are acceptable at 318-483-5063. Email address is bernice.griffin@med.va.gov. Call to confirm receipt of faxed or electronic mail. Offers are due by 3:30 CST, September 12, 2000, to meet an emergent direct patient care need, at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Bldg 5, Room 212, PO Box 69004, 2495 Shreveport Highway, Alexandria LA 71306-9004. Reference Solicitation 502-06-01 on the proposal and any correspondence. An officer authorized to bind the offering organization must sign all offers.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000919/QSOL011.HTM (W-259 SN497318)