Q -- INTERNAL MEDICINE OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN FOR 90 DAYS

Notice Date

October 30, 2000

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

71306

Solicitation Number

502-09-01

Response Due

November 3, 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, (Scarce Medical Specialist Resources for one INTERNAL MEDICINE OR FAMILY PHYSICIAN), prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This is an emergency procurement and 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. The procurement is unrestricted and all responsible sources may submit an offer for consideration. Offers shall be considered only if clear and convincing evidence is provided documenting that the offeror can meet the requirements of the Government -- qualifications, capabilities and timeliness. Solicitation number is 502-09-01 and it documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-20 and VAAR # 21. Applicable NAICS code is 561330 with $5.0 million annual sales limitation for small business. The Contractor shall submit a curriculum vitae, a minimum of three references (names and phone numbers), previous employers and documentation sufficient to complete credentialing and privileging processes -- education, board certification status, other certifications, relevant training, experience, pending or settled challenges to license, and status of any claims. VA Application form 10-2850 must be completed prior to acceptance and is available upon request at 318-473-0010 ext 2765 or 2202. Timely accessibility to documentation to confirm all factors required for Credentialing and privileging prior to acceptance is essential. Requirement is One (1) Board Certified or Board Eligible Internist or Family Practice Physician for approximately 3 months. Board eligible candidates must be less than four years post residency. Preferred commencement date is November 13, 2000. Candidates available to commence at that time shall be considered ahead of other candidates. Estimated 528 hours @ $_________________ = $ ___________________. 11/13/2000 2/16/2001 Services may be required for an extended period if mutually agreed by VA, Contractor and physician. This procurement provides uninterrupted primary physician services at a VA community based outpatient clinic in Jennings LA pending recruitment of a staff physician. Jennings LA is a town of 12,000 located on Interstate 10 midway between Lafayette and Lake Charles LA. Duties: Provide outpatient primary care for approximately 16-18 patients daily, both new and follow-up, (in a primary care team setting with two or three other primary care physicians), including diagnosis, treatment, ordering diagnostic studies and lab work, prescribing medications, consulting/referring for specialty care and ancillary support, determining admission when appropriate, and follow-up outpatient care. No inpatient care is included. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Alexandria LA supports the outpatient Clinic. Physician must be computer literate with basic computer skills to access and input electronic medical documentation. Specific training will be provided using VA's DHCP/VISTA/CPRS system. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. 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 physician for the duration of the contract term is preferred for continuity of care and credentialing process(es) and will be considered over other candidates. 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 or holiday coverage/pay is included. Payment will be made for actual hours worked. An eight-hour workday is 8:00AM to 4:30PM with a 30-minute lunch break. The contract may be changed by written modification issued by the contracting officer. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed-price contract will be awarded under the authority of Title 38 USC Section 8153 and public law 104-262. Responsibilities: Physician is responsible for all facets of primary care as established by industry and VA standards. He/She shall be in good standing with the profession with knowledge and abilities current to equipment, medication and techniques. This medical center and the Jennings Clinic is one of a network of VA Medical Centers (VISN 16) sharing medical expertise and patients may be referred to or received from another VA for specialized services. Contract physician shall communicate with other professionals to ensure continuity of 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, American Medical Association, and JCAHO standards. 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 the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), the Director of Primary Care Healthcare Line (PCHCL) 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. Preferred payment method is weekly in arrears using Government purchase card but other arrangements may be made. PAYMENT IS ON AN HOURLY BASIS FOR ACTUAL HOURS WORKED at the Clinic in a work atmosphere. Logs of work-hours (certified sign-in/sign-out record maintained by a Primary Care clinic representative) will be faxed to Contractor weekly for calculation and billing. Invoice shall be faxed to 318-483-5063 for credit card information. Payment shall not exceed 40 hours per week. The hourly 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: Physician assigned by the Contractor to perform requested services 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 physician shall speak, understand, read and write the English language fluently; be COMPUTER LITERATE, preferably with knowledge of DHCP/VISTA/CPRS 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. Physician 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 physician assigned to this facility. The contractor shall provide applicable 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. The Government assumes no responsibility for sick leave, vacation, or other benefits. At no time shall the contract physician be considered a VA employee for any purpose. Contractor Performance Monitoring: Monitoring hours worked will be accomplished with sign-in/sign-out sheets maintained by the designated staff member at the Jennings Clinic and verified by the Clinic Administrator, documenting actual arrival(s) and departure(s). The Director of Primary Care Healthcare Line 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 physician requires specific authorization by the Contracting Officer, Director of Primary Care HCL, and the Chief of Staff. Any substitute must complete the entire processes listed above. The Government may award a contract based on documentation provided without further discussion. SUBMIT BACKUP DOCUMENTATION WITH OFFER (CV, education, affiliations, experience, references, 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 veterans shall determine award, considering past performance, technical/qualifications, and cost -- considering (1) Prior experience, demonstrated capability, availability 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 (phone 318-473-0010 X 2240). Facsimile offers are accepted at 318-483-5063, followed by delivery of original documents. Email address is bernice.griffin@med.va.gov. Call to confirm receipt of faxed or electronic mail. Offers are due by 3:30 CST, November 3, 2000, to meet an emergent direct patient care need, at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Care Clinic, 1907 Johnson Street, Jennings LA 70546. Reference Solicitation 502-09-01 on the proposal and any related correspondence. An officer authorized to bind the offering organization must sign all offers.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001101/QSOL005.HTM (W-302 SN505435)