Q -- NEUROLOGY SERVICES

Notice Date

November 16, 2000

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Acquisition and Materiel Management Service (90C), 5600 W. Dickman Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015

ZIP Code

49015

Solicitation Number

RFP 515-8-01

Response Due

December 1, 2000

Point of Contact

Katherine Young, Contracting Officer (616) 660-3076

E-Mail Address

Contact Contracing Officer@ (Katherine.Young@med.va.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals 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 97-20. This procurement is unrestricted. The standard industrial classification (SIC) code is 8099, Health and Allied Services, N.E.C. The small business size standard is $5 million average annual receipts for the past three years. Offerors are encouraged to submit quotes on a per examination basis, by CPT code for a wide range of neurologic examinations, consultations, and follow-up. Interested offerors may obtain a detailed list w/estimated number of exams from the contracting officer. Proposed rates should include all costs associated with providing the following services. Request For Proposals (RFP) 515-8-01, Neurology Services. The Aleda E. Lutz, VA Medical Center, 1500 Weiss Street, Saginaw, Michigan, has a requirement for neurologist to conduct neurology clinic a minimum one day per week for eight hours, up to two days per week for a total of 16 hours per week. Qualifications: Individuals proposed to work under this contract shall be board certified, specializing in adult neurology, posses current basic and advance cardio life support certifications, have a full and unrestricted license in any state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States. Clinic Operations: Clinic schedules shall be agreed upon 30 days in advance. Daily clinic operational management activities will be under the direction of the Chief of Staff or his/her designee and approved by the medical staff. On-site clinics shall consist of initial consultations, follow-up visits, evaluation, diagnostic work up and treatment of patients with neurologic conditions as deemed medically appropriate by the contract neurology physician or as requested by VA staff physicians. Contractor shall follow all VAMC guidelines for clinic processes, emergency notification or clinic unavailability, changes to clinic schedules, sick or late phone notifications, patient scheduling and referrals, and time and attendance requirements. Contractor shall fully participate in all applicable patient survey activities and data collection initiatives. Clinics shall begin and end on time. Contractor shall provide neurological support to the Urgent Care section as requested by the practitioner. The contract neurologist may be requested to provide inpatient/outpatient evaluations, on-site, within two hours of notification during normal working hours, Monday through Friday. Off-Site Services: The contractor shall provide "off-site" facilities to perform EEG/EMG testing deemed medically necessary to successfully treat the patient's condition. All tests ordered by the contract physician shall be listed in the pricing schedule of the contract or approved in advance by the Chief of Staff or his/her designee prior to scheduling. Documentation: The contract physician shall document all progress notes in accordance with existing Medical Staff Bylaws and Medical Center policies. The contract physician shall be required to utilize electronic dictation equipment. Conferences: The contract physician shall participate in monthly Tumor Board conferences when requested. Quality of Services: The successful offeror shall provide only individuals which meet or exceed JCAHO standards. Individuals proposed to work under this contract shall meet all the credentialing and privileging requirements as set forth in the Medical Staff Bylaws, and be approved by the VAMC Medical Staff prior to commencing work under this contract award. The contract physician shall comply with and participate in all Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement activities within the Medical Center as they apply to the contract services. Performance: Individuals proposed to work under this contract shall be prepared to perform on a long-term basis (e.g., a minimum of one year) to eliminate turn-over and learning curve issues that arise with the familiarization of new physicians to VA policies and procedures. The contract neurologist shall be present at the facility and actually performing the required services for scheduled clinics. Failure arrive on-site for scheduled clinics may result in termination of the contract. Emergencies: The contract neurologist shall respond to neurologic emergencies within two hours of telephonic request during normal working hours. Compliance With JCAHO Standards: Quality Requirements: The contractor will continuously meet or exceed all JCAHO standards. All VAMC policies and procedures shall be followed by the contractor. Patient Population Treated: The patient population treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, consists of veterans with varying physical, psychiatric, and psychological needs. Their conditions are, in many cases, directly related to the individual's military service. Contract physicians shall provide compassionate care with respect for the special needs of the veteran population served, and show professional courtesy toward the VA support staff as an integrated part of the medical center's mission, vision and values as stated below. Mission: Our mission is to deliver primary medical, surgical, and long term health care to veterans, and to apply continuous quality improvement practices and respond to assessed customer needs. Vision: We envision a health care environment which is recognized for continual growth in quality performance, teamwork, and effective interpersonal relationships. Values: To excel today in primary and long term health care for veterans, and to invest in tomorrow through employee development and education. Patient Rights: The contract physician shall respect and integrate the patient's beliefs, values and cultural influences. Protection of all patient rights is of highest priority. All patients shall be provided a copy of the Patients Rights handbook upon entry to care. Patient privacy and confidentiality shall be maintained at all times. All patient complaints which are unable to be resolved by the contract physician shall be referred to the Patient Representative. The contract physician's patient care services provided will be included in VAMC data collection activities related to patient compliments, complaints, and satisfaction. The electronic medical record contains information about Advance Directives, which shall be reviewed and observed by the contract physician. The contract physician shall fully complete all signed and informed consent documentation, within required timeframes, for invasive or other procedures as required. Patient Assessment: Findings from assessment and reassessment shall be clearly documented in the electronic medical record, which is used by all members of the interdisciplinary care team in care planning and treatment. Primary psychological, social, nutritional, pain, and overall functional screening and assessment will be provided by the VAMC Primary Care treatment team. Contractor findings related to the above areas shall be recorded in the electronic medical record and addressed or referred as indicated. Assessment for invasive procedures will include all elements as explicitly outlined in VAMC Bylaws and applicable policies. All required documentation shall be fully completed within VAMC-required timeframes. Care of Patients: Clinic work will consist of treatment of patients with varying neurological needs. All anesthesia standards will be rigorously adhered to for procedures involving other than topical or local anesthesia. Medication control, security and safety will be maintained at all times. No samples will be accepted from vendors or given to patients. Control of prescription pads will be in accordance with VAMC policy and procedure. The plan of care and all findings from patient assessment will be documented in the electronic medical record, and utilized in the overall plan of care in all care settings across the continuum. Nursing and support services, as well as clinic space and equipment will be supplied by the VAMC. Continuum Of Care: The contractor shall be responsible for coordinating neurological evaluation, consultation and management with the ordering physician. Appropriate referrals shall be made for care, based on assessed patient needs, that cannot be provided in the Neurological Clinic. Referrals to tertiary VAMC services will be established in accordance with all VAMC procedural guidelines. Patient Education: The contractor shall coordinate the neurological portion of the interdisciplinary education plan for the patient. Education provided by the contractor will be interactive with the patient, and will be aimed at disease management and prevention and quality of life. All education given shall be documented in accordance with VAMC policies and procedures. Discharge instructions shall be provided to and coordinated with the patient, caregiver, and home or community care provider. Medical Staff: The contractor reports to the Chief of Staff, and will practice within a framework that is clinically relevant and scientifically valid. Provision of care shall be based on clinical standards of practice, and scientifically-based clinical practice guidelines which have been approved for use by the VHA, VISN or facility executive medical staff. Contractor will sign and agree to adhere to Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations. The contractor shall provide input, as requested, in regards to budget, scope of services provided, and resource utilization. Documentation/Invoices: Invoices shall be submitted in monthly in arrears to the designated finance office. Documentation supporting the CPT code selections invoiced shall be included with the invoice. Estimated quantities listed on pages 3 through 11 are the governments best estimates. There is no historical data on the mix of procedures required. However, the contractor will be reimbursed based on properly documented CPT codes performed. Performance Improvement: The contractor shall fully participate in the VAMC Performance Improvement (PI) program. This will include, but not be limited to, monitoring of clinic processes and patient outcomes and satisfaction, data analysis and collaborative design of improvement opportunities. PI activities may be directed by the VAMC, VHA or VISN, who will identify data collection methodologies, report generation and oversight bodies related to identified measures. It is noted that PI activities are dynamic and subject to change, as driven by current priorities and resources. In all cases, actions will be taken to continually improve clinical and administrative outcomes, while implementing safeguards to prevent risk. Monitoring for continuous compliance with Joint Commission standards will be driven by VA Committees, PI teams and taskforces, or through established data collection mechanisms such as the Medical Record Review and Surgical Case Review process (as examples). Measures related to contract compliance will be determined by the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). Environment of Care: The contractor shall maintain a safe environment in the clinic at all times, and follow all safety and emergency preparedness policies. Compliance with all safety management plans will be continually demonstrated. Human Resources: The contract physician's performance will be continually monitored by the Chief of Staff. Outcomes from monitoring data, peer review and the patient compliment and complaint process will be kept on file in the Chief of Staff office. The contract physician shall complete a formal VAMC orientation. Minimum orientation requirements include the following: Mission/Vision/Values, all applicable VAMC policies and procedures, Patient Rights, suspected Patient Abuse reporting, Patient Compliment and Complaint process, Safety, Infection Control, Equipment Safety, Fire Safety, Confidentiality, Emergency Preparedness, Incident and Emergency reporting, electronic medical record training, Surgical Case Review process, Peer Review process, TORT claims, and clinic procedures and processes. Contractor shall participate in learning-based Morbidity/Mortality and Tumor Board conferences as requested. All Continuing Education requirements shall be met to maintain professional status. Information Management: Documentation and record keeping shall be in accordance with VAMC policies and procedures. All timeframes required by VAMC policies and procedures for documentation and authentication in the electronic medical record shall be adhered to. Strict adherence to all documentation related to the performance of invasive procedures shall be maintained. Management: Daily clinic operational management activities will be under the direction of the VAMC. The contract physician will be required to observe all Medical Center policies and memorandums and Medical Center By-laws. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial (OCT 2000), applies to this acquisition. Offerors are required to submit the following documentation with proposals: The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items (JAN 1999), applies to this procurement. Minimum Requirements: (1) Copy of full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in any State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia; (2) Board certified in Neurology, (3) Specializing in Adult Neurology. Documentation of the minimum requirement stated above shall be submitted with offers. Evaluation criteria included below are, in descending order of importance, (1) Past Performance, (2)Competency, and (3) Price. Past Performance and Competency are significantly more important than Price. Offerors are required to include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items ALT III (OCT 2000), with its offer. Failure to submit the documentation required above will result in elimination from consideration. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (AUG 2000), applies to this acquisition with the following clauses added as addenda to the clause: 52.204-4 Printing/Copying Double Sided on Recycled Paper (JUN 1996), 52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification (APR 1984), 52.224-2 Privacy Act (APR 1984), 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising (NOV 1984), 852.237-70 Contractors Responsibilities (APR 1984), 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers (APR 1984), 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (APR 1989), 852.237-7 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (OCT 1996). The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (MAY 1999), applies to this acquisition and the additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are: 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(2) and (3)), 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999), 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212). Proposals are due no later than 4:30 p.m., local time, December 1, 2000. No solicitation document will be issued. Questions may be submitted to the contracting officer via e-mail, by facsimile at (616) 966-5518, or by telephone at (616) 660-3076.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001120/QSOL003.HTM (W-321 SN5068R6)