R -- NETWORK ACCREDITATION SERVICES

Notice Date

July 19, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1 VA New England Health Care, Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730

ZIP Code

01730

Solicitation Number

518-03-01

Response Due

August 2, 2001

Point of Contact

Elaine Gibson, 781-687-3152

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial service prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information contained in this notice. This procurement is conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; this is a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a written solicitation WILL NOT be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-27. Solicitation number RFP 518-03-01 should be referenced on all proposals. This acquisition is 100% small business set-aside and the NAICS code is 926110 with a small business size standard of $5.0 million. In accordance with the terms, conditions, provisions and specifications of this proposal the Government intends to enter into a firm fixed price contract for a period of one(1) base year and two(2) one year options. The Contractor shall be required to provide all development work, application completion and operational systems development for each of approximately twelve professional associations by which the Network Education System will serve as a provider agency for professional continuing education. This is to include but not be limited to the following credentialing: (1) Nursing, Physician, Social Work, Psychologist, Counseling, Dental, Optometric, Dietetic, Speech Therapy, Occupation Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreation Therapy and Engineering. (2)Create and work with professional committees from among the Network's pertinent employee groups that will provide guidance and service as an advisory committee for each of the provider development efforts (3) Establish and maintain all relevant records for the Network Education system (4)Develop all pertinent communications including memos, letters, procedure statements and similar guidance documents for each professional accreditation project (5) Establish and maintain appropriate planning committees for each educational program being offered that serves particular professional occupational specialties (6) Offer these services without regard to particular occupational affiliations (7) Ensure the timeliness of all pertinent meetings, communications, re-certification processes and credentialing audit processes (8) Ensure the inclusion of necessary documentation in program files so that all audits, per certification area, will have successful results (9) Work with representatives of Division (Medical Center) based accreditation committees to extend their professional development programs to other Network Divisions (10) Ensure that all fees associated with each new application or renewal membership will be identified and processed for payment by the VA New England Education System (11) Initiate exploration into "Creditor Status" for each of the major professional associations through either the VA New England Education System or the VA New England Health Care Education and Research Corporation so that: (a) either organization may serve as an accrediting agency for other health care professional education agencies (b)either organization can work to identify and establish all pertinent records and operations systems related to this enterprise (c)either organization can define and implement an appropriate and suitable fee structure for services in accreditation. The contractor may be required to meet with committees at various hospital locations in New England and can be expected to service this contract for approximately two days weekly throughout the year. This IS NOT a computer or internet networking program. Evaluations will be made on availability, qualifications (the contractor will have at least two years experience in developing and/or overseeing a complete academic accreditation program within a health care setting), past performance (successful achievement of "provider status" with one or more of the major professional associations (ANCC, ACCME)and price. Work is to be product/service-based; no time requirements other than attending related meetings and programs; invoicing will cite products/services developed within a particular time span (two weeks); all costs associated with carrying out the functions of the above proposal are to be borne by the individual or organization so engaged. The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing services under this contract. The parties agree that such personnel shall not be considered a VA employee for any purpose and shall be considered employees of the Contractor. Payment for services rendered by the Contractor under the terms of this contract shall be made monthly in arrears upon receipt of a properly executed invoice. Full text of clauses and provisions are available at Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR):http;//www.arnet.gov/far/ and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR): http://www.va.gov/oa&mm/vaar/. The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition and may be obtained from the web sites: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; the offeror shall submit a completed copy of provisions at 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items and VAAR 852.219-70 Veteran-Owned Small Business with their proposal. The following clauses and provisions also apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions; 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services; 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract; 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; 52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year; 52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification; 52.224-2 Privacy Act; 52.228-5 Insurance Work on a Government Installation; 852.270-1 Representatives of the Contracting Officer; 852.237-70 Contractor Responsibilities; 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. Proposals must be in writing and accompanied by a completed Representations and Certifications or they will be rejected. Facsimile proposals will not be accepted. Award will be made to the offeror whose proposal conforms to the requirements of the solicitation, best meets the minimum needs of the Government and has the lowest price, all factors being considered. Proposals are due by close of business, 4:30 p.m. local time (EST) Thursday, August 2, 2001. All proposals shall be submitted to Contracting Officer (90C), VA Medical Center, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010723/RSOL010.HTM (W-200 SN50S455)