Autopsy Service Assistant
This request for information (RFI) is posted for market research purposes ONLY. It is not a solicitation.
VA New Jersey Health Care System
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service
East Orange, NJ 07018
Background: The VA New Jersey Health Care System has a need for an Autopsy Assistant Service that assists the medical center staff pathologists with autopsies on an on-call basis.
Performance Period: Base plus 4 option years.
Scope of Work: The Autopsy Assistant Service provides an Autopsy Assistant to assist the medical center staff pathologist in the performance of autopsies. The autopsy services shall be performed for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA New Jersey Health Care System located at 385 Tremont Ave., East Orange, NJ 07018.
Statement of Work:
The contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in this statement of work (SOW), except as may otherwise be specified. The service must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Upon notification by our facility we expect response for autopsy within 12 hours. Vendor is to arrange for backup assistant in the event that the Contractor is unavailable. We anticipate the need for autopsy assistance for an average of 2 hours. We do approximately 20-30 autopsies per year. Should the autopsy be cancelled for whatever reason, this facility will immediately notify the autopsy service and cancel the request.
The expected duties consist of assisting the Pathologist as directed including the following:
Verifies that the body of the deceased is, in fact, the body to be autopsied.
After reading the autopsy authorization to ascertain the extent of the autopsy, selects the appropriate instruments, devices, containers, solutions, and other equipment for use during the autopsy. (Supplies provided by the Medical Center).
Makes primary incision to begin autopsy.B Removes body contents in block or by organs, i.e., thoracic and abdominal viscera, tongue, spinal column, and brain without disfigurement.B Makes the primary incision to open body cavities; removes breastbone; together with the pathologist or pathology resident, removes thoracic and abdominal contents in blocks or in organs; removes, cleans and opens intestines.
Removes the skull-cap, the brain, and the pituitary gland; takes bone marrow from vertebra or other bones as directed; excises gonads, when indicated.
Properly prepares and packages brain for send out when indicated.
Closes the body, replacing organs and performing procedures necessary for the subsequent embalming process.
Prepares appropriate fixative for organs after pathologists/resident takes tissue blocks.
Is responsible for maintenance of a clean autopsy area, including instruments, equipment, and clothing, and for proper asepsis in the handling of specimens.
Efficiently disposes of waste and by products of autopsy. Cleans the autopsy table at the
conclusion of the autopsy. No blood, body fluid or human tissue should remain.
Is responsible for the sewing and cleaning of the remains, cleaning the table, instruments and working area used.
The autopsy service will follow C.D.C and O.S.H.A. guidelines and be trained in all autopsy techniques. The VA shall provide to the successful Contractor personal protection equipment, equipment and supplies, medical waste disposal and supervision during the procedure. Contractor shall adhere to all federal and state laws and regulations in effect during the term of this contract.
This Sources Sought Request for Information (RFI) notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.
All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
Clifford Harrison
Contract Specialist
718.584.9000 EXT. 4680
Clifford.Harrison@va.gov
