COMMUNITY OPIATE SUBSTITUTION TREATMENT PROGRAM (COSTP) SAVAHCS
This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone, other Small and Large Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition.
Responses to this notice shall include the following:
(a) company name
(b) address
(c) point of contact
(d) phone, fax, and email of point of contact
(e) DUNS number
(f) Cage Code
(g) Tax ID Number
(h) If respondent is VOSB or SDVOSB, respondent is to provide proof of www.vetbiz.gov certification. In addition, SDVOSB/VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. Furthermore SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are asked to respond that they are capable of providing the requested services keeping within the parameters of this clause.
(i)If an Offeror proposes to use any subcontractors, joint ventures, or teaming arrangements the Offeror shall include the percentage and type of work the subcontractor will accomplish to include their certifications. (Any subcontractors, joint ventures, or teaming partners shall have the required certifications as described in the sources sought notice) and
(j) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below.
DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS TREATMENT PROGRAM (SUDTP)
COMMUNITY OPIATE SUBSTITUTION TREATMENT PROGRAM (COSTP)
General
The Department of Veteran Affairs, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) in Tucson, AZ ( VA ) requires contractors to provide appropriate services as part of its Substance Use Disorders Treatment Program (SUDTP). The goal of the VA Community Opiate Substitution Treatment Program (COSTP) is to provide community-based, opiate substitution services to veterans with sufficient supportive services to meet the needs of those veterans.
Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established programs designed to provide comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and rehabilitative services that improve the quality of life for veterans. VA SUD services provide Veterans with detox services, residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric services, comprehensive medical care, and case management support. The COSTP is part of VA SUD services. VA staff will provide all case management, individual and group therapy, and psychiatric services to veterans being served. Contractor staff are expected to communicate information pertinent to veteran s treatment to Director of SUDTP or designee.
Description of Services
The contractor shall provide a Community Opiate Substitute Treatment Program in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein, for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), 3601 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85723.
Period of Performance
The period of performance shall be for one (1) base year of 12 months and four (4) 12-month option years.
Quality Control
The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. After acceptance of the quality control plan the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.
Quality Assurance
The government shall evaluate the Contractor s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).
Recognized Holiday-
Contractor shall perform services on the following holidays. Contractor shall bear the cost of any overtime and/or holiday pay to which its personnel may be entitled performing work under this contract. These costs shall not be billed to nor reimbursed by the Government.
New Year s Day Labor Day
Martin Luther King Jr. s Birthday Columbus Day
President s Day Veteran s Day
Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day
Independence Day Christmas Day
Hours of Operation-
The Contractor is responsible for conducting business to serve the treatment needs of Veterans. The Contractor must maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.
Government furnished property, equipment, and services:
VA shall provide one Social Worker to support and coordinate opiate treatment of Veterans.
The VA Social Worker shall conduct an evaluation following approval of a Veteran by the Contractor for suitability for entrance in Opiate Substitution Treatment. This evaluation will include a treatment assessment and proposed treatment plan.
The VA will provide ongoing medical support and therapy for each veteran entered into the Opiate Substitution Treatment. The Contractor shall not be required or responsible for providing any counseling services to VA beneficiaries admitted into COSPT.
The VA SUDTP Program Manager shall approve all schedule changes involving the VA Social Worker.
The VA Social Worker shall be directly responsible only to the VA SUDTP Program Manager assigned by the VA Chief of Mental Health.
The SAVAHCS may provide the contractor with access to Protected Health Information. The contractor is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 as well as all applicable SAVAHCS policies. The contractor shall keep confident the contents of all medical documents entrusted to its care. Employees of the contractor shall not disclose to any unauthorized person, firm or corporation knowledge entrusted during performance of the contract, which relates to the following but not limited to:
Names or SSN of Patient s
Names of physicians, nurses, or any other employee of the medical center;
The type or content of any dictated reports.
Contractor Furnished Items and Responsibilities:
General: Contractor shall provide a freestanding facility or complex of facilities. Facility/ies must meet all applicable Federal, State, and local licensing for the operation of a facility in that/those location/s. Other facility requirements include but are not limited to compliance with the American Disabilities Act, referred to as architectural barriers act compliant.
Contractor shall provide office space dedicated solely for VA SUDTP staff use with sufficient room for appropriate office furniture.
Contractor shall provide a desk, at least a 4 drawer filing cabinet, executive office chair, other office furniture for Veteran use, space for computer use, access to high speed internet, and a dedicated telephone line in this office space dedicated for VA staff.
Contractor shall provide administration support, office supplies, and cooperative record
keeping/support.
Contractor shall provide a group room sufficient to hold up to 16 individuals for the VA Social Worker to conduct required group sessions with VA patients. Contractor shall further provide furniture sufficient to seat 16 people as well as access to AV equipment (including but not limited to a video monitor and DVD player) and white board to enhance the group session experience.
Contractor shall ensure that the Administration of the Opiate Substitution Treatment program follows Arizona Administrative Code R9-20-1002.
Contractor shall hold and maintain the following licenses and certifications to be eligible for this contract:
DEA License for Opiate Substitution.
Arizona State License for Methadone Treatment.
Accreditation from either the Joint Commission (TJC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
The Contractor's medical staff will be responsible for determining the dose level for new VA patients and will provide frequent evaluations according to national Best Practice guidelines to adjust methadone for each veteran.
The Contractor in conjunction with the Director of SUDTP will address any unanticipated issues that may have a major impact on services provided for veterans receiving treatment.
Personnel Policy:
The contractor shall be responsible for protecting its personnel furnishing services under this contract.
To carry out this responsibility, the contractor shall provide the following:
Worker's Compensation
Professional Liability Insurance
Income Tax Withholding
Social Security
Annual TB skin test results
The Parties agree that such personnel shall not be considered SAVAHCS employees for any purpose and shall be considered employees of the contractor.
All contractor personnel shall observe the requirements imposed on sensitive data and information by law, Federal Regulations, SAVAHCS policy, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy and guidelines and the associated requirements to ensure appropriate screening of all personnel (e.g., Privacy Act of 1974" Public Law 93-579, the requirements of the FPM 731, Subchapter 2 and FPM 732, Subchapter 2 under E.O. l0450, etc)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA):
In accordance with 45 CPR I64.502(c), the Privacy Rule includes exceptions to the Business Associate standard. This contract and its requirements meet the following exception and does not require a Business Associate agreement in order for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a healthcare provider for treatment. Based on this exception, a Business Associate agreement is not required for this contract.
Billing:
Properly prepared invoices shall be submitted monthly in arrears. Billing rendered by the contractor to the SA VAHCS for services furnished to a SAVAHCS beneficiary under the terms of this contract shall be billings in full. Neither the beneficiary, his/her insurer, or any other third party shall be billed for services provided by the contractor.
SPECIFIC TASKS: Contractor shall perform the following tasks:
Conduct a physical examination and an evaluation of all Veterans seeking admission into the COSTP to determine the appropriateness for Opiate Substitution treatment. Such physicals shall be completed by competent medical professional/s with appropriate licensure.
Provide the methadone necessary for each patient's daily dosing as per their treatment center protocol.
Perform urine toxicology screenings (UTS) up to and including once per week as requested by the VA Social Worker. These UTS s should measure the presence of methadone, oxycodone, other opiates, cocaine, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines.
Breathalyze veterans for the presence of alcohol consumption as requested by the VA Social Worker. Breathalyzer shall be maintained according to manufacturer guidelines to ensure accuracy.
Submit a request to the VA SUDTP staff for approval or disapproval of the alternative drug/s recommendation if the Contractor s medical provider determines that methadone is not the appropriate medication for a veteran and one of the other substitute drugs is required.
Documentation of Services:
The Contractor shall generate a monthly report to be sent to the VA Director of SUDTP and the VA social worker on site that includes veterans first/last name, full social security number, states veterans current standing in the program; results of urine emit screens, and the veterans' dose of methadone.
The Contractor shall provide veterans in COSTP with a monthly Patient Satisfaction Survey. The survey must be approved by the VA Social Worker on site and the Director of SUDTP. Quarterly results shall be provided to the Director of SUDTP.
Important information: The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. If response by Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 623220 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals ($15.0 Million).
Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov and complete your Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs). All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail, mail or ground carrier to: Southern AZ VA HealthCare System, 3601 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85743 or by e-mail to Lillian.Sepulveda@va.gov. All information submissions to be marked Attn: L. Danielle Sepulveda, Contracting Officer (9-90C) and should be received no later than 12:00 pm Mountain Standard Time on April 26, 2018. After review of the responses to this announcement, the Government intends to proceed with the acquisition and a subsequent solicitation will be published.
Lillian D Sepulveda
Contracting Officer
520-629-4614
CO's email
