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Contracted Residential Services - FY20 - VAGLAHS


California, United States
Government : Federal
RFI
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THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION.
1. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research only to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Business Capability, including Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB/VOSB) interested and capable of performing the work.
2. The NAICS for this requirement is NACIS 624221 Temporary Shelter

3. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice not later than 3:00 PM (PDT) on October 25, 2019 by providing the following via email only to Tashodra Rogers at Tashodra.Rogers@va.gov
Please provide the following:

a) company name
b) address
c) point of contact
d) phone, fax, and email of primary point of contact
e) DUNS number
f) Type of small business, if applicable, (e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business(SDVOSB), Veteran-owned small business (VOSB), 8(a), HUB-Zone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business).
g) A capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described in the attached DRAFT excerpt of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Respondents are also encouraged to provide specific examples (e.g. contract number, point of contact information) of the Contractor s experience providing the same or similar services to that described in the attached DRAFT PWS.

4. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents.
a) If respondent is VOSB or SDVOSB, respondent is encouraged 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. Further SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are asked to respond that they are capable of providing the requested services keeping within the parameters of this clause.
b) Small businesses, including SDVOSB/VOSBS are also advised that per 13 CFR, B' 125.6 the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting are as follows:
1) General. In order to be awarded a full or partial small business set-aside contract with a value greater than $150,000, an 8(a) contract, an SDVO SBC contract, a HUBZone contract, a WOSB or EDWOSB contract pursuant to part 127 of this chapter, a small business concern must agree that:
2) In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.
5. Required Services. Contractor shall provide Contracted Residential Services for Homeless Veterans at a Government provided temporary facility on the campus of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073.
Please review the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).
6. Please note that if VA s pending market research establishes that two or more VOSB or SDVOSB, who are certified in VA s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) site https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/, can provide the services, VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. B'8127.B
7. All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database found at https://www.sam.gov. Registration must include Representations and Certifications.

--End of Sources Sought Announcement
PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

BACKGROUND AND SYNOPSIS.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been providing direct and specialized services for homeless Veterans for over 25 years. The Secretary of the VA has set a zero-tolerance policy for homelessness within the Veteran population since 2009. The plan to end homelessness among Veterans includes planned increases to the capacity of existing programs and an increase in services offered to Veterans. New models of care not previously offered by VHA are also being implemented.

The intent of this contract is for the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) Healthcare for Homeless Veteran program to engage a community provider to offer homeless Veterans Contracted Residential Services.

Veterans are referred to the contractor by VAGLAHS staff or other community agencies based on a demonstrated need for case management and supportive services to stabilize mental health, substance abuse, medical and/or other co-occurring serious psychosocial issues before expediently being placed in secure and permanent housing. The VAGLAHS Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program seeks Veterans currently engaged in care through a collaborative partnership among the VAGLAHS, the Los Angeles Coordinated Entry System Service Providers, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and other Veteran-specific programs that serve homeless Veterans. Veterans may access transitional housing programs directly and through referrals in the community. Prioritization for Veterans in need of care is as follows:

Priority Group 1: Veterans who enter the program who have an identified housing plan such as receipt of a HUD-VASH voucher or receipt of Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) services.

Priority Group 2: Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness with a Vulnerability Index Score above 10 and have initially been connected to VA housing services for care.

Priority Group 3: Veterans who report homelessness and seek temporary supportive services before entering a permanent housing plan.

GENERAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

The Contractor shall rapidly house Veterans requiring residential services and treatment at the VAGLAHS, addressing mental health, physical health, substance abuse and other psychosocial problems. Ultimately, the goal is for Veterans to obtain permanent housing within 180 days. The contractor shall provide residential services as described in this PWS in a temporary facility located on the campus of the VAGLAHS medical center. The contractor shall not be required to pay rent for the use of this temporary facility, however, the Contractor shall furnish the temporary facility and provide the services required by this PWS twenty-four hours per day, every day of the year as stated herein.

The contractor shall provide services for up to 100 Veterans who may be of the following eligible homeless Veteran populations:

Males

Veterans over the age of 55;

Veterans considered priority such as Post 9/11 Veterans with acutely elevated suicide risk factors.

A VAGLAHS Liaison to the contractor shall act as the clinical liaison between the Contractor and VAGLAHS.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE. A temporary housing facility shall be provided by the VAGLAHS on the campus of the VAGLAHS medical center located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY. Government furnished property will not be provided to the Contractor other than the temporary housing facility, dumpsters and utilities including water, electricity and sewage. All equipment and furnishings required for the Contractor to provide the required services shall be provided by the Contractor.

SPECIFIC CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

Residential Services.

The Contractor shall provide ALL furnishings for the facility including tables, chairs, lockable lockers and locks, computers and network infrastructure, beds (no bunk beds), refrigeration for medication and food, office furniture, lounge area furniture, outdoor furniture and all office supplies.

The contractor shall provide the residential services described in this section to male Veterans, Seniors, and specialized populations as listed above and ensure their safety and privacy.

The Contractor shall provide all bathroom supplies including shampoo, shower and hand soap, toilet paper, toilet seat covers, mirrors, paper towels trash receptacles and trash bags.

The contractor shall provide the following to Veterans referred and admitted to the facility:

Furniture that includes beds, lockable storage for belongings, a safe, secure, and readily available place for each Veteran to store belongings (e.g., a locking closet, a locking armoire, a wall locker,), chairs, tables, and locks if necessary. Lockable storage area for each Veteran shall be at least 7 x 3 x 2 .

Linens including sheets, pillow cases, towels, blankets, and pillows. The Contractor shall provide clean linens during a weekly linen exchange for all Veterans. Routine linen cleaning shall not be conducted on site. Contractor shall have spare linens to replace linens requiring cleaning between regularly schedule cleaning days. Laundry supplies will be provided, including but not limited to: tokens, coins, or funds to operate off-site laundry machines and adequate amounts of laundry detergent. Hypo-allergenic detergent may be required for medical reasons as prescribed.

Health and personal hygiene supplies for Veterans (e.g., dental products, hair products, soap and shave products, deodorant products, mild wound care products).

Subsistence. The contractor shall provide all food and beverages for Veterans residing at the facility including three (3) meals per day and snacks. The contractor shall maintain a clean and comfortable environment of care that includes subsistence meeting the following conditions:




Meals that meet the nutrition and dietary guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture found at: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Nutritious snacks between meals and at bedtime shall be available for those requiring or desiring additional food when it is not medically contraindicated. All food shall be stored, handled and served in a safe and sanitary manner that meets accepted industry standards and guidelines.

The Contractor shall provide meals, prepared off-site and brought on to the VA campus. Contractor shall provide tables and chairs, all eating utensils, cups, plates and bowls. Contractor shall also provide trash receptacles and trash bags in the dining area and dispose of the trash after all meals. The VAGLAHS provided facility shall include a dining area with refrigeration and trash dumpsters nearby to dispose of trash.

Janitorial Services. The contractor shall manage daily cleanliness of the entire temporary housing facility, including bathroom, shower, dining facilities, sleeping areas and all common areas. The Contractor shall also ensure the outside of the facility, at least 30 feet perimeter, is kept clean and free from debris. The Contractor shall provide daily trash removal from the trash receptacles inside and outside the facility. The Contractor shall empty trash receptacles when they are full regardless of when daily trash service is scheduled. The contractor shall provide cleaning supplies to accomplish daily cleanliness; the COR will inspect the facility for cleanliness and report deficiencies to the contractor and VAGLAHS. VAGLAHS shall provide dumpsters for the Contractor to dispose of the trash.

Staffing. The contractor shall employ sufficient staff to meet contract requirements 24 hours per day, every day. The administrative staff, director of the program, clinical supervisor and case management staff shall be submitted for approval prior to performing work on the contract. Submittals shall include proof that contractor staff meet the following specific requirements:

A director of the program on site 40-hours per week and on-call and available for emergencies 24 hours a day, every day.B The Program Director shall have a bachelor s degree in any field and have at least three (3) years of experience providing oversight of a residential homeless facility.

A professionally-credentialed clinical supervisor on-site 40 hours per week to provide ongoing supervision of case management personnel. The clinical supervisor shall be on call and available for emergencies: 24 hours a day, every day. The clinical supervisor shall have at least three (3) years of experience as a clinical supervisor of a residential homeless facility and be licensed by the state of CA as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Psychologist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

The contractor shall provide case management services for Veterans. Each Veteran shall have an assigned case manager. The case manager to Veteran ratio shall not exceed 1:20.

Case management staff shall:

Have training and experience working with homeless individuals with chronic medical, mental health and substance abuse problems.

Have a Bachelor Degree in a social service field; or have a bachelor s degree in any field and have at least two (2) years of experience providing case management services.

The clinical supervisor may not be used to fill a case management position in lieu of case management staff; case management staff are expected to work hours in which Veterans assigned to their case load are present and case management services are most conducive to the Veteran s needs.

On-site support staff. The contractor shall have three (3) support staff
on-site, 24 hours a day, every day. This staff shall have a minimum of a
high school diploma and one year (1) of continuous experience working
in support of homeless populations. These are discreet positions that
may not be filled by other contract required staff.

Security Staff. Contractor shall have a minimum of two (2)
security staff on-site 24 hours a day, every day. Security staff will roam,
watch, and report activities in the interior and the exterior of the facility
on an hourly-basis and contact VAGLAHS Police Services as needed. At least one (1) security staff member on duty shall be Cardio-
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified. These are discreet positions
that may not be filled by other contract required staff.

Case Management Services. Contractor shall provide the following:

A thorough written Individualized Service Plan (ISP) shall be developed within one (1) week of admission for each Veteran and will be signed by the case manager and Veteran. This will include structured case management (at a minimum, weekly meetings) including: counseling on self-care skills, adaptive coping skills, financial planning, permanent housing search, written care plan, and referrals for financial benefits. Additional counseling may include professional and vocational rehabilitation counseling in collaboration with VA programs and community resources. Additional ISP requirements are specified in 8.3.1.

Engagement of the Veteran in the service planning process: the contractor shall conduct interviewing, counseling and case managing Veterans by conducting psychosocial assessments to identify treatment needs which will positively affect the Veterans adjustment to their environment and establishment of treatment goals.

Assess the psychosocial and environmental needs or dysfunction secondary to, or exacerbating the social, substance or psychiatric problems, which might contribute to Veterans readjustment challenges in the community.

Establish and maintain an intensive therapeutic relationship with the Veteran, staff, and community programs/agencies, and be responsible for formulating case-management treatment goals and plans that address identified needs, stressors and problems.

Conduct high-risk screening, psychosocial assessment and treatment planning, actively involving the Veteran and their family or significant others. Specifically, the contractor shall:

Review plans at minimum every thirty (30) days thereafter in a clinical meeting with the Veteran. Updated plans must be communicated to the VAGLAHS Liaison during weekly case conferencing at a minimum;

Make changes in plans in consultation with the Veteran;

Screen each Veteran for suicidal and homicidal risk with each contact during weekly case management sessions. This screening must be documented in regular progress notes (in the contractor s clinical service records). If the Veteran is a danger to him/herself or others Contractor will take immediate steps to provide appropriate intervention. Crisis management will be conducted in consultation and coordination with the VAGLAHS Liaison.

Coordinate updates and changes in Veteran s care plans with the VAGLAHS LiaisonB during weekly case conferences, fostering a collaborative relationship (case conferencing may be done in person or by telephonic conference calls as determined by the VAGLAHS).

Obtain relevant Releases of Information authorizations to communicate and coordinate Veterans treatment with VAGLAHS and other community-based service providers.

Assist Veterans to complete housing applications and benefits paperwork as needed and assist Veterans in obtaining the needed documentation required for complete applications including birth certificates, driver s license, income verification and any additional information required by housing resources and potential income supports. Any document or processing fees required shall be paid for by the Veteran.

Accompany Veterans to housing interviews, medical appointments, and other appointments as clinically indicated while working with Veterans to foster independence and a sense of self-determination.

Transportation. The contractor shall provide transportation for Veterans to attend appointments for potential housing placements, benefits agencies, and meetings with landlords. Transportation may include assistance in obtaining Metrocards, bus fare, or local subsidized transportation services such as Access.

On-site Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Services. The contractor shall provide:

Daily structured group meetings and group activities to promote social skills building and generally promote a healthy lifestyle (e.g., resident participation in psychosocial group sessions, topics based upon resident preference and recommendations by the residential treatment setting staff and VAGLAHS Liaison; physical activities; facilitated outings or social activities in the local community). Daily activity schedules must be printed and posted in facility public areas to ensure and promote Veteran awareness and involvement.

Supportive social services in collaboration with case managers, VAGLAHS or other community-based resources; Supportive services including collaboration with accessing VAGLAHS and/or other community benefits such as general relief and social security, helping link veterans to accessing ID cards if necessary, linkages to requested support groups in the community such as AA, NA, outpatient medical and mental health services.

Professional counseling as required, including emphasis on self-care skills, adaptive coping skills, vocational counseling, in collaboration with the VAGLAHS Liaison or community resources as appropriate.

Opportunities for immediate learning and/or development of responsible living services to help Veterans achieve a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning.

Continual support services for an alcohol and/or drug-free lifestyle.

Opportunities for learning, and internalizing knowledge of the illness and/or recovery process; improving social skills; and improving personal relationships.

Opportunities for client participation in community activities, volunteer opportunities, local consumer services, etc.

Incident Reporting. Contractor shall notify VAGLAHS through the VAGLAHS Liaison of any negative incident occurring with a Veteran immediately, but no later than one (1) hour from the time contractor staff learned of the incident. Contractor will complete a written incident report within 24 hours of notification. On weekends and holidays, this notification will be sent to the Transitional Housing Coordinator, VA Hospital Administrator on Duty (AOD) and the VAGLAHS Liaison.

Incidents include: death; fire; police raid; suicide/suicide attempt; 911 call (police/ fire dept./paramedics); drug overdose; severe medical illness or emergency; severe psychiatric illness or emergency; sexual assault; act of violence by Veteran against other(s); abusive behavior by Veteran against staff; act of violence by other(s) against Veteran; abusive behavior by staff against Veteran; accident; medication problems or adverse drug reactions; or other untoward events. Contractor will follow the CERS Incident Reporting Policy.

In the event a Veteran residing in the VAGLAHS provided facility under this contract dies, the contractor shall immediately notify the VAGLAHS Liaison authorizing admission and immediately assemble, inventory, and safeguard the Veteran s personal effects. The funds, deposits, and effects left by Veterans upon the premises of the VAGLAHS facility shall be delivered by the Contractor to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws currently governing the facility for making disposition of funds and effects left by Veterans unless the Veteran died without leaving a will, heirs, or next of kin capable of inheriting. An itemized inventory list with a notation as to the disposition shall be immediately forwarded to the VAGLAHS Liaison. If a Veteran die without leaving a will, heirs, or next of kin, capable of inheriting, property and funds wherever located vests in and becomes property of the United States in trust. In these cases, the Contractor shall forward an inventory of any such property and funds in its possession to the appropriate DVA office and will hold them (except articles of clothing necessary for proper burial) under safeguard until instructions are received from the VA concerning disposition.

ADMISSIONS, LENGTH OF STAY AND DISCHARGES.



The Contractor shall rapidly house an admitted Veteran s medical, mental health, substance abuse and other psychosocial problems by expediting placement into safe, supportive housing.

The Contractor shall admit Veterans referred to the contractor by the VAGLAHS Liaison, Emergency Department, community providers, through the Coordinated Entry Case conferencing, or other Outreach staff as appropriate. Except as due to a lack of available beds, the contractor shall provide immediate admission to housing and services to these Veterans during the following business hours 8AM 4:30PM (PDT) after hours and weekends. Veteran eligibility and date of admission shall be approved and confirmed by the VAGLAHS Liaison within 2 business days. If the Veterans is not determined eligible, the Contractor shall not be paid for that Veteran s admission.

Contract staff shall engage homeless Veterans in seeking housing placement, treatment and supportive services which is a key element of this contract. Therefore, management of program dropout will be an element of the quality assurance review of this program.

Contractor shall accept referrals from the VAGLAHS Inpatient hospital. These pre-approvals shall require pre-approval from the VAGLAHS Liaison or identified VAGLAHS Registered Nurse and must be referred and accepted during the following business hours 8AM 4:30PM (PDT). After hours admissions may occur for these referrals however, the approval must come directly from a VAGLAHS Liaison, a VAGLAHS Registered Nurse, or the VAGLAHS Transitional Housing Coordinator only.

Contractor shall work with Veterans to find permanent housing suitable for the Veteran within 180 days from the date of admission. Contractors may not bill for per diem for Veterans whose length of stay exceeds 180 days from the date of admission without prior approval from the VAGLAHS Liaison. The VAGLAHS Liaison will not approve per diem for lengths of stay exceeding 180 days from the date of admission unless:

There are extenuating clinical circumstances beyond the contractor s control that are barriers to the Veteran s placement in housing;

There is documented evidence that the contractor has exhausted every effort to place the Veteran in housing sooner;

The VAGLAHS Liaison has been appropriately advised of these efforts well in advance of the 180-day limit;

The VAGLAHS Liaison concurs that the Veteran will continue to derive therapeutic benefits from a continued stay at the CRS.

If a Veteran s length of stay reaches 180 days from the date of admission, and there is not approval from the VAGLAHS Liaison for continued per diem based upon a clinical need, the contractor shall retain the responsibility for finding suitable transitional or permanent housing in the community after 180 days.

Veterans may be discharged from the contract for positive, negative or administrative reasons. The date of discharge must be approved by the VAGLAHS Liaison for billing purposes. The contractor shall provide discharge planning and referrals for each Veteran, regardless of character of discharge from the facility, to appropriate community resources and services based upon a team assessment of health, social and vocational needs and the involvement of Veterans families as appropriate. Discharges will be characterized as follows:

Positive Discharge.

The Veteran has been successfully placed as anticipated in permanent housing or reunited with family permanently and has met the goals of his/her Individual Service Plan within 180 days or less.

The Veteran has been successfully placed as anticipated in permanent housing, or reunited with family permanently, and has met the goals of his/her Individual Service Plan in a timeframe greater than 180 days from the date of admission and the VAGLAHS Liaison has approved continuation of per diem payment.

Administrative Discharge. The Veteran has been transferred to an alternate level of care with concurrence from the VAGLAHS Liaison for medical, mental health or substance abuse treatment, or other transitional housing programs to better meet the Veteran s clinical needs. The Veteran shall move within 22 days of entrance into the program to count towards this measure.

Negative Discharge.

The Veteran has absconded from the VAGLAHS facility and his/her whereabouts are unknown.

The Veteran has had more than one episode of onsite drug or alcohol use at the facility; has failed to engage in or accept treatment alternatives, and subsequently discharged to maintain a safe and sober environment at the facility.

The Veterans length of stay has exceeded 180 days from the date of
admission and the VAGLAHS Liaison have not approved continuation of per diem payment. (Note: Veterans who leave the facility without giving notification will require additional outreach from the contractor to attempt to locate Veteran and reengage in services).

Unacceptable Discharge

The Veteran participant is discharged to a homeless shelter or drop-in setting after a length of stay greater than seven (7) days from the date of admission, unless there is concurrence from the VA liaison no other alternatives are feasible due to circumstances beyond the contractor s control.
The Veteran participant is discharged to the streets at any point in time after the date of admission and under any circumstance.

Performance expectations regarding discharges are as follows:


Type of Discharge
Performance Expectation
Review Period
Positive discharges
53% or greater of all Veterans admitted to the program
Every 90 days (each quarter) from the date of the contract award.
Administrative discharge
No more than 30% of all Veteran participants admitted to the program
Every 90 days (each quarter) from the date of the contract award.
Negative discharges
No more than 23% of all Veterans admitted to the program.
Every 90 days (each quarter) from the date of the contract award.
Unacceptable discharge
Zero (0) occurrences
Every 90 days (each quarter) from the date of the contract award.

REQUIRED TRAINING FOR CONTRACT STAFF. The contractor shall ensure that their staff performing on the contract are trained in the following subject areas prior to contract performance and complete refresher training annually thereafter. All training is available through the VA s Talent Management System (TMS). The Contractor shall provide staff training documentation to the VAGLAHS upon request.

Foundations of Motivational Interviewing VA-35480
Cultural Competence Becoming Cultural Competent VA-4188207
2018 Homeless: LGBT Cultural Competence and Veteran Homelessness VA-35804
Sexual Harassment Prevention for Employees NFED-3854619
2018 Homelessness: Whole Health and Homelessness VA-36107
Suicide Prevention S.A.V.E. Training for Employees Enduring VA-33770
Substance Abuse Treatment Options
Psychosocial Treatments for Substance Use Disorders-Enduring - VA-36537
Promoting Patient Engagement in Substance Use Disorders Treatment Enduring Material - VA35817
Privacy and HIPPA Training VA1023

STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT.

The Government has the right to require replacement of any Contractor or subcontractor staff if the employee is determined not to possess the experience or ability required under the contract, or if said employee is for any other reason found to be unsuitable to perform the work required by the contract. The determination to require replacement of a staff member shall be made by the Contracting Officer, at the Contracting Officer s sole discretion, and such determination shall be final. The replacement staff must meet the same requirements for the position as outlined in this contract. Any substitution of personnel will occur without any increase to the contract price and without delay in the performance or delivery of services to the Government.

Complaints concerning contract staff s conduct with Government employees or Veteran residents will be dealt with by the Contractor and COR. The Contracting Officer is the final authority on validating complaints. In the event that Contractor personnel are involved and named in a validated complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel for work performed under this contract and require replacement of that staff member(s) under the terms of paragraph 8.1. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the Contracting Office.

Contractor shall implement a drug testing program to ensure staff performing work under this contract are not using illegal drugs. The drug testing program shall provide for random drug testing performed by the contractor. The program shall also require drug testing when there is a reasonable suspicion that a staff member has used or is impaired by illegal drugs while on duty. Reasonable suspicion of drug use or impairment includes, the following:

Observable phenomena, such as direct observation of drug use, possession or the physical symptoms of being under the influence of a drug.

A pattern of abnormal conduct or erratic behavior.

Arrest or conviction for a drug-related offense or the identification of a staff member as the focus of a criminal investigation into illegal drug possession, use or trafficking.

Information provided either by reliable and credible sources or independently corroborated.

Newly discovered evidence that the contract personnel has tampered with a previous drug test.

Before beginning work under the contract, and on the anniversary of contract award each year, the contractor shall certify that its employees have received all recommended vaccines and immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for Healthcare Workers found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html.

The Contractor shall provide the Government with all the information necessary to ensure that Government records are maintained correctly and in compliance with TJC, OSHA and the Center for Disease Control health records requirements, for each individual Contractor employee upon request.

RECORDS AND REPORTS. The Contractor shall provide the following records and reports pertaining to admitted Veterans:

Daily Census Log to be sent to the VAGLAHS Liaison/COR in a format approved by the VAGLAHS Coordinator every morning before 12:00pm. The contractor shall formulate a staff coverage plan for Daily Census to be communicated to VAGLAHS Liaison/COR when an agency staff member is out of the office.

Daily sign-in sheets signed by the admitted Veterans to document and verify Veterans presence at the facility for billing purposes. In the event one or more Veterans refuses to sign the daily sign-in sheets due to documented mental health problems, an alternative method of verification may be developed on a case by case basis in collaboration with the VAGLAHS subject to final approval by the COR.

The contractor shall maintain an individual clinical record on each admitted Veteran. All case records shall be made available upon request to VAGLAHS staff regarding the treatment of admitted Veterans. Individual clinical records shall contain the following:

An initial individual service plan completed within one (1) week of program admission. The plan shall include: all identifying data relevant to the resident and his/her family, including medical problems and medications, mental health problems and medications, substance use history, housing history and preferences, income supports or benefits, employment/vocational issues, information relating to the Veteran s admission including reason for referral, and the anticipated length of stay, if known. Individual Service planning as it relates to housing goals must include:

Provisions for Veteran placement into an appropriate transitional or permanent housing placement within 180 days of admission to the VAGLAHS Contract Residential Care facility. The housing placement planning must consider all appropriate and available community based housing options as well as the Veteran s preferences regarding location and housing type.

Provisions for the stabilization and/or treatment of biopsychosocial issues and stressors. This may include provisions of care within the contracted facility, connections to VA medical and mental health care, and/or referrals and connections to community based resources.

Relevant authorizations for Releases of Information to communicate and coordinate Veterans treatment with VA and other community based service providers.

Progress notes for each case management encounter to include information regarding progress toward meeting the Individual Service Plan goals.

Documentation of Veteran participation in onsite daily structured activities and groups.

Updated Individual Service Plans every thirty (30) days from the date of the initial plan, to include any measures of movement toward rehabilitation goals, with particular focus on the attainment of community based housing.

A final discharge summary on each Veteran who leaves the program regardless of character of discharge, to include a description of beneficial changes realized during the residential period, reasons for leaving, the Veteran s future plans, after-care referrals and connections, and follow up locator information. The summary is due to the VAGLAHS Liaison within three business days of discharge.

Contractors shall enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) web-based software application and bed totals into the Homeless Inventory Count (see Reference section). This data will consist of information on the Veterans admitted and types of supportive services provided by the contractor. Contractor shall export client-level data for activities funded by this contract to VA on a regular basis in a format that is approved by the COR.

Contractor shall complete the Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Assistance Tool (VISPDAT) as required by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and Coordinated Entry System (see below) or other tools that may be utilized or required by LAHSA.

CONTRACT MONITORING. VAGLAHS Liaison and other VAGLAHS staff will monitor the Contractor's performance. Performance deficiencies or poor performance identified during the term of the contract will be reported to the Contractor. If determined appropriate, the Contracting Officer, COR and/or other VA staff members shall meet with representatives of the Contractor to review performance and resolve issues.

QUALITY CONTROL PLAN.

Contractor shall maintain a written quality assurance and control plan to assure the requirements of the contract are met.

The COR shall have access to the Contractor Quality Control Plan. If monitoring demonstrates that work has fallen below the quality standard, the Contractor shall develop a corrective action plan.

PER DIEM, BILLING AND PAYMENTS.

Per Diem means that the VA will pay for the eligible Veteran s stay in a contract bed
and supportive services for each day the Veteran resides at the facility and receive
services. The VA also refers to this as bed days of care. The per diem rate established in
the Schedule of Services and Price includes all the services listed in this contract. It is the
contractor s responsibility to have appropriate systems of verification of services in place to
justify invoices and payments.

The VA shall only pay per diem for eligible Veterans (i.e. Veterans whom VA authorizes
the provision of services) as determined by the VAGLAHS Liaison.

Contractor shall only bill VAGLAHS for admitted Veterans who are actively residing at
the facility. Contractor shall conduct and document nightly bed checks identifying by
name each Veteran present each night. Documentation shall be provided to the
VAGLAHS Liaison upon request. In the case of Veteran absences, the following rules will
apply:

Upon VA approval, Veteran absences up to 72 hours are permitted and are reimbursable. Otherwise, the VA will not pay for unoccupied beds.

Excused absences are absences approved by the VAGLAHS Liaison.

Veterans with more than two (2) unexcused absences in one-month period shall be discharged from the contract after the Contractor receives approval from the VAGLAHS Liaison.

Contractor shall conduct immediate outreach for any Veteran once an unexcused absence occurs.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall comply with Federal and State Workers Compensation and liability insurance. Reference FAR clause 52.228-5-Insurance and Subpart 28.307-2-Liability. Contractor shall also hold vehicle insurance that meets State of California insurance requirements for transportation assets used in support of this contract.

Tashodra Rogers
Tashodra.Rogers@va.gov

tashodra.rogers@va.gov

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