Inactive

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE only. Responses to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes. No quotes are being requested or accepted at this time with this notice. The Departme... This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE only. Responses to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes. No quotes are being requested or accepted at this time with this notice. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a VISN 4 requirement for Reference Lab Testing Services. The Facilities to be serviced are as follows: Butler VA Healthcare System 353 N Duffy Rd Butler, PA 16001 Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Rd Coatesville, PA 19320 Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Erie VA Medical Center 135 E 38th St Erie, PA 16504 James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System University Dr C Pittsburgh, PA 15240 Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 111 E End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Wilmington VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Hwy Wilmington, DE 19805 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code being considered for this procurement is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and the Product Service Code (PSC) is Q301 Medical Laboratory Testing. Below is a draft copy of the Performance Work Statement(PWS). Responses to this notice should include the following: Company name Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number Company s address Point of Contact information (i.e. title, phone number and email address) Company s capability to meet this requirement and any pertinent information which demonstrates the company s ability to meet the above requirements. GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract number, if within scope of this effort (if applicable). Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services under the same or a related NAICS codes. Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services that are registered under the same or a related NAICS code with the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE); Provide the certification type (SDVOSB/VOSB), Federal Identification Number, and state of incorporation for each. Do you plan on responding to a solicitation for this requirement with a Joint Venture utilizing multiple owned companies as majority or non-majority owner? Yes ___No ___ If yes, please identify which companies are considering a Joint Venture and the ownership of each company. Company s type of business (small or large) and socioeconomic status whether Service Disable Veteran Owned, Veteran Owned, Hubzone, 8(a), Women Owned, Small Disadvantaged, etc. If applicable, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) must be verified in www.VetBiz.gov , and be able to meet the limitation on subcontracting in accordance with 13 CFR 125.6; if applicable. All responses shall be submitted in writing via email no later than 4:00 PM EST, on July 22, 2022 to Noelle Irish at noelle.irish@va.gov SUBJECT LINE: VISN 04 Reference Lab Testing Services. E-mail: noelle.irish@va.gov. Facsimile or telephonic responses will not be accepted. Simply responding as an interested party in beta.SAM.gov does not constitute your company as a source. Offeror must provide the above requested information. After review of the responses to this sources sought notice, a solicitation announcement may be published in the near future. Responses to this sources sought announcement are not considered adequate responses to the solicitation announcement. All interested offerors will have to respond to the forthcoming solicitation announcement, in addition to responding to this sources sought notice. All interested parties must be registered with System for Award Management (SAM) at beta.SAM.gov in order to be eligible for award of Government contracts. I SCHEDULE OF SERVICES The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, and services to perform laboratory services to include pickup and transport of specimens to its laboratory; pre-analytic processing as defined in its laboratory user s manual; analysis, reporting of analytic results, and consultation regarding selection, collection, transportation, and result interpretation for the participating facilities in VISN 04 as further described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) included herein. Note: This list is not all inclusive as patient testing needs may fluctuate throughout the contract period. These fluctuations can occur in both the volume of tests and the test menu. Place of Performance: Services shall be provided at the Contractor s reference laboratory. Period of Performance: 5 years (Approx. 01/02/2023-01/01/2028) PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) REFERENCE LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES GENERAL SERVICES REQUIRED: The participating facilities of VISN 04 requires the Contractor to provide reference laboratory testing services on an as needed basis. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Services shall be provided at the Contractor s laboratory. AUTHORITY: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) Sharing Authority. POLICY AND REGULATIONS: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable OSHA, federal and state laws and regulations as required for performing the type of services required, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS: CAP: College of American Pathologists. Laboratory Accreditation agency that has deemed status from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report CLIA: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. United States federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States. CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Contracting Officer (CO): The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings. Contracting Officer s Representative (COR): A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor performs in accordance with, and adheres to, the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken. CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System IAW: In Accordance With POP: Period of Performance PWS: Performance Work Statement QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan Veterans Health Administration (VHA): The central office for administration of the VA medical centers through throughout the United States. The VHA is in Washington, D.C. Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN): The regional oversight for the VA medical center. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC): Unless identified with the name of a different VA Medical Center. CLINICAL DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS: Critical Value: A test result that requires evaluation by a physician or other health care provider as soon as verified. Failure to take appropriate action as a result of a critical value might cause harm or undue suffering for a patient. A list of critical values is to be made available to VISN 04 upon request. Frozen Section: A biopsy specimen that is immediately frozen and cut with cryostat; then mounted on a slide, stained, and examined by a pathologist. Frozen sections provide a rapid diagnosis to the physician during surgery. Paraffin Block. A tissue specimen that has been embedded in paraffin wax that the sections can be cut for histologic examination. Reference or Referral Laboratory. The contract laboratory that provides testing, and examination of specimens provided by the VA. Reference Value. A range of test values expected for a designated population of individuals. Slides. Glass surface containing biological material to be analyzed. Specimen. A body fluid or tissue sample removed for medical examination and analytical testing. STAT. A designated category of tests that requires immediate processing to expedite results to physicians handling potentially life-threatening cases. Surgical Specimen. A sample or part of an organ or tissue removed during surgery for medical examination and analytical testing. Tests. Diagnostic assays to evaluate a patient's physiological condition. Routine Test. A test that is usually performed at high volume in which the result is required in 24 hours generally. Specialized Test. A test that is performed in low volume but the technology, expense, or time-consuming nature of each test, is such that some delay is expected. However, results should be received within a reasonable amount of time to meet patient care needs. The delay usually occurs to allow tests received from different enters to be batch to make the operation cost effected. Esoteric Test. A test that is similar to specialized tests, except they can only be done in a few laboratories throughout the country. TAT. Turnaround time. The length of elapsed time between pick-up or dispatch of specimen from the contractor s laboratory until the receipt of the completed printed/ electronically transmitted report back in the lab. Exception: For STAT tests, the TAT shall begin at the time of notification by the VISN laboratories to the Contractor. These definitions apply whether the contractor or a subcontractor performs the test. Special handling. Unusual circumstances may dictate the need for a specimen to be picked up, run out of sequence at a special time, or reported within a shorter than usual time. Overflow. A test usually performed in a VISN 04 laboratory, which might be referred to the Contractor s laboratory in case of instrument breakdown or other circumstances interfering with the VA s ability to analyze the specimens. Proficiency Testing. An assessment of the accuracy of testing by a laboratory based on the analysis of an unknown specimen analyzed by many other labs. The proficiency survey is conducted by an organization or agency authorized by HHS to do so. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION: Contractor shall have and maintain all licenses, permits, accreditation and certificates required by law to operate as a CLIA-certified laboratory. This requirement shall also apply to any subcontractors performing services under this contract. Contractor shall provide evidence of Laboratory accreditation for Contractor and Subcontractor laboratories upon receipt of a written request by VA. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL: The Contractor shall make sure employees have current and valid professional certifications before starting work under this contract. The Laboratory Director, medical technologists, medical technicians, and cytotechnologists shall meet personnel qualifications required by CLIA '88 Guidelines. Pathologists must have graduated from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy and completed a residency or fellowship in pathology acceptable to the United States Surgeons General and must possess a valid license to practice clinical reference laboratory services from a United States jurisdiction; and shall have provided pathology services a minimum of 24 months within the past 36 months and pathology consultation services a minimum of 36 months within the past 48 months. The Contractor shall maintain current licenses and certificates for all Contractor personnel and provide copies of such to VA upon reasonable written request. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE: Contractor shall maintain professional liability insurance by a commercial insurance company in the business of providing the required insurance coverage. The Contractor shall provide a copy of the Insurance Certificate upon receipt of a written request by the VA. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Contractor is responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. ANNUAL OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) STATEMENT: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the VA OIG has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Therefore, all Contractors shall review the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the OIG web site at www.hhs.gov/oig to ensure that the proposed Contractors and/or firm(s) are not listed. Contractors should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person or entity was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMPs may also be imposed against the Contractors and entities that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals or entities to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries. By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractor(s) and/or firm(s) are not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed. SCHEDULE SCHEDULE: The Contractor shall provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, including federal holidays, as required by VA. All services shall be provided within the timeframes specified in Section 4 below. The Contractor shall provide routine scheduled specimen pickup at a time mutually agreed upon by the COR and the Contractor. FEDERAL HOLIDAYS: The following holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs: New Year s Day Martin Luther King s Birthday Presidents Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Any day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. Unless a state of emergency has been declared or VANCHCS facilities are closed, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing services. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES SERVICES REQUIRED: VISN 04 requires the Contractor to provide reference laboratory testing services as described herein. Attachment A contains a minimum list of orderable tests and estimated volumes for each as well as testing on a paraffin-embedded tissue (to include consultation, immunohistochemistry, molecular testing (anatomic pathology), and in situ hybridization). This list is not all inclusive as patient testing needs may fluctuate throughout the contract period. These fluctuations can occur in both the volume of tests and type of tests required. Therefore, Contractor must have the ability to perform a broad test menu in order to provide additional testing needed as would be expected of a national reference laboratory. Services will include pick-up and transport of specimens to the Contractor s laboratory for processing and testing. Contractor shall be required to provide all equipment and support necessary to provide appropriate interconnectivity between the Contractor s reference laboratory and the VA s VISTA system. VA s interconnectivity requirements are further described in Paragraph 4.11 below. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE: Contractor shall perform services according to the requirements contained in this PWS and services shall be performed in a manner that is equal to or greater than CLIA standards. Testing methodology and reference ranges for tests must be defined in the laboratory user manual. SPECIMEN PICK-UP TIMES: STAT/Emergency: The Contractor shall pick up STAT/emergency specimens within one (1) hour of notification of specimen availability. Routine: The Contractor shall provide routine scheduled specimen pick-up at a time mutually agreed upon by the COR and the Contractor but not less than once each day. When a pick-up courier is required on weekends (if not already scheduled) or federal holidays, the COR or designee shall notify the Contractor, via telephone. PICK-UP LOCATIONS: Contractor shall regularly pick-up specimens as required from the following VANCHCS facilities: Butler VA Healthcare System 353 N Duffy Rd Butler, PA 16001 Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Rd Coatesville, PA 19320 Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Erie VA Medical Center 135 E 38th St Erie, PA 16504 James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System University Dr C Pittsburgh, PA 15240 Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 111 E End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Wilmington VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Hwy Wilmington, DE 19805 TEST RESULTS: STAT/Emergency: The Contractor shall provide telephonic, fax, and computer-to computer modem response with test interpretation within no more than two (2) hours of specimen testing in Contractor s testing facility. The Contractor shall report all STAT and abnormal test results to VANCHCS upon completion of testing. Routine: The Contractor shall provide routine test results to the ordering VA facility within twenty-four (24) hours following test completion, except when specimens are picked up the day before a weekend or holiday (in which case the results will be provided the following business day) and for tests with published longer turnaround times. Test procedures requiring a turnaround time longer than 24 hours (excluding the above exceptions) shall be identified in the Contractor s Laboratory User s manual (paper or electronic or on-line). Telephone Consultation: The Contractor shall consult with the Processing Department, VA COR, requesting Clinician or designee at the VA by telephone as needed. Critical Values: The Contractor shall immediately telephone the COR; requesting Clinician or designee to report Critical Values or test result that may indicate a life-threatening condition. Reporting of Results: A report is defined as a printed final copy in duplicate of laboratory testing results. This report shall be received by remote terminal where applicable. If results are telephoned to VA, the report must include the name of the individual who was notified by telephone of the results. Each test report shall indicate, at minimum, the following information: Patient's name and/or identification code (Last four of Social Security Number or Unique Identifier (UID), if provided) Physician's name (if supplied) Patient's location (clinical/ward), (if supplied) Date/time specimen received in Reference Lab Test ordered Date/time of specimen collection (when available) Date test completed Test result Flag abnormals Reference range Toxic and/or therapeutic range where applicable Testing laboratory specimen number Name and address of testing laboratory (contractor and/or subcontractor) Type of specimen Any additional comments related to test provided by submitting VA laboratories. Any other information the laboratory has that may indicate a questionable validity of test results. Unsatisfactory specimen shall be reported with regard to its unsuitability for testing. Delays in Reporting Test Results: If for any reason, there will be a delay in reporting of test results the Contractor will contact the VA as soon as they are aware that a delay will occur. Such notification must be made by telephone or facsimile to the Processing Department, COR and the Contractor will provide an estimated time for delivery of delayed results. Email notification will not be accepted. Reporting ICN: For test results being returned to the VA laboratories running VISTA lab, referral labs are to include a VA ICN or VA EDIPI number with patient reports as an identifier. VA referring VISTA labs are to supply the patients VA ICN or VA EDIPI with each lab order to enable the referral lab to include it with results returned to the VA. SPECIMEN HANDLING: Storage of Specimens: The Contractor shall store all specimens as required by regulatory agencies (RA). Upon request by the COR or designee, the Contractor shall provide a copy of the regulatory requirements for each participating RA. In the absence of RA requirements, the Contractor shall store specimens, after all testing has been completed for the following periods: Cytology and histopathology slides: 25 years Quality Control Slides: When requested by VA, the Contractor shall return slides, tissue blocks, etc., to the requesting VA facility. The Contractor shall provide quality control slides to the VA upon submission of their final reports. Test Samples: Upon provision of sample slides by the VA, the Contractor shall provide interpretation of sample slides. The sample may include, at a minimum, breast biopsy, thyroid biopsy, mastectomy with nodes, colon resection, lymph node biopsy, and gynecology and non-gynecology cytology. CUSTOM PANELS: Contractor shall have the ability to create custom panels as required by VA. Once custom panel is developed Contractor shall be required to ensure the custom panel is available for the duration of the contract. MONTHLY TESTS SUMMARY: The Contractor shall provide to the VA a cumulative (year-to-date) and monthly report of all tests received during the month and for all outstanding results. The report will also include turn around statistics, cost per test (including any additional charges), and specimen or testing issues. CONTRACTOR COMMUNICATIONS: The Contractor shall provide telephone number(s) and a contact person to be used by the VA to make specimen problem inquiries and for problem solving, which must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. The Contractor shall include names and telephone numbers of technical Directors and Pathologists available for consultation. The Contractor shall assign a specific local account representative to the VA as well as program analyst support for interface troubleshooting and maintenance. Program analyst support shall be made available to the VA Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays. INTERCONNECTIVITY (INTERFACE WITH VA SYSTEMS): The Contractor shall provide personal computers (PC) or printers, as needed, and any necessary connection/devices, including one commercial phone line for terminal/datafax connection (if required) for the purpose of providing interconnectivity with VA. Such equipment will be located at the VA facilities identified and mutually agreed upon between Contractor and VA during implementation. Provision of such equipment and supplies by the Contractor shall be understood to include installation, maintenance, and replacement as needed for all equipment necessary for interconnectivity and resulting reporting. Contractor shall transmit the results to Contractor-provided printers located at these VISN 04 facilities. Completed and/or partial test results shall be transmitted to the requesting VA facility to arrive within the published TAT except where specified. The Contractor is responsible for all supplies required for transmission of test results. Contractor shall have the ability to provide interconnectivity between the Contractor s system to and VA s VISTA system for at least 80% of available tests. The printer system (all elements of the transmission path, including the transmitter and associated receivers) must be able to: Print copies of the laboratory reports Operate in a "normal" medical center-operating environment without additional expense for air conditioning, humidity control, or noise suppression Provide reprint capability of a report at the VA laboratories. The Contractor shall: Be responsible for preventive and as-needed maintenance or replacement of the printer, PC (personal computer), and all associated devices Have the responsibility to train medical center personnel in routine operations (loading and unloading paper, ribbon changes, test and reset); and Provide a validation service (fax or telephone) in the event of transmission or printer degradation. The Contractor shall provide upon a mutually acceptable implementation date, at no cost to the Government, an electronic interface capability (bi-directional) system, herein referred to as EFC-bd. Computer requirements shall include, but not limited to host to host allowing electronic order entry, inquiry, i.e., test status, results, specimen handling requirements, test methodologies, etc., and automatic transmission of out-source reference testing into the VA s current legacy of the veterans health information systems and technology services, hereinafter referred to as VISTA. Upon implementation of electronic interface capability (bi-directional) the Contractor will have ninety (90) calendar days to develop a working interface software program at VANCHCS. Compliance will depend as well and will be directly related to VANCHCS facilities readiness and commitment for implementation. Contractor shall provide all necessary implementation support for interface configuration. EFC-bd is based on Health Level System (HL 7) Version 2.3 messaging protocol and VISTA Laboratory HL 7 specifications document. This document should be used as a basis for data interchange. EFC-bd will provide electronic data interchange between the VISTA Laboratory package and other VISTA and non-VISTA laboratory information systems for the transmitting and receiving of laboratory test orders, order processing and results reporting. VISN 04 facilities will construct shipping lists on VISTA listing specimens, tests, and other information to openly identify the shipment. These facilities will also have the capability to transmit electronic messages containing those tests being transported to the receiving Contractor facility. The electronic transmission of orders will include shipping information to enable VISN 04 facilities and the Contractor to have shipping information prior to arrival. These orders will be stored in a pending orders file, pending specimen/shipping list arrival. The Shipping List will have complete information to allow manual order entry at the referral site, if required. Required information will include: Name of shipping facility Shipping List ID Shipping date/time Referring point of contract Method of shipment for example, carrier, bill no., estimated time of arrival, etc. (if other than the reference lab courier) List of tests with patient demographics similar to VISTA load/worklist Bar code site and specimen ID on shipping list and specimen ID labels Automated order entry will also be possible. The receiving facility (Contractor) shall: Process shipments upon arrival using shipping list Accession specimens into computer from pending orders file Update electronic shipping lists with status of specimens, i.e., received, missing, insufficient quantity, incorrect shipping conditions, improper specimen, etc. Store links to referring site/accession for acknowledge of shipment Receipt, status of testing and results transmission to VISN 04 facilty and update workload, as appropriate Construct electronic messages containing test results and return to VISN 04 facility. Upon receipt of tests, the VA will update the order/accession with test results and allow either automatic release or provide for review before release as well as update workload. Maintenance of Automated System: The Contractor shall provide preventive and as-needed maintenance on the terminal system at the VA facility/clinic at no additional charge to the government. The Contractor shall provide maintenance within 24 hours of notification by the COR or designee. In the case of a failure of the automated system, the Contractor shall provide an alternate route of transmission (i.e. telephone, fax, or courier service) to VISN 04 facilities, and shall maintain the same time frames as the automated system. In the case of an emergency due to computer malfunction, the Contractor will provide a contingency system to provide a hard copy to VISN 04 facility. The hardware will be placed in a location designated by the VISN 04 facility and maintained according to the criteria specified in 4.11.7 above, with the following additions: Contractor will provide telephone service in the event of transmission or printer degradation Contractor will be responsible for the installation and, if and when necessary, the removal of all telecommunication equipment. This will take place a mutually agreed upon time between VISN 04 facility and the Contractor Hardware(s) that is/are used for storing laboratory data should be sanitized prior to removal from the Clinical Laboratory. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT The Contractor shall be subject to Quality Assurance measures, using the standards as outlined in this PWS and methods of surveillance detailed in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP shall be attached to the resultant contract and shall define the methods and frequency of surveillance conducted. The Government will evaluate the Contractor s performance to ensure services are performed in accordance with this Contract to include monitoring test results for consistency to ensure results correlate with diagnosis. If any of the services do not conform to the contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no additional cost to the Government. When the defective services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may: Obtain the service from another source and charge the Contractor with any resultant charges plus actual administrative costs. Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and Take other actions as appropriate, including but not limited to termination of this Contract. For contracts with a period of one year or less, the CO will perform a single evaluation when the contract is complete. For contracts exceeding one year, the CO will evaluate the Contractor s performance annually. Interim reports will be filed each year until the last year of the contract, when the final report will be completed. The report shall be assigned in CPARS to the Contractor s designated representative for comment. The Contractor will have sixty (60) days to submit any comments and re-assign the report to the CO. Failure of the Contractor to respond to the evaluation within those sixty (60) days will result in the Government s evaluation being placed on file in the database with a statement that the Contractor failed to respond; the Contractor s representative will be locked out of the evaluation and may no longer send comments. The Contractor agrees to maintain the minimum acceptable service, reporting systems and quality control as specified herein. Immediate (within 24 hours) notification must be given to VA upon adverse action by a regulatory agency (RA). The Contractor shall advise the COR of any ch...