Inactive Local Area Set-Aside (FAR 26.2)

PURPOSE. The Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System in San Juan, Puerto Rico ( VA ), requires contractors to provide services as part of its Community Based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HC... PURPOSE. The Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System in San Juan, Puerto Rico ( VA ), requires contractors to provide services as part of its Community Based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program in the provision of emergency beds for homeless Veterans. The goal of the HCHV program is to remove homeless Veterans from the street or habitation unfit for Veterans and place them in community-based, residential environments with enough therapeutic services to meet the needs of those Veterans. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain offers from contractors who can provide emergency beds and rehabilitative services to homeless veterans suffering from serious mental illness, substance abuse and other comorbidities, in a community-based residential facility that offers a safe and secure environment that supports their rehabilitation and permanent housing goals. The Contractor will be required to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services but will not be required to provide detoxification or other hospital level treatment those services will be provided by the VA at VA facilities. The intended period of performance will be one (1) year Base Term with the option to extend services up to Four (4) additional twelve (12) months terms from date of award; at the discretion of the Government. The type of contract intended to be awarded is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract and the pricing arrangement will be on a Firm-Fixed Price basis. BACKGROUND. In 2006, Public Law 109-461, titled Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 Title VII provides instructions on Homeless Veterans Assistance. Through the HCHV program, VA provides case management services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. C. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BASIC SERVICES: VA has the need of eleven (11) emergency beds for our Contract Beds Emergency Residential Program (CERS) to any given vendor that could meet the needs of homeless veterans as well as the high-quality standards and expectations of the Department of Veterans Affairs to end homelessness among our population. Six (6) of these emergency beds are to be located at the US Virgin Islands. The contractor shall furnish each Veteran referred for care under this contract with the following basic services: a. ROOM AND BOARD: Room and Board to include a bed and other furnishings such as a dresser, storage, and personal linens (towels and bed sheets). Meals to include at least three (3) nutritionally adequate meals a day, 7 days a week and availability of nutritional snacks between meals and bedtime for those requiring or desiring additional food, when it is not medically contraindicated. b. LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Laundry facilities for residents to do their own laundry or to have laundry done. c. THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES: Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Services determined to be needed by each individual Veteran referred for treatment as stated in the plan developed by the contractor, with input from the Veteran and the VA Homeless Program Coordinator (or designee). Services which the contractor must be able to furnish shall include: Case Management Services. Assistance to a smooth transition to permanent housing through case management. This includes transportation arrangements for (a) housing search and/or viewing, (b) to any needed agency in the quest of documentation toward housing (c) and moving assistance. The case management component also includes any other needed referral based on the individualized service plan and entitlements assistance to increase income/benefits. Structured group activities as appropriate examples include group therapy, social skills training, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, vocational counseling and physical activities as appropriate. Collaboration with the VA program staff, which will provide supportive psychosocial services. Clinical assessment and follow up in any area identified as needing improvement based on the individualized service plan goals is required to improve self-care skills, adaptive coping skills as appropriate and vocational rehabilitation, among others. Assistance to develop responsible living patterns, to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene and grooming, and to achieve a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning, upgraded social skills, and improved personal relationships. Support for an alcohol/drug abuse-free lifestyle provided in an environment conducive to social interaction and the fullest development of the resident s rehabilitative potential. A program that promotes community interaction. Provision of transportation to all medical appointments. (Participants must be on time to all medical appointments.) A supervised environment which will be staffed on a 24-hour basis as security services are essential. (10) Monitoring of medications, if necessary. (11) Enter client s data into the local Homeless Management Information System. In addition, the Contractor shall provide treatment and discharge planning reflecting a team assessment of health, social and vocational needs and the involvement of the Veteran, the VA staff and appropriate community resources in resolving problems and setting goals. An individual case record will be created for each referred Veteran. Case records shall be maintained in security and confidence as required by the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 CFR part 2) and the Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records (38 USC 7332). Case records and data normally maintained and included in a medical record as a function of compliance with State or community licensing standards will be made available on a need to know basis to appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs staff members involved with the treatment program of the Veterans concerned. The contractor shall comply with applicable requirements of the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 CFR Part II) and the Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records (38 USC 7332). The contractor shall comply with the principles listed in 38 CFR 17.707(b) to provide housing and supportive services in a manner that is free from religious discrimination. SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES: All services shall be provided at no additional charge to the stated daily fixed fee, except for those services specifically stated below to be Supplemental. PERSONNEL The contractor will employ enough personnel to carry out the policies, responsibilities, and the program for the facility. There must be, as a minimum, at least one administrative staff member, or designee of equivalent professional capability, on duty on the premises or residing at the house and available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Contractor shall assign to this contract personnel that, by education and training, (and, when required, certification or licensure) are qualified to provide the Basic Services and Supplemental Services required by this SOW. The Contractor must identify each person functioning as Key Personnel under this contract and provide to the VA a description of the services to be provided by such person, together with a resume summarizing that person s relevant skills and experience. KEY PERSONNEL: Security guard 24/7 One case manager with clinical knowledge One registered nurse Administrative/Supervisor Driver DESCRIPTION: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Only. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended for information and planning purposes only at this time; and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This Request for Information is intended for Socio-economic groups: Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business, Veterans Owned Small Business, Women Owned Small Business and Small Business. Because this is a Request for Information announcement, no evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents. No solicitation exists. Therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs Service Area Office East/Network Contracting Office 8, San Juan, Puerto Rico Services Team, is conducting market research to identify potential sources with the intention to award Service Contract. Responses to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, phone number, fax number and point of contact e-mail, DUNS Number, Cage Code, size of business pursuant to North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). NAICS Code is 624229. This procurement will be conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received in writing no later than 10:00am Eastern Standard Time (EST) on APRIL 3, 2020. This notice will help the VA in determining available potential sources only. Do not contact VA Medical Center staff in regard to this requirement, as they are not authorized to discuss this matter related to this procurement action, all questions will be addressed during the solicitation stage by the Contract Specialist. All firms responding to this Request for Information are advised that their response is not a request for proposal therefore will not be considered for a contract award.