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Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice (SRC) 36C25621Q1056 This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE only for the purpose of Market Research. Response to this notice will be used for information and plan... Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice (SRC) 36C25621Q1056 This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE only for the purpose of Market Research. Response to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Responses to this SRC notice is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care Systems (SLVHCS), in New Orleans, is seeking businesses capable of providing the following locums: two (2) Optometrists and one (1) Ophthalmic Health Technician/Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. The contractor shall provide licensed Optometrists and Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. The staff must meet the licensing/certification requirement of the State of the VA location(s) where the performance of this contract is executed. The State(s) included in this contact is/are Louisiana. A contingency plan shall be in place to insure adequate contractor coverage (licensed/certified staff) in the event of contractor sickness, vacations, termination of employment etc. When the staff is selected by the contractor, the CO and facility Clinical COR will have discretion on the selected applicant regarding the person having suitable experience, qualifications, training and security clearance to meet the workload at the location. The staff must successfully complete the vendor and VA background requirements, new employee orientation to VA procedures, and mandatory training requirements. If any of these areas are deficient, the contract staff shall be unable to work at the VA location. Contractor staff performing on site at a VA facility shall always dress in a professional manner and wear appropriate identification in the performance of their duties and while on Government Facility Grounds. The duty hours and locations are in the below tables. The anticipated period of performance for this requirement is from 3 August 2021 through 31 July 2026 OR 3 August 2021 to 31 July 2022 with four (4) option years. Please note: the start date depends on completion of credentialing & privileging (to include VETPRO) and initiated background investigation. Seeking highly qualified staff that will not involve airfare travel to minimize costs, especially as the VA is seeking more long-term coverage, until they are able to recruit full-time VA staff. LOCATION and POSITIONS: FACILITY ADDRESS Optometrist (Licensed) Southeast Louisiana VA Medical Center (Ordering Facility) 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 1 Baton Rouge CBOC 7968 Essen Park Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 1 FACILITY ADDRESS Ophthalmology Health Technician (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant-COA) Baton Rouge CBOC 7968 Essen Park Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 1 DUTY HOURS: Optometrist New Orleans, LA M F, 07:30 am 04:00 pm Optometrist Baton Rouge, LA M - F, 07:30 am 04:00 pm Ophthalmology COA Baton Rouge, LA M F, 07:30 am 04:00 pm CLIN 1: OPTOMETRIST REQUIREMENTS I. The contractor s on-site personnel shall: Provide outpatient care for patients with eye-related disorders, conditions and any emergent conditions. Answer beneficiary questions related to exams, prescriptions any pre-operative/ post-operative questions and care. Conduct routine eye examinations, as well as visual field tests Conduct vision tests ordered in a standard vision exam. Take detailed medical histories for all patients, including current and past prescription medications. All providers are required to have completed an ACOE-approved optometry residency program. Must validate evidence of professional and clinical background enough to be deemed equivalent to an approved residency program experience. Required to be certified by The American Board of Optometry certification Required to maintain certification through the utilization of organizations such as the American Board of Physician Specialties. Must have the ability and credentialing to diagnose and treat eye-related disorders and conditions Maintain professional customer relations. Meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a well-mannered, tactful, and respectful manner. Provide the customer with accurate information according to established policies and procedures. Work closely with COR and staff members regarding administrative issues as early as possible once issues are discovered. Must ensure that all clinical privileges are up to date with the National Standards. Responsible for maintaining communications and emails on a weekly basis Must comply with current standards for medical record documentation, residency management, professional accountability, and administrative responsibilities outlined in this performance work statement. Must be accountable for completing chart audits, ASSIST, and EPARS Must possess knowledge of the following: instruments, devices, pharmaceutical agents procedures with the purpose of investigating, examining, treating, diagnosing or correcting visual defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye such as but not limited to: Keratometer Pachymeter Microkeratome Lasers Phoropter Ophthalmoscope Retinal Camera. Snellen Chart Tonometer both Applanation and Tonopen Retinoscope. VT 1 Vision Screener Slit lamp Indirect and Direct Ophthalmometers Spectacle lens measurement automated and manual Prescriptions must be entered by a VA licensed optometrist or VA authorized designee. Prescriptions must be electronically linked to a VA clinical exam note, VA electronic order, or VA authorized appointment for use in the performance of this contract. Must possess knowledge and clinical experience in order to prescribe lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, tints, contact lenses, orthoptics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, low vision aids and other prosthetic devices to correct, relieve, or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye. Other duties as commensurate. II. Contractor Personnel Elements of Competence: Contractor personnel shall have the ability to interpret, prescribe and dispense prescriptions using appropriate lens strength, corrections and facial frame measurements. Including eye measurements for contact lenses. Contractor personnel must be able to fulfill the following requirements: Identify anomalies in a prescription and implement the appropriate course of action. Identify possible errors in a prescription and follow the appropriate course of action. Identify and explain any problems which may occur from the given prescription and offers solutions, for example, aniseikonia, anisometropia. Must refer and consult with other health care providers within the medical center as indicated. Measure and verify that the lenses are correctly fitted to the orbit of the eye. Must have comprehension and knowledge of screening procedures necessary to assist in proper routing of patients to appropriate health care providers. Demonstrate correct prescriptions; understand the following lens parameters: lens form, design, materials, coatings and tints, prism. Manage non-tolerance cases. Address problems to include verifying Rx. Must be accountable for educating patients, residents, students and staff. regarding ocular anomalies, ocular disease, and sight conservation, including participation in the clinical oversight of optometry residents and student externs. CLIN 2: Ophthalmology Health Technician Responsibilities: GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES Ophthalmology Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support Ophthalmologists in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up care and patient counseling. The Full Performance Health Technician (Ophthalmology) performs a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures, assists during clinic-based surgical procedures, educates patients and legal representatives, assists with the education of medical students and residents. The Full Performance Health Technician (Ophthalmology) may perform many direct patient care services under Ophthalmologists oversight. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Experience and Education Experience. One year of experience in a health care field, such as but not limited to nursing, medical assistant, or health technician. OR Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of six semester hours directly related to a health care field or associate degree in a health care related degree. OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification: All applicants must be certified as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) with the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). The COA certification is JCAHPO s entry-level certification examination for a Health Technician (Ophthalmology). English Language Proficiency: Health Technicians (Ophthalmology) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation; Ability to perform calculations for selection of intraocular lens; Knowledge of clinic based ophthalmic surgical assisting including preparation of the surgical field; Knowledge of eye anatomy and physiology; Knowledge of medication effects and proper instillation in the eye; Knowledge of optics; and Knowledge of proper cleaning and maintenance of clinic equipment. Clinical Responsibilities The Health Technician (Ophthalmology) shall perform a range of standard, but complex, diagnostic procedures Checks and performs calibration of technical ophthalmology screening instruments. Obtains patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs and symptoms; current medication allergies; past ocular and general medical history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Accurately tests visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole. Measures eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, axis, and prism in both plus and minus cylinder. Performs pupil evaluation recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation. Performs swinging flashlight test to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect. Performs basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter. Instills eye medications (drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilating drops, cycloplegic drops , or antibiotics). Measures intraocular pressure with standard techniques, including Goldmann applanation tonometry. Performs pachymetry to determine corneal thickness and manual keratometry or automated topography to determine corneal curvature. Performs intra-ocular lens calculations using an IOL Master or equivalent device. Performs automated visual field testing using various perimetry machines. Performs external photographs and fundus photography. Performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. Performs patient screening and triage of potentially urgent ocular conditions. Assists during clinic-based ophthalmic surgery, including revision of wounds, biopsies of the eyelid lesions, cultures of conjunctiva, or cornea; reformation of anterior chamber, evacuation of hyphema, repositioning of corneal endothelial grafts, intra-vitreous injections, and laser surgical procedures. Educates patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions. Assists in the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows in those facilities with medical school affiliations. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies and equipment; obtains quotes as needed; and reports needed repairs to biomedical engineering. Offeror s capabilities response to this Notice shall be limited to 10 pages and shall include the following information: Offeror s company name, DUNS, Federal Tax ID, address, point of contact, title, phone number, and email address Offeror s capability to meet this requirement including any current contracts (Civilian or Government). Response must show clear and convincing evidence that your company has the capabilities and qualification to provide this service to be considered as a source. SDVOSB and VOSB shall also show evidence that they will perform 51% of the work (additional 5 pages allowed). All parties are asked to identify any subcontracts that shall also be utilized. Offeror s type of business (small or large) and socioeconomic status whether Service Disable Veteran Owned, Veteran Owned, Hubzone, 8(a), Woman Owned, Small Disadvantaged, etc. If applicable, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran-Owned (VOSB) must be verified with the seal in VetBiz to be considered as a source. Same for/with subcontractor. Note, if applicable, GSA/FSS contract number AND/OR Open Market, as this is notice is being posted to both eBUY and BetaSAM for the purposes of market research. Does your company already have contract staff available? Local? Note whether interested in five-year firm or base & four option years? NOTE: The NAICS code is 561320, Temporary Help Services, applies and the Size Standard is $30.0 million. Responses must be received by no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, June 8, 2021 and emailed to Melanie.Hawley@va.gov using RFI/SRC 36C25621Q1056 in the subject line to be considered. Facsimile or Telephonic responses will not be accepted. Furthermore, incomplete capability responses will not be considered. All interested parties are reminded to be current with their registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov/content/home in order to be eligible for award of Government contracts.