Inactive

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This SOURCE SOUGHT NOTICE is for the purpose of Market Research. Response to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes. No proposals or quote... This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This SOURCE SOUGHT NOTICE is for the purpose of Market Research. Response to this notice will be used for information and planning purposes. No proposals or quotes are being requested or accepted with this notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS or QUOTES and NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. This notice shall NOT be construed as solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Responses to this notice is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS), Biloxi, MS, is seeking, preferably Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, or Small Businesses (but will accept other than small business for market research purposes), capable of providing non-emergent Ambulance transport services and wheelchair transport services for the Mobile Outpatient Clinic, Mobile, AL. See DRAFT Performance Work Statement for detailed description of services. The NAICS code is 621910 Ambulance Services and the Size Standard is $16.5M. Responses must be received by no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time, Friday, July 23, 2021. Responses shall be emailed to rene.impey@va.gov. Responses shall include Capabilities Statements, DUNS number, and whether the requirement is on GSA/FSS schedule or Open Market. Facsimile or Telephonic responses will not be accepted. Note: All interested parties are reminded to be registered, active and verified in the following to be considered for Award. SAM: https://sam.gov/SAM/ VETBIZ: https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/ Vet 4212 (Veteran owned small Business are reminded of Reporting Requirements) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/progams/vets4212 DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT Ambulance Transport & Wheelchair Transport Services The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System has a requirement for non-emergent ambulance transport services and wheelchair transport services for beneficiaries of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS [ herein referred as VA) Outpatient Clinic located in Mobile, Alabama. The Contractor shall provide all vehicles, personnel, management, supplies, transportation, equipment, reports, and anything else necessary to provide ground non-emergent ambulance transport services and wheelchair transport services as identified in the Schedule of Supplies/Services and the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in accordance with all terms, conditions, and provisions contained herein. The awarded contract shall cover a Base Period from October 1, 2021 (or date of award) through September 30, 2022, and four (4) 12-month Option Periods to be exercised at the government s discretion. The contractor s care shall cover the full range of paramedic and non-emergent ambulance transport services provided in the local community. Performance shall continuously be compliant with the requirements contained herein and meet or exceed the standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of Alabama. 1. CONTRACT DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS Advanced Life Support (ALS) - ALS shall be provided by ambulance vehicles containing at a minimum an on-board Paramedic, cardiac monitoring, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) drugs and procedures, advanced airway management and medication monitoring and administration. Ambulances for ALS services shall be staffed in accordance with current Alabama State laws and regulations governing the certification and licensure of private ambulances. (b) Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) - An individual designated by the Contracting Officer for the medical facility, which is authorized to commit and obligate the government through the life of the contract, with consent from the Contracting Officer. (c) Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD) - VA official that works in the admissions area during evenings and nights and monitors hospital activities during other than normal working hours. This person acts as the hospital administrator during off-hours. (d) Base Rate - Base Rate is defined as the rate paid for one-way transportation from a designated pick up point to a designated delivery point. This rate will be paid for all authorized one-way trips ordered under this contract action, with employees receiving at minimum the Department of Labor Service Contract Act wage rates (included in Section D Contract Documents, Exhibits, or Attachments) during all phases of the trip made on behalf of the Government. The attached Service Contract Act wage rate determination will be updated each option year when/if new revisions are issued. The Base Rate shall constitute full compensation for one-way trips which do not exceed the Mileage Threshold as shown in the Schedule of Supplies/Services and Prices/Costs for the medical facility. (e) Basic Life Support (BLS) - BLS is defined as services required for non-critical patient care in which patient requires an ambulance, staffed in accordance with current Alabama State laws and regulations governing the certification and licensure of private ambulances. This ambulance at a minimum will be staffed with a vehicle operator and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). (f) Beneficiary - Veterans and other members determined to be eligible for benefits by the VA. (g) Business Hours/Days - Business hours/days are defined as the time of 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Federal holidays include New Year s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and other specifically designated days by the President of the United States to be a Federal holiday. Off business hours/days are defined as all hours outside of business hours/days. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a legal holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed by U. S. Government agencies. (h) Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America's medical transportation system. CAAS is an independent Commission that established a comprehensive series of standards for the ambulance service industry. CAAS accreditation signifies that your service has met the "gold standard" determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider. These standards often exceed those established by state or local regulation. The CAAS standards are designed to increase operational efficiency and clinical quality, while decreasing risk and liability to the organization. The process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent external review of the EMS organization. This independent process provides verification to your Board of Directors, city council, medical community and others that quality care is provided to the community. All ambulance systems are eligible for the three-year accreditation including private, public, fire department and hospital based. (i) Contracting Officer (CO) - VA official with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings, and is a member of the vehicle inspection team. (j) Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) - VA official responsible for providing contract oversight and technical guidance to the Contracting Officer. Responsibilities include certification of invoices, placing orders for service, providing technical guidance, overseeing technical aspects of the contract, and are a member of the vehicle inspection team. All administrative functions remain with the Contracting Officer. (k) Contractor - The term Contractor as used herein refers to both the prime Contractor and his/her employees, and any subcontractors and their employees. The Contractor shall be responsible for assuring that his/her subcontractors comply with the provisions of this contract. (l) Dry Run - A dry run is defined as a request for service by authorized Medical Center personnel whereby the Contractor arrives at the designated pick-up point and no patient is transported due to a change in the Medical Center s needs. The Contractor will be entitled to the applicable base rate only when dry runs are encountered due to no fault or negligence of the Contractor (see Schedule of Supplies/Services and Prices/Costs for more details). (m) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - A national organization dedicated to improving the care, safety, and treatment of patients in a health care facility and environment. (n) Mileage Rate - Mileage rate for ambulance is the rate paid for each mile traveled beyond the specified Mileage Threshold for medical facility. This rate applies to one-way transportation only. In no event shall the Contractor receive this rate for miles traveled within the specified Mileage Threshold. (o) No-Patient Charge - Fee allowed to Contractor for scheduled pick-ups for which due to circumstances beyond the contractor s control (i.e. patient refuses pick-up, patient not home, patient not medically/mentally suitable for transport, etc.). This charge shall only be assessed on actual trips to the patient pick-up point and shall not be assessed on scheduled pick-ups that are cancelled in advance by the VA and/or the patient (see Schedule of Supplies/Services and Prices/Costs for additional information). (p) Quality Assurance - Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of this contract. (q) Quality Assurance Evaluator(s) - Government personnel responsible for surveillance of Contractor performance. (r) Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan - An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods for performing surveillance of the Contractor s continuous performance. (s) Quality Control - Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so they will meet the requirements of a contract. (t) Specialty Care Transport Patients with aortic balloon pump systems or post cardiac cauterizations. (u) Scheduled Trip(s) - The term Scheduled Trip as used in this contract refers to those trips in which the Contractor has been given advance notice (advance notice is defined as a notice given by 4:30 p.m. the prior business day) of required services and a specific pick-up time. (v) Unscheduled Trips(s) - The term Unscheduled Trip as used in this contract refers to those trips required on an as needed basis and advance notice is not given. (w) Vehicle(s) - The term Vehicle(s) as used in this contract refers to ambulance transportation provided under the requirements of this contract. (x) Waiting - Waiting as used in this contract is defined as the time required and verified by authorized medical facility personnel for the Contractor to wait at designated pick-up and/or delivery points in performing contract services. (y) Waiting Grace Period - The waiting grace period is defined as fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time waiting charges commence. The base rate for ambulance services shall include a fifteen (15) minute waiting grace period at origin and at destination. 2. METRIC CONVERSIONS Any measurements stated in this specification or in any documents associated with the proposed contract as normally used inch-pound units can be converted to metric units provided they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376. Any measurements only given in inch-pound units are not meant to be restrictive. If the General Requirements require replacement of parts to be included as part of the contract and a product (part) is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request should be made to the Contracting Officer to determine if the product is acceptable. 3. GENDER For the purpose of equal rights, wherever the masculine gender (e.g. he) is used in this solicitation and the resulting contract, it shall be considered to include both masculine and feminine gender. 4. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY Performance standards define desired services. The Government performs surveillance to determine if the contractor exceeds, meets or does not meet these standards. Performance Requirements Summary Matrix: The Government will use these standards to determine contractor performance and shall compare contractor performance to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). Task ID Indicator Standard Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Incentive General 1 Insurance Requirements (Special Contract Requirements Para. 1) Contractor shall maintain all required insurance. 100% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period 2 Safety Requirements (Special Contract Requirements Para. 2) Contractor shall comply with all safety requirements. 100% Validated User/Customer Complaints Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period 3 Contractor Employees & Personnel Qualifications (Special Contract Requirements Para. s 6 & 7) Contractor shall furnish qualified personnel. 100% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period 4 Contractor Equipment & Vehicles (Special Contract Requirements Para. 8) Contractor shall provide required equipment and vehicles. 98% Periodic Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period 5 Ambulance Hours of Performance & Response Times (Special Contract Requirements Para. 14) Contractor shall provide required performance and response. 80% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 6 Patient Rights (Special Contract Requirements Para. 19) Contractor shall be courteous to VA beneficiaries and shall not smoke. 98% Validated User/Customer Complaints Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 7 Infection Control Procedures (Special Contract Requirements Para. 20) Contractor shall submit proof of required testing initially and then annually as required. 100% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 8 Required Reports & Documentation (Special Contract Requirements Para. 21) Contractor shall provide required reports and documentation initially and as changes occur during contract period. 90% Periodic Inspection and Analysis of Contractor s Reports Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 9 Quality Control Program (Special Contract Requirements Para. 22) Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete QCP. 90% Analysis of Contractor s Reports Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 10 Customer Service (Special Contract Requirements Para. 23) Contractor employees shall conduct themselves in a businesslike manner. 98% Validated User/Customer Complaints Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 11 Confidentiality of Patient Records (Special Contract Requirements Para. 24) Contractor is restricted from making disclosures of VA records except to the extent explicit disclosure authority from VA has been received. 100% Periodic Inspection and Analysis of Contractor s Reports Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 12 HIPPA Compliance (Special Contract Requirements Para. s 25 & 26) Contractor must comply with and adhere to all required Public Laws, Standards, etc. 100% Periodic Inspection and Analysis of Contractor s Reports Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 13 Wheelchair Drivers (Special Contract Requirements Para. 30a) Contractor shall provide qualified drivers. 100% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 14 Wheelchair Transport Vehicles (Special Contract Requirements Para. 30b) Contractor shall provide required vehicles to include required equipment. 98% Periodic Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period General 15 Wheelchair Transport Response Times & Mileage and Hours of Performance (Special Contract Requirements Para. s 30c & 30d) Contractor shall provide required performance and response. 80% 100% Inspection Positive Past Performance & Exercise of Option Period