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Page 2 of 2 The Grand Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center (GJVAMC) requires a contractor to provide temporary lodging for eligible Veterans involved in outpatient treatment with the facili... Page 2 of 2 The Grand Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center (GJVAMC) requires a contractor to provide temporary lodging for eligible Veterans involved in outpatient treatment with the facility s Addiction Disorder Services (ADS) program starting 1 December 2019. The goal of the ADS program is to provide Veterans with a continuum of care when engaged in outpatient treatment for substance use disorders, and stable, sober housing for homeless Veterans is recognized as being an essential component of this program. Market research of Temporary Shelter Services (NAICS Code 624221) available within the Grand Junction CO 81501 area indicates that the current vendor, Homeward Bound of Grand Valley Inc. (a non-profit organization) is currently the only responsible source that can meet the Contractor Requirements specified within the attached Statement of Work (SOW). The purpose of this Sources Sought Synopsis is to identify any additional sources within the Grand Junction CO 81501 area that can provide Temporary Shelter Services (NAICS Code 624221) in accordance with the Contractor Requirements specified in the attached SOW and would be able to start providing services on 1 December 2019 if awarded a contract. Any interested vendors that believe they can meet these requirements should contact the Contract Specialist, LaDonna Collins at (303)712-5779 or ladonna.collins@va.gov before 3:30 PM (MST) on November 12, 2019 and provide supporting evidence of an existing facility that meets or exceeds the requirements within the SOW. If no other qualified vendors can be identified under this method, the Contract Specialist will seek approval to award utilizing Other Than Full and Open Competition Procedures under FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source. GJVAMC Statement of Work Temporary Lodging for Vets in SUD Treatment Program Page 5 STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) Non-VA Temporary Lodging Facility For Veterans in Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Programs at Grand Junction VA Medical Center OVERVIEW The VA Western Colorado Healthcare System (WCHCS) requires a contractor to provide temporary lodging for eligible Veterans involved in outpatient treatment with the facility s Addiction Disorder Services (ADS) program. The goal of the ADS program is to provide Veterans with a continuum of care when engaged in outpatient treatment for substance use disorders, and stable, sober housing for homeless Veterans is recognized as being an essential component of this program. BACKGROUND Since 1973, the treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) through VA Programs has been an integral part of the Office of Mental Health Services (OMHS). SUD Programs are authorized to utilize an integrated continuum of care, and outpatient, residential, and inpatient care must be available to all eligible Veterans with SUD in accordance with existing authority at Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1720A and Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 17.38 and 17.80 through 17.83. The VA offers a comprehensive continuum of care for SUD from outpatient services to residential and inpatient care. Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. (1720A(d)(1)), SUD specialty treatment services are to be located in every VA medical facility. Facilities must make services for SUD available to Veterans who need them, and they must be provided by appropriate facility staff, by telemental health, by referral to other VA facilities, or by sharing agreements, contracts, or non-VA fee basis care to the extent that the Veteran is eligible. Access to care is a high priority in the VHA. The VA is committed to providing timely and appropriate access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive, and cost-effective continuum of care to eligible Veterans with substance use disorders. (VHA Handbook 1160.04, section 8.a.) While WCHCS does provide detoxification and outpatient SUD treatment services, this medical center does not have a residential SUD program which is necessary to provide all levels of care which may be indicated for SUD clients. Further, there are no VA residential SUD programs in the State of Colorado. There are only three VA residential SUD programs in VISN 19, one in Utah and two in Wyoming. There are numerous barriers to Veterans who might benefit from out-of-state residential SUD programs. For example, many SUD clients do not have transportation and are not eligible for transportation benefits. Additionally, many SUD clients have legal issues which prohibit them from leaving the State of Colorado. While WCHCS does not have a residential SUD program, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for SUD is viewed as an alternative to residential treatment (VHA Handbook 1160.01, 15.a.(5)(g)). In that many Veterans engaged in SUD-IOP treatment programs are homeless, temporary lodging for Veterans engaged in outpatient SUD treatment is an essential component for the SUD Continuum of Care as required by VHA Handbook 1160.04. The VA has an established policy for providing temporary lodging for individuals engaged in outpatient treatment: POLICY: It is VHA policy that while a Veteran or active duty Service member is undergoing an episode of care, VA may provide temporary lodging at either a VA Fischer House or other temporary lodging facility, as appropriate (VHA Directive 1107, 3.). Specific authority to enter into these agreements is provided in VHA Handbook 1160.04 which reads in pertinent part: Facilities may establish arrangements with community-based residential rehabilitation treatment facilities and transitional housing resources using agreements, contracts, or non-VA fee basis care to the extent the Veteran is eligible and that arrangements are consistent with 38 CFR §§ 17.80 through 17.83. Sharing agreements, contracts, and non-VA fee basis care must provide access and quality of service that is consistent with VA standards. These residential and housing arrangements may facilitate access to outpatient care for SUD within VA or provide access to non-VA services that complement program elements available within VA programs (VHA Handbook 1160.04, section 8, g.). This issue is further addressed in VHA Handbook 1160.01 which reads in part: (4) Services addressing substance use conditions can be provided in VA facilities in SUD specialty care, in primary care and other medical care settings (especially in programs that integrate mental health and primary care), through programs integrating treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders and SUD (dual diagnoses) in mental health settings, or in community settings through sharing agreements, contracts, or non-VA fee basis care to the extent that the veteran is eligible. Regardless of the setting, the process of care must recognize the principle that SUDs are, in most cases, chronic or episodic and recurrent conditions that require ongoing care (VHA Handbook 1160.01, Section 15, a. (4)). To provide the full continuum of care to SUD clients, this medical center desires to enter into a contractual agreement with a temporary lodging facility in the Grand Junction area which can meet the requirements listed in this Statement of Work (SOW). CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS The contractor to provide temporary lodging for eligible Veterans involved in treatment with the WCHCS ADS outpatient program must meet all of the following requirements: Access to Care Requirements The non-VA temporary lodging facility must comply with the following access to care components: The facility must be able to accept Veterans for lodging on the same day the Veteran is referred to the facility by WCHCS, seven days per week. The facility must provide a minimum of eight (8) beds which are designated for priority use by Veterans. Beds designated for use by Veterans may be utilized for individuals in the general population if the number of Veterans currently referred to the facility is less than eight. Veteran Placement Requirements Placement into a non-VA temporary lodging facility requires all of the following elements: The Veteran must be referred to the non-VA temporary lodging facility by a WCHCS staff member in the ADS program or the Homeless program. The Veteran must be eligible for care through VHA. Eligibility is determined by VA staff and this eligibility is confirmed by VA staff referring the Veteran to the facility. Per VHA Directive 1107, VA health care providers are responsible for determining the current medical stability of the Veteran and determining whether the Veteran is capable of self-care at the time of the temporary lodging. If the facility believes the Veteran to be medically unstable the Veteran will be directed to the WCHCS ER or 911 will be called based on the circumstances. If the facility believes the Veteran is not capable of self-care, the facility will notify the VA temporary housing coordinator or designee within one business day of this issue. The Veteran must agree to comply with the rules/guidelines of the facility in which he/she is placed. Environmental and Safety Requirements Temporary lodging facilities must be safe, clean and free from hazards. The facility must comply with all of the following environmental requirements: The facility must successfully complete a Site Safety Code Inspection conducted by the WCHCS Safety Officer within six months prior to implementation of this contract. The contracted facility must comply with all local fire codes and pass all required fire inspections conducted by the fire department where it is located. The contracted facility must comply with all local zoning requirements and must pass all required inspections by the local zoning department. Maximum occupancy of the facility will not exceed the number allowed by the local or county Zoning Department. The contracted facility must comply with all local food safety standards and must pass all required inspections by the local or County Health Department. Housing Requirements The facility must comply with the following housing requirements for Veterans: Upon referral from WCHCS, male Veterans will be placed into the Veterans Section of the facility which will be separated from the general population of the facility. Female Veterans will be placed into the Female/Family section of the facility. Whether placed in the Veterans Section or in the Female/Family section, each Veteran is to be provided with an individual assigned bed and an individual locker with key or combination lack. The facility will provide a sitting area which is designated for Veterans only, yet Veterans are free to associate with the general population as they wish. Meal Requirements The facility must comply with the following meal and food requirements: All Veterans will be provided with two nutritional meals per day (breakfast and dinner). Veterans with special dietary needs will be discussed with the contracted facility prior to admission to determine if the facility is capable of meeting these needs. Facility Staffing Requirements The facility must comply with the following staffing requirements: There will a minimum of one staff member present at the contracted facility 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, for Veterans to contact in case of emergency situations. Location and Transportation Requirements The facility must be within a ten (10) mile radius of the main WCHCS campus. The facility must either: a) provide transportation for Veterans from the facility to the WCHCS for all scheduled appointments, or b) be located within one-quarter mile of a public bus transit line which provides service to the WCHCS. Patient Confidentiality Requirements The facility must comply with all state and federal laws pertaining to the confidentiality of patient communications. These laws include but are not limited to the provisions of Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the National Standards to protect the privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI). Other than as provided by law, the facility must have a current, written, signed authorization to release information in place before releasing any Veteran information to any party. The facility will immediately notify WCHCS ADS staff of any breach of confidentiality. Billing Procedure Requirements The facility will be paid on a per Veteran per night basis. The facility must receive written confirmation from WCHCS fiscal office for every Veteran admission. Each Veteran must sign in on the VA census sheet for himself/herself on a daily basis. The facility must submit monthly invoices in a secure fashion as directed by VHA to include a listing of the Veteran identifying information and the dates at the facility.