Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)

Page 2 of 2 This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Reques... Page 2 of 2 This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) Unique Entity ID (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below. The Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide Medical Police Officer Training and Emergency Response services. Important information: The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 611519 ($18.5 Million Dollars). Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. Additionally, all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise VetBiz Registry located at http://vip.vetbiz.gov. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail to edward.condrea@va.gov. All information submissions to be marked Attn: Edward Condreay, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 4:00 pm PST on February 24, 2023. STATEMENT OF WORK FOR THE TAC-MED FOR VA POLICE AND STOP THE BLEED CERTIFICATION FOR CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL STAFF BACKGROUND This requirement is for the training up to not to exceed 70 Veterans Affairs Police Officers employed by the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) in Tactical Medicine (TAC-MED) or Tactical Emergency First Aid (TEFA). TAC-MED training will allow each police officer to meet the agency s mandates outlined in U.S. Supreme Court Case Law(s), (Hamilton vs Love, 328 F.Supp.il82 at 1184 and Finney vs Arkansas, 505 F 2d 194 at 199, 8th Cir. 1974) which establish a mandated that agencies provide ongoing, realistic, effective judgmental training. The requirements set forth in TAC-MED qualify and further meet this requirement. Additionally, it the goal of this action to aid the VA Police in minimizing civil liability as also outline in Case Law (CITY OF CANTON OHIO VS. HARRIS, 489 U.S. 378, 109 S. CT. 1197 (1989)) which states inadequate training may give rise to 42 U.S.C., section 1983 liability when it is deliberately indifferent to the rights of the city's inhabitants and actually causes the plaintiffs injury." The Court enumerated as one example of deliberately inadequate training as, "instances in which the need for more different training is obvious and the inadequacy is likely to result in the violation of constitutional rights." The training being provided, VA Police Officer can mitigate liability caused by not obtaining adequate training as require by agency directives and federal case law. To ensure compliance, TAC-MED will empower VA Police Officers with providing with clear understanding with options available to them during mass casualty incidents like an active threat event and their role in restoring public safety while assisting with care to the injured. This will also allow VA Police to remain in compliance with their obligations outlined in VA Handbook 0730/5, Appendix F. Additionally, this requirement is for the training and certification of up to 7000 medical and non-medical support staff employed throughout the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) which includes several Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Stop the Bleed (STB). The Stop the Bleed initiative was developed to teach people lifesaving techniques necessary to aid in lifesaving measures associated major incidents which include trauma related injuries sustained during a natural disaster and more specifically an active threat event or other mass casualty incidents. Since training guidelines include the possibility of aid in rendering aid or assisting the injured after a mass casualty event, this training is consistent with VA Handbook 0730/5, Appendix F. The training provided will allow each employee to assist in response to a mass casualty event where injured people may be found in an effort live out the VA Mission. As a result, all participants will experience empowerment through knowledge gaining of lifesaving training in the most up to date areas currently offered in the industry. Furthermore, the training being provided will encompass the unique environments VA personnel operate in during their committed services to our veterans, employees and guests. SCOPE VA Police (VAP) Tactical Medicine (TAC-MED) and Stop the Bleed (STB) are premier mass casualty event training programs designed for VA personnel. This training is consistent with VA Handbook 0730/5, Appendix F, which requires VA Police and other employees to training in Active Threat Response. Active Threat Response training includes training when being called in to assist in the recovery phase of any mass casualty event similarly to an event such as an active threat. Under the current training guidelines, VA Personnel (both Police and non-police) may be called in to assist with rendering aid or assisting with the injured after the threat has been neutralized and or contained and scene safety is reestablished. TAC-MED and Stop the bleed, provides VA Employees with the skills necessary to aid in the recovery and restoration of the Veterans Affairs mission and assist and restore patient care. These courses are some of the only of their kind, and tailored specifically around VA specific policies and procedures. Both courses are psychologically demanding and provide attendees with specific tools to prepare them for mass casualty events like an active threat or natural disaster. Additionally, this training will help VA employees understand their capabilities and roles during a crisis. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this training program is to empower VA police and civilian personnel on preventative measures, risk mitigation and management associated with mass casualty events. By presenting TAC-MED and Stop the Bleed in an interactive environment to employees, VA staff may ensure to keep the promise of Abraham Lincoln to Care for those who bore the bourdon of war. The intent is to progressively build upon new skills, starting with lecture and skill building and culminating with live practical assessment to reaffirm their new found knowledge. PLACE PERFORMANCE 11301 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, Ca 90073 All CBOC s within GLA s catchment area as needed PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The dates of performance are identified according to the training being provided and proposed. All dates are estimates and subject to change. VA Police TAC-MED: 6 Training Days (4 Primary training and 2 make-up days TBD as needed). The key project dates are outlined below. Dates are estimate and to be determined with the VA COR or VA Police Training representative to establish training requirement to align with the quarterly mandates. All dates will be coordinated with agency representatives identifying locations, time and dates for each training period. Each training period will consist of one 8-hour training day (unless live range day is requested). Each session will limit occupancy according to agency guidelines and facility accommodability until all required VA Police officers have completed their requirement and/or until every effort has been made within the established parameters of this actions to ensure 100% completion. At the completion of this training program the lead agency representative will certify contract/service completion to the vendor via signed memo provided by the Vendor. Stop the Bleed: 5 Days monthly at designated locations (2 Training Sessions per/day) or combined with other training. Key project dates are outlined below. Dates are estimates and are subject to change until a contract is executed. All dates will be coordinated with agency representatives identifying locations per service period. Each training period will consist of one week (5 Day Base, total 10 Sessions per 5-day period) per month accounting for two sessions per day, per location (subject to change dependent on drill participation). Each session will limit occupancy according to agency guidelines and facility accommodability until all required staff members have completed their requirement. Each service chief will account and certify completion of this requirement for their assigned staff via a signed memo provided by the Vendor. VA COR OR DESIGNEE The VA COR will assign an agency representative to serve as designee for the purpose of managing this action and coordinating all training locations where this training will be presented. Vendor agrees to coordinate all training with the agency designee and facilitate this training as required at each designated location. VENDOR TASKINGS/PERFORMANCE TRAINING TACTICAL MEDICINE (TAC-MED) FOR VA POLICE Vendor shall provide TAC-MED training consistent with VA Handbook 0730/5, Appendix F. Vendor shall provide TAC-MED training in line with the priorities of response for police during an active threat event, specifically in conducting high risk extractions and rendering aid to the injured. Vendor shall provide 5 live in-person training days for the VA Police (up to but not to exceed 70 officers at GLAHS) on Tactical Medicine (TAC-MED), also referred to as Tactical Emergency First Aid (TEFA). Vendor must train in TAC-MED processes to include, High-risk rescue operations of injured personnel, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, bleeding control, and rescue under fire pursuant to agency established policies and procedure. Vendor must train on established STB standards which include direct pressure, wound packing and the proper use of combat application tourniquet, as prescribed by the American College of Surgeons and The Committee on Trauma. Vendor must train in STB processes to include, guidelines established under Memorandum of Understanding as agreed to by AFGE and Bargaining Unit Members. Vendor shall conduct practical assessment of VA Police personnel on TAC-MED and high-risk rescue operations as part of training course during the scheduled training period for the purpose of achieving certification in trauma care and/or Stop the Bleed. Vendor must train in TAC-MED processes to include, agreed upon guidelines established under Memorandum of Understanding as agreed to by AFGE and Bargaining Unit Members. Vendor shall provide a copy of all sign-in sheets to the VA COR or designee at the conclusion of each training period. STOP THE BLEED (STB) UNLIMITED PARTICIPANTS PER COURSE LIVE IN-PERSON TRAINING EVENTS Vendor shall provide Stop the Bleed training consistent with VA Handbook 0730/5, Appendix F. Vendor shall provide Stop the Bleed training in line with scene safety and recovery phases of Staff-Active Threat Response Training, specifically in the possibility of being called to assist with rendering aid to injured personnel associated with mass casualty events. Vendor shall provide 55 live in-person Stop the Bleed (STB) training courses throughout GLAHS and its annexed location (11 Locations). Vendor shall administer STB training and certification for 5 consecutive days (5-Day training periods) each month for 12 months during the fiscal year at each location within GLAHS locations with no limits on the number of participants for the base and options years. Classroom limits may be applied in the event specific capacity restrictions exist set forth by Safety, local Fire Marshall or agency regulations. Vendor must train on established STB standards which include direct pressure, wound packing and the proper use of combat application tourniquet, as prescribed by the American College of Surgeons and The Committee on Trauma. Vendor must train in STB processes to include, guidelines established under Memorandum of Understanding as agreed to by AFGE and Bargaining Unit Members. Vendor shall provide certification training in STB during each training course offered per scheduled training day. The STB certification process will include live in-person lecture and a live in-person hands on assessment proctored by the instructor. Vendor shall make available an interactive virtual webinar (where applicable and when available) for essential personnel not able to complete the live in-person lecture due to mission requirement and patient care. Vendor agrees to make available the hands-on assessment portions for those personnel identified above for the purposes of achieving certification in STB during the designated training period. Vendor shall provide a copy of all sign-in sheets (at the vendors location(s)) to the VA COR or designee at conclusion of each course or at the end of the training 5-day training period. Facility representative shall email a copy of all sign-in sheets from their respective locations when participating in a virtual webinar to both the Vendor and the VA COR or designee. COORDINATED PROJECT PLANNING Vendor must coordinate project planning and facilitation of training with VA COR or Designee prior to administering training and confirm date, time and location. Vendor agrees to confirm training at the specified location prior to reporting and administering training. In the event training is canceled at any of the annexed GLAHS locations, the Vendor shall report to WLA MC to the schedule training period and make available STB training at the specified training location within this facility. The VA COR agrees, in the event the training requirement has been met for all required employees prior the end of the training term (i.e., fiscal year, base and option years), the training requirement pursuant to this agreement, shall be deemed satisfied and concluded for the remainder of the term until the beginning of the next term (following Fiscal Year). SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Security Requirements for Unclassified Information: The contractor, their personnel, and their subcontractors shall be subject to the Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks regarding information and information system security as delineated in this contract. The contractor shall have physical administrative access to the equipment included in this contract. The contractor shall not have access to VA sensitive information; thus, the C&A requirements do not apply, and that a Security Accreditation Package is not required. Contractors who have access to protected health information (PHI) in the performance of their official duties or have access to VA systems shall take the Privacy and HIPAA Focused Web-Based Training. The Contract shall inform the VA COR prior to adding or removal of equipment along with providing documentation for both equipment added or removed. The Contractor shall not remove any hard drives off station. All hard drives shall be turned in to the VA COR. Records Management Language for Contracts. The following standard items relate to records generated in executing the contract: Citations to pertinent laws, codes, and regulations such as 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33; Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. 552; Privacy Act 5. U.S.C. 552a; 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228. The Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as determined to be in public interest. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records. The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced from this contract. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. The Contractor shall deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the Agency to use the data. The Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format, mode of transmission, or state of completion. No disposition of documents shall be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage, or alienation of Federal records is subject to the files and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records shall not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules. The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer s approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material, and/or records generated under or relating to this contract. The contractor is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information. No photography of VA premises is allowed without written permission of the Contracting Officer.