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

Page 1 of 6 Page 3 of 6 Page 1 of 6 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. RFI # 36C2... Page 1 of 6 Page 3 of 6 Page 1 of 6 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. RFI # 36C26225Q0336 Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research only to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Business Capability, including Service- Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB/VOSB) interested and capable of performing the work. The NAICS/PSC for this requirement is: NAICS Code: 623220- Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities PSC: G004- Social- Social Rehabilitation, General Size Standard: $19.0M Description of Requirement: Provide housing, and supportive services for up to 64 Homeless Male Veterans in support of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHCS).. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice not later than Monday, February 10th, 2025 @ 4:00 PM PDT by providing the following via email only to Jose Diaz, Contract Specialist, at Jose.Diaz6@va.gov. company name address point of contact phone, fax, and email of primary point of contact DUNS number Type of small business, if applicable, (e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-owned small business (VOSB), 8(a), HUB-Zone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business). A capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described in paragraph 5 below. Respondents are also encouraged to provide specific examples (e.g. contract number, point of contact information) of the Contractor s experience providing the same or similar supplies/services to that described herein. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents. If respondent is VOSB or SDVOSB, respondent is encouraged to provide proof of www.vetbiz.gov certification. In addition, SDVOSB/VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. Further SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are asked to respond that they are capable of providing the requested services keeping within the parameters of this clause. Small businesses, including SDVOSB/VOSBS are also advised that per 13 CFR, § 125.6 the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting are as follows: General. In order to be awarded a full or partial small business set-aside contract with a value greater than $150,000, an 8(a) DRAFT contract, an SDVO SBC contract, a HUBZone contract, a WOSB or EDWOSB contract pursuant to part 127 of this chapter, a small business concern must agree that: In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. The Contractor shall provide the services stated herein the PWS. Please note that if VA s pending market research establishes that two or more VOSB or SDVOSB, who are certified in VA s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) site https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/, can provide the services, VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database found at https://www.sam.gov. Registration must include Representations and Certifications. --End of Sources Sought Announcement-- Please see PWS below and provide an updated Capability Statement if interested. PERFORMANCE BASED STATEMENT OF WORK CONTRACT EMERGENCY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES BEDS: VAGLAHCS ABH; tent A&B 1. PURPOSE. 1.1. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been providing direct and specialized services for homeless Veterans for over 25 years. The Secretary of the VA has set a zero-tolerance policy for homelessness within the Veteran population since 2009. The plan to end homelessness among Veterans includes planned increases to the capacity of existing programs and an increase in services offered to Veterans. New models of care not previously offered by The Veteran Health Administration are also being implemented. 1.2. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center- Greater Los Angeles (GLA) requires contractors to provide transitional housing services as part of its community-based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. The HCHV Program, an essential and critical part of Veterans Healthcare Administration is vital for providing a gateway to GLA and community supportive services for eligible Veterans who are homeless. This emergency transitional housing program is designed to address the needs of the most vulnerable and at-risk homeless Veterans. It targets and prioritizes Veterans experiencing homelessness and are transitioning from literal street homelessness, being discharged from institutions, and/or who recently became homeless and require safe and stable living arrangements while they seek permanent housing. HCHV s goal is to engage homeless Veterans in treatment and place them in a safe, sober and secure, emergency transitional housing that supports their rehabilitation goals. The model under the HCHV Contracted Residential Services (CRS) used for this contract shall be: 1.2.1. Contract Emergency Residential Services (CERS) programs target and prioritize homeless Veterans transitioning from literal street homelessness, Veterans being discharged from psychiatric and inpatient hospitalizations and Veterans who recently became homeless and require safe and stable living arrangements while they seek permanent housing. Lengths of stay in CERS typically range from 30 to 90 days with the option to extend based on clinical need. 1.3. Contractors Shall provide housing, and supportive services to up to 64 Homeless Male Veterans. This emergency transitional housing contract shall be known as ABH and is located in the SPA 5 catchment area, specifically on the GLA Campus. Contractor shall offer a safe and secure environment that supports their goals for recovery from homelessness. Awards may be based on residential capacity to place Veterans in safe environmental residency. Maximum number of beds funded shall not exceed 22,630 bed days of care per year. The Contractor shall be required to provide an on-demand, low- barrier therapeutic and rehabilitative milieu and attendant services targeting the underlying factors contributing to homelessness. 2. GENERAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. 2.1. Same Day Access: Veterans may access transitional housing programs via VA consults from the HCHV Liaison, or directly to the program by their outreach efforts and/or through referrals from the community. The program shall target Veterans who are engaged in care through a collaborative partnership among the VAGLAHS, the Los Angeles Coordinated Entry System Service Providers, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and other Veteran-specific programs that target homeless Veterans. 2.1.1. Contractor shall complete intake and SAME DAY admissions for those veterans approved as eligible for placement by the COR/HCHV liaison or their designee or through direct referrals. The Contractor shall ensure their internal admission process and procedures allow for SAME DAY placement of accepted Veterans into an available bed. Admission shall occur up to 9 pm during workdays (Monday Friday, with the exception of federal holidays) and to 7 pm on weekends. 2.1.1.1. The Contractor shall offer beds on the SAME DAY the referral is made by the designated liaisons or from direct referrals or eligible referring sources. 2.1.1.2. HCHV CRS staff shall confirm eligibility prior to referral submission, during the work week and the contract s staff shall complete a SQUARES review for all direct referrals. 2.1.1.3. The Contractor must place Veterans into available beds on the same day of the approved admission whether liaison or direct referred, if referrals are made before 7pm, and space is available. 2.3 Criteria & Eligibility: The Contractor shall provide services to Veterans who are VA healthcare eligible and experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, i.e., received an eviction or no longer able to reside at their existing housing situation. 2.3.1 Be determined to be homeless based upon the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act definition by the local VA medical center HCHV program. See Reference section. 2.3.2 Be eligible for VA healthcare as determined by the local VA medical center and and/by the program using Squares. 2.3.4 A Veteran must be homeless and eligible for VA Health Care in order to be considered for admission to any HCHV CRS Program. Authorized VA Liaison or designee shall be ultimately responsible for determining Veteran eligibility and approval for placement into a HCHV CRS Bed; failure to establish VA approval for admission by the next business day may result in a denial of payment for services provided. 2.4 Referred Veterans: Veterans are referred to the Contractor by VAGLAHS staff, other community agencies, the Contactor s outreach efforts or Veteran self-referrals. The referrals shall be based on the Veteran s demonstrated need for case management and supportive services to stabilize their mental health, substance abuse, medical and/or other co-occurring serious psychosocial issues before expediently transitioning into secure and permanent housing. The environment of a CERS program considers those Veterans who need a jump start to get back on their feet. The environments are similar to shelters, with the added benefit of programming and case management. Veterans must actively participate in their discharge planning and be willing to seek permanent housing for placement consideration. 2.4.1 During the work week M-F 8-330. Both the VA HCHV CRS Liaison(s) and the Contractor shall receive consults (VA referrals)/direct referrals and shall complete the admission process for same day admission if veteran meets the listed criteria and eligibility clauses and their admission is not deemed unsafe for their milieu. For after hours (330pm to 9pm), during the work week M-F and weekends, the Contractor shall continue to complete direct or community referrals. Contractor shall be responsible to complete healthcare eligibility checks for placement. Contractors shall accept Veterans referred who meet the criteria and eligibility clause, and their admission is not deemed unsafe for their milieu. 2.4.3 Outreach: Contract staff shall engage in Outreach services, including street outreach efforts, and assist homeless Veterans in seeking housing placement, treatment and supportive services which is a key element of this contract. 3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The period of performance for this contract shall be for a Base year PLUS four (4) Option Years. 4. Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quality (IDIQ). 5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE. The Contractors location is crucial to ensure that Veterans can attend appointments scheduled in various VAGLAHS clinics or to local community providers and return to transitional housing with minimal barriers. Space allotted for sleeping, eating, case management, and clinical services shall be located within the SPA 5 catchment area, specifically on the WLA Campus located at 11303 Pershing Ave. Bldg 338 tents A & B Los Angeles, CA 90025. Tent A shall have 32 sleeping quarters. Tent B shall have 32 sleeping quarters. Regardless of location, the Contractor shall be required to attend frequent in person or virtual meetings with the WLA VA located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073 6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY. Within Tent B ONLY, Government furnished property shall consist of 64-single cubicles/bunkers with individual lockers and desk tables only; 32 per tent. The Contractor shall return all Government property as received or replace if/when damaged. LA City has provided the sprung structures, AKA tents and hygiene trailers, this program shall be housed in. The Government will also provide dumpsters and utilities including water, electricity, and sewage. The VA or the City will be responsible for all plumbing needs. The Contract shall also have access to two Administration Trailers provided by the Government. The Government has provided 9-desks and chairs. The Contractor shall return all Government property as received or replace if/when damaged. All other equipment and furnishings not mentioned but required to fully execute the Contract shall be provided by the Contractor. 7. INSPECTION OF FACILITY AND CONTRACTOR: Prior to the award of a contract and annually during the contract term, a multidisciplinary GLA team consisting of a Clinical social work team, dietitian, a representative of the GLA Police, a Facilities Management Safety Officer, Nursing and/or other subject matter experts as determined necessary by the medical center director or HCHV Coordinator, shall conduct an inspection of the Contractor s facilities to evaluate the Veteran s food, shelter, safety, medication procedures and therapeutic services to assure the facility provides quality care in a safe and sober environment. Inspections may also be carried out at such other times as deemed necessary by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Implementation of Timeline: The contract facility and associated onsite services must pass an initial inspection completed by VA staff and become fully operational within 60 days but not to exceed 90 days from the date of contract award. 7. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED 7.1. Residential Services: The Contractor shall provide housing and supportive services to male Veterans under this contract which is required to ensure the safety and privacy of these Veterans. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying sufficient residential capacity to safely support the placement of single male Veterans. 7.2 Reasonable Accommodation: Contractor must respect and reasonably accommodate personal and cultural differences associated with race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, language, disability (physical or mental health), medical condition, marital status, familial status, age, gender, sexual preference, source of income, or political affiliation. At no point shall program access be denied because of an individual s disability. Information learned about the client s disability from the assessment shall not be used as grounds for discharge or other punishment and shall be used to guide client to appropriate services. Moreover, a Contractor may not apply different rules to individuals because of their disabilities, unless the different rules are a result of granting a reasonable accommodation request made by an individual with a disability. The Contractor shall not ask questions about a client s disability, including the nature and severity of the disability or the treatment, symptoms, and medications related to the disability. A Veteran is not obligated to reveal that s/he has a disability prior to admission. Veterans with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Such an accommodation request must be considered during any stage in the provision of a program, including at intake, during services, and during discharge proceedings. When a reasonable accommodation request is made, the Contractor supervisor may request verification of the individual s disability. 7.3. Subsistence: The Contractor shall provide all food and beverages for Veterans residing at the facility including three (3) meals per day and snacks. The Contractor shall maintain a clean and comfortable environment of care. 7.4 Access to laundry facilities and supplies free of charge and adequate for residents to do their own laundry or to have laundry done at minimum one time per week. If providing on-site shared laundry: A laundry facility shall include at least 1 washer and 1 dryer for every 10 Veterans provided on-site. Laundry service to include water, electricity, etc., shall be provided at no cost to authorized Veterans. 7.4 The Contractor shall provide health and personal hygiene supplies for Veterans throughout their stay (i.e., dental products, hair products, soap and shave products, deodorant products, minor first aid products). TASK 2: THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES: 8. Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Services: Each Veteran shall have an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) emphasizing goals established by the Veteran with input from the Contractor and GLA liaison (or Designee). Therapeutic and rehabilitative services shall be stated in the plan of care. Services which the Contractor must be able to furnish or provide the following: 8.1 Group Activities: Contractor shall be responsible for planning and coordinating all activities associated with providing safe and appropriate residential care. This includes, but is not limited to, the elements described in the upcoming paragraph and any associated expenses shall be the Contractor s responsibility. Groups shall be provided regardless of Veterans participation. 8.1 GLA Coordination: Collaboration and coordination with GLA program staff, as needed, shall include coordination of supportive psychosocial services and housing. In particular, coordinated efforts must be made with the GLA Liaison around medical, mental health, admission and discharge needs. 8.2 Case Management: This shall include structured individual case management, at minimum, weekly including counseling on self-care skills, adaptive coping skills, financial planning, permanent housing search, written care plan, referral for financial benefits. Additional counseling may include professional and vocational rehabilitation counseling in collaboration with GLA programs and community resources. Discharge planning shall begin at time of admission and reviewed at least monthly. 9. CONTRACTOR STAFF CONDUCT/COMPLAINTS HANDLING: Contractor personnel shall be expected to treat referred Veterans with dignity and respect and abides by standards of conduct mirroring those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. The Contractor shall comply with the GLA Patient's Bill of Rights as set forth in 38 CFR 17.34a (copy available upon request). 9.1 The GLA reserves the right to exclude Contractor staff members from providing services to Veterans under this contract based on breaches of conduct, including conduct that jeopardizes patient care or interferes with the regular and ordinary operation of the facility. Breaches of conduct include intoxication or debilitation resulting from drug use, theft, patient abuse, dereliction or negligence in performing directed tasks, or other conduct resulting in formal complaints by Veterans or other Staff members to designated Government representatives. The Contractor and Contracting Officer s Representative shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor personnel conduct. The Contracting Officer shall be the final arbiter on questions of acceptability and in validating complaints. 9.2 The Government has the right to require replacement of any Contractor or subcontractor staff if the employee is determined not to possess the experience or ability required under the contract, or if said employee is for any other reason found to be unsuitable to perform the work required by the contract. The determination to require replacement of a staff member shall be made by the Contracting Officer, at the Contracting Officer s sole discretion, and such determination shall be final. The replacement staff must meet the same requirements for the position as outlined in this contract. Any substitution of personnel shall occur without any increase to the contract price and without delay in the performance or delivery of services to the Government. 9.3 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Contractor shall train all staff on emergency procedures and have written protocols that are posted to guide staff response to crises including, but not limited to, physical injury, resident suicide attempts, overdoses, and domestic or other violence. Contractors shall have at least one designated paid staff available at all times who has had training and orientation on emergency procedures. Contractor shall promptly and appropriately respond to the medical/psychiatric problems of clients and staff. There shall be first aid equipment and supplies for medical emergencies available at all times. These supplies must be checked regularly to ensure they are up to date and their location in the facility must be clearly marked. Contractor shall have all emergency contact numbers posted. 9.3.1 Universal precaution practices are used by Contractor to prevent transmission of diseases and are implemented under the presumption that blood and body fluids from any source are to be considered potentially infectious. Supplies necessary for maintaining universal precautions, such as sharps containers, must be available. 10 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall comply with Federal and State Workers Compensation and liability insurance. Reference FAR Clause 52.228-5 Insurance and Subpart 28.307-2 Liability. Contractor shall also hold vehicle insurance that meets State of California insurance requirements for transportation assets used in support of this contract.