Active

Contract Opportunity

Revision 05/10/2023Page 1 of 31
Performance Work Statement for Onsite Nephrology Services
GENERAL:
Services Provided: The Contractor shall provide Multiple Board Certified /Board Eligible Nephrology Physicians and multiple certified, licensed physician extenders (i.e., advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants) on site in accordance with the specifications contained herein. Nephrology services include the full range of nephrology care for inpatient and outpatient VA Beneficiaries, including consultation, diagnosis, therapy and treatment, prognosis, and dialysis treatment of kidney disease patients of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care system (VASNHCS). The contractor providers workload will include a minimum of eight half day physician telemedicine clinic (performed on-site at VASNHCS); inpatient consultation and rounding; weekend rounding as needed; on call coverage 24-hours/day, 364-day/year. The Contractor will provide the following hours annually:
Normal hours: 3080 hours (2080 physicians and 1000 physician extender).
Night On-call hours: 3920 hours (over a 52- week period)
Weekend On-call hours: 2496 (over a 52-week period)
Holiday On-call hours: 240 hours (over a 52-week period)
Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish services at the Sierra Nevada Healthcare System located at 975 Kirman Avenue, Reno, NV 89502-0993.
Authority: Title 38 USC 8153, Health Care Resources (HCR) sharing Authority
Policy/Directives/Handbooks. The contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance. The policies listed below can be accessed electronically at the following: VA Publications VHA Publications
VA Directive 1663: Health Care Resources (HCR) Contracting Buying Title 38 U.S.C. 8153Â
1.4.2. VHA Directive 1003.04: VHA Patient Advocacy
VHA Directive 1053: Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention, Early Recognition, and Management
VHA Directive 1065: Productivity and Staffing Guidance for Specialty Provider Group Practice
VHA Directive 1088(1): Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients
VHA Directive 1100.18: Reporting and Responding to State Licensing Boards
VHA Directive 1100.20: Credentialing of Health Care Providers
VHA Directive 1100.21: Privileging
VHA Directive 1220(1): Facility Procedure Complexity Designation Requirements to Perform Invasive Procedures In Any Clinical Setting
VHA Directive 1400.01: Supervision of Physician, Dental, Optometry, Chiropractic, and Podiatry Residents
VHA Directive 1605.01: Privacy and Release of Information
VHA Directive 1907.01: VHA Health Information Management and Health Records
VHA Handbook 1042.01: Criteria and Standards for VA Dialysis Programs
VHA Handbook 1100.17: National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Reports
VHA Handbook 1400.04: Supervision of Associated Health Trainees:
Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended: http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Kidney disease
Acronyms/Definitions: Terms used in this contract shall be interpreted as follows unless the context expressly requires a different construction and/or interpretation. In case of a conflict in language between the Definitions and other sections of this contract, the language in this section shall govern.
ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support
AOD: Admitting Officer of the Day
BLS: Basic Life Support
CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDR: Contract Discrepancy Report
CEU: Certified Education Unit
CME: Continuing Medical Education
CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
CO: Contracting Officer: The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government with the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.
COR: Contracting Officer s Representative: A person appointed by the CO to take necessary action to ensure the Contractor performs in accordance with and adheres to the specifications contained in the contract and to protect the interest of the Government. The COR shall report to the CO promptly any indication of non-compliance in order that appropriate action can be taken.
COS: Chief of Staff
CPARS: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System
Credentialing: Credentialing is the process of obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a health care provider to provide care or services in or for the VA health care system. Credentials are documented evidence of licensure, education, training, experience, or other qualifications.
DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency
ED: Emergency Department
EHR: Electronic Health Record - electronic health record system used by the VA
FSMB: Federation of State Medical Boards
FTE: Full Time Equivalent: VA s definition for full time-working the equivalent of 80 hours every two weeks, 2080 hours per year. In calculating FTE, any hours not worked on national holidays shall not be included.
HHS: Department of Health and Human Services
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HR: Human Resources
ISO: Information Security Officer
Medical Emergency: a sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably result in: Permanently placing a patient's health in jeopardy, causing other serious medical consequences, causing impairments to body functions, or causing serious or permanent dysfunction of any body-organ or part.
MOD: Medical Officer of the Day
NPI: National Provider Identifier: NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPPA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers)
NKF National Kidney Foundation
NLNAC: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. www.nlnac.org
Non-Contract Provider: any person, organization, agency, or entity that is not directly or indirectly employed by the Contractor or any of its subcontractors
NP: Nurse Practitioner
NPPES: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System
OPPE/FPPE- Ongoing professional practice evaluation/ Focused professional practice evaluation
PA: Physician Assistant
PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support
POP: Period of Performance
PPD: Purified Protein Derivative
PWS: Performance Work Statement
Clinical Privileging: Clinical Privileging is the process by which a practitioner, licensed for independent practice; e.g., without supervision, direction, required sponsor, preceptor, mandatory collaboration, etc.; is permitted by law and the facility to practice independently, to provide specific medical or other patient care services within the scope of the individual s license, based upon the individual s clinical competence as determined by peer references, professional experience, health status, education, training and licensure. Clinical privileges must be facility-specific and provider-specific, and within available resources.
QA/QI: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement
QM/PI: Quality Management/Performance Improvement
QASP: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan
VHA: Veterans Health Administration
VISN: Veterans Integrated Services Network
VistA Veterans Information Systems Technology Architecture
VETPro: is VHA s mandatory credentialing software platform to document the credentialing of VHA health care providers. This system facilitates completion of a uniform, accurate, and complete credentials file.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Staff/Facility
License: The Contractor s physician(s) assigned by the Contractor to perform the services covered by this contract shall have a current license to practice medicine in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia) when services are performed onsite on VA property.
All licenses held by the key personnel working on this contract shall be full and unrestricted licenses. Contractor s physician(s) who have current, full and unrestricted licenses in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered for the purposes of this contract.
Board Certification: All contract Nephrology provider(s) shall be Board Certified /Board Eligible physicians by either the American Board of Internal Medicine in Nephrology http://www.abim.org/specialty/nephrology.aspx , or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine https://certification.osteopathic.org/internal-medicine/ . They must also be currently certified in either Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalency. All continuing education courses required for maintaining certification must always be kept up to date . Documentation verifying current certification shall be provided by the Contractor to the VA COR on an annual basis for each year of contract performance.
Credentialing and Privileging: Credentialing and privileging is to be done in accordance with the provisions of VHA Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21 referenced above. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that proposed physician(s) possesses the requisite credentials enabling the granting of privileges. No services shall be provided by any Contractor s physician(s) prior to obtaining approval by the Facility Medical Executive Board and Medical Center Director.
If a Contractor s physician(s) and/or other contract provider(s) are not credentialed and privileged or has credentials/privileges suspended or revoked, the Contractor shall furnish an acceptable substitute without any additional cost to the government.
Technical Proficiency: Contractor s physician(s) shall be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the government s requirements, including the ability to speak, understand, read and write English fluently. Contractor shall provide documents upon request of the CO/COR to verify current and ongoing competency, skills, certification and/or licensure related to the provision of care, treatment and/or services performed. Contractor s physicians shall have knowledge of professional care theories, principles, practices, and procedures to perform assignments of Nephrology patient/critically ill patient population. Contractor s physician shall demonstrate knowledge of growth and development, and pathophysiology of disease processes specific to the critical care/nephrology population Contractor shall provide verifiable evidence of all educational and training experiences including any gaps in educational history for Contractor s physician(s) shall be responsible for abiding by the Facility's Medical Staff By-Laws, rules, and regulations (referenced herein) that govern medical staff behavior.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)/ Certified Education Unit (CEU) Requirements: Contractor shall provide the COR copies of current CMEs as required or requested by the VAMC. Contractor s physician(s) registered or certified by national/medical associations shall continue to meet the minimum standards for CME to remain current. Contractor shall report CME hours to the credential s office for tracking. These documents are required for both privileging and re-privileging. Failure to provide shall result in loss of privileges for contract physician(s).
Training (ACLS, BLS, EHR and VA MANDATORY): Contractor shall meet all VA educational requirements and mandatory course requirements defined herein; all training must be completed by the contractor s physician(s) as required by the VA. Other training may become required. VA will communicate any changes to the training requirement to the contractor. List all Training required here (TMS courses, EHR, etc.) and associated time. Remove this instruction from final RFP.
Training (The following training is mandatory per VHACO for Contracted Physicians)
Frequency (once a year, etc.)
Annual Hours
ACLS/BLS
Every 2 years
1.0
VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior
Annually
1.0
VHA Privacy and HIPAA Focused Training
Annually
1.0
STANDARD INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES (PPD, IMMUNIZATIONS, ETC.): Contractor shall provide proof of the following for physicians within five (5) calendar days after contract award and prior to the first duty shift to the COR and Contracting Officer. Tests shall be current within the past year.
TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Contractor shall provide proof of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for all Contractor s physician(s) upon hire in accordance with CDC guidance. (This is applicable to all health care workers). A negative chest radiographic report for active tuberculosis shall be provided in cases of positive TST or IGRA results.
MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA TESTING: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.
VARICELLA: Contractors shall provide proof of immunity for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.
ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS: Contractors shall provide proof of 1 dose of Tdap vaccination for all Contractor physicians {This is applicable to all health care workers}.
INFLUENZA: Contractors shall provide proof that all Contractor physicians have received the annual Influenza vaccine unless it is contraindicated. If the Contractor physician has a medical contraindication to the vaccine, they shall be required to wear a mask during the Influenza season. {This is applicable to all health care workers}.
OSHA REGULATION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: Contractor shall provide evidence of completing and passing generic self-study blood-borne pathogen training for all Contractor s physician(s) {This is applicable to all health care workers}; provide their own Hepatitis B vaccination series and hepatitis B surface antigen test results following the hepatitis B vaccination series; maintain an exposure determination and control plan; maintain required records; and ensure that proper follow-up evaluation is provided following an exposure incident.
The facility shall notify the Contractor of any significant communicable disease exposures as appropriate. Contractor shall adhere to current CDC/HICPAC Guideline for Infection Control in health care personnel (as published in American Journal for Infection Control- AJIC 1998; 26:289-354 http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/InfectControl98.pdf) for disease control. Contractor shall provide follow up documentation of clearance to return to the workplace prior to their return.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): NPI is a standard, unique 10-digit numeric identifier required by HIPAA. The Veterans Health Administration must use NPIs in all HIPAA-standard electronic transactions for individual (health care practitioners) and organizational entities (medical centers). The Contractor shall have or obtain appropriate NPI and if pertinent the Taxonomy Code confirmation notice issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) be provided to the Contracting Officer with the proposal.
DEA: Contractor shall provide copy of current DEA certificate.
Conflict of Interest: The Contractor and all Contractor s physician(s) are responsible for identifying and communicating to the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. At the time of proposal, the Contractor shall provide a statement which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided. The Contractor shall also provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services. The Contractor must also provide relevant facts that show how it s organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest. These statements shall be in response to the VAAR provision 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest and fully outlined in response to the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.
Citizenship related Requirements:
The Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall comply with any and all legal provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended; its related laws and regulations that are enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor as these may relate to non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract or subcontract for the Contractor while providing services to Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals;
While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation their status, as a result of their failure to maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of their admission into the United States. Additionally, the Contractor is required to comply with all E-Verify requirements consistent with Executive Order 12989 and any related pertinent Amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations.
If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its Agency regulations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may, at its discretion, require that the foreign national who failed to maintain their legal status in the United States or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of the laws administered by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor, shall be prohibited from working at the Contractor s place of business that services Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; or other place where the Contractor provides services to veterans who have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and shall form the basis for termination of this contract for breach.
This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors. The certification shall be made as part of the offerors response to the RFP using the subject attachment in Section D of the solicitation document.
Annual Office of Inspector General (OIG) Statement: In accordance with HIPAA and the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1977, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has established a list of parties and entities excluded from Federal health care programs. Specifically, the listed parties and entities may not receive Federal Health Care program payments due to fraud and/or abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Therefore, Contractor shall review the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS OIG web site at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/index.asp to ensure that the proposed Contractor s physician(s) are not listed. Contractor should note that any excluded individual or entity that submits a claim for reimbursement to a Federal health care program, or causes such a claim to be submitted, may be subject to a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) for each item or service furnished during a period that the person was excluded and may also be subject to treble damages for the amount claimed for each item or service. CMP s may also be imposed against the Contractor that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals to provide items or services to Federal program beneficiaries.
By submitting their proposal, the Contractor certifies that the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities has been reviewed and that the Contractors are and/or firm is not listed as of the date the offer/bid was signed.
Clinical/Professional Performance: The qualifications of Contractor personnel are subject to review by VA Medical Center COS or his/her clinical designee and approval by the Medical Center Director as provided in VHA Directive 1100.20 and VHA Directive 1100.21. Clinical/Professional performance monitoring and review of all clinical personnel covered by this contract for quality purposes will be provided by the facility COS and/or the Chief of the Service or his designee. The national OPPE/FPPE nephrology performance form shall be used to evaluate each contracted physician s performance on a recurring basis. A clinical COR may be appointed, however, only the CO is authorized to consider any contract modification request and/or make changes to the contract during the administration of the resultant contract.
Non- Personal Healthcare Services: The parties agree that the Contractor and all Contractor s physician(s) shall not be considered VA employees for any purpose.
Indemnification: The Contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against, all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, arising out of or resulting from the fault, negligence, or act or omission of the Contractor, its agents, or employees.
Prohibition against Self-Referral: Contractor s physicians are prohibited from referring VA patients to contractor s or their own practice(s).
Inherent Government Functions: Contractor and Contractor s physician(s) shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.
No Employee status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor s physician(s) furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract:
Workers compensation
Professional liability insurance
Health examinations
Income tax withholding, and
Social security payments.
Tort Liability: The Federal Tort Claims Act does not cover Contractor or contract provider(s). When a Contractor or contract provider (s)has been identified as a provider in a tort claim, the Contractor shall be responsible for notifying their legal counsel and/or insurance carrier. Any settlement or judgment arising from a Contractor s (or contract physician(s)) action or non-action shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and/or insurance carrier.
Key Personnel:
The VA Full Time Equivalency (FTE) for the services required is 1.5 FTE.
The minimum number of Board Certified /Board Eligible Nephrology providers required to be on site daily is 1.5 FTE, Monday thru Friday as defined in paragraph Hour of Operations in the section.
The Contractor shall be responsible for providing coverage to the VA during periods of vacancies of the Contractor s personnel due to sick leave, personal leave, vacations, and additional coverage as required. In the event a scheduled physician is unable to complete an assigned shift, the contractor shall provide replacement physician coverage within 2 hours and notify the Contracting Office Representative (COR) immediately of the schedule change.
Personnel Substitutions: During the first ninety (90) calendar days of performance, the Contractor shall make NO substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the CO, in writing, within 15 calendar day(s) after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required below. After 90 days, the Contractor shall submit the information required below to the CO at least 15 calendar days prior to making any permanent substitutions.
The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes shall have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The CO will notify the Contractor within 30 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the proposed substitutes. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.
For temporary substitutions where the key person shall not be reporting to work for three (3) consecutive workdays or more, the Contractor shall provide a qualified replacement for the key person. The substitute shall have comparable qualifications to the key person. Any period exceeding two weeks will require the procedure as stated above.
The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct 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 patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. Should the VA COS or designee show documented clinical problems or continual unprofessional behavior/actions with any Contractor s physician(s), s/he may request, without cause, immediate replacement of said Contractor s physician(s). The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor s physician(s) conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.
Contingency Plan: Because continuity of care is an essential part of the Facility s medical services, The Contractor shall have a contingency plan in place to be utilized if the Contractor s physician(s) leaves Contractor s employment or is unable to continue performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.
VA HOURS OF OPERATION/SCHEDULING
VA Business Hours: The clinic operations of the Nephrology Section, Medical Service is Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. The VASNHCS Medical Specialty Clinic closed on all Federal Holidays.
Patients must be seen by a contractor s physician(s) on-site at the facility in a timely manner in accordance with VA Rules and Regulations on clinic wait times and consult completion. Contractor shall notify the COR at least monthly about any obstacles to meeting this performance measure.
Contractor s physician(s) shall be available and present in clinic during normal facility clinic hours, which will be established, and may be revised, as deemed appropriate for patient care by the Chief of Staff. Currently, normal clinic hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm excluding weekends and Federal Holidays.
Off-hours Coverage: On-call coverage is required. The on-call schedule is on 24-hour/7 days a week basis, consisting of 16 hours per 24-hour day. Monday through Friday and 24 hours per day on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and all Federal holidays. When the Contractors provider is on-call, they shall remain with a thirty-minute arrival time to VASNHCS. All calls shall be responded to within fifteen minutes. On-call volume is estimated to be three to five calls per month and will be from the Administrator of the Day (AOD) at the VASNHCS.
On-call Contractor s physician(s) must always be available for phone consultations with VA residents and physicians.
On-call providers must be available within 15 minutes by phone and on-site within 60 minutes.
Federal Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the Department of Veterans Affairs:
New Year s Day
President s Day
Martin Luther King s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Any day specifically declared to be a national holiday.
Cancellations
CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Personnel Required: The Contractor shall provide contractor s physician(s) who are competent, qualified per this performance work statement and adequately trained to perform assigned duties.
Contractor s physician(s) shall be responsible for signing in and out when in attendance. Time sheets will be used by the COR to confirm hours/day and services provided against the contractor s invoices.
Standards of Care:
The Contractor s physician(s) care shall cover the range of Nephrology services as would be provided in a state-of-the-art civilian medical treatment facility and shall be of a quality that meets or exceeds community standards. Care shall be compliant with all related VHA kidney health policies, recognized TJC standards, and generally consistent with guidance available at :
The professional standards of the Joint Commission (TJC): http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/standards.aspx
The standards of the American Hospital Association (AHA): http://www.hpoe.org/resources?show=100&type=8
The National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/professionals/guidelines/guidelines_commentaries) ;
VA Handbook 1042.01 Criteria and Standards for VA Dialysis
VA Directive 1053 Prevention, Early Recognition and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO: https://www.KDIGO.org
National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-KDIGO; https://www.kidney.org/professionals/ guidelines).
The requirements contained in this PWS

MEDICAL RECORDS
Authorities: Contractor s physician(s) providing healthcare services to VA patients shall be considered as part of the Department Healthcare Activity and shall comply with the 5 U.S.C.552a (Privacy Act), 38 U.S.C. 5701 (Confidentiality of claimants records), 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA), 38 U.S.C. 5705 (Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records) 38 U.S.C. 7332 (Confidentiality of certain medical records), Title 5 U.S.C. § 522a (Records Maintained on Individuals) as well as 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 (HIPAA).
HIPAA: This contract and its requirements meet exception in 45 CFR 164.502(e), and do not require a BAA in order for Covered Entity to disclose Protected Health Information to: a health care provider for treatment of VA patients. Based on this exception, a BAA is not required for this contract. Health records generated by this contract or provided to the Contractors by the VA are covered by the VA Privacy Act system of records entitled Patient Medical Records-VA (24VA10A7). Contractor generated VA Patient records are the property of the VA and shall not be accessed, released, transferred, or destroyed except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contractor shall ensure that all records pertaining to medical care and services provided to VA patients are captured in the VA electronic health record system as required by VA policy as discussed in 4.4.4. 4.4.3.
Disclosure: Contractor s physician(s) may have access to patient medical records for the purpose of providing medical care and services to VA patients and performing services under the contract; however, Contractor shall obtain permission from the VA before disclosing any patient information outside VA. VA authorizes the Contractor to discuss patient health information for coordination of care with community health care providers in compliance with VA regulations, HIPAA and VHA Directive 1605.01, Privacy and Release of Information. The VA will provide the Contractor with a copy of VHA Directive 1907.01, Health Information Management and Health Records and VHA Directive 1605.1, Privacy and Release of Information. The penalties and liabilities for the unauthorized disclosure of VA patient information mandated by the statutes and regulations mentioned above, apply to the Contractor.
Professional Standards for Documenting Care: Care shall be appropriately documented in medical records in accordance with standard commercial practice and guidelines established by VHA Directive 1907.01 Health Information Management and Health Records:
Release of Information: The VA shall maintain control of releasing any copies of patient health information or health records and will follow policies and standards as defined, but not limited to Privacy Act requirements. Contractor will not release or disclose copies of records and will refer all such requests to the Release of Information Department at the VA facility were assigned.
Management for Medical Records: National Archives and Records Administration record disposition requirements are found in RCS 10-1 Chapter 6, 6000 series.
Direct Patient Care: estimated 95% of the time involved in direct patient care.
Per the qualification section of this PWS, the Contractor shall provide the following staff:
Multiple Board Certified/Board Eligible Nephrology physicians
Multiple Licensed, Certified Physicians Extenders
(NOTE: MUST TAILOR TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED:
Scope of Care: Contractor s physician(s) (as appropriate and within scope of practice/privileging) shall be responsible for providing Nephrology care, including, but not limited to :
Medical and Surgical Care: Contractor s physician(s) shall provide clinical Nephrology services. Contractor s physician(s) shall be present on time for any scheduled clinics as documented by physical presence in the clinic at the scheduled start time.
Contractor s physician(s) shall provide comprehensive clinical Nephrology services including, but not limited to, evaluation and management of acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease, end stage kidney disease (ESKD), fluid and electrolyte disorders, and hypertension; medical evaluation and management of nephrolithiasis; medical management of kidney transplant patients; and evaluation and management of extracorporeal treatment for poisonings and intoxications. Management of AKI and ESKD includes prescription and medical oversight of the performance of kidney replacement therapy, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, prolonged intermittent kidney replacement therapy and/or continuous kidney replacement therapy, including management of vascular access and procedural complications. Additional procedural services may include placement of central and femoral venous dialysis catheters and percutaneous kidney biopsy, unless otherwise provided by or separately contracted for by VA facility.
Contractor s physician(s) shall provide consultative services at the patient s bedside if the patient is not ambulatory and, in the clinic, setting if the patient is able to report to the outpatient clinic. Procedures shall be scheduled for completion within 30 days of the date of the consult.
Mechanisms must be in-place to provide notification of test results for patients receiving care in accordance with VHA Directive 1088, Communicating Test Results to Providers and Patients.
Medications: Contractor s physician(s) shall follow all established medication policies and procedures. No sample medications shall be provided to patients.
Discharge education: Contractor s physician(s) shall provide discharge education and follow up instructions that are coordinated with the next care setting for all Nephrology clinical patients.
ADMINISTRATIVE: estimated 5% of time not involved in direct patient care (should match information from needs assessment.) (NOTE: MUST BE TAILORED TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED: list tasks, call, etc. For meetings, list the name, frequency, length of each meeting. For other administrative tasks, ensure that a description of effort (scheduled time) is outlined for each task.).
Quality Improvement Meetings: The Contractor s physician(s) shall participate in continuous quality improvement activities and meetings with committee participation as required by the facility Chief of Service, Chief of Staff, or designee.
List all meetings, associated time and frequency.
Meeting
Frequency (once a year, etc.)
Annual Hours
Provider meeting
Monthly
12 hours
Staff Meetings: The Contractor s physician(s) shall attend staff meetings as required by the facility Chief of Service, Chief of Staff, or designee. Contractor to communicate with COR on this requirement and report any conflicts that may interfere with compliance with this requirement.
List all meetings, associated time and frequency.
Meeting
Frequency (once a year, etc.)
Annual Hours
Staff Meeting
Once a month
12 hours
QA/QI documentation: The Contractor s physician(s) shall complete the appropriate QM/PI documentation pertaining to all procedures, complications and outcome of examinations.
Patient Safety Compliance and Reporting: Contractor s physician(s) shall follow all established patient safety and infection control standards of care. Contractor s physician(s) shall make every effort to prevent medication errors, falls, and patient injury caused by acts of commission or omission in the delivery of care. All events related to patient injury, medication errors, and other breeches of patient safety shall be documented in the medical record of those impacted and disclosed to the patient or surrogate. As soon as practicable (but within 24 hours) Contractors shall notify COR of incident and submit an entry in the VA Patient Safety Reporting System, following up with COR as required or requested.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT(QI)
Quality Management/Quality Assurance Surveillance: Contractor s physician(s) shall be subject to Quality Management measures, such as patient satisfaction surveys, timely completion of medical records, and Peer Reviews. Methods of Surveillance: Focused Provider Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Provider Practice Evaluation (OPPE). Contractor performance will be monitored by the government using the standards as outlined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and methods of surveillance detailed in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP shall be attached to the resultant contract and shall define the methods and frequency of surveillance conducted.
Patient Complaints: The CO will resolve complaints concerning Contractor relations with the Government employees or patients. The CO is final authority on validating complaints. If the Contractor is involved and named in a validated patient complaint, the Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of the services of such personnel. This does not preclude refusal in the event of incidents involving physical or verbal abuse.
The Government reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any Contractor personnel at any time after performance begins, if personal or professional conduct 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 patient or other staff members to designated Government representatives. Standards for conduct shall mirror those prescribed by current federal personnel regulations. The CO and COR shall deal with issues raised concerning Contractor s conduct. The final arbiter on questions of acceptability is the CO.
Performance Standards:
Measure: Provider Quality Performance
Performance Requirement: All Contractor s physician(s) shall perform in accordance with clinical standards
Standard: OPPE documentation for all (100%) staff providing services under the contract. All staff (100%) meet Standards.
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% meet Standards
Surveillance Method: Ongoing Provider Performance Evaluation (OPPE) data pertinent to care performed for each provider working under this contract. OPPE data will review the following elements:
Patient Care Performance
Medical/Clinical knowledge
Practiced Based Learning and Improvement
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Professionalism
System Based Practice
Frequency: A minimum of five medical records reviewed every six months (January June and July December) for each provider and feedback will be provided.
Measure: Qualifications of Key Personnel
Performance Requirement: All Contractor s physician(s) shall be Board Certified /Board Eligible and physician extenders shall be licensed in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or District of Columbia and appropriate certification maintained in accordance with the PWS in accordance with American Board of Internal Medicine s Nephrology Standards.
Standard: All (100%) Contractor s physician(s) are Board Certified /Board Eligible in accordance with American Board of Internal Medicine s Nephrology Standards and all contractor s physician extenders shall be licensed in a State, Territory or commonwealth of the United States or District of Columbia and appropriate certification maintained.
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% No deviations accepted.
Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling of qualification documents
Frequency: Quarterly review of 6-part competency folder of each provider credentialed on the contract.
Measure: Scope of Practice/Privileging
Performance Requirement: Contractor s physician(s) perform within their individual scopes of practice/privileging.
Standard: All (100%) Contractor s physician(s) perform within their scope of practice/privileges 100% of the time.
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% Contractor s physician(s) perform within their scope of practice/privileges 100% of the time.
Surveillance Method: On going Provider Performance Evaluation (OPPE) data pertinent to care performed for each provider working under this contract. OPPE data will review the following elements:
Patient Care Performance
Medical/Clinical knowledge
Practiced Based Learning and Improvement
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Professionalism
System Based Practice
Frequency: A minimum of five medical records reviewed every six months (January June and July - December) for each provider and feedback will be provided.
Measure: Patient Access
Performance Requirement: The Contractor shall provide contract provider (s)in accordance with the operating hours and VA clinical schedule outlined in this PWS.
Standard: All (100%) Contractor s physician(s) are on time and available to perform services.
Acceptable Quality Level: Contractor s physician(s) is on-time and available to perform services 100% of the time.
Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling of Time and Attendance Sheets
Frequency: Periodic Random Sampling throughout the year.
Measure: Patient Safety
Performance Requirement: Patient safety incidents shall be reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System. All incidents reported immediately (within 24 hours.)
Standard: All (100%) of patient safety incidents are reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System within 24 hours of incident.
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% of patient safety incidents are reported using VA Patient Safety Reporting System within 24 hours of incident.
Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling
Frequency: As reported
Measure: Maintains licensing, registration, and certification
Performance Requirement: Updated Licensing, registration and certification shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current.
Standard: All (100%) licensing, registration(s) and certification(s) for Contractor s physician(s) shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current.
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% licensing, registration(s) and certification(s) for Contractor s physician(s) shall be provided as they are renewed. Licensing and registration information kept current. No acceptable deviation.
Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling
Frequency: Periodic Inspection
Measure: Mandatory Training
Performance Requirement: Contractor shall complete all required training on time per facility policy.
Standard: All (100%) of required training is complete on time by contract physician(s).
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% completion; no deviations
Surveillance Method: Periodic Sampling
Frequency: TMS Reports, Contractor to provide documented evidence to COR.
Measure: Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPAA
Performance Requirement: Contractor is aware of all laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to privacy, confidentially and HIPAA and complies with all standards Zero breaches of privacy or confidentiality.
Standard: All (100%) contractor physician(s) comply with all laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to Privacy, Confidentiality and HIPAA
Acceptable Quality Level: 100% compliance: no deviations.
Surveillance Method: Periodic Inspection or Random Sampling; Contractor shall provide evidence of annual training required by the facility, reports violations per VA Handbook 6500.6.
Frequency: Contractor to provide evidence of annual training required by VAMC, reports violations per VA Directive 6500.6
Registration with Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System
As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates Contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the Contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, CPARS, which is maintained by the Naval Sea Logistics Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the federal awardee performance and integrity information system (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web-enabled application accessed via CPARS for Contractor responsibility determination information.
Each Contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold requires a CPARS evaluation. Â A government Focal Point will register your contract within thirty days after contract award and, at that time, you will receive an email message with a User ID (to be used when reviewing evaluations). Additional information regarding the evaluation process can be found at www.cpars.gov or if you have any questions, you may contact the Customer Support Desk @ DSN: 684-1690 or COMM: 207-438-1690.
For contracts with a period of one year or less, the contracting officer will perform a single evaluation when the contract is complete. For contracts exceeding one year, the contracting officer will evaluate the Contractor s performance annually. Interim reports will be filed each year until the last year of the contract, when the final report will be completed. The report shall be assigned in CPARS to the Contractor s designated representative for comment. The Contractor representative will have sixty (60) days to submit any comments and re-assign the report to the CO.
Failure for the Contractor s representative to respond to the evaluation within those sixty (60) days, will result in the Government s evaluation being placed on file in the database with a statement that the Contractor failed to respond; the Contractor s representative will be locked out of the evaluation and may no longer send comments.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
VA Support Personnel, Services or Equipment:
Contract Administration/Performance Monitoring: After award of contract, all inquiries and correspondence relative to the administration of the contract shall be addressed to: (enter contract administration if not already listed in another area- list the title (not name) and contact information for COR, Clinical point of contact, and any other relevant personnel involved).
CO RESPONSIBILITIES:
CO - Cynthia Diezel
5342 Dudley Blvd. Bldg. 209
McClellan, CA 95652
(916) 923-4567
The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements of this contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue any modification to include (but not limited to) terms affecting price, quantity, or quality of performance of this contract.
The Contracting Officer shall resolve complaints concerning Contractor relations with the Government employees or patients. The Contracting Officer is final authority on validating complaints. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer without authority, no adjustment shall be made in the contract price to cover an increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.
In the event that contracted services do not meet quality and/or safety expectations, the best remedy will be implemented, to include but not limited to a targeted and time limited performance improvement plan; increased monitoring of the contracted services; consultation or training for Contractor personnel to be provided by the VA; replacement of the contract personnel and/or renegotiation of the contract terms or termination of the contract.
COR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The COR for this contract is: : Georgiann Waters, Administrative Assistant, 975 Kirman Ave, Reno, NV 89502, 775-785-7102, georgiann.waters@va.gov

The COR shall be the VA official responsible for verifying contract compliance. After contract award, any incidents of Contractor noncompliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.
The COR will be responsible for monitoring the Contractor s performance to ensure all specifications and requirements are fulfilled. Quality Improvement data that will be collected for ongoing monitoring includes but is not limited to: Entering data that may be collected.
The COR will maintain a record-keeping system of services by keeping a folder in the share folder. The COR will review this data monthly when invoices are received and certify all invoices for payment by comparing the hours documented on the VA record-keeping system and those on the invoices. Any evidence of the Contractor's non-compliance as evidenced by the monitoring procedures shall be forwarded immediately to the Contracting Officer.
The COR will review and certify monthly invoices for payment. If in the event the Contractor fails to provide the services in this contract, payments will be adjusted to compensate the Government for the difference.
All contract administration functions will be retained by the VA.
SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS
Reports/Deliverables: The Contractor shall be responsible for complying with all reporting requirements established by the Contract. Contractor shall be responsible for assuring the accuracy and completeness of all reports and other documents as well as the timely submission of each. Contractor shall comply with contract requirements regarding the appropriate reporting formats, instructions, submission timetables, and technical assistance as required.
The following are brief descriptions of required documents that must be submitted by Contractor: upon award; weekly; monthly; quarterly ; annually, etc. identified throughout the PWS and is provided here as a guide for Contractor convenience. If an item is within the PWS and not listed here, the Contractor remains responsible for the delivery of the item.

What
Submit as noted
Submit To
Quality Control Plan: Description and reporting reflecting the contractor s plan for meeting of contract requirements and performance standards
Upon proposal and as frequently as indicated in the performance standards.
Contracting Officer
Copy of Subcontracting Plan is required for all large businesses. Copy of Contractor Certification Statement if no subcontracting possibilities exist.
Upon proposal and as updated
Contracting Officer
Copies of all licenses, board certifications, NPI, to include primary source verification of all licensed and certified staff
Upon proposal and upon renewal of licenses and upon renewal of option periods or change of key personnel.
Contracting Officer with proposal; renewal submitted to VETPRO system.
Certification that staffs list has been compared to OIG list
Upon proposal and upon new hires.
Contracting Officer
Proof of Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance
Upon proposal and upon renewals.
Contracting Officer
Certificates of Completion for Cyber Security and Patient Privacy Training Courses
Before receiving an account on VA Network and annual training and new hires.
Contracting Officer
ACLS or BLS Certification
Upon award and every two years after award.
COR
Contingency plan for replacing key personnel to maintain services as required under the terms of the contract
Upon proposal and as updated
COR
Billing:
Invoice requirements and supporting documentation: Supporting documentation and invoice must be submitted no later than the 20th workday of the following month in which services were rendered. Subsequent changes or corrections shall be submitted by separate invoice. In addition to information required for submission of a proper invoice in accordance with FAR 52.212-4 (g), all invoices must include:
Name and Address of Contractor
Invoice Date and Invoice Number
Contract Number and Purchase/Task Order Number
Date of Service
Contractor s physician(s) (Name of Contractor s employee)
Hourly Rate
Quantity of hours worked.
Total price
Vendor Electronic Invoice Submission Methods:
Invoices will be electronically submitted to the Tungsten website at https://www.tungsten-network.com/us/support/ Tungsten direct vendor support number is 877-489-6135 for VA contracts. The VA-FSC pays all associated transaction fees for VA orders. During Implementation (technical set-up) Tungsten will confirm your Taxpayer ID Number with the VA-FSC. This process can take up to 5 business days to complete to ensure your invoice is automatically routed to your Certifying Official for approval and payment. To successfully submit an invoice to VA-FSC please review How to Create an Invoice within the how to guides. All invoices submitted through Tungsten to the VA-FSC should mirror your current submission of Invoice, with the following items required. Clarification of additional requirements should be confirmed with your Certifying Official (your CO or buyer). The VA-FSC requires specific information in compliance with the Prompt Pay Act and Business Requirements. For additional information, please contact:
Tungsten Support
Phone: 1-877-489-6135
Website: https://www.tungsten-network.com/us/support/
Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Service Center
Phone: 1-877-353-9791
Email: vafsccshd@va.gov
Reduction in Services: This is a fixed quantity contract for a specified number of hours. If, at the end of the period of performance, the government has not utilized the total number of hours required under this contract because of a change in its requirements, the parties agree that they will attempt to negotiate in good faith a contract modification reducing the scope of the contract with a corresponding adjustment in the total contract price. In no event will the VA pay for hours that exceed the total number of hours specified in the contract for the period of performance.
Payments in full/no billing VA beneficiaries: The Contractor shall accept payment for services rendered under this contract as payment in full. VA beneficiaries shall not under any circumstances be charged nor their insurance companies charged for services rendered by the Contractor, even if VA does not pay for those services. This provision shall survive the termination or ending of the contract.
To the extent that the Veteran desires services which are not a VA benefit or covered under the terms of this contract, the Contractor must notify the Veteran that there will be a charge for such service and that the VA will not be responsible for payment.
The Contractor shall not bill, charge, collect a deposit from, seek compensation, remuneration, or reimbursement from, or have any recourse against, any person or entity other than VA for services provided pursuant to this contract. It shall be considered fraudulent for the Contractor to bill other third-party insurance sources (including Medicare) for services rendered to Veteran enrollees under this contract.
Contractor Security Requirements (VA Handbook 6500.6) - PULLED FROM eCMS, TEAM SHOULD SELECT LANGUAGE FROM EACH SECTION AS APPLICABLE.

Attachments/Links