Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JULY 29, 2012 FBO #3900
DOCUMENT

Q -- Readjustment Counseling Contract - Offsite Huntington Veteran Center - Attachment

Notice Date

7/27/2012
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

621330 — Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;VISN 9 ASC (90C) NCO;1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 400;Murfreesboro TN 37129
 

ZIP Code

37129
 

Solicitation Number

VA24912I0796
 

Response Due

8/10/2012
 

Archive Date

9/9/2012
 

Point of Contact

Curtis E. Cardoza
 

E-Mail Address

5-6510<br
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

This is a sources sought notice only; it is not a request for quotations or offers. The VISN 9 Network Contracting Office is conducting market research for the Huntington Veteran Center to identify potential sources for a contract within the service area to provide Re-Adjustment Counseling Services. It is the intention of the Huntington Veteran Center to solicit a proposal in accordance with all terms, conditions, provisions, specifications, and schedules and award a Firm- Fixed price contract on a competitive basis under the authority of 38 USC 8153. BACKGROUND: Public Law 96-22 in 1979 added Section 612A to 38 U.S.C. authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide readjustment counseling to veterans of the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975). Subsequently amended several times between 1979 and 1989, Section 612A, currently guarantees readjustment counseling as a lifetime entitlement to Vietnam era veterans and requires no change in venue for VA's system of community-based outreach and counseling centers (Vet Centers). Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) currently administers a nationwide system of 300 Vet Centers located in all 50 States and surrounding territories including the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa. The Vet Center mission is to provide outreach and counseling to assist Vietnam era veterans (and now veterans of the Persian gulf war and the Conflicts in Lebanon, Grenada and Panama and the Global War on Terrorism), Somalia, Korea, WWII resolved war-related psychological difficulties and to help them achieve a successful post-war readjustment to civilian life. Toward these objectives the Vet Centers provide a mix of psychological and social services: psychological counseling and psychotherapy (individual, group, and family), outreach, networking and referral, employment counseling, education/career counseling, crisis counseling, community education, substance abuse aftercare and referral, consultation to professionals, and conjoint services at VA Medical Centers and Clinics. The initiating legislation also authorized VA to augment Vet Center services through contract with private sector providers for provision of readjustment counseling to veterans geographically removed from existing Vet Centers and other VA healthcare facilities. In 1991, legislation was enacted amending Section 612A of Title 38 U.S.C. to expand the definition of veteran for readjustment counseling entitlement purposes to all post-Vietnam era veterans who served during a period and in the theatre of armed hostilities since May 7, 1975, such as existed in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Korea WWII and most recently in the Persian Gulf. The range and types of services provided to these newly eligible veteran populations are identical to those already provided to Vietnam era veterans. SCOPE: The Huntington Veteran Center anticipates awarding a single contract on a firm, fixed-price requirement in the near future. A solicitation will be conducted using Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12, 13 and 15 in accordance with IL 90-99-4 for a period of one (1) year with two (2) one year renewal options. TERM OF CONTRACT AND PRICING: The contract is projected to be effective with a base year commencing 01 October 2012 through September 30, 2013, with two, one year renewal options to be exercised at the discretion of the Government. Pricing will be quoted on a per session rate for services rendered. Remuneration will be based on the number of visits multiplied by the per session rate quoted by the offeror. WORK STATEMENT: The contractor shall furnish readjustment counseling services to eligible veterans referred by Vet center staff members or professional staff members of VA Psychiatry, Social Work, Psychology or Nursing Services. Readjustment counseling, for purposes of this contract, is counseling provided by social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other qualified counselors, individually or in groups, specifically directed at social, psychological, or behavioral difficulties specifically related to the post-war readjustment to civilian life. Such difficulties may interfere with a veteran's job performance, educational pursuits, family and other interpersonal relations, or overall ability to cope with daily life. Modalities of readjustment counseling include individual, group, and family counseling; all of which must have as their central purpose the post-war readjustment of Vietnam era and/or post-Vietnam war zone veterans. This service does not include general mental health services, but only provides readjustment counseling for psychosocial difficulties related to post-war readjustment from military duty for example: a.Exposure to combat-related war trauma. b.Exposure to other aspects of war zone stress. c.Post-traumatic stress disorder (as defined by DSM-III-R) and/or other war-related social and psychological difficulties. d.Stressors unique to military duty for eligible veterans. e.Psychological concern over a possible service-connected condition. f.Substance abuse connected with military duty and/or post-war homecoming and readjustment. g.Difficult post-war experiences, including disrupted homecoming and unsuccessful re-entry into civilian roles. h.Concern over possible Agent Orange, biological or chemical agent exposure or ramifications thereof. i.Generalized alienation from society manifested by lack of expectable familial, educational and/or vocational activities. j.Psychosocial difficulties related to type of military discharge for other than a dishonorable discharge. A counseling session must last a minimum of 45 minutes and will be deemed a single visit. Longer visits will be deemed a single visit regardless of length. A maximum of up to three visits will be authorized for the initial assessment by the official VA referrer. Additional blocks of up to fifteen visits can be authorized for continued counseling after the initial 1-3 visits have been exhausted. All fees presented in proposals, and included in contracts, must be within the customary, usual, and reasonable range of fees as charged by the same professional discipline for the same services charged in the area where services will be provided. The Contracting Officer will determine the applicable prevailing fee ranges, from standard sources within the community; e.g., professional societies, being assisted in this determination by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Group counseling will be at least 90 minutes in length or may last longer; individual, family, and couples counseling will be at least 45 minutes in length or may last longer with the veteran and/or significant others, and will be deemed a single visit (regardless of length). Groups to which veterans are referred must include a minimum of 50% Vietnam theatre and/or post-Vietnam war zone veterans. Exceptions to the requirement of 50% Vietnam theatre and/or post-Vietnam war zone veteran composition of groups to which veterans are referred may be granted by the VA referrer if deemed clinically appropriate. The contract service provider is authorized to provide only those services specified on VA referral forms (VAF 10-5565b). Under this contract, an individual veteran will be authorized no more than one visit per week, per case; i.e., whether the visit is with a veteran or a significant other (i.e., members of the veteran's immediate family, legal guardian, or individual with whom the veteran lives or certifies an intention to live). Visits twice per week may be permitted in exceptional cases when authorized by the COTR on the basis of appropriate clinical assessment. VA reserves the right to modify the treatment plan submitted by the contractor. Reimbursement will be for in-person counseling sessions (e.g., face-to-face). Reimbursement is not authorized, for example, for telephone calls with the veteran or significant others, or for consultation between the contract counselor and other individuals. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the COTR, e.g., crisis intervention. It is understood that payments made by VA under this contract will constitute the total cost of readjustment counseling services. The contractor agrees that no additional charges will be billed to the beneficiary or his family, either by the contractor or any third party furnishing required services, unless and until specific prior authorization in writing is obtained from the VA referrer that authorized the provision of services. The provision of medications and physical examinations are not to be considered a component of readjustment counseling, and therefore, will not be provided under this contract mechanism. Nonetheless, offerors should have the capability through referral to arrange for needed physical examinations, prescription medications and/or other medical treatment. Veteran consumers should be advised that VA will not reimburse through this service for physical examinations, drugs, or other medical treatments. In all such cases, VA medical facilities should be the priority referral for the veteran's medical care. When this is not feasible due to geographical distance, VA Fee Basis providers should also be considered. The contract provider should coordinate with the COR for assistance in facilitating referrals to VA medical providers. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR: Contractors will provide readjustment counseling services to eligible veterans referred by Vet Center or VA mental health professionals in accordance with the requirements of the Contract Mechanism, Fee/Contract Program Handbook, and VA Authorization Form, VAF 10-5565b. Duties and responsibilities of the contract providers are detailed in the Fee/Contract Program Handbook (Appendix A, Chapter 4, section 4.5). http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2288 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF ELIGIBLE SERVICE PROVIDERS Service providers who are interested in this Sources Sought notice must be physically located in: Ohio Counties (South East and Southern Ohio): Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Scioto, Vinton and Washington. The geographical boundaries described here will be determined by Readjustment Counseling Service officials and local VA Medical Center officials, based upon what they consider to be geographical areas of need; e.g., a given city, county, or in a locality where a Veteran Center is present but, because of large population of Vietnam era and/or post-Vietnam era eligible veterans, the Vet Center cannot adequately provide services. VA will only make referrals to providers under this contract for circumstances where VA or other government facilities are not capable of furnishing needed services or cannot do so economically because of geographical distances. PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE INITIATION Service initiation under this contract will be limited to referral only by Vet Center personnel, RCS Regional Managers and/or Chief of Staff or designee at a VA medical facility. The number, type, and frequency of readjustment counseling services provided to the veteran and/or significant others (i.e., members of the veteran's immediate family, legal guardian, or individual with whom the veteran lives or certifies an intention to live with) will be as specifically authorized by referring Vet center or VA Medical Center officials. Upon determination of eligibility and completion of psychosocial assessment, determining the need for readjustment counseling services, a referral will be made by completion of Contract Services Authorization Form (VAF 10-5565b). Copy 1 will be mailed or given to the veteran or significant other-who will present it to the designated service provider. Copy 2 will be mailed to the designated contract service provider; Copy 3 will be forwarded to Medical Administration Service (MAS) at the VA Medical Center responsible for assisting the Vet Center in the local administration of the contract program. Copy 4 will be maintained on file at the Vet Center. Interested parties should respond to the Contract Specialist, Curtis Cardoza by e-mail at curtis.cardoza@va.gov. Interested parties should respond no later than 10 August 2012 at 2:00 P.M. Central Time. This sources sought notice is to assist the Huntington Veteran Center in identifying an appropriate acquisition strategy only. Written communication received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining current market capabilities for the services identified within this notice. A solicitation is not currently available. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced and posted on this website at a later date, and interested parties must respond to the solicitation to be considered for award. This notice does not commit the government to contract for any supply or service. The government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Sources Sought Notice. Do not contact medical center staff in regards to this requirement, as they are not authorized to discuss matters related to this procurement action. All questions should be submitted in writing for this procurement to the Contract Specialist.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/NaVAMC/VAMCCO80220/VA24912I0796/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: VA249-12-I-0796 VA249-12-I-0796.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=417903&FileName=VA249-12-I-0796-000.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=417903&FileName=VA249-12-I-0796-000.docx

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Place of Performance

Address: Department of Veterans Affairs;Huntington Veterans Center;3135 16th Street Road, Ste 11;Huntington, WV

Zip Code: 25701
 

Record

SN02817931-W 20120729/120727235711-396dc56877a91734694a4a06c0e40baf (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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