Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JULY 10, 2016 FBO #5343
DOCUMENT

G -- HUD-VASH Case Management - San Francsco & Northern San Mateo Counties CA - Attachment

Notice Date

7/8/2016
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

621330 — Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;Network Contracting Office 21;3375 Koapaka Street;Suite F250;Honolulu HI 96819
 

ZIP Code

96819
 

Solicitation Number

VA26116N0712
 

Response Due

7/14/2016
 

Archive Date

8/13/2016
 

Point of Contact

T. Velvet Abercrumbie
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTES. The US Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 21, Network Contracting Office 21 is seeking sources for a potential competitive 100% set aside for 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Native American Owned, Minority Owned, Women-Owned Small Business, or any Small Business concerns. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to obtain information on qualified and experienced contractors interested in providing quotes/proposals for HUD-VASH Case Management services in, San Francisco and Northern San Mateo Counties, CA. See Statement of Work below. IF ADEQUATE RESPONSES ARE NOT RECEIVED FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CONCERNS, THE ACQUISITION MAY BE SOLICITED ON AN UNRESTRICTED BASIS. The total period of performance shall be one base year with four option years. Work to be performed will be within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 621330, and the small business standard of $7.5M. Statement of Work HUD-VASH Case Management San Francisco and Northern San Mateo County, CA Background and Overview: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a Contractor to assist with the provision of housing placement and case management services through the HUD-VASH program. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HUD-VASH program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and VA to place and maintain homeless Veterans in permanent, community based housing using HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers that are paired with ongoing VA case management services. Many of these Veterans have co-morbid conditions that include serious mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, and other serious medical conditions. VA intends to engage a Contractor to provide housing placement services and on-going case management to VA referred Veterans and their families. Entities that are interested in providing these services should be aware that HUD-VASH is a national program serving Veterans and their families throughout the country. This program continues to expand and has become one of the largest VA interventions to assist homeless Veterans. It is also the first VA homeless program that offers services to both the Veterans and their family. It represents one of VA's most significant efforts to achieve the President's goal of ending homelessness among Veterans. Primary target populations for HUD-VASH include chronically homeless, chronically mentally ill Veterans; Veteran families with minor children; and returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. To be eligible for the HUD-VASH program, Veterans must: "Be eligible for VA health care as determined by the local VA medical center "Be homeless or at imminent risk for homelessness based on HEARTH ACT 1/16/16 definitions "Be assessed by the HUD-VASH program at the VA medical center to have ongoing medical, mental health, substance abuse, or other serious psychosocial conditions or stressors that prevent the Veteran from obtaining and/or maintaining permanent housing on his/her own. HUD-VASH Veterans are admitted to the program based on a demonstrated need for ongoing case management due to advanced age, mental health, substance abuse, medical and/or other co-occurring serious psychosocial issues. The program prioritizes Veterans assessed to be highly vulnerable with a high likelihood of death due to homelessness. In addition to targeting the most vulnerable homeless Veterans, HUD-VASH seeks to utilize a Housing First approach to working with Veterans to ensure rapid housing placement and stabilization. Housing First is an approach that centers on providing homeless individuals with housing quickly and then providing services and treatment as needed. What differentiates a Housing First approach from other strategies is that there is an immediate need and primary focus on helping individuals and families quickly access and sustain permanent housing. Through this contract, the VA seeks to expedite the placement of HUD-VASH Veterans and their families in affordable, permanent housing and assist them in maintaining housing thereafter. This housing must meet the criteria for inclusion in HUD's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. A.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this contract will be for a Base Year plus four (4) Option Years. B.CONTRACT TYPE: Firm Fix Price. C.PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Performance will occur at the contractor's location unless otherwise required by work requirements listed in the Statement of Work (SOW). D.CONTRACT AWARD MEETING: The contractor shall not commence performance on the tasks in the awarded SOW until the Contracting Officer has conducted a post award kick-off meeting or has advised the contractor that a kick-off meeting is waived. E.GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: Government furnished property will not be provided to the contractor. F.METHOD OF INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE: The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will evaluate all deliverables submitted. The COR is responsible for certifying of invoices for payment only for deliverables received and deemed by the COR to be acceptable. G.A VA Liaison will be identified at each site as the HUD-VASH Coordinator. They will act as the clinical liaison for all client related issues between the Contractor and the VA homeless team. They will provide the clinical oversight. They will not provide direct clinical supervision. They will not be the final authority on acceptance or rejection of the tasks and deliverables. Tasks and Associated Deliverables: "The VA is seeking a contract with a community-based case management Contractor which has at least five years of community based housing placement and case management experience in working with a population similar to the HUD-VASH Veterans: chronically homeless, with advanced age, mental health, substance abuse, medical and/or other co-occurring psychosocial issues, highly vulnerable, with a high likelihood of death from homelessness. The Contractor will work in conjunction with the San Francisco VA Health Care System with San Francisco City and County Public Housing Authority (PHA) and San Mateo County Public Housing Authority (PHA). "Contractor will be expected to have experience in implementing the Housing First approach in housing homeless individuals, as this approach will be used with a minimum 210 HUD-VASH Veterans on the case load. "There will be one contracted Contractor per medical center; the contractor will work within the medical center's catchment area: San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco and Northern San Mateo County, CA. "Contractor will work with a minimum 210 cases based on needs of the SFVA Health Care System. There will be a minimum of 210 Section 8 Housing Vouchers assigned to SF and San Mateo County Public Housing Authority (PHA). Referrals will be made at the discretion of the VA Healthcare System; "Contractor will work with Veterans and their families with a wide range of backgrounds and biopsychosocial challenges and vulnerabilities including but not limited to severe mental illness, chronic and current substance abuse, and serious medical problems. Veterans will be screened and admitted to the HUD-VASH program by the VA and referred to Contractor based on VA clinical assessment. Contractor is responsible for outreach, engagement, vouchering, housing and long term case management. Veterans may be currently homeless, or already housed by the VA HUD-VASH program and in need of ongoing community based case management services. "Contractor will provide the following case management services: 1.Engagement of the Veteran in the VASH process. Contractor will carry responsibility for interviewing, counseling and case managing identified veterans by conducting psychosocial assessments to identify treatment needs which affect the veterans' adjustment to their environment, and establish treatment goals. Contractor will utilize counseling strategies to include crisis intervention and case management including both short- and long-term services. 2.Contractor will assess the psychosocial and environmental needs or dysfunction secondary to or exacerbating the social, substance or psychiatric problems, which might contribute to Veterans' readjustment challenges in the community. Contractor establishes and maintains an intensive therapeutic relationship with the Veteran, family, staff, and community programs/agencies, and is responsible for formulating case-management treatment goals and plans that address identified needs, stressors and problems. 3.Contractor will conduct high-risk screening, psychosocial assessment and treatment planning, actively involving the veteran and their family or significant others, in coordination with the team members. Psychosocial assessments will include goals for clinical treatment. Contractor coordinates and documents clinical case management and psychosocial services and documents the overall effectiveness of the case management services provided. Specifically, Contractor will: a.Psychosocial Assessment: The case manager is responsible for utilizing the "Social Work Psychosocial Assessment Note" template in CPRS. This assessment should be completed within 30 days of admission to the program. The psychosocial assessment is updated when there are significant changes in the Veteran's status or condition, but at a minimum of once every year. b.Social Work Treatment Plan: The case manager is responsible for utilizing the "HUD-VASH SW Treatment Plan Note" template and progress note title in CPRS. The SW Treatment Plan should be completed within 30 days of the Psychosocial Assessment. In addition, the case manager will use a collaborative approach in completing the plan with the Veteran and will provide a signed copy to the HUD-VASH participant. The Individual Service Plan should be updated annually or when there are significant changes in the Veteran's status or condition. Care should be taken to develop measurable goals, which are revisited during regular meetings between the case manager and the Veteran. c.Review the Treatment Plan at least every ninety (90 days) in a clinical meeting with VA Liaison. Make changes in treatment plans in consultation with the Veterans and the VA liaison. d.Conduct home visits to the Veteran. The number of Veteran visits per month will be based on Veterans' needs (acuity level). Visits may occur either at the Veteran's residence, at another location agreeable to the Veteran, or in the course of accompanying Veterans to appointments. Phone contacts, while an acceptable way to communicate with a Veteran, are not considered visits in meeting the minimum monthly visit requirements in each phase. As per VA policy, home visits are required, the amount of home visits per month will be based on acuity level. For example, Veteran is deemed level 3 acuity, a minimal of one face to face meeting per week is required. Contractor will work with VA Liaison to review acuity levels to determine frequency of contacts required per month. Acuity levels should be updated quarterly with VA Liaison and contractor. e.Screen each Veteran for suicidal and homicidal risk with each contact. This screening will be documented in regular progress notes in the VA medical record. If the Veteran is a danger to him/herself or others Contractor will take immediate steps to provide appropriate intervention. Crisis management will be conducted in consultation and coordination with VA HUD-VASH program leadership. f.Utilize a Critical Time Intervention model for case management as described here: http://www.criticaltime.org/model-detail/. g.Maintain professional boundaries with Veteran. Contractor staff should under no circumstances engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with Veterans or their family members, whether such contact is consensual or forced. Contractor should under no circumstances take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit Veteran clients or their family members to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests. Contractor staff should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with Veterans or their family members in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the Veteran or Veteran family. Contractor is responsible for taking steps to protect Veterans and their family members and is responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. h.Coordinate with VA Liaison during weekly case conferences regarding updates and changes in veterans' care plans to foster a collaborative relationship with the SFVA and Contractor in meeting veterans' needs. Case conferencing may be done in person or by telephone conference calls as determined by the SFVA Healthcare System Liaison. i.Provide monthly status reports and other data tracking information as requested by VA liaison. 4.Contractor will work in close collaboration with VA HUD-VASH program staff to ensure Veterans' connections to needed VA medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment and care. 5.Contractor will take primary responsibility for assisting Veterans in completing public housing authority (PHA) Section 8 application and other benefits paperwork as needed. 6.Contractor will assist Veterans in obtaining the needed documentation required by the PHA to include but not limited to, birth certificates, driver's license, income verification and any additional information required by housing authority and or potential landlord. 7.Contractor will accompany Veterans to voucher session briefings, medical appointments, and other appointments as needed while working with Veterans to foster independence and a sense of self-determination. 8.Contractor will provide hands on assistance to enable Veteran to find suitable housing, including but not limited to transporting Veteran around neighborhoods to locate vacant apartments; helping Veterans do on line housing searches if locally available; advocating with potential landlords; assisting Veterans with obtaining necessary furniture and household items to establish a household. 9.Contractor will provide life skills education and support to Veterans, including but not limited to: a.Budgeting b.Apartment maintenance (cleanliness, safety, minor repairs, etc.) c.How to be a good neighbor/tenant d.Mental Health Wellness Self-Management / mental health recovery living skills (if applicable) e.Relapse prevention (if applicable) f.Healthy lifestyle/living g.Community resources and how to access h.Parenting/family living skills (if applicable) i.Family reunification and/or development of relevant social support networks 10.Contractor will provide transportation for Veterans to attend appointments at the VA, PHA, benefits agencies, meetings with landlords, etc. Transportation may include assistance in obtaining Clipper cards, bus fare, or subsidized transportation services, etc. 11.Contractor will advocate with potential landlords on behalf of the Veteran. Contractor will advise any potential landlord that their agency will be following the Veteran once housed. 12.Contractor will assist Veteran in securing necessary funding for move in costs, including but not limited to accessing outside funding for deposits, utility deposits, and furnishings as well as budgeting for these items. 13.Contractor will assist Veteran in the establishment of utility services such as electricity, gas, water, etc. 14.Contractor will notify VA of any negative incident occurring with Veteran within 24 hours of being informed or aware of the incident, if not sooner. Contractor will complete a written incident report within 48 hours of notification, which may include VA Report of Contact documentation. Incidents include but are not limited to: death, fire, drug / police raid, suicide / suicide attempt, 911 call (police / fire dept. / paramedics / other), severe medical illness / emergency, severe psychiatric illness / emergency, sexual assault, act of violence by veteran against other(s), abusive behavior by veteran against staff, act of violence by other(s) against veteran, abusive behavior by staff against veteran, accident, medication problems or adverse drug reactions, or other untoward events. 15.Contractor will attend all subsequent meetings between the Veteran and the housing authority including annual certifications, interim appointments, and any other requests as needed to maintain voucher. 16.Veterans will be discharged from the case management portion of HUD-VASH upon successful community reintegration. This is also referred to as "graduation." All discharges / graduation from case management must be approved by the VA HUD-VASH Liaison. Veteran discharge from case management may be contingent upon the PHA's ability to supply a regular Section 8 Housing Choice voucher for the veteran. 17.Contractor will be staffed by the following: a.A Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor or Licensed Clinical Psychologist Supervisor full time on staff in the contract local service area. Schedule must permit 24-hour supervision of case management personnel for the purposes of clinical oversight, documentation and crisis management. The Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor or Licensed Psychologist Supervisor must be available for team conferences. In addition, he/she must supervise any non-clinical/non-licensed Contractor staff providing related supportive services to Veterans to ensure quality of care, such as peer support specialists, vocational services counselors, etc. b.A minimal of five Case Managers who will be Master's level clinicians, preferably Master of Social Worker. 18.Contractor will agree to: a.Security/background investigation via NACI (National Agency Check with Written Inquiries) and a SAC (Special Agreement Check) which includes electronic fingerprinting for all contracted staff working with Veterans. b.Without Compensation (WOC) status for case managers and their supervisor at the VA for documentation purposes c.Enter information into the VA Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) d.All contractor employees and subcontractors under this contract or order are required to complete VA's on-line Information Security and Privacy combined Awareness Training Course and the Privacy Policy Awareness Training Course annually. The Privacy Awareness Training requirement may be fulfilled under additional privacy awareness training options. Contractors must provide signed certifications of completion to the COTR during each year of the contract. This requirement is in addition to any other training that may be required of the contractor and subcontractor(s). e.All contractor employees will abide by all San Francisco VA Health Care System and Social Work Service policies pertaining but not limited to clinical documentation, Talent Management System (TMS), performance requirements, SWS productivity standards, VA customer service standards (ICARE), and any additional trainings determined by VA Liaison. 19.Contractor will ensure that sufficient staff is available to provide the documented needs of the Veterans as well as the ability to make home visits consistent with treatment plans and the needs of the Veteran. VA expects a minimum of 1:35 case manager to client ratio; Contractor will meet or exceed this ratio. Caseloads will be determined by the Contract Supervisor in collaboration with VA Liaison based on the following factors: --Veteran acuity, e.g., vulnerabilities and risks regarding physical health, mental health, substance use, history of homelessness, and trauma --HUD voucher allocations 20.Contractor will ensure consistency of case management services to enhance staff ability to engage and form relationships with Veterans and provide consistent and highly skilled interventions. 21.Contractor will have policies and procedures in place to ensure clients have access to resources and contact information in emergency situations, especially after hours, weekend and holiday periods. 22.Contractor will be subject to performance standards specified in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan and CPARS. 23.Confidentiality and Record keeping: a.Contractor protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Incumbent protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Contractor follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. b.Contractor uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e- mail. c.The Contractor shall maintain clinical records and documentation on all contacts with Veteran. Records must be kept in a secure locked environment approved by VA liaison. Documentation must comply with and satisfy standards and procedures as determined by local VAMC. 24.Contractor will use word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. 25.Contractor will have general liability insurance coverage of $5 Million to $10 Million to cover employee malfeasance. If your firm has an interest in providing a quote for this requirement described above, please prepare and transmit a Capability Statement to T. Velvet Abercrumbie via email teasha.abercrumbie@va.gov, no later than 4:00 PM HST, 14 July 2016. If emailing your response, please note that due to increased firewall protections, some emails may be blocked: therefore, follow-up via telephone at (808) 539-1309 (if an acknowledgement is not received back via email) is strongly recommended to ensure receipt of your submission by the Government. Interested firms must respond to this notice and include the following in their Capability Statement: (a) Firm's INFORMATION [name, address, phone number, CAGE Code, DUNS Number] (b) Firm's INTEREST to qualify [prime contractor, teaming partner, job venture, primary subcontractor] (c) STATUS [8(a) including graduation date, HUBZone-certified small business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Small Business, large business, ect.] (d)CAPABILITY STATEMENT [Interested contractors must demonstrate a history of relevant experience, a summary of relevant and recent (within the last three fiscal years) performance history (identified by contract/project number, project title, dollar amount, point(s) of contact with telephone/fax numbers, and in what capacity (e.g., prime, subcontractor, ect.) performed)] (e) PAST EXPERIENCE AND APPLICABLE CERTIFICATIONS [Interested contractors must demonstrate a history of relevant experience conforming to industry standards] This request for information (RFI) notice is issued for planning purposes only. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ). Responses to this notice will assist the government in identifying potential sources and determining if a set-aside of the solicitation is appropriate. This notice does not obligate the government to award a contract, issue a solicitation, or pay for any proposal preparation costs.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/HoVAMROC/DVAMROC/VA26116N0712/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: VA261-16-N-0712 VA261-16-N-0712.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=2861519&FileName=VA261-16-N-0712-000.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=2861519&FileName=VA261-16-N-0712-000.docx

 

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

Record

SN04175694-W 20160710/160708234139-179ba37efca167c2de9c8b0fb2446098 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |