SOLICITATION NOTICE
Q -- Dublin Mobile MRI Services
- Notice Date
- 7/28/2020 9:11:03 AM
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 621512
— Diagnostic Imaging Centers
- Contracting Office
- 247-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 7 (36C247) AUGUSTA GA 30904 USA
- ZIP Code
- 30904
- Solicitation Number
- 36C24720Q0951
- Response Due
- 8/17/2020 8:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 09/16/2020
- Point of Contact
- Chaz D. Bowling, Contract Specialist, Phone: (615) 440-3018
- E-Mail Address
-
chaz.bowling@va.gov
(chaz.bowling@va.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- SDVOSBC Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION GENERAL INFORMATION Document Type: Combined Solicitation/Synopsis Solicitation Number: 36C24720Q0951 Posted Date: 07/28/2020 Original Response Date: 08/17/2020 11:00 AM EST Product of Service Code: Q522 NAICS Code: 621512 Contracting Office Address Network Contracting Officer (NCO) 7 ATTN: Chaz D. Bowling Department of Veterans Affairs 501 Greene Street Hatcher Building Suite 2 Augusta, GA 30901 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is a request for quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-07 / 07-02-2020. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 621512, with a small business size standard of $15.0 Million. The Network Contracting Office 7 is seeking to Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Services for the Dublin Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. All questions regarding this RFQ must be in writing and may be sent by e mail to Chaz.Bowling@va.gov. Questions must be received no later than August, 05 2020 at 9:30 AM EST. No further questions will be accepted after that date and time. You are reminded that representatives from your company SHALL NOT contact any VA Medical Center employees to discuss this RFQ during this RFQ process. All questions and concerns regarding this RFQ shall be directed to the Contracting Officer (CO). All interested companies shall provide quotation(s) for the following: CLIN(s) Description QTY Measure Unit $ Total $ 0001 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 8:00 AM EST 5:00 PM EST POP: 09/23/2020 09/22/2021 12 MO 0002 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EST (Daily Rate) POP: 09/23/2020 09/22/2021 150 EA Subtotal Base Year 1001 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 8:00 AM EST 5:00 PM EST POP: 09/23/2021 09/22/2022 12 MO 1002 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EST (Daily Rate) POP: 09/23/2021 09/22/2022 150 EA Subtotal Option One 2001 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 8:00 AM EST 5:00 PM EST POP: 09/23/2022 09/22/2023 12 MO 2002 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EST (Daily Rate) POP: 09/23/2022 09/22/2023 150 EA Subtotal Option Two 3001 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 8:00 AM EST 5:00 PM EST POP: 09/23/2023 09/22/2024 12 MO 3002 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EST (Daily Rate) POP: 09/23/2023 09/22/2024 150 EA Subtotal Option Three 4001 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 8:00 AM EST 5:00 PM EST POP: 09/23/2024 09/22/2025 12 MO 4002 Mobile MRI Services Including all pricing to provide the service and personnel 5:00 PM 7:00 PM EST (Daily Rate) POP: 09/23/2024 09/22/2025 150 EA Subtotal Option Four Total Contract Pricing $ STATEMENT OF WORK STATEMENT Radiology Services Mobile MRI scanner services are required by the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (VAMC), Dublin, GA. Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, materials, supplies, supervision and equipment necessary to provide MRI scanner services as detailed in the schedule of Supplies/services and Price/cost, all in accordance with the Statement of Work, terms and conditions of this solicitation. Mobile MRI scanner shall be located at the VAMC, Dublin, GA. Mobile MRI scanner shall be outfitted with changing area and locker for patient use and a ramp or lifting device for non-walking patients SPECIFICATIONS (MOBILE MRI): The Contractor shall provide a mobile magnetic resonance imager (mobile MRI) to perform the following examinations: Head (including brain, posterior fossa, temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), pituitary gland, and acoustic nerve) Cervical spine (including spinal cord) Thoracic spine (including spinal cord) Lumbar spine (including spinal cord) Spine Extremities (single coil) Abdomen (single coil) Pelvis Mobile Equipment: The provider will deliver on each scan day a clean well-maintained state-of-the-art mobile MRI unit with a minimum or a 1.5 tesla magnet system designed to perform body, abdominal, neurological, vascular, and extremity and joint imaging. The provider will have available, at provider expense, surface coils for performance or all imaging studies. The provider will be responsible for maintenance of all connectivity cables from the unit to the fixed connectivity ports. The Dublin VAMC will provide well maintained fixed connectivity ports. The provider will be responsible for connecting and disconnecting power, phone, and network connections during each visit. The MRI acquisition environment will have a means of redundant backup of all patient data. Communication with MRI workstation technology & Radiology service medical printers. The Dublin VAMC Radiology Service presently has Lexmark printers. The provider will ensure that all software and licenses necessary to have full Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine (DICOM) communication between the MRI workstation technology and Dublin VAMC Radiology service medical printers are acquired and installed. Communication between MRI systems & Radiology service Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Provider will ensure that a convenient and robust means of DICOM transfer of MRI studies to the VAMC Radiology Service PACS is operational. The provider will obtain and provide to VAMC any technology necessary to ensure that MRI studies can be conveniently read on the existing VAMC PACS display technology. Any peripherals that the VAMC does not have but that are needed to insure convenient and timely display of MRI studies in the Dublin VAMC Radiology service will be obtained by the provider, be installed and maintained by the provider, and become the property of the VAMC. Such technology will be retained by the VAMC so that at future dates the archived studies can be reviewed. Each MRI study will be transferred to the VAMC PACS immediately following acquisition of the study so that it can, if necessary, be reviewed before the patient leaves the mobile MRI. The equipment shall have the capabilities necessary to perform the following: Dedicated imaging protocols for head and spine applications Optimum water or fat selective excitation imaging, in multi-slice or 3D volume technique Pre-pulses that achieve suppression of blood signal for optimum myocardial and lumen visualization in cardiac and vascular imaging Dedicated imaging protocols for orthopedic applications High quality imaging for assessment of lesions in all anatomical areas Complete clinical studies that are selectable at a single touch Performance of automatic planning method based on flexibility to choose three anatomical landmarks Copying of all examination parameters from any previous scan to a new acquisition Selection of image matrix sizes freely up to 1024 X 1024 Dynamic studies with all imaging methods allowing entire scans to be repeated multiple times Manual start controlled from the gantry or operator s console Various motion and artifact reduction techniques Spin echo Fast field echo Turbo field echo Turbo spin echo Echo planar imaging Inversion recovery Time of flight imaging Phase contrast imaging Quantitative flow studies Imaging using 3D k-space shutter Pre-pulses (pre-saturation, magnetization transfer contrast, fat saturation) Movie for sequential display of up to 24 slices or dynamics/phases Rapid T2 Weighted MR Imaging The MRI shall be capable of performing 1mm thick scan images Utilities and Government Furnished Materials: Fiber reinforced concrete pad Power outlet located approximately 25 feet from the pad [The contractor must provide the needed power requirements. An example of power requirements would be 480 volts, 3 phase, 150 amps, 112 kVA.] Water for MRI unit, if needed One (1) telephone line located near the power outlet One computer terminal with Dublin VAMC Radiology PACS network access Telephone instruments as needed for the mobile unit(s) Restroom facilities within a reasonable walking distance Provide all supplies, including basic consumables and linens, required to perform the MRI examinations Supplies: The Contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary cryogen. The Contractor will provide a clean mobile MRI and dispose of trash in a responsible manner. TASKS Contractor will provide mobile MRI services utilizing equipment meeting the minimum specifications listed in section 1. Contractor will available and provide patient exams five (5) days per week, excluding Federal Holidays listed in section 7.3; Contractor will perform arrival and departure such that the mobile MRI operates full days (8AM-7PM EST); Contractor to verify that equipment is used for federal government contract work only; Contractor will be solely responsible for all driver-staffing issues related to the mobile MRI; Contractor will perform arrival, set-up, take-down, and departure of mobile MRI in a manner that results in limited or no disruption to normal operations of the Dublin VAMC; Contractor will perform an estimated fifteen to sixteen (15-16) MRI studies per day; Contractor will provide an accurate screening form for each patient; Contractor will provide an Average patient scan time of thirty (30) minutes; Contractor will provide a system that is compatible with VistA Imaging; Contractor will transfer images to VistA Imaging immediately on completion of each scan via network connection; Contractor will abide by all VA hospital rules and regulations, to include all VA Information and Security guidelines. Contractor will maintain all training, licenses, and certifications to perform this service and provide technologist that meet the qualifications in section 3.1; Contractor will be solely responsible for all technologist and other staffing issues related to operation of the mobile MRI; Contractor will provide each day a clean mobile MRI and dispose of trash in a responsible manner; Contractor will adhere to all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and regulations; Contractor will communicate effectively with radiologist and other physicians; Contractor will provide excellent customer service to all patients and staff and; Contractor will provide back-up MRI technologists when needed to limit any downtime. QUALIFICATIONS MRI Technologist: Must be registered under the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); Must be Basic Life Support (BLS) certified; Must be Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified and; Preferably at least three (3) years experience All training and certifications must be up to date and maintained through the life of the contract. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Resources: The resources specified in this contract may be charged only by written modification by the assigned Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 7 VA Contracting Officer. The MRI services to be performed by the Contractor will be under the direction of the Chief, Radiology Service, Dublin VAMC. The resulting contract is a non-personnel services contract under which the personnel rendering services are not subject, either by the contract terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees. Term of Contract: The contract is effective for one (1) year base period and four (4) 12-month option periods. See section 7. Funds for option period will be subject to the availability of funds. Service will not be performed by the Contractor after the ending date of this contract, until the Contracting Officer authorizes such services in writing. Mobile Unit Staffing: The Contractor will be solely responsible for hiring, training, and compensating the MRI technologists and assistants needed to perform MRI examinations. It is required that staffing levels be such that the mobile units operate competently, professionally, and efficiently. All technologists will have all credentials necessary to work as such within the VA system. All technologists will have current certifications in basic life support procedures. All technologists will maintain all immunizations required of practicing medical professionals. All technologists will adhere to all relevant radiation safety practices and relevant magnetic safety practices. All technologists will always work in a professional manner. Study Quality: The Contractor will provide the Dublin VAMC a study-quality standard (a binder and/or CD of data and studies) that reflects the quality of the studies the provider is prepared to insure will be maintained throughout the duration of the contract. Examples of most, if not all, study types to be performed will be included in the study-quality standard. Quality Control: The Contractor will have a documented quality assurance program and provide the Dublin VAMC copies of quality assurance documents. The program will comply with all relevant The Joint Commission (TJC) and HIPPA standards. The Contractor will have readily available several phantoms that can be used to determine MRI parameters. Phantom studies will be conducted as needed to test and ensure study quality. Site Maintenance: The Dublin VAMC will be responsible for maintenance of a concrete pad appropriate for support and location of the mobile units. The Dublin VAMC will be responsible for maintenance of connectivity ports appropriate for linking the mobile units to power, computer network, and local-access phone/modem/fax as needed. The telephone technology will include one line dedicated for direct access to the code emergency response line in the Dublin VAMC. The emergency phone line must be a dedicated sole use line. The Dublin VAMC will be responsible for connectivity from within the Dublin VAMC to connectivity ports located outside the Dublin VAMC facility at the site of the pad. The Contractor will be responsible for connectivity from within the mobile units to the connectivity ports of the Dublin VAMC. Pre-operation Contractor/ Dublin VAMC Tests of Mobile Units: The Contractor and Dublin VAMC personnel will conduct tests of the mobile units when they are first located. The tests will be performed to ensure the units are working properly, to insure all needed/desired connectivity s are functioning properly, and to ensure functionality is such that the conditions of this contract are met prior to the date of award. Service Contracts: The Contractor will have, throughout the period of the contract, a service contract with the vendors of the mobile units. These service contracts will include service on the MRI, and on any peripherals required to insure connectivity to the Dublin VAMC Radiology Service PACS. No routine maintenance will be scheduled or performed such that it conflicts with the imaging schedules of the mobile MRI. No maintenance will be scheduled or performed during scheduled scanning hours except to address emergency failures of the mobile units. Service response time to emergency failures should be within two hours. Medical Records: Clinical and/or other medical records, including images in DICOM form, of VA beneficiaries treated by the Contractor will be forwarded to the Dublin VAMC and shall remain the property of the US Government. The Dublin VAMC will own solely the data/images of the examinations and studies performed on the mobile unit. Insurance: The Contractor will provide proof of liability and workers compensation, a certificate of insurance providing evidence of liability coverage including the name of the insurance carrier, limits of liability and type of coverage (Ref: VAAR 852.237-7, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance).Standard requirement for $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage as well. Medical Emergencies: The Contractor will provide to the Dublin VAMC written emergency plans addressing emergencies such as patient codes, personal injury, fire, and disruptive behavior. A crash cart will be appropriately located within the Dublin VAMC. All emergencies will be handled by the Dublin VAMC code Team. The mobile provider will provide to the Dublin VAMC written emergency plans addressing emergencies such as patient coded, personal injury, fire, and disruptive behavior. Regulatory Adherence: The Contractor is responsible for adhering to all relevant regulations regarding patient care, medical practice, use of contract agents, use of radiopharmaceuticals, operation of PET technology, CT technology, and MRI technology. Examples of relevant regulations are those of National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), TJC, National Research Council (NRC), VHA, and various other federal agencies. Quality and Contract Monitoring: The Contractor will be monitored through a variety of mechanisms appropriate to VA regulations and policies. The Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COR) (114) will be responsible for monitoring the quality of services provided under this contract. QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVEILANCE PLAN (QASP) Performance: The contractor is responsible for performance of ALL terms and conditions of the contract. CORs will provide contract progress reports quarterly to the CO reflecting performance on this plan and all other aspects of the resultant contract. The performance standards outlined in this QASP shall be used to determine the level of contractor performance in the elements defined. Performance standards define desired services. The Government performs surveillance to determine the level of Contractor performance to these standards. Incentives / Deducts: The Government shall use exercise of option period and past performance as incentives. Incentives shall be based on exceeding, meeting, or not meeting performance standards. Methods of Surveillance: DIRECT OBSERVATION - The COR and/or his designee will regularly observe the work performance of the vendor or vendor s employee during normal work hours and at dates and times consistent with operational efficiency. PERIODIC INSPECTION - The COR and/or his designee will perform periodic inspection of equipment service reports and other standard documentation of all maintenance performed on the bird cage and birds. PATIENT/CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS - The COR and/or his designee will review and investigate as necessary any staff patient or visitor s complaints, with results to be discussed with vendor as required. Performance Standards: Task Indicator Standard Acceptable Quality Level Surveillance Method Rating Incentive \ Disincentive Provide personnel in the work area and available for work at appointed times 2.1 Daily >98% Direct observation EXCEPTIONAL 96% 100 % Uptime SATISFACTORY 90 - 95% Uptime UNSATISFACTORY 0% - 89% Uptime A positive or negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS), and/or contract termination. Adhere to HIPPA requirements 2.1.16 Daily >100% Inspection by COR and Radiology management EXCEPTIONAL 96% 100 % Uptime SATISFACTORY 90 - 95% Uptime UNSATISFACTORY 0% - 89% Uptime A positive or negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS), and/or contract termination Complete a screening form accurately for each patient 2.1.8 Daily >95% Periodic Inspection EXCEPTIONAL 96% 100 % Uptime SATISFACTORY 90 - 95% Uptime UNSATISFACTORY 0% - 89% Uptime A positive or negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS), and/or contract termination Provide properly cleaned equipment in working order 2.1.16 Within acceptable medical standards 100% Direct observation/periodic inspection EXCEPTIONAL 96% 100 % Uptime SATISFACTORY 90 - 95% Uptime UNSATISFACTORY 0% - 89% Uptime A positive or negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS), and/or contract termination Complete scheduled exams daily 2.1.2 2.1.7 Complete all scheduled exams >98% Direct observation EXCEPTIONAL 96% 100 % Uptime SATISFACTORY 90 - 95% Uptime UNSATISFACTORY 0% - 89% Uptime A positive or negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS), and/or contract termination PAYMENT The Contractor will be paid monthly, in arrears, upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice. The invoice shall include at a minimum: invoice number, invoice amount, Contract s name and address, contract number, purchase order number and period of performance. The Contractor will provide backup document to COR for verification of amount invoiced. Backup document shall include invoice number, Contractor s name and address, the contract number, purchase order number, date of exam, type of exam, referring physician s name, invoice amount and any additional cases. Invoices will be reconciled with VA record prior to disbursement of payments. The Contractor shall submit all invoices to the following address: FSC VA (667) PO BOX 149971 Austin, TX 78714-8971 If provider is unable to have on site for standard operational day (0800 to 1900) an operational system for all hours of operation, then payment shall be prorated to reflect hours the system did operate. Provider will include a prorated charge schedule indicting charges to the VAMC if system is operational on site for less than the 9 hours) an operational system for all hours of operation, then payment shall be prorated to reflect hours the system did operate. Provider will include a prorated charge schedule indicating charges to the VAMC if system is operational on site for less than the 9 hours. This only applies if we are billing by scheduled days and not by number of scheduled procedures. ADMINISTRATION OF CONTRACT: The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to the administration of this contract. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make changes that will affect the price, quantity, quality, or delivery terms of this contract. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Nor shall the Contractor employ any person who is a member of the immediate family of a VA employee, if the employment of that family member would create a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, particularly with regard to influencing the contract negotiations, terms of the contract or the work carried out under the contract. In any such case VA must review the matter and give its approval in accordance with agency ethics rules. CONTRACT MONITORING PROCEDURES: At the time of contract award, the Contracting Officer will appoint a Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COR) to assist with the contract monitoring requirements. The COR will monitor such items as quality of service, timeliness of performance, customer service, cost control business relations. In accordance with FAR 1.601 (a) Contracts may be entered into and signed on behalf of the Government only by contracting officers. A COR is not authorized to modify the stated terms of the contract, including extending the length of the contract period. Quality of service will be monitored through a continuous review of requested studies vs. performed studies, the appropriateness of images produced and morbidity and mortality figures. These factors will be rated by a consensus of radiologists interpreting the MRI studies and through a radiologist or resident in the MRI unit setting protocols for scan and observing patients and procedures through the study process. Timeliness of performance will be measured through daily workload counts compared to daily number of studies ordered. Customer service will be monitored through periodic unannounced visits to the MRI unit and through patient satisfaction surveys completed by MRI patients. Cost control will be monitored through a comparison of overtime hours worked and the type and number of studies completed per day. Appropriate regulatory and accrediting standards will apply, and all adverse events will be reported in accordance with medical center and other applicable guidelines. The delegated COR will notify the Contracting Officer of any non-compliance immediately upon his/her gaining knowledge of any such situation or incident. Initial communication of such may be communicated by telephone. After such communication, the COR will provide a written statement to the Contracting Officer along with any supporting documentation regarding the performance failure noticed. Upon receipt of a proper invoice, the COR shall certify that the services identified have been performed. Once certification has been made, the invoice will be forward through the proper billing channels and payment shall be made to the Contractor. Both parties shall jointly conduct a review of Contractor s performance to evaluate if services being provided are in accordance with the contract terms and if payments and billings are being properly handled. This review shall include but is not limited to analysis of all billings, payments, costs, administrative issues, patient satisfaction, quality of care and other related documentation that identifies that services have been received. Any concerns need to be brought to the Contractor/COR s attention at the time noted rather than an agreement reached prior to the expiration of services provided and consideration being received are satisfactory. Upon conclusion of the initial contract period and all option periods, and in coordination with the Contracting Officer, the using service shall provide a statement to the Contracting Officer providing a summary of Contractor s actions and a statement that all requirements of the contract were fulfilled as agreed. This information shall be forwarded by the COR to the Contracting Officer at least 90 days prior to the end of base period and each option period if option periods are included. LOCATIONS AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Dublin VA Medical Center, including the Radiology Service is located at: Department of Veterans Affairs 1826 Veterans Blvd Dublin, GA 31021 Period of Performance (POP): Base Year 09/23/2020 09/22/2021 Option One (1) 09/23/2021 09/22/2022 Option Two (2) 09/23/2022 09/22/2023 Option Three (3) 09/23/2023 09/22/2024 Option Four (4) 09/23/2024 09/22/2025 Hours of Operation: The contractor will provide the service during the hours of operation Monday Friday, 8:00 AM 7:00 PM eastern standard time (EST) and is subject to change depending on the Governments need. Weekends may be added through contract modification if funds permit. Unless otherwise specified the Government observes the following holidays: New Year s Day January 1 Martin Luther King s Birthday Third Monday in February President s Day Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Independence Day July 4 Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25 Any other date specifically declared by the President of The United States to be a national holiday will also be observed. =========================================================================== INFORMATION SECURITY: a. IT access: All Contractor personnel accessing Veterans Health Information and Technology architecture (VISTA, etc.) system will be required to sign and abide by all VA security policies and applicable confidentiality statues and the privacy act. b. Patient confidentiality: Contractor to maintain the confidentiality of patient records in accordance with the Privacy Act. HIPAA and all VHA Privacy regulations. c. Security requirements: Contractor shall insure the confidentiality of all patient and employee information and are subject to the completion of all mandatory training specified by the VHA. d. Employee Background Checks: Contractor(s) are required to have background investigations initiated; to include fingerprints, PRIOR to start of contract. Contractor(s) will have completed VA Information Security and Privacy along with Rules of Behavior from the following link https://www.ees-learning.net/librix/loginhtml.asp?v=librix prior to start of contract and will compete on an annual basis, before the expiration of previous training. The contractor, when notified of an unfavorable determination by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration from working under the contract. ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS: a. A contractor/sub-contractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order. b. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures. c. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness. d. Custom software development and outsourced operations must be in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S. may be an evaluation factor. e. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor s employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination. f. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA informatio...
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- Place of Performance
- Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Carl Vinson VA Medical Center 1826 Veterans Blvd, Dublin, GA 31021, USA
- Zip Code: 31021
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 31021
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- SN05735942-F 20200730/200728230139 (samdaily.us)
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