Seeking IEE vendors for the Great Plains Area supplemental staffing requirements

Any future determination to restrict competition to one or a sole source will be supported by a separate full and open competition justification in accordance with applicable FAR requirements.

This source sought notice is intended strictly for market research to determine the availability of Indian Small Businesses Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) and/or Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE).

Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The anticipated applicable NAICS code for this acquisition is 561320, Temporary Help Services, and other relevant NAICS codes will be considered based on responses received.

1.0 BACKGROUND

Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area Office (OCAO) provides support to the Indian Health Clinics and Hospitals in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa. The GPA ensures that all health clinics and hospitals have supplies, services, support, oversight, and other needs to provide healthcare for eligible Native American patients that are registered for services. There are various departments within each facility that have a requirement for Healthcare Providers including but not limited to: the Emergency Department, Outpatient Clinics, Pediatrics, Dental, Behavioral Health, Surgery, Obstetrics, Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Podiatry, Audiology, and Optometry. Healthcare Providers are needed to fill the areas of needed professional services of which are necessary to provide care within the IHS healthcare system.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area (GPA), located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing the Supplemental Healthcare Staffing Services for the Great Plains Area regional area, consisting of hospitals, healthcare clinics, healthcare centers, drug and treatment facilities located on the reservations of South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska. 

The Government currently utilizes staffing and professional services within the region, however, this Sources Sought Notice is issued solely to assess the availability and capability of qualified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) and Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) to provide Abbott Piccolo Xpress or functionally equivalent systems that meet the Government’s minimum performance needs.

1.1 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified ISBEE and/or IEE vendors capable of providing the Great Plains Area Supplemental Healthcare Staffing Services that meet the Government’s minimum performance needs in support of operations at the all the locations identified in the PWS-QASP on the reservations within the Indian Health Services, Great Plains Area.

2.0 SCOPE - Performance Work Statement (PWS)– Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

See attached Performance Work Statement (PWS)– Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the Great Plains Area (GPA) Supplemental Healthcare Staffing Services – See Section #2 and #4. Detailed Description of the technical requirements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1. The contractor shall provide non-personal healthcare provider and multiple healthcare personnel services in support of the hospitals and clinics in the specialized fields to include, but not limited to: Anesthesiologist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Emergency Medicine Physician, Family Medicine Physician, General Surgeon, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine Physician, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner (APN), Obstetrician/Gynecology Physician (OB/GYN), Orthopedic Physician, Pediatrician (Pediatric Physician), Physician Assistant, Podiatrist, Optometrist, Dentist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Audiologist, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmacist, Laboratorian, and Respiratory Therapist (RT). This Statement of Work establishes a baseline of requirements that the Contractor will be expected to accomplish for each labor category identified to meet the Government’s need. The Contractor must be able to provide all labor categories specified under Attachment A, Labor Category Matrix.

2.2. The types and number of the Contractor’s personnel and/or teams may vary according to the task order.

2.3. Contractor personnel should have a working knowledge of all items in their labor category to perform the services described, which are listed under Attachment A, Labor Category Matrix. Most or all of the job categories are expected to be exempt from the Service Contract Act under the learned professional or highly paid exemptions, but if they are not, required knowledge will need to include those in the job categories listed under the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act. IHS standard commercial off-the-shelf software includes Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Edge, and Acrobat Reader. Contractors should have a basic understanding of computers and the software listed. Medical staff will use IHS specific software including but not limited to RPMS and EHR. External training will be at the contractor’s expense. IHS will only provide training at no cost to the contractor, if deemed necessary, for the Contractor’s personnel to gain proficiency in IHS unique software. Contractor shall comply with IHS’ computer guidelines and other applicable laws such as HIPAA.

2.4. The contractor personnel will interface with Government employees, other contractors, patients, and other organizations. This requires the contractor personnel to be able to be in rural areas and have special sensitivity to rural and American Indian/Alaska Native healthcare needs.

2.5. The Contractor shall adapt to and maintain various patient workflow per local facility practice.

2.5.1. The Contractor will be required to create and maintain a process to search for doctors, hire doctors, maintain insurance, onboard, credentialing, background check, and complete other necessary elements of duties.

2.6. The Indian Health Service facilities in the Great Plains Area Office require compliance through The Joint Commission (TJC) or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) depending on the facility.

TELEMEDICINE

4.1. Telemedicine is not anticipated, but there is potential for a task to allow telemedicine.

4.2. Contract workers shall abide by their official company and local facility policies for teleworking and utilizing alternative locations to perform the work specified in the contract Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work. No adjustment shall be made in contract cost or price for authorized remote work or telecommuting of contractor employees. Any costs for travel and other direct costs for remote work and telecommuting shall be assumed by the Contractor and will not be reimbursed by the Government.

4.3. The contractor is responsible for all applicable federal, state, local taxes, or other taxes and duties imposed if telework/remote work is permitted under the contract/order. All applicable information technology and cybersecurity requirements shall be met before contractor employees can remote work or telework.

4.4. Contractor access to the IHS network from a remote location is a privilege for mutual convenience while the Contractor performs business under the contract/order. The contractor assumes the risk of, and shall be responsible for, any loss of Government property upon its delivery to the Contractor as Government Furnished Property.

4.5. Contracting Officer authorization to remote work/telework under the contract may be rescinded by the Government at any time if a determination is made that the work or any portion thereof must be performed at a specified place of performance, or security would be compromised.

These characteristics are provided for market research purposes only and do not represent finalized Government requirements.

3.0 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS/ AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS – requirements

See section #5 Contract Personnel and #6 Special Requirements

CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

5.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for selecting personnel who are well qualified through experience, certification, and, if relevant, education, to perform the requirements of this contract/order and for keeping them informed of all changes and methods of operation. Licensed independent practitioners will be required to meet the requirements set forth in medical staff bylaws to be credentialed and privileged at the facility in which they will work. The IHS will have final authority in determining whether personnel meet the required qualifications.

5.1.1. All physician candidates must be Board Certified or Board Eligible if within 3 years of finishing residency (If more than 3 years from finishing residency, must provide proof of working toward certification.) Acceptable boards for physicians will be the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS).  Physicians must be BC or BE in the specialty for which they are seeking privileges.

5.1.2. Dentists must have obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (American Dental Association).

5.1.3. Podiatrists must have obtained a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (American Podiatric Medical Association).

5.1.4. Optometrists must have obtained a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (American Optometric Association).

5.1.5. Advanced Practice Nurses must be licensed registered nurses and must have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) or by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or by another nationally recognized accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, they must hold current appropriate certification from a national certifying agency recognized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Advanced Practice Nurses must provide evidence of independent Schedule II-V prescribing and dispensing authority and hold an active license in a state granting full practice authority.

5.1.6. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists must have obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or have passed the appropriate U.S. sponsored foreign pharmacy graduate qualifying exam. In addition, they must hold Specialty Certification by the Board of Pharmacy Specialists in the specialist in which privileges are requested.

5.1.7. Physician Assistants must have obtained a degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and must be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Physician Assistants must provide evidence of Schedule II-V prescribing and dispensing authority and hold an active license in a state that grants full practice authority or does not maintain supervisory requirements that are more restrictive than current State statute.

5.1.8. Licensed Clinical Psychologists must hold a doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation (American Psychological Association).

5.1.9. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (L.C.S.W.) must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or by a similar accreditation body recognized by the licensing authority.

5.1.10. Licensed Addiction Counselors (L.A.C.) must hold a bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.

5.1.11. Licensed Mental Health Counselors (L.M.H.C.) must hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

5.1.12. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field, from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), or an equivalent program accepted by the state licensing authority.

5.1.13. Audiologists must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (American Speech- Language-Hearing Association), or similar accreditation body recognized by the licensing authority.

5.1.14. Physical therapists must hold a physical therapist degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (American Physical Therapy Association).

5.1.15. Pharmacists must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Must also possess a full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure.

5.1.16. Clinical laboratory scientists must possess a bachelor’s degree from an NCCLS accredited program, in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a related life science files like biology or chemistry. Must also hold ASCP, AMT or equivalent certification.

5.1.17. Medical laboratory technologists must possess an associate's degree from an NCCLS accredited program MLT program. Must also hold ASCP, AMT or equivalent certification.

5.1.18. Respiratory Therapists must at minimum possess an associate degree in respiratory therapy by an accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, have credentials (certified or registered respiratory therapy) from the National Board for Respiratory Care, and possess an active, unencumbered state license.

5.1.19. Emergency medical technicians (EMT) must have completed a state-approved EMT training program, be certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and possess a valid state EMT certification or licensure.

5.1.20. Paramedics must have completed an accredited paramedic program, be certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and possess a valid state paramedic license.

5.1.21. Radiologic technologists must have completed an accredited radiologic technology program by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, must be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and possess a valid state license.

5.1.22. Dental hygienists must have completed a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and possess a valid, unrestricted state license.

5.1.23. The program accreditations referenced above specifically apply to status at the time the degree or certification was conferred. Consideration will be made for applications where a past or current program accreditation not specifically listed above can be verified as from a nationally recognized accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

5.1.24. Waiver of Qualifications: To the extent allowed by law, the facility’s Medical Executive Committee (MEC) may recommend that the Governing Board waive a particular qualification if it determines that the practitioner has substantially comparable qualifications and that a waiver is in the best interest of quality patient care. The MEC is not obliged to consider or recommend such a waiver; the Governing Board is not obligated to grant such a waiver; and the practitioner has no right to have a waiver considered and/or granted.

5.1.25. The contractor must review candidates for suitability before providing them to IHS.

5.2. The Indian Health Service facilities in the Great Plains Area Office are accredited through The Joint Commission (TJC) or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) depending on the facility.

5.2.1. The contractor personnel must meet credentialing and privileging requirements in accordance with the specific facilities’ accrediting body (TJC or AAAHC), medical staff bylaws, and the IHS Manual and the Medical Staff Credentialing and Privileging Standard Operating Procedural (SOP) Manual.

5.2.1.1. A complete credentialing package includes, but is not limited:

5.2.1.1.1. Proof of Identity

5.2.1.1.2. Professional Education

5.2.1.1.3. Post-Graduate Training (where applicable)

5.2.1.1.4. Professional Experience

5.2.1.1.5. Time Gaps

5.2.1.1.6. Board Certification and Professional Affiliations (where applicable)

5.2.1.1.7. Licensure

5.2.1.1.8. DEA Registration and State Controlled Dangerous Substance

Certifications (where applicable)

5.2.1.1.9. Current Competency

5.2.1.1.10. Signed IHS Practitioner Acknowledgement and Release Form

5.2.1.1.11. Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Professional

Education (CPE)

5.2.1.1.12. Professional Peer References

5.2.1.1.13. National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Query

5.2.1.1.14. Life Support Certificates (per local policy)

5.2.1.1.15. Immunizations (consistent with local policy, IHS standards, and Federal law).

5.2.1.1.16. Current Liability Insurance, minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate for licensed independent practitioners

5.2.1.1.17. Professional Liability Claims, Suits, and/or Judgments: Disclosure of previous or pending professional liability claims, suits, and/or judgments made against the provider.

5.2.1.1.18. Sanctions Disclosure or Current Investigations: Sanctions involving the Medicare or Medicaid programs or any other Federal or state health care program as well as any HHS OIG past or current administrative, criminal, or civil investigation.

5.2.1.1.19. Denials, Restrictions, and Resignations: Regarding previous or pending medical staff applications and/or clinical privileges.

5.2.1.1.20. Reduction, Suspension, Revocation, Voluntary or Involuntary Relinquishment, or Non-renewal of Clinical Privileges: Regarding previous or pending reduction; suspension, revocation, voluntary or involuntary relinquishment; or non-renewal of clinical privileges.

5.2.1.1.21. Current Illegal Use of Drugs: Regarding the current illegal use of legal or illegal drugs.

5.2.1.1.22. Loss, Suspension, Restriction, Denial of Professional License or Professional Society Membership: Disclosure of information on previous or pending loss, suspension, restriction, denial, or whether a voluntary or involuntary relinquishment of professional licensure or professional society membership occurred.

5.2.1.1.23. Convictions: Disclosure of information and documentation relating to convictions, except for minor traffic violations, including any convictions related to DUI, failure to pay Federal or state taxes, etc.

5.2.1.2. Each Medical Executive Committee and Governing Board must independently review and assess the qualification of each application for appointment and privilege. Board Certification does not equal competency for the purposes of credentialing and privileges. Additional information such as recent case logs may be requested at the Clinical

Director or their designee’s discretion to ensure current competency. Each applicant’s competency and performance will be continuously assessed through professional practice evaluations, both focused on peer professional evaluations and ongoing peer professional evaluations.

5.2.1.3. The contractor must have and maintain designated professional staff to contact for credentialing issues.

5.2.1.4. Applications shall be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date the application is sent to the applicant. Responses to any requests for application clarification or additional information after the application is submitted shall be provided within 30 calendar days by the applicant. After 30 days of calendar, if responses to requests for clarification and additional information is not received from the applicant, the application will be considered incomplete and ineligible for processing. A new application will need to be started if the contractor wants to resubmit the applicant.

5.2.1.5. The credentialing process can take up to 90 days from submission of a complete package.

5.2.2. The contractor must perform quality assurance activities in cooperation with the

facilities that are acceptable for TJC or AAAHC certification regarding the monitoring of healthcare provider services with direct contact with patients.

5.2.3. Contractor staff are required to complete mandatory IHS training as well as that

tailored to each IHS facility.

5.3. All contractor personnel shall conduct themselves in a proper, efficient, and business-like manner and conform to all regulations which may be in effect during the contract/order period of performance.

5.4. The IHS will not exercise any supervision or control over contractor personnel performing under this contract/order. All matters pertaining to the employment, supervision, compensation, promotion, and discharge of the Contractor’s employees shall be the responsibility of the Contractor, which is in all respects the employer of such employee.

5.4.1. The contractor may provide prime locums staff or subcontractor locums’ staff.

5.5. The contractor must provide a project manager as a centralized point of contact to manage at the task order level on day-to-day matters.

5.5.1. Must be able to centralize on matters of hiring, complaints, credentialing,

onboarding, and clearances.

5.5.2. Shall be required to visit the facilities as needed to address concerns.

5.5.3. Shall be required to meet with GPAO executive leadership to report on a semi-annual

basis for recommended improvements and planning.

5.6. The contractor must provide a program manager as a total program point of contract for all other contractual matters.

5.6.1. Program manager will be the contact for task order proposals.

5.6.2. Address contractual concerns

5.6.3. Serve as backup project manager

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

6.0 Business Size Standard of Company (i.e. small business, 8(a), Woman owned, veteran owned, etc.).

Socioeconomic Status and Required Documentation: Respondents shall clearly identify all applicable socioeconomic categories, including:

• Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE)

• Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) • 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

• HUBZone Small Business • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

• Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

• Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)

• Other Small Business

• Large Business

Required Documentation:

(a) Proof of ISBEE/IEE status (including completed IEE Representation Form and Tribal/ownership documentation).

(b) SBA certification numbers or evidence for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, etc.

(c) Confirmation of business size relative to NAICS 561320.

(d) Confirmation of current SAM registration (consistent with Item #2).

6.1. Clearance Requirements: In accordance with HHSAR 304.1301, (a) HHS follows National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Publication (PUB) Number 201-2, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors, and OMB implementation guidance for personal identity verification, for all affected contractors and subcontractors when contract

performance requires contractors to have routine physical access to a federally controlled facility and/or routine physical and logical access to federally controlled information system.

6.1.1. The clearance process can take up to 45 days from submission of a complete package. This process is separate from the credentialing process.

6.2. The Indian Health Service is a tobacco/smoke free environment (buildings and grounds). No tobacco/smoking use will be tolerated during service.

6.3. Security Requirements: Contractor personnel will be required to contact the government designated point of contact upon arrival. The contractor shall be responsible for the security of all organizational information. Current rules and regulations applicable to the premises where the work shall be performed shall apply to the contractor and its employees while working on the premises. These regulations include but are not limited to, escort by HIS hospital or clinic designated official, presentation of valid identification, adherence to smoking restriction and any safety procedures.

6.4. The contractor shall not disclose or cause to disseminate any information concerning operations of any Indian Health Service Hospital or other IHS sites. Such action(s) are in violation of the contract and will result in legal action.

6.4.1. All inquiries, comments, or complaints arising from any matter observed, experienced or learned of because of or in connection with the performance of the contract, the resolution of which may require the dissemination of official information, shall be directed to the government’s designated representative.

4.0 ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE – see section #3

PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

3.1. Refer to Section F.01 for Period of Performance.

Period of Performance. The ordering Period of Performance will be 60 months.

3.1.1. Base Period – January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

3.2. Locations: refer to Section F.02 Principal Places of Performance.

3.3. Coverage will be outlined in each task order request for proposal, and the contractor may be required to provide services at multiple locations for the same labor category. It is not anticipated that all locations will have task orders issued under them at the same time, it is an as needed basis for issuing the task orders.

3.4. Hours. Work hours for task assignments will vary depending on the requirements of the assigned work. For outpatient services, in general, the Contractor’s staff shall provide support during IHS core work hours of 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday (local time). Some departments, including Inpatient and Emergency Department operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  In general, shifts will be between 8 and 12 hours per day; however, extended shifts may be approved through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE – see sections F.01 Period of Performance

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contract ordering period will be sixty (60) months beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2032.

F.02 PRINCIPAL PLACES OF PERFORMANCE

GREAT PLAINS AREA

Great Plains Area Regional Drug

Dependency Unit

113 South Bluff Street

Winnebago, NE 68071

Rosebud Hospital

400 Solder Creek Road

Rosebud, SD 57570

Eagle Butte Hospital

24276 166th St Airport Road

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Woodrow Wilson Keeble Health Care

Center 100 Lake Traverse Drive

Sisseton, SD 57262

Ft. Thompson Health Center

1323 BIA Route 4

Fort Thompson, SD 57339

Mclaughlin Health Center

701 East Sixth St

Mclaughlin, SD 57642

Lower Brule Health Center

601 Gall St

Lower Brule, SD 57548

Bullhead Health Station

102 Tatanka Street

Bullhead, SD 57621

Wanblee Health Center

210 First St.

Wanblee, SD 57577

Cannonball Health Station

6998 Weasel Street

Cannon Ball, ND 58528

Kyle Health Center

1000 Health Center Road

Kyle, SD 57752

Wakpala Health Station

10 South River Road

Fort Yates, ND 58538

Lacreek District Clinic

119 South 1st Ave

Martin, SD 57551

Fort Yates Hospital

10 Standing Rock Ave

Fort Yates, ND 58538

Manderson Health Station

Indian Service Road 33

Manderson, SD 57756

Quentin N Burdick Mem Health Facility

5 Moonlight Dr., Hwy.

Belcourt, ND 58316

Pine Ridge Hospital

607 Indian Health Road

Pine Ridge, SD 57770

Wagner Health Center

111 Washington Street, NW

Wagner, SD 57380

GPA Youth Regional Treatment Center

12451 Highway 1806

Mobridge, SD 57601

Great Plains Area Office

115 4th Ave. SE Room 309

Aberdeen, SD 57401

6.0 REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE see sections #10

DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

10.1. Contractor Point of Contact: The contractor shall furnish one designated point of contact (POC) to the government’s designated representative for coordination of services, supplies, delivery, and/or maintenance. The POC will be empowered to make daily decisions to ensure that the contract implementation and day-to-day maintenance meets the terms and conditions of this contract. The contractor will notify the COR immediately upon change in POC designation.

10.1.1. Contractor’s Phone Numbers: The contractor shall provide a company contact prior to execution of the contract, with email and telephone number, which must be answered during at least eight working hours, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. A company contract for after-hours emergencies is also required.

10.2. Deliverables

10.2.1. Monthly Status Report (by the 15th of each month) for the monthly period directly proceeding via email to the contracting officer’s representative. The monthly period should be for the entire month e.g. May 1st to May 31st.

10.2.1.1. The monthly status report will encompass the following elements:

10.2.1.1.1. List of all task orders

10.2.1.1.2. List of all providers under those task orders, including status on hiring/onboarding, their labor category title, and period of performance

10.2.1.1.3. List all financial status of task orders to include when a CLIN is reaching an expended status with sufficient time to add more funding

10.2.2. Monthly invoices are to be completed in the format required by the Government in the Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Additional Information below:   see sections #7 - # 8 - #9 -#11-  #12 - #13 - #14

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, FACILITIES AND SERVICES

7.1. Contractors shall work in IHS facilities and IHS will provide desks, computers, and other equipment as necessary for their work. The Government will not transfer any property, facilities, or services to the contractor unless otherwise authorized in the contract/order.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY, FACILITIES AND SERVICES

8.1. Required personnel, materials, supplies and equipment: The contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, supplies and equipment required to perform work under the contract, to include but not limited to personnel, oversight, and management.

CHANGES TO THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

9.1. Any changes to this PWS shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the Contracting Officer and shall be in accordance with the Changes clause (FAR 52.243-4) included in this contract. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the Contracting Officer shall be borne by the contractor.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

11.1. The following table contains the quality standard the Government will use to evaluate the Contractor’s performance along with the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL).

 Performance Objective

Performance Standard and Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)

* Quality: Contractor assures that the customer satisfaction meets the performance requirements of the contract.

Customer Satisfaction Professionalism: No more than five (5) verified formal customer complaints or contract discrepancy reports during each twelve-month period of performance (base plus options if applicable) for the contract. The Contractor must have resolved customer complaints within ten (10) working days of receipt.

Performance Requirements: Provide responsive management of staff with timely responses to tasks and work.

Accuracy: No more than three (3) sets of corrections for any work products and all corrections must be submitted within one working day of the negotiated suspense.

* Contract deliverables are completed in an accurate and timely manner.

No more than two (2) validated formal customer complaints or contract discrepancies per period of performance (base plus options if applicable) for the contract. The Contractor must have

resolved customer complaints within ten (10) working days of receipt. The Contractor shall provide responsive contract management, including timely responses, contract modification, and tasks. If complaints or discrepancies cannot be corrected within ten (10) working days, the Contractor will immediately notify the IHS COR of the delay and provide a proposed corrective action plan within five (5) working days of receipt.

Monitoring Method: CO validated customer complaint or discrepancy.

Incentive/Disincentive: Both positive and Negative performance will be documented in past performance reports (CPARS) as appropriate.

Clinical Requirements

12.1. The Contractor shall provide technically competent practitioners and shall ensure that all services provided are in accordance with established standards, principles and

ethics of the profession, applicable professional specialty organizations, TJC standards, applicable CMS and agency specific regulations, directives, and policies, and facility‐specific policies, procedures, and job descriptions.

12.2. The Contractor shall ensure that practitioner services meet the required standard of the specialty provided as defined by the applicable professional governing bodies, and

state and federal statutes and regulations. The Contractor shall ensure that practitioners perform functions within the scope of acceptable practice for the specific specialty or position.

12.3. Health care providers shall follow all established patient safety and infection control standards of care. To the maximum extent practicable, health care providers shall 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 breaches of patient safety shall be reported to the COR, and per local facility policy. As soon as practicable (but within 24 hours) Contractors shall notify the COR of the incident, submit the Patient Safety Report to the COR, and follow up with COR as required or requested.

Continuity of Services

13.1. The Contractor recognizes that the services under this contract are vital to the Government and must continue without interruption and that, upon contract expiration, a successor, either the Government or another contractor, may continue them. The Contractor agrees to (1) furnish phase-in training and (2) exercise its best efforts and cooperation to affect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor.

13.2. The Contractor shall, upon the Contracting Officer's written notice, (1) furnish phase-in, phase-out services for up to 90 days after this contract expires and (2) negotiate in good faith a plan with a successor to determine the nature and extent of phase-in, phase-out services required. The plan shall specify a training program and a date for transferring responsibilities for each division of work described in the plan and shall be subject to the Contracting Officer's approval. The Contractor shall provide sufficient experienced personnel during the phase in, phase-out period to ensure that the services called for by this contract are maintained at the required level of proficiency.

13.3. The Contractor shall allow as many personnel as practicable to remain on the job to help the successor maintain the continuity and consistency of the services required by this contract. The Contractor also shall disclose necessary personnel records and allow the successor to conduct on-site interviews with these employees. If selected employees are agreeable to the change, the Contractor shall release them at a mutually agreeable date and negotiate transfer of their earned fringe benefits to the successor.

13.4. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for all reasonable phase-in, phase-out costs (i.e., costs incurred within the agreed period after contract expiration that result from phase-in, phase-out operations) and a fee (profit) not to am exceed a pro rata portion of the fee (profit) under this contract.

Department Of Labor Wage Determinations

14.1. If the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act applies, the Contractor’s performance under this contract shall comply with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor Wage determination and a Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. Wage determinations will be issued with each order.

A. Anticipated Period of Performance:

The Government anticipates a delivery timeframe of approximately thirty (30) days after award. This information is provided for planning purposes only and does not constitute commitment.

B. Capability Statement/Information:

B1.

F.03 ACCESS TO BUILDING

The Contractor will have access to the hospital facilities after office hours within the guidelines of Indian Health Services security plan and as permitted by the Security Officer through the coordination of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

F.04 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS / BACKGROUND CHECKS

In accordance with Homeland Security requirements all contractor employees who will perform the services shall submit them to electronic fingerprints and obtain security clearance before services can be performed under this contract.

F.05 QUALITY CONTROL

The Contractor shall develop and maintain a quality control plan to ensure services are performed in accordance with commonly accepted commercial practices, including the development and implementation of procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non- recurrence of defective deliverables and unacceptable services. This plan shall be submitted with the proposal and will be made as part of the contract. Changes to the Quality Control Plan may be necessary and must be reviewed and agreed to by Great Plains Area Office before the changes are incorporated.

The Contractor shall prepare and maintain an effective Quality Control Plan (QCP) that includes a description of the inspection system to cover the services listed in Section C 11.2 Deliverables.

The Government will notify the Contractor of required modifications no later than 30 days after award. The Contractor shall make appropriate modifications and obtain final acceptance of the plan by the Government no later than 15 days after the Government identifies required modification, if any.

The QCP is a living document that can be altered at any time by the Government or Contractor

(with Government concurrence) deems measurement improvements can be made. At any time, the Government reserves the right to inspect all QC supporting documentation. The Contractor shall provide copies of all QC reports as required prior to contract expiration.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) - see attached Performance Work Statement for Quality Assurance Surviellance Plan

B2.            Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize themselves with the requirements of this project. Failure to do so will be at your firm’s own risk. The following information shall be included in the capability statement:

1. Company Name and Company SAM Unique Entity identifier (UEI) number.  

2. System for Award Management (SAM) registration status. All respondents must register on the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov .  

3. Name, Telephone number and E-mail address of a company point of contact who has the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with government representatives.

4. Date Submitted

5. Applicable company GSA Schedule number or other available procurement vehicle.

6. Business Size Standard of Company (i.e. small business, 8(a), Woman owned, veteran owned, etc.).

7. Capability Statement: Detailed capability statement addressing the company’s qualifications and ability to provide the requirements listed herein, with appropriate and specific documentation supporting claims of recent organizational and staff capability to support this requirement.  If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

8. Geographic Coverage: Please identify the areas of the United States where your organization provides this supplies/equipment.

9. References: Provide a list of all private industry or government contracts for similar items that you have delivered within the last 3 years. Please include customers’ contact names, contract period, and brief description of similar supplies delivered

10. Provide evidence demonstrating the ability to meet the minimum performance characteristics identified in this Sources Sought Notice.

11. Delivery/Logistics: Provide evidence that the item is readily available and can meet the Delivery timeframe.

12. Warranty: Provide evidence that the item has warranty options.

13. If American Indian/Native American owned small business, then complete attached IEE Representation Form.

C   Closing Statement

C1.           Point of Contact: Ursula Maslonka, Contract Specialist, at [email protected]

C2.           Submission Instructions:

Interested parties shall submit capability only via email to Ursula Maslonka, Contract Specialist, at [email protected]; the following information: 

Sources Sought Number: SSN-IHS1524355 in the Subject line. The due date for receipt of statements is:

June 10, 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

All responses must be received by the specified due date and time to be considered.

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of IHS.

IHS does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this notice, IHS may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ).

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against IHS shall arise because of a response to this notice or IHS’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not oblige \the Government to award a contract or pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response.