Q519--New Police Psych Evaluation Contract (VA-26-00061274)

This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, bids, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform Police Psychological Evaluations at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. It is understood that all firms submitting a response to this Sources Sought will have an established business in the industry of Police Psychological Evaluations in accordance with requirements listed below. The following NAICS Code has been identified for this requirement: 621330 Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) Interested firms shall provide an overview of their firm s capabilities and experience with projects similar in size and scope of this project. Capability statements must include: a. Company Experience in providing services, to include number of years and any examples of current contracts in place with government or commercial entities b. Customer point of contact information for contracts listed in company experience along with a description of services provided under the contract (types of services provided, volume of trips per year, geographic service area covered, etc.) c. Number currently employed d. Description of the ability to provide immediate emergency access and communication between customers and their personnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week e. Current hours of operation f. Examples of Quality Control Programs and Procedures currently utilized by your firm g. SAM UEI and DUNS number h. Organization Name and Assumed Name/dba (if applicable) i. Organization Address j. Point of Contact (including name, title, addresses, telephone number, fax number, and Email address) k. Business size under NAICS code 621330 (small business, other than small business, Woman-Owned, etc...) l. Socio-economic status (If SDVOSB or VOSB provide SDVOSB/VOSB CVE verification or Profile) m. GSA contract number (if a GSA contract holder) 1) PURPOSE Acquisition of police psychological evaluations and testing for VA Police Officers at William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital to determine an officer s suitability to perform the duties of a police officer and to carry a firearm. 2) BACKGROUND The Department of Veterans Affairs requires VA Police Officers to carry firearms. It was also mandated that all current Police Service employees and new hires shall undergo an initial psychological evaluation, and an annual evaluation. Officers encounters are often with mentally ill, irrational, or disturbed persons who, although assaultive or destructive and shall be handled with understanding, full control of force, and unimpeded judgement. Any emotional or mental condition which could cause the applicant/officer to be a hazard to others or self during stressful situations and physical altercations shall disqualify. 3) DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Contractor shall provide initial and annual psychological evaluation of all VA Police Officers. All VA Police Officers, Detectives, Criminal Investigators, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Police shall be reexamined annually to determine their continued emotional suitability to perform the duties of a VA Police Officer. A) The psychological evaluation is to include a verbal interview/exam. B) VA guidelines do not permit the routine use of written psychological testing for incumbent police officers. These officers only receive the one oral interview with the emphasis on a functional assessment of psychiatric symptoms directly relevant to job duties. Current law and regulations preclude the use of any psychological testing as a tool during the psychological evaluation. C) Pre-employment Psychological Evaluation. The pre-employment psychological evaluation focuses on the functional requirements for the position of a VA Police Officer, as well as suitability and stability for the role. It shall consist of a standardized interview and standardized objective psychological testing with symptom validity scales. At least two psychological tests shall be administered: one normed using healthy individuals drawn from the general population to assess suitability for work as a Police Officer and the other psychological test shall be normed on a clinical population to evaluate substantial psychological dysfunction and emotional instability. The psychological evaluation shall also include exploration of substance abuse and symptoms of other mental health disorders that may be considered an impediment to effective functioning as a VA Police Officer. The following two tests area examples of what is acceptable: 1. MMPI-2 RF with Police Candidate Report 2. 16PF® Protective Services Report Plus D) Periodic or annual evaluations focus on functional requirements for maintaining the position of a VA Police Officer. To initiate the evaluation, VHA Human Resources shall provide a written request for the periodic evaluation and provide a documented reason to the employee when ordering the exam. A standardized interview shall be conducted, and psychological testing shall only be conducted when concerns are raised about the psychological fitness of the Police Officer during the psychological evaluation. Screening instruments, such as the Personal Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ2), PTSD Screen for Primary Care (PC-PTSD), Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) or other standardized instruments, may be used if additional testing is needed. A positive response on any screening instruments is an indication that further testing is required and cannot, in and of itself, be used as grounds for the final recommendation. If the interview or the screening and assessment tools raise concern for functional ability, stability, or suitability, further psychological testing shall be done. NOTE: Periodic psychological evaluations of Police Officers recur every 12 months. The following two tests area examples of what is acceptable: 1. BSI-Brief Summary Inventory 2. PCL-5 PTSD Checklist E) Directed or Special Examination. Incumbent VA Police Officers may be referred for a directed or special examination when there is objective evidence as determined by VHA Human Resources to indicate the employee s ability to perform essential job functions may be compromised. A directed or special psychological examination may be required when it appears that the incapacity is due to a mental or psychological disorder. This shall be done in the context of an occupational health evaluation outlined in VA Handbook 5019 to ensure that medical conditions that may manifest with psychological, mental, or behavioral disturbance are identified. VHA Human Resources shall provide a written summary articulating the reason that the employee s ability has come into question and provide the reason to the employee when ordering the exam. If the employee s position does not have properly established medical standards or physical requirements, or if there is no basis to order the examination based on a job related or business necessity, then there is no regulatory authority to order a fitness-for-duty evaluation, psychiatric examination, or psychological assessment. If, during the psychological evaluation for incumbent police officer, the psychologist has an articulable reason to doubt that the officer can perform the duties of a police officer (including the use of a firearm) he/she shall make a formal recommendation for a Fitness For Duty (FFDE) psychological evaluation testing to the Employee Health Physician (EHP) at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Medical Center. In such a situation, the EHP may approve such a recommendation and suggest utilizing the PAI and MMPI and/or other tests deemed appropriate.