IEE Sources Sought: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), non-personal healthcare services requirement for Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) services equivalent to two full-time CNMs at Rosebud IHS Hospital, Rosebud, South Dakota.

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Services

Sources Sought Notice Number: IHS1527967
Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS)
Area: Great Plains Area
Facility: Rosebud IHS Hospital, Rosebud, South Dakota
Anticipated Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Non-Personal Services
Anticipated Unit of Measure: Month of Service (MOS)
Anticipated NAICS Code: 561320 – Temporary Help Services

1.0 Purpose of Notice

This Sources Sought Notice is issued for informational and acquisition-planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation, Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or invitation for bid, and shall not be construed as an obligation or commitment by the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Pursuant to the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. § 47, and applicable Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) requirements, IHS gives preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) when use of that authority is practicable.

The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to determine the availability and capability of qualified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs), and other small business concerns capable of providing the services described herein.

Responses will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy, including whether an ISBEE, IEE, or other small business set-aside is appropriate.

Respondents representing themselves as an IEE or ISBEE are requested to submit a completed IHS Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form with their capability statement.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

2.0 Background

The mission of the Rosebud Indian Health Service is to provide quality healthcare services to patients on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation and surrounding communities in South Dakota.

Rosebud IHS Hospital is seeking information from qualified sources capable of providing Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) services sufficient to meet the equivalent clinical coverage capacity of two (2) full-time CNMs, supporting outpatient obstetric, gynecological, and women’s healthcare services and on-call coverage for obstetric emergencies presenting to the Rosebud IHS Hospital Emergency Department.

The Government anticipates a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), non-personal services contract with a three (3) month base period and three (3) three-month option periods, for a total potential period of performance of twelve (12) months.

The anticipated unit of measure is Month of Service (MOS).

3.0 Objective

The objective of the anticipated acquisition is to obtain contractor-provided CNM services sufficient to meet the equivalent clinical coverage capacity of two (2) full-time CNMs, including the outpatient clinic and OB emergency on-call requirements described herein.

The Contractor will be responsible for determining the personnel and staffing approach necessary to satisfy the required clinical coverage, qualifications, availability, and performance requirements.

4.0 General Scope of Services

The Contractor will provide professional Certified Nurse-Midwife services consistent with applicable professional standards, including American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Core Competencies, IHS clinical policies, applicable licensure requirements, and Rosebud IHS Hospital medical staff bylaws and credentialing standards.

Anticipated services include, but are not limited to:

• Prenatal care and management;
• Postpartum care;
• Gynecological and well-woman services;
• Family planning and contraceptive services;
• Women’s primary and preventive healthcare;
• Intrapartum services, as applicable to facility capabilities;
• Evaluation and stabilization of obstetric emergencies;
• Emergency Department OB on-call coverage;
• Appropriate physician consultation and referral for conditions exceeding CNM scope of practice;
• Coordination and facilitation of transfers to higher levels of care when clinically indicated;
• Electronic health record documentation;
• Participation in applicable quality-improvement activities, clinical coordination, and required IHS training; and
• Other CNM services within the scope of practice and privileges granted by Rosebud IHS Hospital.

The Contractor’s CNM personnel will adhere to applicable clinical protocols, credentialing requirements, and collaborative practice requirements established by Rosebud IHS Hospital.

The anticipated requirement is a non-personal services contract. Contractor personnel will not be Government employees. The Contractor will be responsible for managing, supervising, scheduling, and directing its personnel and determining the means by which the required staffing and coverage will be provided.

The Government will retain the right to evaluate the quality, timeliness, completeness, and acceptability of services against the requirements and performance standards established in the resulting contract.

5.0 Work Schedule and Availability

Standard outpatient clinic operating hours are anticipated to be:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The contemplated coverage model consists of scheduled CNM clinical services during outpatient clinic operating hours and CNM availability for OB emergencies during non-clinic hours, including weekends and federal holidays.

The anticipated requirement includes continuous CNM availability for required OB emergency coverage. At a minimum, one qualified CNM will be required to be designated for primary on-call coverage during applicable non-clinic hours.

When notified of an OB emergency requiring an on-site response, the on-call CNM will be required to respond to the Emergency Department within the timeframe established by facility policy, anticipated not to exceed sixty (60) minutes from notification.

The Contractor will be responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate staffing and scheduling to satisfy clinic and on-call coverage throughout each Month of Service.

The anticipated Firm-Fixed-Price monthly amount will encompass the staffing, scheduled clinical services, on-call availability, emergency response, and other services required by the resulting contract. Payment is not anticipated to be calculated on an hourly labor-rate basis.

6.0 Anticipated Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance is:

Base Period: Three (3) Months of Service
Option Period 1: Three (3) Months of Service
Option Period 2: Three (3) Months of Service
Option Period 3: Three (3) Months of Service

Total Potential Period of Performance: Twelve (12) Months of Service

The Government anticipates establishing Firm-Fixed-Price unit pricing based upon a Month of Service (MOS).

7.0 Place of Performance

Rosebud IHS Hospital
800 Hospital Drive
Rosebud, South Dakota 57570

Services are anticipated to be performed primarily within the Rosebud IHS Hospital Outpatient Department Clinic and Emergency Department, as applicable to the required services.

8.0 Anticipated Minimum Personnel Qualifications

At a minimum, proposed CNM personnel are anticipated to be required to possess:

• Graduate-level nurse-midwifery education from an appropriately accredited program;
• Current national certification as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB);
• Current, valid, unrestricted RN/APRN licensure and authorization to practice in the nurse-midwifery role, or eligibility to obtain the required licensure and authorization prior to commencement of services;
• Appropriate prescriptive authority and DEA registration, as required for performance;
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification;
• Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification;
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, if required by facility credentialing;
• Other certifications and clinical competencies required by Rosebud IHS Hospital credentialing and privileging requirements; and
• Appropriate professional experience providing prenatal, postpartum, gynecological, and related CNM services.

All Contractor personnel must successfully complete applicable IHS credentialing, privileging, suitability/background, health, and facility-access requirements before providing patient care.

9.0 Contractor Responsibilities

The Contractor will be responsible for, at a minimum:

• Providing sufficient qualified CNM personnel to satisfy the required clinical capacity, staffing, and coverage;
• Maintaining all required professional licenses, certifications, registrations, and credentials throughout performance;
• Maintaining required professional malpractice liability insurance;
• Ensuring Contractor personnel comply with applicable IHS policies, Rosebud IHS Hospital medical staff bylaws, clinical protocols, patient-safety requirements, and applicable federal requirements;
• Maintaining patient confidentiality and complying with applicable HIPAA Privacy and Security requirements;
• Ensuring required clinical documentation is completed timely and accurately;
• Reporting applicable adverse events, near misses, and sentinel events in accordance with IHS and facility requirements;
• Complying with applicable mandatory-reporting requirements;
• Completing required IHS training; and
• Managing, supervising, scheduling, and directing Contractor personnel consistent with the non-personal nature of the anticipated contract.

10.0 Government-Furnished Property and Support

The Government anticipates providing, at no cost to the Contractor, Government-furnished facilities and resources necessary for performance, including:

• Clinical workspace, examination rooms, and available clinical equipment;
• Access to the applicable IHS electronic health record and clinical information systems;
• Laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and pharmacy support consistent with facility capabilities;
• Medical supplies, medications, and equipment ordinarily available within the facility for performance of patient-care duties;
• Access to applicable IHS clinical policies, protocols, and standing orders;
• Office space, telephone, and secure computer access necessary for performance; and
• Required IHS training materials and computer-based training modules.

11.0 Information Requested

Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement addressing the following:

11.1 Business Information

• Legal business name;
• Physical address;
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI);
• CAGE Code, if applicable;
• Point of contact, telephone number, and email address;
• Current System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registration status;
• Business size under NAICS 561320; and
• Applicable socioeconomic/business status, including whether the respondent qualifies as an ISBEE, IEE, or other small business concern.

Respondents identifying as an IEE or ISBEE should include a completed IHS Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form.

11.2 Technical Capability

• Describe the firm’s capability to recruit, credential, furnish, and retain qualified CNM personnel sufficient to provide the equivalent clinical coverage capacity of two (2) full-time CNMs in Rosebud, South Dakota.
• Describe the firm’s capability to provide both scheduled outpatient CNM services and OB emergency on-call coverage.
• Describe the firm’s ability to maintain required on-call availability and satisfy an anticipated on-site response requirement not to exceed sixty (60) minutes from notification.
• Identify anticipated recruitment, retention, housing, travel, scheduling, or other staffing challenges associated with providing CNM services in Rosebud, South Dakota.
• Provide the firm’s anticipated timeframe to recruit, credential, and place qualified CNM personnel following contract award.

11.3 Relevant Experience

• Describe recent and relevant experience providing CNM, obstetric, women’s health, or comparable healthcare staffing/services.
• Identify experience, if any, supporting IHS, Tribal, federal, rural, or medically underserved healthcare facilities.

11.4 FFP / Month-of-Service Capability

• Confirm whether the firm can provide the contemplated services on a Firm-Fixed-Price, Month-of-Service (MOS) basis.
• Identify whether the contemplated staffing, outpatient clinic coverage, on-call availability, emergency response, and associated requirements can reasonably be priced as a single FFP Month of Service.
• Identify any elements of the requirement the respondent believes should be separately priced and explain why.
• Identify any concerns or recommendations regarding use of MOS as the unit of measure.
• Identify the information the Government should include in a future solicitation to enable respondents to develop firm-fixed monthly pricing.

11.5 On-Call Coverage

• Describe the firm’s ability to provide and maintain required OB emergency on-call coverage in addition to scheduled outpatient clinic services.
• Identify any material considerations the Government should address when structuring the on-call and response-time requirements under a Firm-Fixed-Price MOS arrangement.
• Identify any market conditions or operational considerations that could materially affect the availability or cost of providing continuous CNM coverage in Rosebud, South Dakota.

11.6 Market Information

• Identify customary commercial practices applicable to obtaining these services.
• Identify any contract terms, performance requirements, or market conditions that could materially affect competition, staffing, or pricing.
• Provide recommendations that could increase competition while maintaining the Government’s clinical and operational requirements.

11.7 Optional Rough Order of Magnitude Information

At the respondent’s option, respondents may provide non-binding Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing for one Month of Service encompassing the contemplated requirement.

Any ROM information provided will be used solely for market research and acquisition-planning purposes and shall not constitute an offer, quotation, or proposal.

Respondents are not required to provide ROM pricing in order to respond to this Sources Sought Notice.

Respondents are not requested to provide a formal price quotation, and responses will not be considered offers.

12.0 Submission Instructions

Interested parties shall submit capability statements electronically to:

David Jones
Contract Specialist
Indian Health Service
Email: David.Jones@ihs.gov

The email subject line shall include:

Sources Sought IHS1527967 – Certified Nurse-Midwife Services

Responses must be received no later than:

September 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time.

Responses received after the specified date and time may not be considered for purposes of this market research.

Respondents identifying as an IEE or ISBEE should include the completed IHS Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form with their response.

13.0 Disclaimer and Important Notices

This Sources Sought Notice is for information and acquisition-planning purposes only. It does not constitute a solicitation, Request for Quote, Request for Proposal, invitation for bid, or commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice and will not reimburse respondents for costs associated with preparing or submitting information.

Information received may be used by the Government to conduct market research, develop its acquisition strategy, determine the availability of qualified sources, evaluate potential set-aside opportunities, and develop any subsequent solicitation requirements.

Following review of the market-research results, the Government may issue a separate solicitation on SAM.gov. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will not constitute responses to any future solicitation.

Respondents should provide sufficient information for the Government to assess their capability to perform the contemplated requirement. The Government is under no obligation to acknowledge responses or provide respondents with the results of its market research.

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in responses to this notice.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.