Q--Readjustment Counseling - Offsite Huntington Veterans Center 01 Jan 2013 - 30 Sept 2015

BACKGROUND Public Law 96-22 in 1979 added Section 612A to 38 U.S.C. authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide readjustment counseling to veterans of the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975). Subsequently amended several times between 1979 and 1989, Section 612A, currently guarantees readjustment counseling as a lifetime entitlement to Vietnam era veterans and requires no change in venue for VA's system of community-based outreach and counseling centers (Vet Centers). Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) currently administers a nationwide system of 300 Vet Centers located in all 50 States and surrounding territories including the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa. The Vet Center mission is to provide outreach and counseling to assist Vietnam era veterans (and now veterans of the Persian gulf war and the Conflicts in Lebanon, Grenada and Panama and the Global War on Terrorism), Somalia, Korea, WWII resolved war-related psychological difficulties and to help them achieve a successful post-war readjustment to civilian life. Toward these objectives the Vet Centers provide a mix of psychological and social services: psychological counseling and psychotherapy (individual, group, and family), outreach, networking and referral, employment counseling, education/career counseling, crisis counseling, community education, substance abuse aftercare and referral, consultation to professionals, and conjoint services at VA medical centers and clinics. The initiating legislation also authorized VA to augment Vet Center services through contract with private sector providers for provision of readjustment counseling to veterans geographically removed from existing Vet Centers and other VA healthcare facilities. In 1991, legislation was enacted amending Section 612A of Title 38 U.S.C. to expand the definition of veteran for readjustment counseling entitlement purposes to all post-Vietnam era veterans who served during a period and in the theatre of armed hostilities since May 7, 1975, such as existed in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Korea WWII and most recently in the Persian Gulf. The range and types of services provided to these newly eligible veteran populations are identical to those already provided to Vietnam era veterans. Individuals with other than honorable but more-than-dishonorable discharge may also be eligible as determined by the VA (see 38 CFR, Section 3.12). NOTE: For definitions of eligible veterans by exact periods and locations of service refer to the Contract Program Handbook (Appendix A, Chapter 2). http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2288 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT WORK The contractor shall furnish readjustment counseling services to eligible veterans referred by Vet center staff members or professional staff members of VA Psychiatry, Social Work, Psychology or Nursing Services. Readjustment counseling, for purposes of this contract, is counseling provided by social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other qualified counselors, individually or in groups, specifically directed at social, psychological, or behavioral difficulties specifically related to the post-war readjustment to civilian life. Such difficulties may interfere with a veteran's job performance, educational pursuits, family and other interpersonal relations, or overall ability to cope with daily life. Modalities of readjustment counseling include individual, group, and family counseling; all of which must have as their central purpose the post-war readjustment of Vietnam era and/or post-Vietnam war zone veterans. This service does not include general mental health services, but only provides readjustment counseling for psychosocial difficulties related to post-war readjustment from military duty for example: a. Exposure to combat-related war trauma. b. Exposure to other aspects of war zone stress. c. Post-traumatic stress disorder (as defined by DSM-III-R) and/or other war-related social and psychological difficulties. d. Stressors unique to military duty for eligible veterans. e. Psychological concern over a possible service-connected condition. f. Substance abuse connected with military duty and/or post-war homecoming and readjustment. g. Difficult post-war experiences, including disrupted homecoming and unsuccessful re-entry into civilian roles. h. Concern over possible Agent Orange, biological or chemical agent exposure or ramifications thereof. i. Generalized alienation from society manifested by lack of expectable familial, educational and/or vocational activities. j. Psychosocial difficulties related to type of military discharge for other than a dishonorable discharge. The provision of medications and physical examinations are not to be considered a component of readjustment counseling, and therefore, will not be provided under this contract mechanism. Nonetheless, offerors should have the capability through referral to arrange for needed physical examinations, prescription medications and/or other medical treatment. Veteran consumers should be advised that VA will not reimburse through this service for physical examinations, drugs, or other medical treatments. In all such cases, VA medical facilities should be the priority referral for the veteran's medical care. When this is not feasible due to geographical distance, VA Fee Basis providers should also be considered. The contract provider should coordinate with the COR for assistance in facilitating referrals to VA medical providers. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF ELIGIBLE SERVICE PROVIDERS Service providers submitting offers in response to this request for proposal must be physically located in: Ohio Counties (South East and Southern Ohio): Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Scioto, Vinton and Washington. The geographical boundaries described here will be determined by Readjustment Counseling Service officials and local VA Medical Center officials, based upon what they consider to be geographical areas of need; e.g., a given city, county, or in a locality where a Vet Center is present but, because of large population of Vietnam era and/or post-Vietnam era eligible veterans, the Vet Center cannot adequately provide services. Enhanced patient access is one of the fundamental purposes for this contract. Therefore, location/proximity to the South East and Southern Ohio counties shown above is extremely important. Offerors must submit the company address of the location where the Re-Adjustment Counseling services will be performed and the distance between that location and the Counties shown above. Offerors must provide evidence of facilities compliance with all federal, state, and local fire and life safety codes including accessibility and convenience for wheelchair patients or other handicapped/disabled veterans. VA will only make referrals to providers under this contract for circumstances where VA or other government facilities are not capable of furnishing needed services or cannot do so economically because of geographical distances. PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE INITIATION Service initiation under this contract will be limited to referral only by Vet Center personnel, RCS Regional Managers and/or Chief of Staff or designee at a VA medical facility. The number, type, and frequency of readjustment counseling services provided to the veteran and/or significant others (i.e., members of the veteran's immediate family, legal guardian, or individual with whom the veteran lives or certifies an intention to live with) will be as specifically authorized by referring Vet center or VA Medical Center officials. Upon determination of eligibility and completion of psychosocial assessment, determining the need for readjustment counseling services, a referral will be made by completion of Contract Services Authorization Form (VAF 10-5565b). Copy 1 will be mailed or given to the veteran or significant other-who will present it to the designated service provider. Copy 2 will be mailed to the designated contract service provider; Copy 3 will be forwarded to Medical Administration Service (MAS) at the VA Medical Center responsible for assisting the Vet Center in the local administration of the contract program. Copy 4 will be maintained on file at the Vet Center. NOTE: Referral procedures are detailed in Fee/Contract Program Handbook (Appendix A, Chapter 3). See Link below: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2288 TERMS OF CONTRACT All contracts will be for a period of one year from date of award or as specified in the RFP. The contract provider is obligated to provide counseling services in a manner consistent within the timeframe of the contract. The length of time in which counseling services are provided to individual veterans under this contract will be as authorized by VA referrers. In any case, if readjustment counseling beyond the one-year period of the contract is indicated, and if the contract is not renewed, the contract provider is responsible to make appropriate referral to another counseling resource, in consultation with the original VA referrer. Exceptions to this requirement may be made, in conditions of continuing need, upon authorization by VA referring officials. Requests for such exceptions will be presented to the referrer. VA will reimburse the contractor for completion of cases started during the contract, but duly authorized to extend beyond the legal termination date of the contract. Sixty days prior to scheduled expiration date of a contract, the Contracting Officer will notify the contractor as to VA's intent to renew the contract. VA will be the sole judge as to whether a contract will be renewed, based on the determination of need. This contract may be renewed for two additional one-year periods in accordance with clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract at the prices stated in the contract. VA also reserves the right to let this contract expire and issue a new RFP if doing so is determined to be in the best interest of the government. DUTIES OF CONTRACT PROVIDERS Contractors will provide readjustment counseling services to eligible veterans referred by Vet Center or VA mental health professionals in accordance with the requirements of the Contract Mechanism, Fee/Contract Program Handbook, and VA Authorization Form, VAF 10-5565b. Duties and responsibilities of the contract providers are detailed in the Fee/Contract Program Handbook (Appendix A, Chapter 4, section 4.5). See Link Above: