V225--Source Sought Notice - Emergency Transport Service Contract Southwest Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System (SLVHCS),

This is a sources sought/market research synopsis. The Alexandria VA Health Care System (AVAHCS), Pineville, LA contracting office is performing market research to ascertain whether there are potential sources and their business size classification: HUB-Zone, 8(a), Small Business, Small Disadvantage Business, Women Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOSB), or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). Preferably SDVOSB/small businesses. The NAICS Code is 621910, Ambulatory Service. The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System (SLVHCS), New Orleans, LA requires 24-Hour Ambulance, Lie-Down and Facility to Facility Ambulance Services . The contractor shall provide the following: SLVHCS has a requirement for a twenty-four (24) hour 7 day a week ground ambulance services consisting of basic life support, advanced life support and stretcher transportation services for the beneficiaries of the SLVHCS catchment area. This shall include urgent or emergent requirements. In addition, the SLVHCS has a requirement for a Facility to Facility transportation alternative for patients that cannot be transported by any other means. Contractor to furnish Emergency Lie-Down Service, and related services to beneficiaries of the SLVHCS. The period of performance consists of a base year of 12-months with up to four (4) one-year options. A.1.1 DEFINITIONS: VA- Department of Veterans Affairs SLVHCS- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, SLVHCS provides healthcare to veterans located in Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. Charles, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. John, Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Tammany, St. James, St. Mary, Assumption Ascension, Livingston, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Iberia, St. Martin, and Point Coupee parishes. Ambulance- Vehicles for emergency medical care which provide a driver compartment and a patient compartment that will accommodate an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, or RN as needed); equipment and supplies for emergency care at the scene as well as during transport; and, communication device and equipment for light rescue procedures. The ambulance is designed and constructed to afford relative safety and comfort, and to avoid aggravation of the patient s condition. Advanced Life Support (ALS) Transports Transports providing at a minimum an on-board Paramedic, cardiac monitoring, Advanced Cardiac Life support (ACLS) drugs and procedures, advanced airway management and medication monitoring and administration. Ambulance for ALS services shall be staffing accordance with current Louisiana State law and regulations governing the certification and licensure of private ambulances. Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD) - VA Official assigned during evenings and weekends. This person acts as the medical center director during off-hours Basic Life Support (BLS) Transports Ambulances providing services required for -critical patient care I which patients require an ambulance, staff I accordance with current Louisiana State laws and regulations governing the certification and licensure of private ambulances. This ambulance at a minimum will be staff with a vehicle operation and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Base Rate- Base Rate is defined as the rate paid for one-way transportation from a designated pickup point to the Mileage Threshold point. The base rate shall constitute full compensation for One-Way Trips which do not exceed the Mileage Threshold. Beneficiary- Veterans and other members determined to be eligible for benefits by the VA. Cardiac Monitor- a piece of electronic equipment for the continual observation of the functioning of the heart. Contractor- The term contractor as used herein refers to both the prime Contractor and his employees, and any subcontractors and their employees. The Contractor shall be responsible for assuring that his subcontractors comply with the provisions of this contract. Contracting Officer (CO) The person entering this contract on behalf of the government and the only person authorized to make changes in the contract affecting scope, schedule and price. Contracting Officer Representative (COR) - Main point of contact for normal day-to-day service matters. Responsibilities include certification of invoices, placing orders for service, providing technical guidance, overseeing technical aspects of the contract. All administrative functions remain with the Contracting Officer. Flat Rate A pre-agreed price for transport between a designated pickup point and destination. For the purposes of this contract, New Orleans will mean a designated pickup point in Orleans Parish. Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area - Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes. Joint Commission - A national organization dedicated to improving the care, safety and treatment of patients in a health care facility and environment. Mileage/Mileage Threshold- The Mileage Threshold is defined as travel to a point 17 miles from the designated point of pickup for each trip. The contractor agrees and understands that the first 17 miles refers to the first 17 miles from the point where the VA patient is picked up by the contractor for transportation purposes. Payment for mileage charges will only begin after the first seventeen miles. Charges for miles traveled within the mileage threshold will be inclusive in the Base Rate. The latest edition of the Rand McNally shall determine trip mileage (http://www.randmcnally.com/). Oxygen Administration- (HCPCS 0422) Ambulance (ALS or BLS) oxygen and oxygen supplies, life sustaining situation, administered with a nasal cannula or respiratory mask or non-rebreather mask. Scheduled Trip(s) - Trips which the Contractor has been given advance notice of required services and a specific pick-up time by 6:00 pm the prior business day. Lie-Down Stretcher Transport - Transportation for those patients who require supine service and no medical supervision requirements. Trip - A trip is defined as the distance one way only , over which a beneficiary will be transported. If Contractor delivers patient, then waits and then returns patient to point of pick-up, this is counted as two One-Way Trips. Unscheduled Trip(s) - The term unscheduled trip refers to those trips required on an as-needed basis and advance notice is not given. Waiting- The time required for the Contractor to wait at designated pick-up and/or delivery points in performing contract services. Waiting time is verified by the authorized SLVHCS personnel. Waiting Grace Period- The waiting grace period is defined as fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time waiting charge commence. Travel Office Personnel: VA Travel Office Employees authorized to coordinate authorized transportation at VA expense: Transportation Assistant, Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD), team leader Supervisor of the Travel Office, the Assistant Chief, Business Operations and the Chief, Business Operations. This notice is to assist the VA in determining sources only. This is not a solicitation for proposals or quotes. A solicitation will be issued later and time. All information submitted in response to this sources sought notice is considered voluntary. Interested and capable respondents are requested to provide: company name, address, point of contact, phone number, DUNS number, geographical location, business size and number of employees. Responses to this notice shall be e-mailed to Lonest Bonton, Contracting Officer at e-mail address: contact@example.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Reponses must be received by no later than COB (4:30pm CST), December 2, 2020.