Warm Springs Service Unit Nurse Advice Line

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This is a request to establish a purchase order request to provide non-personal service contract for a toll-free telephone Nurse Advice line for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients who live on or near the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Warm Springs, Oregon. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND LOCATION: Period of Performance: One Year from date of award Warm Springs Health & Wellness Center, 1270 Kot-Num Road, Warm Springs, Oregon 97761 2. STATEMENT OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide toll free telephone access for Nurse Advice and Medical Library, on 24-hour/7-days per week to the Warm Springs Service Unit. All WSH&WC active beneficiaries will have access to the Contractor s service. The Contractor has defined the term Member , as used in this agreement as, those members and their immediate family that are beneficiaries of the WSH&WC active user population. The Contractor shall fax an encounter form within 24-hours to the WSH&WC staff, this fax to include all encounters. The fax shall include the caller s name, date of birth, purpose of call and the advice provided to the patient from the Nurse Advice Line The Contractor shall hold all information provided by WSH&WC and its members as confidential, and any and all such information will not be distributed to any third party, especially medical information of the members. The Contractor will take all reasonable steps necessary to safeguard the privacy of member information. The Contractor is not responsible for Acts of God, acts or omissions of WSH&WC or other actions beyond the control of the Contractor while performing services under this agreement. The Contractor s Nurse Triage process shall utilize specialized Nurse Triage process and shall utilize specialized Microsoft-based software and interactive voice response technology to support the Schmitt/Thompson protocols in use at the Contractor s call centers. The Contractor shall utilize readily available, comprehensive protocols that reflect an extensive, high-quality physician written, reviewed, and updated medical knowledge base. The guidelines shall provide consistent, accurate triage information, as well as home care and health education information, and they shall be updated continuously. The Contractor shall utilize appropriate software to run established guidelines that the Contractor utilizes so the call centers have access to state of the art triage supported software platform. When patients in need of medical assistance call the designated Contractor s Medical Call Center, they will first hear a disclaimer stating that if they are experiencing an emergency, they should hang up and call 911 or their appropriate emergency number. Callers will then have the option of being connected to the audio health library, or speaking immediately with a Registered Nurse. If a caller chooses to speak with a nurse, the nurse will document and discuss the patient s symptoms and recommend an appropriate course of action. These courses of action (dispositions) range from home care procedures to seek emergency care . Depending on the disposition, the Contractor s nurses will place follow-up phone calls to assure that the caller s condition has improved. The Contractor shall ensure that the Caller will never get a busy signal. Indemnity The Contractor shall indemnify and hold WSH&WC harmless from any claim, demand, loss, lawsuit, settlement, judgment or other liability, and all related expenses, which may arise from a negligent act or omission of the Contractor, its agents or employees. WSSU shall indemnify and hold the Contractor harmless for any claim, demand, loss, lawsuit, settlement, judgment or other liability, and all related expenses which may arise from or in connection with a claim of a third party arising from a negligent actor or omission of WSH&WC, its agents or employees. Indemnity shall include damages, reasonable costs, reasonable expense, and reasonable attorney s fees as incurred by the party indemnified. The forgoing indemnification provision shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement 3. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES:To monitor the Contractor s technical progress including surveillance and assessment of performance and the day to day contract administration, however, does not have authority to change orders or otherwise authorize changes, which would affect the contract price, conditions, or period of performance. Interpreting the Scope of Work. Technical evaluation as required. Technical inspection and acceptance required by this contract. Assisting the Contractor in the resolution of technical and administrative problems encountered during the performance 4. QUALIFICATIONS: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all the nurses answering the advice line are licensed in accordance with regulations in the State or principal practice. The Contractor will demonstrate culturally sensitive interactions appropriate to the care and interactions with our American Indian/Alaska Native population. The Contractor shall utilize U.S. State Licensed Registered Nurses during the performance of this contract. 5. CONTRACTING OFFICER S REPRESENTATIVE: The following individual or their designee shall serve as the Project Officer/Supervisor government representative under this contract: Name, To be provided after award Warm Springs Service Unit Telephone Number to be provided after award The COR responsibilities will be to coordinate with the provider the technical aspects of this service and the review of performance hereunder. The COR does not have the authority to change or alter the order amount, terms or conditions of the contract. 6. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: The Contractor shall be paid a fixed monthly amount based on the current active user populationThis an all-inclusive price that covers all related costs to provide services off-site. The contract price includes full compensation for providing all services off-site. For example, the contractor is responsible for applicable federal / state / local / sales and all other applicable taxes, etc.The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases actually made and received under this requirement. 7. INVOICING: Invoices shall be submitted monthly for the services rendered. The Contractor shall submit invoices electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) pursuant to HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (Feb 2022). Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov. 8. ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS: CONTRACTOR GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES The Warm Springs Indian Health Center does not anticipate a need for contractor furnished equipment. Business Associate Agreement Provided by the Contractor: This agreement form shall be signed by both parties in this contract, previous year this was signed, unless new one is required. HIPAA REQUIREMENT Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and its implementing regulation, the Standards of Privacy of individual Identifiable Health Information at 45 C.F.R. Part 160 and 164, Subpart A and E ( Privacy Rule ), the Indian Health Service is required to enter into an agreement with the Business Associate, pursuant to which the Business Associate shall comply with and appropriately safeguard Protected Health Information ( PHI ) that it will use and disclose when performing functions, activities or services ( Services ) for the Indian Health Service. The Business Associate by signing the contract shall comply with the following terms in addition to other applicable contract terms and conditions relating to the safekeeping, use and discloser of PHI. (See Attachment for related HIPAA material and Business Associate Agreement Clause). BUSINESS ASSOCIATE AGREEMENT CLAUSE Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and its implementing regulation, the Standards of Privacy of Individual Identifiable Health Information at 45 C.F. R Part 160 and 164, Subpart A and E ("Privacy Rule"), the Indian Health Service is required to enter into an agreement with the Business Associate, pursuant to which the Business Associate shall comply with and appropriately safeguard Protected Health Information ("PHI") that it will use and disclose when performing functions, activities or services ("Services") for the Indian Health Service. The Business Associate by signing the contract shall comply with the following terms in addition to other applicable contract terms and conditions relating to the safekeeping, use and disclosure of PHI. Definitions Terms used in…