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This synopsis/solicitation notice is a request for proposals for a Non-Personal Service Contract for a Contractor to provide Obstetrician/Gynecologist healthcare provider to the OB/GYN Department, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS) throughout the duration of the contract period of performance. Services shall be performed in accordance with the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS). Refer to the PWS for Shift hours. The assignment is through the stated period of performance or until the position is filled with a permanent hire. In such instances, the provider will be released from contract assignment.

There are (1) one vacant position(s) to fill with contract provider(s). One Contract provider shall occupy a vacant position at any given time during the Period of Performance. There shall be no overlapping of coverage in respect to vacant positions.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Government intends to award a firm fixed priced contract

• 12 months from date of award

The Shiprock Service Unit (SRSU) is the largest geographical service-unit of Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS). SRSU population extends into New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. The scope of SRSU’s responsibility is extensive and includes administrative oversight of one hospital: NNMC and two health centers: Four Corners Regional Health Center and Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Health Center.

NNMC was opened on February 3, 1995 and is the main administrative center and medical center for SRSU. NNMC is a 60 bed medical center and has one of the largest patient volumes in the NAIHS.

NNMC provides the following primary and specialty care services in inpatient and outpatient care services: medical-surgical, pediatric inpatient, labor and delivery, intensive care units, internal medicine, family practice, urgent and emergency care, women's health, mental health, pharmacy, optometry, dental, radiology, public health nursing, medical social services, health promotion/disease prevention and traditional medicine.

The NNMC Emergency Department (ED) provides emergency medical treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients of all ages. In 2021, NNMC Emergency Room was designated as a Level IV trauma center. This designation increases access to trauma care in a rural setting and ensures optimal care to those who are seriously injured. Furthermore, the NNMC ED is certified as Peds Ready by the New Mexico Emergency Medical Services for Children and the University of New Mexico Child Ready Program. This certification ensures effective emergency care for children.

The Contractor shall provide an all-inclusive rate, and is responsible for all costs associated with providing said services, i.e. travel, per diem, lodging/housing, etc. No government housing is available. The Contractor shall be responsible for housing respective providers if there are no government quarters available.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The Government reserves the right to issue a single award or multiple awards to contractor(s) whose quote represents the best value as defined by FAR 2.101. In determining best value, Price and other Evaluation Factors will be considered: Past Performance, Experience, and Qualifications of the provider. The Evaluation Factors and significant sub factors when combined are significantly more important than cost or price. As part of the evaluation process, candidates may be interviewed to ensure their understanding of the PWS and to verify their qualifications to perform required services. The socio-economic status of an offer may also be considered, should one or more quotes represent the best value.

SUBMITTAL PROCESS:

To be considered for award, your offer shall include the following documents:

1. PROVIDE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RATE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO RECRUIT PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE CONTRACT PERIOD. NNMC will consider competitive rates upon negotiation, and will obligate funding on a quarterly basis.


2. Provide complete Candidate Profile: Curriculum vitae, resumes, licensures, and all relative documents for proposed candidates.


3. Provide evidence of Provider’s Experience of comparable scope and complexity in providing services within the past three (3) years.


4. Provide evidence of the Contract Company’s Past Performance of comparable scope and complexity in providing services within the past three (3) years.

**Email offer directly to the Contracting Officer (CO). The CO for this action is: Cornelius Tsipai, Contract Specialist, cornelius.tsipai@ihs.gov. Questions may be submitted in writing via email 2 days prior to RFQ Closing Date.

PRE-SECURITY/FINGERPRINTING CLEARANCE:

The selected provider shall comply with Agency Personal Identity Verification procedures identified in the contract that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance M-05-24, and Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201; this includes fingerprinting guidelines.

Pre-Security/Fingerprinting must be cleared prior to starting tour of duty and incurring costs.

If provider is selected, then the Contractor and provider shall provide the following Pre-Security/Fingerprinting documents.

1. 
   
   
   
   1. Complete Resume
   
   
   2. OIG Clearance
   
   
   3. Licenses/Certifications (ACLS, PALS, BLS, TNCC, Diplomas etc.)
   
   
   4. Copy of school transcripts
   
   
   5. Declaration of Federal Employment (Typed/Original Signature)
   
   
   6. Child Addendum (Typed/Original Signature)
   
   
   7. OFI Form 86C
   
   
   
   

The selected Contractor's provider(s) will be subject to a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation.

The selected Contractor's provider(s) are required to acquire pre-security and fingerprint clearance prior to beginning their tour of duty and incurring costs.

CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS:

52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with agency personal identity verification procedures identified in the contract that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance M-05-24 and Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201.

(b) The Contractor shall account for all forms of Government-provided identification issued to the Contractor employees in connection with performance under this contract. The Contractor shall return such identification to the issuing agency at the earliest of any of the following, unless otherwise determined by the Government:

(1) When no longer needed for contract performance.

(2) Upon completion of the Contractor employees employment.

(3) Upon contract completion or termination.

(c) The Contracting Officer may delay final payment under a contract if the Contractor fails to comply with these requirements.

(d) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in all subcontracts when the subcontractors employees are required to have routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. It shall be the responsibility of the prime Contractor to return such identification to the issuing agency in accordance with the terms set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is required to have routine physical access to a Federally-Controlled Facility and/or routine access to a Federally-Controlled Information System.

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 5 days.

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 5 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 10 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed (18) months.

52.237-7 Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance (Jan 1997)

(a) It is expressly agreed and understood that this is a nonpersonal services contract, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.101, under which the professional services rendered by the Contractor are rendered in its capacity as an independent contractor. The Government may evaluate the quality of professional and administrative services provided, but retains no control over professional aspects of the services rendered, including by example, the Contractor’s professional medical judgment, diagnosis, or specific medical treatments. The Contractor shall be solely liable for and expressly agrees to indemnify the Government with respect to any liability producing acts or omissions by it or by its employees or agents. The Contractor shall maintain during the term of this contract liability insurance issued by a responsible insurance carrier of not less than the following amount(s) per specialty per occurrence: $1,000,000 per occurrence; $3,000,000 aggregate.

(b) An apparently successful offeror, upon request by the Contracting Officer, shall furnish prior to contract award evidence of its insurability concerning the medical liability insurance required by paragraph (a) of this clause.

(c) Liability insurance may be on either an occurrences basis or on a claims-made basis. If the policy is on a claims-made basis, an extended reporting endorsement (tail) for a period of not less than 3 years after the end of the contract term must also be provided.

(d) Evidence of insurance documenting the required coverage for each health care provider who will perform under this contract shall be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to the commencement of services under this contract. If the insurance is on a claims-made basis and evidence of an extended reporting endorsement is not provided prior to the commencement of services, evidence of such endorsement shall be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to the expiration of this contract. Final payment under this contract shall be withheld until evidence of the extended reporting endorsement is provided to the Contracting Officer.

(e) The policies evidencing required insurance shall also contain an endorsement to the effect that any cancellation or material change adversely affecting the Government’s interest shall not be effective until 30 days after the insurer or the Contractor gives written notice to the Contracting Officer. If, during the performance period of the contract the Contractor changes insurance providers, the Contractor must provide evidence that the Government will be indemnified to the limits specified in paragraph (a) of this clause, for the entire period of the contract, either under the new policy, or a combination of old and new policies.

(f) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in all subcontracts under this contract for health care services and shall require such subcontractors to provide evidence of and maintain insurance in accordance with paragraph (a) of this clause. At least 5 days before the commencement of work by any subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer evidence of such insurance.

Department of Health and Human Services Applicable Clauses:

352.202-1 Definitions. (JAN 2006)

352.224-70Privacy Act (DEC 2015)

352.226-1Indian Preference (DEC 2015)

352.226-2Indian Preference Program (DEC 2015)

352.237-70 Pro-Children Act. (Dec 2015) (a) Public Law 103-227, Title X, Part C, also known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Act), 20 U.S.C. 7183, imposes restrictions on smoking in facilities where certain federally funded children's services are provided. The Act prohibits smoking within any indoor facility (or portion thereof), whether owned, leased, or contracted for, that is used for the routine or regular provision of: (i) kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services or (ii) health or day care services that are provided to children under the age of 18. The statutory prohibition also applies to indoor facilities that are constructed, operated, or maintained with Federal funds.

(b) By acceptance of this contract or order, the Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of the Act. The Act also applies to all subcontracts awarded under this contract for the specified children's services. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understands, and complies with the provisions of the Act. Failure to comply with the Act may result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order on the responsible entity. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.

352.237-71 Crime Control Act of 1990-Reporting of Child Abuse (Dec 2015)(a) Public Law 101-647, also known as the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Act), imposes responsibilities on certain individuals who, while engaged in a professional capacity or activity, as defined in the Act, on Federal land or in a federally-operated (or contracted) facility, learn of facts that give the individual reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse.

(b) The Act designates covered professionals as those persons engaged in professions and activities in eight different categories including, but not limited to, teachers, social workers, physicians, dentists, medical residents or interns, hospital personnel and administrators, nurses, health care practitioners, chiropractors, osteopaths, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers, alcohol or drug treatment personnel, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, child care workers and administrators, and commercial film and photo processors. The Act defines the term child abuse as the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child.

(c) Accordingly, any person engaged in a covered profession or activity under an HHS contract or subcontract, regardless of the purpose of the contract or subcontract, shall immediately report a suspected child abuse incident in accordance with the provisions of the Act. If a child is suspected of being harmed, the appropriate State Child Abuse Hotline, local child protective services (CPS), or law enforcement agency shall be contacted. For more information about where and how to file a report, the Childhelp USA, National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) shall be called. Any covered professional failing to make a timely report of such incident shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(d) By acceptance of this contract or order, the Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of the Act. The Act also applies to all applicable subcontracts awarded under this contract. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understands, and complies with the provisions of the Act.

352.237-72 Crime Control Act of 1990-Requirement for Background Checks (Dec 2015)(a) Public Law 101-647, also known as the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Act), requires that all individuals involved with the provision of child care services to children under the age of 18 undergo a criminal background check. Child care services include, but are not limited to, social services, health and mental health care, child (day) care, education (whether or not directly involved in teaching), and rehabilitative programs. Any conviction for a sex crime, an offense involving a child victim, or a drug felony, may be grounds for denying employment or for dismissal of an employee providing any of the services listed above.

(b) The Contracting Officer will provide the necessary information to the Contractor regarding the process for obtaining the background check. The Contractor may hire a staff person provisionally prior to the completion of a background check, if at all times prior to the receipt of the background check during which children are in the care of the newly-hired person, the person is within the sight and under the supervision of a previously investigated staff person.

(c) By acceptance of this contract or order, the Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of the Act. The Act also applies to all applicable subcontracts awarded under this contract. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understands, and complies with the provisions of the Act.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is required to comply with HIPAA in the provision of health care to IHS patients. HIPAA was implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, under the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160 and 164. Accordingly, all health care providers, including contracted health care providers are required to comply with HIPAA requirements (Full text will be furnished upon request).

352.226-1 Notice of Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise Set-Aside(Mar 2022) Under the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, offers are solicited only from Indian Economic Enterprises (HHSAR 326.606) that are also small business concerns. Any acquisition resulting from this solicitation will be from such a concern. As required by HHSAR §  352.226-7(b), offerors shall include a completed Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form in response to Sources Sought Notices, Request for Information (RFI) and as part of the proposal submission. The Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form, available on the IHS DAP public website ( www.IHS.gov/​DAP ), shall be included in synopses, presolicitation notices, and solicitations for the acquisitions under the Buy Indian Act. Offers received from enterprises that are not both Indian Economic Enterprises and small business concerns will not be considered and will be rejected.

352.226-6 Indian Economic Enterprise Subcontracting Limitations (Mar 2022) (a) Definitions as used in this clause.

(1) Indian Economic Enterprise means any business activity owned by one or more Indians or Indian Tribes that is established for the purpose of profit provided that: The combined Indian or Indian Tribe ownership must constitute not less than 51 percent of the enterprise; the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract; and the management and daily business operations of an enterprise must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians. To ensure actual control over the enterprise, the individuals must possess requisite management or technical capabilities directly related to the primary industry in which the enterprise conducts business. The enterprise must meet these requirements throughout the following time periods:

(i) At the time an offer is made in response to a written solicitation;

(ii) At the time of the contract award; and

(iii) During the full term of the contract.

(2) Subcontract means any contract, as defined in FAR subpart 2.1, entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of the prime contractor or subcontractor. It includes, but is not limited to, purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchase orders.

(3) Subcontractor means any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.

(b) Required Percentages of work by the concern. The contractor must comply with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting clause in allocating what percentage of work to subcontract. The contractor shall not subcontract work exceeding the subcontract limitations in FAR 52.219-14 to a concern other than a responsible Indian Economic Enterprise.

(c) Any work that an IEE subcontractor does not perform with its own employee shall be considered subcontracted work for the purpose of calculating percentages of subcontract work in accordance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.

(d) Cooperation. The contractor must:

(1) Carry out the requirements of this clause to the fullest extent; and

(2) Cooperate in any study or survey that the CO, Indian Health Service or its agents may conduct to verify the contractor's compliance with this clause.

(e) Incorporation in Subcontracts. The contractor must incorporate the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts for general services, A&E services and construction awarded under this contract.

352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (Feb 2022) Definitions. As used in this clause –

Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), “Content of Invoices” and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract.

1. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system. Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site.

(b)The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(c)If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer’s written authorization with each payment request.

ADDITIONAL APPLICABLE FEDERAL ACQUISITION CLAUSES

52.204-7 System Award Management (Oct 2018)

52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2015)

52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Dec 2022)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Jun 2023)

52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification (Apr 1984)

52.224-2 Privacy Act (Apr 1984)

52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes (Feb 2013)

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (APR 1984)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Sub-Contractors (Mar 2023)

52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (Aug 1984)

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

-Performance Work Statement

-IHS IEE Representation Form

Attachments/Links