BILLINGS AREA TELEHEALTH SERVICES - SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

PURPOSE

This is a Sources Sought Notice and Request for Information (RFI) issued for market research purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, quotations, or offers and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for information submitted in response to this notice.

Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, the Indian Health Service (IHS) must use the authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. § 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.

The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs), and other categories of vendors capable of performing the requirement described below. Interested vendors are requested to submit a capability statement and the attached Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form.

Consistent with Buy Indian Act regulations, HHS/IHS has adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201. This definition includes, among other requirements, that the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.

The Government is also releasing a Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for industry review and comment. Interested parties are encouraged to provide recommendations, identify ambiguities or inconsistencies, suggest improvements, and provide any other feedback that may assist the Government in refining the requirement and acquisition strategy. Responses to this RFI will be used solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes. The Government may, but is not required to, incorporate industry feedback into the final solicitation or PWS. Responses to this notice will not be considered offers and will not be evaluated for award.

If, as a result of this market research, the Government determines that this acquisition will be conducted as a Buy Indian Act set-aside, the solicitation will include HHSAR 352.226-6, Indian Economic Enterprise Subcontracting Limitations, and the successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable subcontracting limitations contained in that clause if applicable.

Instructions for submission are provided below.

DEFINITIONS

Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE)

Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations, provided that:

• The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51 percent;
• The Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, or Alaska Native Corporation owners must, together, receive at least 51 percent of the earnings from the contract; and
• The management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

NAICS:
621999 – All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services

Size Standard:
$20.5 Million

Contract Duration:
One (1) Base Year with Four (4) One-Year Option Periods

Scope:
See attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY

ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. Generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of a firm's ability to perform the required work. To be considered a capable source, responses should clearly demonstrate the firm's experience, qualifications, and capability to perform the services described in the Draft PWS.

Capability statements should include, at a minimum:

• Number of years of experience providing services similar to those described in the Draft PWS.
• A list of relevant contracts or projects demonstrating experience performing similar services.
• A description of how the company meets the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE).
• A description of how the company will receive at least 51 percent of the earnings under the contract.
• If proposing the use of a similarly situated subcontractor, explain how the prime contractor and subcontractor together will satisfy applicable Buy Indian Act requirements.
• If proposing the use of a subcontractor that is not a similarly situated entity, explain how the prime contractor will continue to satisfy applicable Buy Indian Act requirements.
• Describe how management and daily business operations will be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

Failure to adequately address these items may preclude the Government from determining that your firm is a capable IEE/ISBEE source.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

In addition to the requested capability statement, interested parties are encouraged to review the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) and provide comments and recommendations to assist the Government in refining the requirement and acquisition strategy.

The Government requests feedback on the following:

Draft Performance Work Statement

• Are the requirements clear, complete, and achievable?
• Are there any ambiguities, inconsistencies, or conflicting requirements?
• Are there requirements that are unnecessarily restrictive or that could limit competition?
• Are there best commercial practices or alternative approaches the Government should consider?
• Please identify any recommended revisions to the Draft PWS and provide suggested language, where appropriate.

Contract Structure

• What CLIN structure would better support contract administration and performance?
• Are there contract administration practices the Government should consider to improve efficiency?

Pricing and Billing

• How should the Government structure the pricing schedule (e.g., labor categories, service type, clinic/location, fixed monthly pricing, per encounter, or another commercial format)?
• What billing increments are customary for these services (e.g., 15-minute increments, 30-minute increments, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or per occurrence)?
• Are there customary commercial cost elements or pricing assumptions the Government should consider when developing the solicitation?

Performance and Quality

• Are the proposed performance standards, surveillance methods, and reporting requirements reasonable and measurable?
• Are there industry-standard quality assurance measures or performance metrics that should be incorporated?
• Are there deliverables or reporting requirements that should be modified to better align with commercial practices?

Buy Indian Act Considerations

• If this acquisition is ultimately issued as a Buy Indian Act set-aside, are there any concerns regarding compliance with HHSAR 352.226-6, Indian Economic Enterprise Subcontracting Limitations?
• Are there any aspects of the Draft PWS or acquisition strategy that would unnecessarily limit participation by Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) or Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs)?

General Comments

• Identify any risks or challenges the Government should consider before issuing a solicitation.
• Provide recommendations that would improve competition, contract performance, or contract administration.
• Identify any additional information the Government should include in the solicitation.
• Provide any other comments or recommendations that would assist the Government in developing the final solicitation.

Respondents are encouraged to identify the applicable Draft PWS section number for each comment and provide supporting rationale and recommended revisions where appropriate.

The Government will review all responses received and may use the information to refine the Performance Work Statement, acquisition strategy, contract structure, pricing schedule, evaluation approach, and other solicitation requirements. The Government is not obligated to respond to individual submissions or incorporate any recommendations into the final solicitation.

SUBMISSION

Interested parties capable of performing the required services may submit their responses via email to Johnna Spotted, Contract Specialist, at Johnna.spotted@ihs.gov, no later than 10 calendar days from the date of this notice.

Responses should include:

• Capability Statement;
• Completed Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form; and
• Comments and recommendations regarding the Draft Performance Work Statement (RFI response), if applicable.

Please include the Sources Sought Notice number in the subject line of your email.

Sources Sought ID: SS-75H70926R00001

Information received in response to this notice will be used solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes to assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy, contract type, pricing structure, and whether a Buy Indian Act set-aside is appropriate. Submission of information in response to this notice does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation or award