VA National Acquisition Center Federal Supply Schedule FSS

1
VA National Acquisition Center Federal Supply
Schedule (FSS)

• Introduction to VA/FSS Programs for Services

2
SIMILARITIES(Between VA/FSS Services and Product
Schedules)

• Multiple Award Schedule
• Open and Continuous Solicitation
• IDIQ Contracts w/ EPA
• Contracts are 5 years w/ 5 option years
• Pre-Negotiated Pricing Terms
• Same Electronic Tools
• Administered out of the Same Location in Hines,
  IL

3
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS(VA/FSS Services VS
Product Schedules)

• Customer Ordering Procedures
• 8.405-2 Applies (in lieu of 8.405-1)
• Geographic Scope (FSS 621 I State Specific)
• Technical Evaluation
• Statement of Work
• Malpractice Insurance (621 I)
• Different Negotiated Terms Conditions
• Non-Mandatory Schedules (621 I 621 II)

4
Introduction to FSS 621 I

• Healthcare Staffing Services
• Physicians
• Allied Healthcare
• Supplemental and Per-Diem Staffing
• Long Term Requirements
• Day to Day Needs
• At Govt Healthcare Treatment Facilities
• Over 270 Contracts Currently

5
Introduction to FSS 621 I

• 57 Special Item Number (SIN) Groups
• Types of Labor Categories
• Physicians / Surgeons
• Registered Nurses
• Radiologic Technology
• Mental Health Professions
• Pharmacists / Pharmacy Technicians
• Medical Assistants and Technicians
• Visit GSA e-Library for a complete list of SINs

6
Negotiated Terms under FSS 621 I

• FSS Net Ceiling Price
• Hourly Not to Exceed Rate
• Excludes Travel Lodging
• Shift Differentials
• Night, Evening, Weekend
• Holiday Rates
• Overtime Rates
• Payment Terms

• Minimum Order
• Minimum Qualifications
• Background Investigation Levels
• Credit Card Acceptance
• Work Week
• On-Call Coverage Call Back Terms

7
Service Contract Act (SCA)

• Service Contract Act (SCA) is applicable for all
  allied healthcare labor categories
• The SCA requires contractors and subcontractors
  performing Federal service contracts over 2,500
  to observe minimum wages, fringe benefits, and
  other employment standards (41 U.S.C. 351,
  Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 22.1002).
• Managed nationally under the basic FSS contract

8
SERVICE CONTRACT ACT (SCA)
When SCA is Updated Under FSS 621 I
9
Assignment of Labor Categories

• Three General Classes of Employees
• Professionals (i.e. Physicians)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Service
  Contract Act (SCA) Do Not Apply
• Occupational Leaders (i.e. Pharmacists)
• FLSA and SCA Do Apply
• Allied Healthcare (i.e. RNs, other)
• FLSA and SCA Do Apply

10
Service Contract Act (SCA)

• Ordering Agencies can rely on the WDs and Wage
  Directory Matches incorporated into the FSS
  contract
• Determinations were made by an authorized
  Contracting Officer
• Determinations resulted from extensive research
• Developed in tandem with the US Department of
  Labor

11
Service Contract Act (SCA)

• CO should compare the functional descriptions of
  the work prescribed in the work statement to the
  SCA Directory of Occupations (to ensure
  consistency with the matches determined by FSS).
  
• If found inconsistent, the CO must make an
  independent determination
• Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 22.10
• SCA Directory of Occupations (5th edition)
• Federal Classification and Job Grading Systems
• DOL SCA Website
• DOL Wage Determinations Online
• DOL Agency Labor Advisors
• DOL SCA Library

12
How to Obtain Assistance with SCA

• FSS 621 I Help Desk Home Page
• Current WDs Available for Download
• 621 I Labor Category Classifications Published
• Other SCA Guidance
• DOL Emergency Wage Determination Hotline
  202-693-0073

13
OTHER RECURRING ISSUES UNDER 621 I

• Permanent Placement Fees
• Do not apply under 621 I contracts
• Price Adjustments under Orders
• When Task Order options are exercised
• Cannot exceed the FSS price in effect at the time
  the option is issued
• Credentialing Timeframes
• Pose a challenge for contractors

14
Additional Resources for customers under 621I

• Help Desk Home Page
• Ordering Information
• SCA Information
• Contract Information
• http//www1.va.gov/oamm/oa/nac/fsss/fssproftrain.c
  fm

15
Federal Supply Schedule 66 III

• COST PER TEST SERVICES
• All inclusive solution provides everything needed
  to produce a valid test result
• Pricing Options
• Priced Cost Per Test
• Priced Cost Per Reportable Result

16
Federal Supply Schedule 66 III

• Pricing includes
• Leasing Costs of Equipment
• For chemistry, coagulation, urinalysis,
  microbiology, and immunochemistry
• Reagents, Standards, Controls, Consumables
• End User Training
• Maintenance Support
• Delivery Installation

17
Negotiated Terms under FSS 66 III

• Cost-per-Test (CPT) Prices
• Cost-per-Reportable-Result (CPRR) Pricing
• Incremental Analyzers
• Accessories / Options
• Geographic Coverage
• Billing Procedures
• Payment Terms

• Delivery Times / Terms
• Training
• Maintenance Support
• 24/7 Emergency Repairs
• Standard Business Hour Repairs Available
• Minimum Order
• Credit Card Acceptance Terms

18
Recurring Issues UnDer 66III

• Contractors add items to their contracts without
  the VA being notified (not acceptable)
• Contractors attempt to issue policy letter to
  facility they have contracts with (not
  acceptable)
• Contractors have not established their price list
  on GSA Advantage/eBuy (working with GSA to
  correct the problem)
• Price lists are available on the NAC Contract
  Catalog Search Tool

19
FSS 66 III Customer Responsibilities

• Adhere to the terms and conditions of the basic
  FSS contract
• Make timely payments
• Site Preparation
• Perform daily routine maintenance and cleaning
• Provide contractors access for service

20
FSS 66 III Customer Responsibilities

• Review pricelist and confirm pricing and terms
  and conditions prior to issuing task orders of
  BPAs
• Notify FSS Contracting Officers of any
  discrepancies or problems that occur with
  contractors
• Contact the contractors assigned VA Contracting
  Officer for clarification on any issue

21
Federal Supply Schedule 621 II

• REFERENCE LABOROTORY TESTING ANALYSIS SERVICES
• Includes
• Transportation of Specimens
• Performance of Tests Reporting of Test Results
• Consultative Services
• All Necessary Supplies
• Service and Maintenance (of communication
  equipment used to deliver test results)

22
Negotiated Terms under FSS 621 II

• Discount / Net Prices Per Test
• Turn Around Time (TAT)
• STAT Expedited Turn Around Time
• Holiday Charges
• Workweek
• Payment Credit Card Acceptance Terms
• Minimum Order
• Geographic Coverage

23
Ordering under FAR 8.405-2

• To the maximum extent practicable, agency
  requirements shall be performance-based
  statements (ref. FAR 8.405-2, (b))
• Pricing should be firm and fixed, unless
  otherwise justified by the CO issuing the order
• A set hourly rate is not a firm fixed price task
  order
• Firm fixed price means one set price to complete
  the entire project

24
Ordering under FAR 8.405-2

• Small business set asides are not permitted
• Ordering agencies may take credit for
  socio-economic status
• May consider socio-economic status when
  identifying contractor(s) for consideration
• Task orders (like BPAs) can extend beyond the
  term of the contract
• Provided there are option periods that (if
  exercised) would cover the term of the order
• Contact FSS Contracting Officer to ensure that
  the contract has been extended

25
Ordering under FAR 8.405-2

• Pursuant with FAR 8.405-2, all SOWs shall contain
  the following
• Location
• Period of Performance
• Deliverable Schedule
• Applicable Performance Standards
• Any Special Requirements
• Travel, Security Clearances, Special Knowledge,
  etc

26
Ordering under FAR 8.405-2

• Performance Work Statement (PWS)
• PWS can be prepared by the Government or
• Prepared by offeror in response the Government
  Statement of Objectives (S00)
• Measurable Performance Standards
• Method(s) of Accessing Performance
• Performance Incentives (where appropriate)
• In accordance with FAR Part 12
• To encourage competitors to develop and institute
  innovative and cost-effective methods of
  performing

27
Ordering under FAR 8.405-2

• Agencies shall, to the maximum extent
  practicable-
• Describe how work is to be accomplished
  and/or number of hours
• Enable Assessment of work performance vs.
  performance standards
• Use measurable performance standards and
  financial incentives
• To encourage competitors to develop and institute
  innovative and cost-effective methods of
  performing

28
Request for Quote Procedures

• Must provide RFQ to schedule holders that can
  meet the agencies needs.
• May be posted on GSA eBuy
• Meets full and open competition requirement
• Ordering Facilities shall provide a copy of the
  RFQ to any contractor that requests a copy of it.
• No need to synopsize on FedBizOpps

29
Request for Quote Procedures
Micro-Purchase Orders
30
Request for Quote Procedures
Orders above the Micro-Purchase Threshold, but
below the Maximum Order Limit
31
Request for Quote Procedures
Orders above the Maximum Order Limit
32
Evaluation

• In Accordance with the Evaluation Criteria
• Best Value Determination
• Trade-offs and other considerations
• Qualifications, Quality, Past Performance, etc
• Timely Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders
• If an unsuccessful bidder requests information on
  an award that was based on factors other than
  price alone, a brief explanation of the basis for
  the award decision shall be provided

33
Minimum Documentation

• Schedule Contracts Considered / Awardee(s)
• Description of Services Purchased
• Amount Paid
• Evaluation Methodology Used
• Rationale for Tradeoffs
• Price Reasonableness Determination
• Rationale for using other than firm-fixed pricing
  and/or performance based orders.

34
Additional Ordering Tips

• Provide a deadline for questions in your Request
  for Quotes (RFQ)
• Verify contract information in GSA eBuy /
  e-Library
• Hold contractors accountable for delivering
  services
• Termination for Cause Applies (FAR 8.406)
• Contact the FSS CO on any Contractor Performance
  Issues
• Ordering guidance is available on the FSS 621 I
  Help Desk Home Page
• CTA meets Government agency needs on orders by
  combining supplies and/or services from team
  members with separate FSS contracts

35
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME..

• For additional questions regarding VA/FSS
  contracts for services, please contact the FSS
  Service Branch Help Desk at
• 708-786-7722
• Or
• HelpDesk.FSS621I_at_va.gov