Sources Sought VA VISN 23 requires Dry Needling Training services in accordance with the draft Statement of Work (SOW) below. This is a sources sought/proof of capability solicitation looking for vendors to perform the services per the SOW for market research purposes. No awards of a contract will be made from this announcement. Identify your organization's socio-economic category. Â If you are a vendor that can complete the work described in the SOW with competitive pricing, please send your contact and organization information with a description of proof of capability to:
[email protected] on or before March 27th, 2024. *If applicable, VAAR Provision, 852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Veteran Owned Small-Businesses.* *If applicable, FAR Provision 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Small-Businesses.* STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL INFORMATION Title of Project: Interdisciplinary Dry Needling Training for VISN 23 2. Scope of Work: The purpose of this contract is to gain education and training in dry needling (FDN) for the VISN 23 Chiropractors, Physical Therapists (PT), and other Allied Health professionals as appropriate to scope of practice. The education and training shall be utilized by Chiropractic, Physical Therapy (PT), and other Allied Health professionals to provide high quality, evidence-based interventions for Veterans rehabilitation needs. The dry needling education and training will align with biopsychosocial pain management principles and will be provided by an accredited continuing education organization. This training shall include face-to-face training for hands on evaluation and treatment using dry needling. The instructor needs to be certified in dry needling training with supported continuing education units (CEUs) for each of the following disciplines: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Chiropractic. The VA will accept CEUs from the following agencies: Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Providers of Approved Continuing Education (PACE) American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education (JA IPCE) - includes ACCME, ANCC, APA, ASWB, AAPA, ACPE, COPE, ADA, and CDR as members. 3. Background: VISN 23 Physical Therapists and Chiropractors require training to increase access to dry needling as a treatment for Veterans. Dry needling is a treatment that applies monofilament needles to muscles, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous facia, and scar tissue and is typically used as an intramuscular procedure to myofascial trigger points. The clinical evidence suggests short term pain relief associated with this procedure. Vendor shall provide on-site dry needle training instruction to VISN 23 Physical Therapists and Chiropractors. The training shall be provided for up to 20 participants with a student ratio of one (1) teacher to no more than twenty (20) students. VA will provide 2 teaching assistants to assist the teacher in the training classes. VA will make every effort to provide teaching assistants who have completed their initial training using the same dry needling course provided. This training shall include: No less than 16 training hours and no more than 24 training hours. Each day training will include two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch. Standard VA operating hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, the VA is open to extended training hours as long as it is identified prior to training. Any additional hours will need to include additional breaks. Certification of dry needling competency at the end of the basic course. Education on how dry needling fits into a biopsychosocial pain management plan. Hands on training for large muscle groups. Continuing education credits equivalent to the entire training hours. Upon completion of the training course, practitioners must be competent to provide basic dry needling in the clinic. The VA considers competency requirement met when the students have had a passing level specific exam and the VA competency form has been completed and signed. 4. Performance Period: This Contract is effective from the date of award for a period of 1 year with 4 one- year renewal options. An annual review will be conducted by the CO, to determine if it is in the best interest of the Government to continue performance of the Contract. Potential Locations of Performance: The VA has the right to hold classes at any of the locations listed below. Notice will be given to the Contractor at time of scheduling which location will be used. Minneapolis One Veterans Drive  Minneapolis, MN 55417 Sioux Falls 2501 W. 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue  Omaha, NE 68105 Des Moines 3600 30th Street  Des Moines, IA 50310-5774 B. CONTRACT AWARD MEETING A twelve (12) week notice will be given to the Contractor ahead of the scheduled training date and at this time the Contractor shall provide a list of all equipment needed to deliver a complete and comprehensive training to all students in the class. Within six (6) weeks of training date, the instructor shall set up an online meeting with the VA COR to go over travel arrangements, location for training, supplies and the training material that will be provided to the students. C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Assigned/Dedicated Dry needling educator to provide a complete series of dry needling training courses to required staff. D. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES Task One: Initial Dry Needling Training Deliverable One: Training Materials Deliverable Two: CEU certificate Deliverable Three: Signed VA Competency Forms Task Two: Subsequent Dry Needling Training Deliverable One: Training Materials Deliverable Two: CEU certificate Deliverable Three: Signed VA Competency Forms Task Three: Remedial Training Deliverable One: Training Materials Deliverable Two: CEU certificate Deliverable Three: Signed VA Competency Forms Deliverable Four: Documentation providing confirmation that tasks previously failed have be adequately addressed and resolved. Task Four: Recertification Training Deliverable One: Training Materials Deliverable Two: CEU cert Deliverable Three: Signed VA Competency Forms Task Five: The contractor shall provide as needed consultation following the training course for up to 1 year. SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES Upon notice of scheduling a class, Contractor shall provide training material for review. Upon 30 days of training completion, contractor shall complete and sign the VA competency form, CEUs will be input, and training Certificates will be provided. I. TRAVEL Travel to be included in the training costs. Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with GSA rates for Per Diem, Airfares, Hotels and POV Mileage. Please use the following website to ensure compliance- https://www.gsa.gov/travel .Contractor shall submit all travel receipts with invoicing. If receipts are not received payment will not be issued for that cost. J. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Government will supply the physical space, audiovisual equipment (monitors/screens, projectors) and infection control supplies for the training. Supplies includes disposable gloves (variety of sizes), sharps containers, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer, all different needle types and sizes and linens. A support person will be available to assist instructor(s) in administrative and technical needs. K. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall Ensure that dry needling training is a part of a comprehensive multimodal approach to pain management. Provide staff testing prior to course completion with 90% proficiency. Offer CEUs as required in the Scope of Work. The contractor shall not include training that has not be approved by the VA COR. Traditional Eastern and medical acupuncture shall not be included in dry needling VA training. L. MISCELLANEOUS POLICY/HANDBOOKS The contractor shall be subject to the following policies, including any subsequent updates during the period of performance. a. VHA Directive 1192.01: Seasonal Influenza Prevention Program: https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=8948 b. Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) as amended: http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm COVID RELATED FACILITY ENTRANCE PROCEDURES Contract employees with be subject to COVID-related facility entrance procedures which includes testing and wearing appropriate face covering. Additional details will be provided by the site point of contact prior to arrival at the VA facility. BACKGROUND CHECK PROCEDURES The following process will be required for Tier 1 background checks of all personnel and all required forms are attached. Step by step for Tier 1 process: 1. Contractor selects an applicant. 2. Applicant goes to the PIV with Contractor / Employee Fingerprint Resource Form and gets fingerprints taken. 3. Applicant fills out OF 306, Contractor Background Investigation Request (CBIRE), and Self Certification of Continuous Service. 4. COR uploads the above forms into the VA On/Offboarding Service web site. 5. Applicant receives an email invite to the eAPP site and must complete the questionnaire within 7 days of receiving the invite. 6. COR, Contractor, and Applicant will receive notification of fingerprint (SAC) adjudication. 7. Upon completion of the eAPP and receipt of a favorable adjudication for fingerprints, COR, Contractor, and Applicant will receive a Transmittal Notice meaning that all required documents have been transmitted to the Background investigation department. 8. 3 to 5 days after the Transmittal Notice , the background investigation department will Schedule the investigation. 9. Once the investigation has been scheduled, the applicant can be Sponsored by a qualified PIV sponsor and go to the PIV office to receive their PIV card. Contractor Staff needs to fill out VHA SERVICE CENTER PIV SPONSORSHIP FORM #3.