Certified Low Vision Therapist Services The Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC), on behalf of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison VA Hospital), 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, Wisconsin 53705 (hereinafter called VA), intends to issue a sole source one-year contract to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Inc., 754 Williamson Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 (hereinafter called the Council) pursuant to VETERANS FIRST procurement IAW 38 USC 8127, Public Law 109-461 section 502 and VAAR 819.7007; and to 38 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The VA has an immediate need to contract for an individual possessing an active, current, full and unrestricted certification as a Low Vision Therapists (CLVT). The certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP). The individual must also hold a bachelor s degree (from an accredited college or university with a major field of study) in blind or vision rehabilitation, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care. The VA has attempted to hire its own CLVTs through two recent recruitment announcements, but was unsuccessful in both cases. The VA is preparing for its Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) reaccreditation. However, to obtain this accreditation, the VA is required to have a Certified Low Vision Therapist providing low vision services on-site. Madison VA Hospital has been without a Certified Low Vision Therapist for over two years and has been aggressively recruiting for this position; without success. These services are available on a very limited basis nationally. The services are currently being provided by VA s Low Vision Optometrist. Based on market research, no Veteran Owned Small Business were identified that can provide Certified Low Vision Therapists. The GSA eLibrary and FBO.gov were researched and no vendors were identified that could provide this service in the Madison area. Other sources have been sought out such as the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics without success as they do not have a Low Vision program offered at their facility. No other source for this uniquely qualified clinical specialist is available. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is positioned to offer a uniquely qualified, skilled and certified Low Vision Therapist who can satisfy the VA s need to complete its continuum of rehabilitative care for visually impaired Veterans. The Council is a private, non-for-profit agency. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) in the Ophthalmology Section of the Surgical Service. Administers scores and interprets a variety of coping skills tests. Evaluate patient's physical, mental, emotional, social, and vocational capabilities to assess the need for treatment and services. Administer tests for patients with severe vision-related problems. Maintain professional currency in testing procedures and practices and introduces new methods. Observe patients during trial assignments to confirm initial assessment. Develop treatment plans and recommend pertinent services using the patient's assessment and physician's/nurse's orders. Develop intermediate and long-term goals and objectives with each patient. Work Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday / four hours per day The Council is the only contractor that has the resources (manpower, experience, technical/operational knowledge and proper certification) to perform the critical mission for the one-year contract. The service provider has provided these services at the VA in previous years and will not require any training for the VISTA or CPRS VA systems. Sources interested in responding to this notice are required to submit a capability statement that includes experience and certifications. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed with a sole source contract. Responses to this announcement must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer no later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time, November 30, 2017 to the following email address:
[email protected]. Please include in the subject line: Response to Sole Source CLVT. No other form of communication will be accepted.