federal supply schedules for medical staffing services and the mysteries of the service contract act...

Federal Supply Schedules for Medical Staffing ServicesFederal Supply Schedules for Medical Staffing ServicesAnd the Mysteries of the Service Contract Act (VA)And the Mysteries of the Service Contract Act (VA)

What is the FSS Program?What is the FSS Program?

• Listing of contracts to multiple companies supplying comparable commercial supplies and services.

• National contracts awarded to responsible vendors to provide supplies and services at established prices, terms and conditions.

GSA(All other

commodity/service groups)

NAC(Medical related Supplies/services)

Federal Supply Schedule Program

Authority – GSA delegated to Veterans Affairs National Acquisition Center the responsibility for the Federal Supply Schedule program for medical care related supplies, equipment, pharmaceuticals and services.

What is the FSS Program?What is the FSS Program?

Structure

• Product/Service Groups delineated by Federal Supply Class (FSC)/Product Service Codes (PSC).– 65 & 66 – medical-related– 621 – medical service-related

• Products/Services also further delineated by Special Item Numbers (SIN) and Subcategories.

Federal Supply Schedule Service Overview of the VA Schedules Program

Federal Supply Schedule Service Overview of the VA Schedules Program

65 I B - Drugs and Pharmaceutical-related Products

65 II A - Medical Equipment and Supplies65 II C - Dental Equipment and Supplies65 II F - Patient Mobility Devices65 V A - X-Ray Film, Equipment and Supplies65 VII - Diagnostic, Reagents, Test Kits and Sets66 III -Cost-Per-Test for Clinical Laboratory

Analyzers 621 I – Professional and Allied Healthcare

Staffing Services 621 II – Medical Laboratory Testing and Analysis

Services

Overview of VA Federal Supply Schedule Program


• Multiple Award Schedule• Open and Continuous Solicitation • IDIQ Contracts w/EPA• Contracts are 5 years w/5 option years

(except 65IB Pharmaceuticals)• Pre-negotiated Pricing & Terms• Electronic Tools – shared with GSA



Benefits for Contractors:

• Closely mirrors commercial buying practices.

• Streamlined contract vehicle for selling to the

entire Federal Government.

• New supplies/services may continually be introduced to the system.

Overview of VA Federal Supply Schedule Program Overview of VA Federal Supply Schedule Program

Benefits for Agencies:

• Prices have already been determined fair and reasonable.

• All ordering activities, large or small, even those in remote locations, are provided with quality service or product.

• Shorter lead-times, lower administrative costs.

INTRODUCTION TO FSS 621IINTRODUCTION TO FSS 621I

Services – Professional and Allied Healthcare Care Staffing:

• Provides customer with “on site” staffing options

• Sold commercially at hourly rates• 58 general categories of healthcare

occupations– Classified by Special Item Numbers (SINs)– Further broken down into sub-categories

(approximately 150 total)

FSS 621 I Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing ServicesFSS 621 I Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services

• Geographic Coverage• Past experience in state• Technical Evaluation• Malpractice of Insurance (at least $1

million per claim/$3 million aggregate)• Shared policies not accepted

FSS 621 I Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services


• Recruitment and Retention• Substitution/Replacement Policy• Corporate experience• Qualification of Personnel• Experience/License/Certifications• Past performance


Healthcare Staffing Services:• Physicians• Allied Healthcare

Service Geographic Scope:• Nationwide• State specific (at least one entire state)

FSS 621 I PROFESSIONAL & ALLIED HEALTHCARE STAFFING SERVICESFSS 621 I PROFESSIONAL & ALLIED HEALTHCARE STAFFING SERVICES

Supplemental and Per-Diem Staffing• Long Term Requirements• Day to Day Needs• Malpractice Insurance • Services Provided at Government

Healthcare Facilities• Over 280 contracts currently


Types of Labor Categories: Physicians/Surgeons Registered Nurses (General and Specialized) Pharmacists/Pharmacy Technicians Counseling Related Services Dental Radiologic Technology Medical Assistants and Technicians Ophthalmic Services

Physicians/Surgeons

Physicians/Surgeons• Registered Nurses (General and Specialized)

Radiologic Technology


Negotiated Terms under FSS 621I:

• FSS Net Ceiling PriceHourly “Not to Exceed” Rates Excludes travel and lodging

• Shift DifferentialsNights, Evenings and Weekends• Holiday Rates (all federal holidays)


• Overtime Rates• Payment Terms• Minimum Order• Minimum Qualifications• Background Investigation Levels• Credit Card Acceptance (above the

micro-purchase threshold)• Work Week• On-Call/Call Back Terms



• For Services - Customer Ordering Procedures FAR 8.405-2 applies

• Requires Statement of Work (SOW)

SOW shall contain the following:• Location• Period of Performance• Deliverable Schedule• Applicable performance standards• Any special requirements (ex. Travel, security

clearances, special knowledge and etc.)

Ordering under FAR 8.405-2Ordering 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

Ordering under FAR 8.405-2Ordering 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 BPA’s) 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

• Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) - meets Government agency needs on orders by combining supplies and/or services from team members with separate FSS contracts

FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

$392.9 $448.0 $529.1

44% VA 48% VA 60% VA

56% OGA 52% OGA 40% OGA



FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

Nursing $ 107.9 $ 117.0 $ 126.4

LPN/NP/PA $ 36.1 $ 36.3 $ 43.9

MA / CNA / Surg Tech $ 25.9 $ 35.1 $ 44.0

Radiological Technology $ 18.1 $ 20.0 $ 24.0


(Dollars are in millions)

FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

Internal Med $ 24.2 $ 29.6 $ 34.1

Radiologist $ 27.7 $ 31.6 $ 32.0

General Family Practice $ 19.5 $ 19.9 $ 20.3

Pharmacist/Pharm Tech $ 32.4 $ 35.1 $ 39.5

Opthalmic Services $ 1.1 $ 1.4 $ 1.5

ER $ 15.9 $ 19.8 $ 25.0


FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

Anesthesiologist $ 11.3 $ 15.0 $ 18.4

Psych/Counseling Related Services $ 4.5 $ 6.7 $ 10.3

Therapists/Assistants-Occupational/

Respiratory/Physical $ 9.0 $ 12.0 $ 19.3

Clinical Lab Science/ Medical Technology $ 7.7 $ 9.1 $ 13.0

Dental/Related Dental Services $ 2.8 $ 2.6 $ 3.1

All Other Prof & Allied $ 38.4 $ 60.0 $ 79.0


• Service Contract Act/Fair Labor Standard Act Requirements– Requires contractors and subcontractors performing federal service

contracts over $2,500 to observe minimum wages, health and welfare fringe benefits and other employment standards

– Applicable for all allied healthcare labor categories wages

– Managed nationally under the basic FSS contract


Requirements of SCARequirements of SCA

• Service Contract Act:• SCA became effective in January 1966

and amended in 1972 and 1976• SCA is the most recent of government

contract labor standard laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

• Payment of FLSA minimum wage for federal service contracts of $2,500 or less is $6.55 per hr. Effective 7/24/09 will increase to $7.25.

Requirements of SCARequirements of SCA

• Most Federal service contracts in excess of $2,500 must contain the labor standards clauses and:– Minimum monetary wages and fringe benefits

determined by the Secretary of Labor

– Record keeping - Posting requirements

– Safety and health provisions (29 CFR 1925)

– Statement of rates paid to Federal employees

– Definition of Service Contract (FAR 22.1001)• Principal purpose – furnish services in U.S.• Exemptions (FAR 22.1003)

– Definition of Service Employee - contracts(29 CFR Part 541)

– Coverage by subcontractors


• 3 General Categories– High-level professionals (Physicians)

(Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and Service Contract Act (SCA) do not apply

– Mid-level professionals (Pharmacists, RN’s) (FLSA and SCA do apply)

– Lower-level professionals (Nursing, Dental Assistants, other) (FLSA and SCA do apply)

Professional Exemption?Professional Exemption?

• Concept:– Identify commercial occupations– Requirements of SCA Incorporated at the National

Level– Incorporate DoL Wage Determinations (WD) into

FSS at national contract level– Update wages annually on FY– All Orders, BPAs and Option Periods– Cross walk commercial occupations to SCA

Occupational Index Codes

SolutionsSolutions



• October 1, 2006 – SCA Clauses Incorporated into Sch 621I• January 1, 2007 – US DoL WD’s incorporated into FSS

nationwide• US DoL WD’s and Health & Welfare fringe benefits are

updated each year anniversary date of October lst

(FAR 22.1007)

FSS 621I Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services


October lst Each Fiscal Year:• All FSS 621I Contracts are modified at the FSS Contract

Level to incorporate the updated SCA WD’s and H&W benefits

• The new SCA rates are effective from October lst through September 30th for all new task orders

• WD’s in effect on October lst apply for the entire year (even if the WD is revised by the Department of Labor (DOL) during the Fiscal Year)

• For existing orders, the new SCA rates/WD’s will be effective the next option is exercised

• The new SCA rates are effective from October lst through September 30th for all new task orders

• effectiveOctober lst each fiscal year SCA updated on all FSS 621I Contracts are modified at the FSS Contract Level



• For existing orders, the new SCA rates/WD’s will be effective the next option is exercised

• The WD’s in effect October lst applies once the option is exercised - until the next option period.

• FSS 621I Solicitation is amended to incorporate the new updated WD’s/H&W

The Challenges of Where We Have Been

The Challenges of Where We Have Been

• Industry– Updating Systems– Pricing

• Educating Customers– Resistance

• Price Adjustments addressed - identifying parallel categories

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• Educating Customers• Price Adjustments• Timing of Orders• Consistency



Educating our Customers:• Recommend CO to compare the

functional descriptions of the work with SCA Directory of Occupations

• Ensure consistency with FSS matches• If found inconsistent recommend: Federal Acquisition Part 22.10 SCA Director of Occupations (5th ed) Federal Classification and Job Grading Systems DOL Wage Determinations Online DOL Agency Labor Advisors DOL SCA Library



How to obtain assistance with SCA:• FSS 621I Help Desk Home Page• Current WD’s available for download• 621I Labor Category Classification

Published• Other SCA Guidance• DOL Emergency Wage Determination

Hotline: 202-693-0073

What is Next?What is Next?

• A team has been formed to establish consistency across the MAS Program in the application of SCA

• Team intends to update policies and procedures

• New proposed CSP disclosures

Federal Supply Schedule 66 III 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”

Federal Supply Schedule 66 III 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

**outright purchase of equipment is under GSA Schedule 66IIN

Negotiated Terms under FSS 66 IIINegotiated 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

TrainingDelivery Times / Terms

Maintenance & Support 24/7 Emergency

Repairs Standard Business

Hour Repairs Available

Minimum Order Credit Card Acceptance

Terms

Federal Supply Schedule 621 IIFederal 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)

Reference Laboratory 621 II Negotiated termsReference Laboratory 621 II Negotiated terms

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

FSS Service – Point of ContactsFSS Service – Point of Contacts

Help Desk708-786-7722

[email protected]

FSS Service – Point of ContactsFSS Service – Point of Contacts

Dore FesslerAssistant Director for FSS(708) 786-5223

Linda SmithSchedule Manager621 I – Professional and Allied Healthcare Staffing Services(708) 786-5194

Andrew MorganSchedule Manager66 II – Cost Per Test621 II – Medical Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services (708) 786-4950

Assistance for FSS Supply Contracts

Assistance for FSS Supply Contracts

Help Desk Assistance• Supply Contracts• 708-786-7737

[email protected]

FSS – Supply Point of ContactsFSS – Supply Point of Contacts

Paul SkalmanAssistant Director for FSS(708) 786-5247

Monee RobinsonSchedule Manager – 65IIA Medical Equipment & Supplies(708) 786-5183

FSS – Supply Point of ContactsFSS – Supply Point of Contacts

Cheryl Ward-RobertsAssistant Director for FSS (708) 786-5259

Lynda O’NeilSchedule Manager65IIC – Dental Equipment & Supplies65 II F - Patient Mobility Devices(708) 786-4958

William SatterfieldSchedule Manager65 I B - Drugs and Pharmaceutical-related Products65 VII - Diagnostic, Reagents, Test Kits and Sets(708) 786-4955

Federal Supply Schedule ServiceFederal Supply Schedule Service

Carole O’BrienDirector, Federal Supply Schedule Service(708) 786-4957

federal supply schedules for medical staffing services and the mysteries of the service contract act...

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