G004--Community Based Care Services VAGLAHS HUD-VASH Case Management Staff 20x Positions

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT 1. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research purposes only, to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), including Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), interested and capable of providing Contract Social Workers, per paragraph five (5) below, for the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). 2. The NAICS for this requirement is 561320, Temporary Help Services. The product service code is G004, Social Social Rehabilitation. 3. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice no later than May 17th, 2022 by providing the following via email only to solly.kim@va.gov. (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone and email of primary point of contact (e) UEI

number (f) A capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described in paragraph 5 below. Respondents are also encouraged to provide specific examples (e.g. contract number, point of contact information) of the Contractor s experience providing the same or similar services described in paragraph 5 below. 4. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents are encouraged to provide proof of registration in the Veteran Information Pages at https://www.va.gov/osdbu/. Further, SDVOSB and VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. 5. Required Services. The Contractor shall provide ten (10) Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and ten (10) unlicensed Associate Clinical Social Workers (ACSW) in support of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System s (VAGLAHS) Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS) department. The Housing and Urban Development and Veteran Supportive Services (HUD-VASH) is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless Veterans aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans who are residing in stable housing through HUD s Section 8 voucher system. The contract social workers shall function as the primary case manager for Veterans residing in the HUD-VASH Tenet Based Voucher (TBV) program and Project-Based Housing program and serves as a liaison between the housing authority, property management, and the VA. Contract social workers shall provide social work services in any area of assignment within the VAGLAHS HUD-VASH program including the Project-Based Voucher Program and Community Tenant-Based Voucher Program. Contract social workers primary focus shall be on Veteran care. Contract social workers shall be directed to the needs of Veterans confronted with crisis, homelessness, substance abuse, life-threatening illnesses, traumatic losses, chronic diseases, and/or disabilities including chronic mental illness. This includes social and environmental concerns that can cause challenges in participating in treatment or impede the Veteran s success and healthy living. The social worker functions within the policies of VAGLAHS and shall perform the following duties: Provide housing-search assistance by locating suitable housing in the community and at project-based voucher locations. Provide and document housing-related advice to Veterans Participate in scheduled meetings to review and evaluate the services provided to our Veterans Coordinate with other stakeholders in the VAGLAHS CERS Service including Transitional Housing, Community Resource, and Referral Center (CRRC), Domiciliary, Employment Services, Quality Management, and the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACT) Clinic. Comply with VA and VAGLAHS information and security policy and procedures. Utilize clinical judgment in the assessment of patients problems and strengths. Complete assessments and other documentation as required, including psychosocial assessments and assessments as needed per program regulations. Establish and maintain professional relationships with Veterans and significant others. Develop, coordinate, and carry out treatment plans, as appropriate, under the direction of the HUD-VASH Supervisor. Document and report suspected cases of abuse within the required timeframe and in conjunction with a discussion with the designated HUD-VASH Supervisor. Mobilize VA and community resources on behalf of Veterans and inform Veterans and/or their families about these resources. Interview Veterans/families to assess resources needed in the areas of housing, financial assistance, extended-care facility placement, transportation, home help, support groups, respite, day healthcare, day treatment programs, legal aid, and other services. Complete clinical reminders, encounters, and progress notes at each encounter with the Veteran. Complete the Suicide Risk assessment for at-risk patients. Complete/close all assigned consults. Under the direction of the VASH Supervisor, coordinate and oversee the process for placement into community nursing homes, rehabilitation programs, substance-abuse programs, emergency shelters, board and care facilities, homeless transitional housing programs, the Domiciliary, and other various VA and community programs location. Assist Veterans with maintaining permanent housing at the individual desired location. Assist patients and families with identified psychosocial needs, patient/family resistance, or complex problems. Communicate verbally and in writing with members of the interdisciplinary team regarding the patient s plans and resource linkages. Work with community resources to clarify and expand their services for VAGLAHS patients/families. Maintain and update resource files in assigned area of community resource needs such as transportation, meal programs, housing/shelters, adult day care, support groups, Department of Public Social Services, extended care facilities, and other resources as required by VAGLAHS. Document patient-care activities in VAGLAHS Medical Records in accordance with Departmental standards and VA policies. Perform other ancillary duties as requested by the designated social work lead and/or the CERS Clinical or Administrative Directors. Communicate with staff at other VA facilities and community agencies. With the consent of the Veteran, provide needed medical/psychosocial information to support referrals for continuity of care. Share information about resources with the team and other CERS and Medical Center Staff. Comply with the VAGLAHS Medical Center and Care Line directives, procedures, policies, and statistical requirements. Complete incident reports, inquiries/controlled correspondences, and reports when requested and with the support and guidance of the designated social work lead. Participate in VA stand-downs during regular assigned tour of duty, when requested. Performs other related duties as assigned. 5.2. Contract social workers shall meet the following qualifying criteria. 5.2.1. LCSWs shall meet the following qualifying criteria: Hold a Master s Degree in Social Work granted by a graduate program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Be independently licensed at the Advanced Practice level and has the experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Have successfully completed a master's degree in social work and at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice validated license by a state Board of Behavioral Science. Have prior social work experience, preferably working in a healthcare facility setting. Be licensed through the State of California s Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) at the Advanced Practice level. License must be current and unencumbered. Proof must be provided prior to their first assignment, and at their licensure renewal date. This also applies to any other required certificates. Have the ability to clearly write and converse in English, using correct grammar and enunciation. Have the ability to use computers for basic word processing functions, e.g., Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel. Be knowledgeable of the State of California Welfare Programs. Have an understanding of human behavior and the impact of the illness on the Veteran and family. Possess working knowledge of medical and psychiatric diagnostic treatment and procedural terminology. Have the ability to relate to individuals from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Have a basic understanding of VAGLAHS social service role, housing-first model, harm reduction, and homeless services within the VAGLAHS catchment area. Be knowledgeable of community resources and how to access these resources. Have excellent time management skills and how to prioritize assignments to ensure work is completed in a timely manner and by the deadline despite having a heavy workload. Have the ability to work independently on assignments with frequent interruptions and distractions. Have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with CERS staff, other VAGLAHS staff, and community partners. Have the ability to relate to patients, families, staff, and community groups in a professional and humanistic manner. Possess a current, valid, and unencumbered California Driver s license because it is necessary to drive to provide services to Veterans in the community. 5.2.2. Associate Clinical Social Workers (ACSW) shall meet the following qualifying criteria: 5.2.2.1. Be supervised by an independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member who has access to CPRS. 5.2.2.1. Possess a Master s Degree in Social Work granted by a graduate program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 5.2.2.3. Possess prior social work experience preferably working in a health-related setting. 5.2.2.4. Have the ability to clearly write and converse in English, using correct grammar and enunciation. 5.2.2.5. Have the ability to use computers for basic word processing functions, e.g., Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel. 5.2.2.6. Be knowledgeable of the State of California Welfare Programs. 5.2.2.7. Have an understanding of human behavior and the impact of the illness on the Veteran and family. 5.2.2.8. Have working knowledge of medical and psychiatric diagnostic treatment and procedural terminology. 5.2.2.9. Have the ability to relate to individuals from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. 5.2.2.10. Have a basic understanding of VAGLAHS social service role, housing-first model, harm reduction, and homeless services within the VAGLAHS catchment area. 5.2.2.11. Be knowledgeable of community resources and how to access these resources. 5.2.2.12. Have excellent time management skills and how to prioritize assignments to ensure work is completed in a timely manner and by the deadline despite having a heavy workload. 6. The intended contract period will be for a five (5) year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with the period of performance anticipated to be from September 1, 2022 August 31, 2027. 7. Please note that if VA s pending market research establishes that two or more VOSB or SDVOSB, who are certified in VA s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) can perform the required services, the VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. --End of Sources Sought Announcement--