Q--Transitional Housing for the Lexington VA Medical Center

THIS IS A PRE-SOLICIATION NOTICE The Department of Veterans Affairs, Lexington, KY VA Medical Center is preparing to issue a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for: Transitional Housing Services for the Lexington VA Medical Center SET-ASIDE: Unrestricted NAICS: 623220 Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD: $16.5 Million Type of Contract: A firm-fixed price, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a period of performance of 01/01/2020 through 12/31/2024 with ordering periods. The anticipated contract type will be a Firm Fixed-Price IDIQ. The solicitation will be posted to Contract Opportunities website https://beta.sam.gov/ on or about November 15, 2019. This date is subject to change. Furnish transitional housing for the beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center near the location of the VA Health Care System, 1101 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY

40502-2235. Provide safe housing, food, and basic living skills to homeless Veterans. Contract is for Five Ordering Periods. A. PURPOSE The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center ("VA") requires contractors to provide services as part of its Community Based Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. The goal of the HCHV program is to remove homeless Veterans from the street or habitation unfit for Veterans and place them in community-based, residential environments with sufficient therapeutic services to meet the needs of those Veterans. B. BACKGROUND The HCHV program is vital for providing a gateway to VA and community-based supportive services for eligible Veterans who are homeless. This includes ensuring that chronically homeless Veterans or Veterans experiencing homelessness can be placed in community-based programs that provide quality housing and services. Through the HCHV program, VA provides supportive services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain offers from contractors who can provide temporary housing in a community-based Contracted Emergency Residential Services (CERS). The contractor would provide case management services to Veterans with the goal of permanent housing. The contractor s facilities are to provide transitional housing including services on an all-inclusive rate and must be located within .3 miles of a Lextran KY bus stop. The contractor shall furnish services to beneficiaries from whom such care is specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) at the VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY. It is understood that the type of Veterans to be cared for under this contract will normally require care and services over and above the level of room and board. Homeless Veterans may have ongoing mental illness, substance abuse issues, and medical issues. The contractor will be required to provide a low-barrier therapeutic milieu and attendant services targeting the underlying factors contributing to homelessness. The facility will not be used for detoxification or other hospital level treatment. The Facility must be ADA compliant for at least six residents. C. REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall furnish each Veteran authorized care under this contract with the following basic services: Room and board, adequate size room to include a bed, pillow, and other furnishings such as a dresser, storage, and linen for the bed, (towels, pillow cases, bed sheets and mattress cover). Food for three (3) nutritionally adequate meals a day, 7- days- a- week and availability of nutritious snacks between meals and bedtime for those requiring or desiring additional food, when it is not medically contraindicated. The addition of nutritious snacks to the requirements for room and board is particularly indicated for homeless patients. Many of these Veterans are either undernourished or have developed poor eating habits or both, often due to chronic psychiatric disorder and/or substance abuse behaviors. (The local VA dietitian may consult with the initial inspection team and the team making subsequent assessments, in evaluating not only the printed menus but also the Veteran s satisfaction with meals and the actual consumption of food offered.) For definition of nutritionally adequate and guidance on amounts of each food group per Veteran provided, see http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ Access to refrigerator and microwave. Contractor will develop a receipt of food provided to the Veterans and have it signed upon delivery by one resident, with a basic list of what was provided. This receipt will be presented upon request by the COR/Case Manager. Laundry facilities for residents to do their own laundry or to have laundry done, which will include laundry detergent and dryer sheets/fabric softener. The number of beds required is a minimum of 4 and up to 20. The contractor should have at least 16 available beds. Contractor should be able to house at least one female Veteran. Female Veterans must be housed separately from male Veterans. Case management services goals should be clearly documented in an Individual Service Plan (ISP) developed by the contractor with input from the Veteran and the VA HCHV caseworker or designee. The ISP must include permanent housing goals and objectives to reach the goal. It is the responsibility of the contractor to assist the Veteran in housing search and make referrals to the community to obtain housing. The ISP will be developed within 72 hours of admission for each Veteran. There will be an expectation that proper documentation verifying services and case management efforts will be placed in Veteran s file. The notes are to be written professionally in a format that utilizes the clear settings of goals and documents progress towards these goals. Services, which the contractor must include: Structured group activities and individual instruction examples include group therapy, social skills training, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Vocational Counseling and Physical Activities as appropriate. Every other week collaboration with VA program staff to include supportive psychosocial services and review of goals from the ISP. Assistance to develop responsible living patterns, to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene and grooming, and to achieve a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning, upgraded social skills, and improved personal relationships. Support for an alcohol/drug abuse-free lifestyle provided in an environment conducive to social interaction and the fullest development of the resident's rehabilitative potential. Assistance to gain and to apply knowledge of the illness/recovery process in an environment supportive of recovery models. A program that promotes community interaction. New residents shall be provided upon admission with an orientation to the facility. Orientation shall include: showing Veterans where laundry services are located, introduction to staff at facility, phone numbers for information if staff are not available and number for program manager, requirements of program (e.g. no alcohol/drugs on grounds, no violence, no threats, etc.), how Veteran gets food, supplies, bedding, towels, transportation and a discussion of treatment services. Develop clear rules regarding behavior of residents with an avenue to discuss any disputes. Contractor residential rules are to be developed by the contractor and reviewed and agreed upon with VA staff. Ensure all house rules are in writing. Language must be in English and Spanish for explanations during orientation. Pest management plan will be developed and include the following specifications: scheduled plan of on-going maintenance, treatment schedule, prevention measures, and responsibilities of contractor to address pest control issues Contractor will designate a staff member(s) to enroll and complete the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) training. Designated staff person will enter Veteran information as required into HMIS database (if Veteran signs Release of Information). Contractor must participate in Continuum of Care and be an active member of the Continuum of Care. No further information will be provided prior to posting of the RFQ. The point of contact for this pre-solicitation notice is Craig Ziegemeier, Contracting Officer, at Craig.Ziegemeier@va.gov.