Letter of Clarification #1

Transcription

1 Letter of Clarification #1 To: All Vendors/Contractors: From: Frances Otto, Buyer II Cc: Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator Cc: Nina Cook, MBA, CPPB, Purchasing Manager Date: May 26, 2016 SUBJECT: Response for Vendor Questions regarding-proposal- Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage For the benefit of all prospective vendors and to avoid possible confusion in submitting information for Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage, the following questions were asked via and the answers are as follows: 1) Question(s): Please provide the $ Amount Spent and Number of Placements on Psychiatric Placement Services in the most recent twelve (12) Month Period, for which this data is available. Please indicate by Specialty, and please indicate by Harris Center Clinic and Program: Psychiatrists Physician s Assistants Advanced Nurse Practitioners Answer(s): Amount Spent - The dollar amount can be submitted after Contract is awarded for this RFP through the formal written Open Record Request. Text of the Texas Public Information Act 2014 Public Information Handbook Office of the Attorney General Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder. A formal written Open Record Request may be requested after Contract is awarded for this RFP. Number of Placements Psychiatrists - 1 Physician s Assistants - 0 Advanced Nurse Practitioners - 0 2) Question(s): Please provide the $ Amount Spent and Number of Hours on Locum Tenens Coverage in the most recent twelve (12) Month Period, for which this data is available. Please indicate by Specialty, and please indicate by Harris Center Clinic and Program: Psychiatrists Physician s Assistants Advanced Nurse Practitioners Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 1

2 Answer(s): Amount Spent - The dollar amount can be submitted after Contract is awarded for this RFP through the formal written Open Record Request. Text of the Texas Public Information Act 2014 Public Information Handbook Office of the Attorney General Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder. A formal written Open Record Request may be requested after Contract is awarded for this RFP. Number of Hours Psychiatrists 209 hours Physician s Assistants 0 hours Advanced Nurse Practitioners 0 hours 3) Question(s): Of the Psychiatrists utilized for Locum Tenens Coverage in the most recent twelve (12) Month Period, for which this data is available, what percent were Residents? Answer(s): 0% of the Psychiatrists utilized for Locum Tenens Coverage in the most recent twelve (12) months were Residents. 4) Question(s): Are the Job Orders for the Physician s Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners interchangeable, meaning if the Job Order is for a Physician s Assistant, can we staff an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and visa versa? Answer(s): The Job Orders for the Physician s Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners are not interchangeable unless instructed by The HARRIS CENTER when we place an order. 5) Question(s): For this contract, are Advanced Nurse Practitioners required to be licensed in the population focus area of Psychiatric/Mental Health? Or, are they able to be licensed in a population focus area other than Psychiatric/Mental Health? Answer(s): The Advanced Nurse Practitioners need the Psychiatric specialty. 6) Question(s): Page 1 of the RFP, is written, The community standard for patient care is approximately patients per day. This averages to 19.2 minutes per patient. Are there different standards for initial assessment visits with new patients versus visits of existing patients, and if so, what are those standards? Answer(s): Yes, one (1) hour for initial assessments and minutes for existing. 7) Question(s): Page 9 of RFP, Insurance Standards. Item 3 is written, Business Automobile if transporting our consumers. Does this RFP require that our Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners transport consumers? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER will not require Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners to transport consumers. 8) Question(s): Page 10 of the RFP is written, Contractor must submit a current Certificate of Insurance Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 2

3 signed by Contractor and Contractor s Insurance Agent with all Pricing. Other than the Certificate of Insurance, what else do we need to submit to be compliant with this specification? On our Certificates of Insurance, the Authorized Agent from the Insurance Company signs, but we have never signed. To be compliant with this specification, is it necessary that we also sign the Certificate of Insurance? Answer(s): Please refer to page twelve (12), Section VII of the RFP to see what else do we need to submit to be compliant with this specification. It is not required to sign the Certificate of Insurance by the contractor. Below is what is specified in the contract for the Certificate of Insurance: The policies, coverages and endorsements required by this provision shall be shown on a Certificate of Insurance on which the Agency must be listed as an Additional Insured party (excluding professional liability) and the Certificate Holder and which should be furnished to the Agency prior to the commencement of this Agreement. All such insurance shall be secured and maintained with an insurance company, or companies, licensed to do business in the State of Texas. The Agency may withhold payments under the terms of this Agreement until the Contractor furnishes the Agency copies of all Certificates of Insurance from the insurance carrier, or carriers, showing that such insurance is in full force and effect. 9) Question(s): Page 11 of the RFP, in the Proposal Evaluation Criteria, refers to Credentialing. Page 13 of the RFP specifies, that vendors must meet criteria for Medical Staff privileges and credentialing. Please specify the specific criteria for Medical Staff privileges and credentialing. for The Harris Center, for each Specialty: Psychiatrists Physician s Assistants Advanced Nurse Practitioners Answer(s): The criteria for Medical Staff privileges and credentialing will be the same for all three specialties. Primary source verification of licenses and education and checks completed as to no sanctions. 10) Question(s): Once a vendor submits all required credentials to The Harris Center, what is the Timeframe for The Harris Center to approve the Psychiatrist, Physician Assistant, and/or Advanced Nurse Practitioner? Answer(s): The timeframe depends on the assignment. If in an outpatient clinic or at the PES, it could be a week. If at a criminal facility, it could take up to three (3) weeks. 11) Question(s): Page 12 of the RFP: Are we to complete the Not to Participate Form, Attachment D, even if we do intend to respond? Answer(s): Yes, Please refer to page seven (7), Section I - We ask that prospective contractor(s)/vendor(s) who respond to the Request for Proposal invitation whether they can or cannot provide products, supplies and/or service(s) outline in the RFP complete the Not to Participate form. 12) Question(s): Page 13 of the RFP, Performance Targets, is written that, Contractor will submit data by close of business on Monday for preceding week. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 3

4 Other than the submission of Reports and Progress Notes, what other data is the Contractor to submit by close of business on Monday for preceding week? Answer(s): The only other data the Contractor would submit is a signed timesheet to the vendor and a copy to The HARRIS CENTER HR Department. 13) Question(s): Page 14, Pricing Matrix: What is the Average Number of Calls received on a night of On Call? Regarding the 24 Hour Day, is the vendor staff on site the entire time, OR is the vendor staff allowed to be off-site but on call? Answer(s): The Average Number of Calls received on a night of On Call is unknown. It is unknown if the vendor staff is to be onsite the entire time or allowed to be offsite but on call during a 24 Hour Day. 14) Question(s): Page 38, Reimbursement Fee. Do the reasonable interview and travel expenses, include hotel stays for Permanent Placement candidates who are making on-site visits? Answer(s): Yes, the reasonable interview and travel expenses, include hotel stays for Permanent Placement candidates who are making on-site visits. 15) Question(s): Page 41, HUB Subcontracting Plan If we do not intend to use Subcontractors, do we still complete this Form as part of our RFP Response? Answer(s): Yes, Please refer to page five (5), Section L If your firm is not certified, please submit Attachment B, if you intend to subcontract services. If not, write none on attachment B and submit it. 16) Question(s): Pages 27-36, Attachment A, Standard Professional Services Contract: Page 27, Representations. Please provide the link to the applicable policies with which vendors must comply, of the HHSC Community Services Standards Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services as specified by the Agency Quality Management Department. Page 28, Training. Please provide a current list of Training Requirements required of all contractor personnel. Page 28, Training. Please specify the Number of Hours required for each of the Training Requirements. Page 30, Payment. Our billing is done weekly. Can we bill you weekly or are vendors only allowed to bill monthly? Page 31, No Guarantee of Utilization. Please explain this statement: Consumers shall choose freely between providers. Page 31, Contract Rate Change Clause. What are the reasons that a Contracted Rate would change? Is this clause giving The Harris Center the ability to change a Contracted Rate in the middle of a contract? Page 33 (3) (d), Term and Termination. To what specific Texas license and/or certification is this referring? Answer(s): Page 27, Representations. Quality Management outlines the policies which apply to a program before and after a specific program is contracted. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 4

5 Page 28, Training. NEO New Employee Orientation is required. NEO lasts 4 days during the first week of employment. Also, online training as dictated by TAC is required. Page 28, Training. This is not-applicable. Page 30, Payment. Weekly billing is acceptable. Page 31, No Guarantee of Utilization. - The consumer can request services from a certain provider if they prefer. Page 31, Contract Rate Change Clause. - This applies if there is a mandated rate change from the State. Page 33 (3) (d), Term and Termination. - This statement refers to Medical License and/or applicable certifications required by the state of Texas. 17) Question(s): Would you be willing to work with mental health clinicians (psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, etc.) via telemedicine? Answer(s): At this time we will not be considering telemedicine for this service. 18) Question(s): Would you be willing to use an online platform where medical professionals competitively bid on the jobs posted by your facility. Only credentialed and validated healthcare facilities can use the platform. The rates charged by medical professionals are provided by the medical professionals themselves when they competively bid on the jobs posted by your facility on the platform. Answer(s): This would not be appropriate for us at this time. 19) Question(s): How many clinics will be included under this contract? What are the location addresses? Answer(s): There are 4 Outpatient clinics located in northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast Harris County. There is also the Harris County Jail located in downtown Houston and Psychiatric Emergency Services located in the Houston Medical Center. 20) Question(s): Does the HUB and MWDBE apply to this contract? Answer(s): Please reference page five (5), Sections L and M. This agency shall make a good faith effort to utitlize Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB S) and Minority/Women and/or Disadvantaged Businesses (M/W/DBE s) in contracts for construction, services (including professional and consulting services), and commodities contracts. 21) Question(s): How often does a vendor have to give an oral presentation? Answer(s): On occasion a vendor will be called to make an oral presentation for further clarification. 22) Question(s): Can changes be made to any language? (I.e. Indemnification, insurance, invoicing, etc.) Answer(s): The contract language is non-negotiable. However, if there are any deviations regarding the contract language, complete and submit the deviation page with their proposal to the RFP. 23) Question(s): If awarded, can we withdraw our proposal without penalty, if we can t agree to terms/conditions? Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 5

6 Answer(s): Yes, The HARRIS CENTER would not move forward with the contract. (Unless it states that there is a penalty in the RFP.) 24) Question(s): Do the hourly rates need to include travel/lodging expenses? Answer(s): Yes, the hourly rates need to include travel/lodging expenses. 25) Question(s): Regarding deviations, do we need to include those in our proposal or discuss after award? Answer(s): Deviations must be submitted with the RFP not after award. 26) Question(s): Regarding Licensure, what exact items are you looking for? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER requires copies of medical licenses, DEA and DPS licensure plus evidence of primary source verification. 27) Question(s): When asking for Physician Assistants/Advanced Nurse Practitioners, do they need to have experience in Psychiatry or just primary care? Answer(s): Physician Assistants/Advanced Nurse Practitioners need to have experience in Psychiatry. 28) Question(s): How many vendors will be awarded? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER reserves the right to award multiple vendors. The number of vendors is undetermined at this time. 29) Question(s): What is the annual budget for this contract? Answer(s): The dollar amount can be submitted after Contract is awarded for this RFP through the formal written Open Record Request. Text of the Texas Public Information Act 2014 Public Information Handbook Office of the Attorney General Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder. A formal written Open Record Request may be requested after Contract is awarded for this RFP. 30) Question(s): How many current needs do you have? What specialties? Answer(s): At this time, we do not have any current needs. 31) Question(s): Must any awardee provide all services (such as NP, PA s) or can we just bid on physician services? Answer(s): An awardee does not need to provide all services. Vendors may bid on just physician services. 32) Question(s): Who are the incumbents? Answer(s): The incumbents are Staff Care, LocumTenens.com, Jackson & Coker, B.A.S. and Whitaker Medical, LLC. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 6

7 33) Question(s): What was the total number of hours utilized for locums in the last year? Answer(s): For the year, March March 2016, there were 209 hours utilized for locums. 34) Question(s): How much notice is provided for any locums needs? Answer(s): This depends on the needs but, usually we need them as soon as possible. 35) Question(s): We see that any objection to contract terms should be submitted on the Deviation form, are contract terms negotiable after selection? Answer(s): Contract terms are not negotiable after selection. 36) Question(s): Should rates be all inclusive? Answer(s): Yes, rates should be all inclusive. 37) Question(s): Is it acceptable to submit rates increases for option years? Answer(s): Yes, it is acceptable to submit rate increases for option years. 38) Question(s): RE: Page 5, Section L, is subcontracting with HUB businesses an award requirement? Answer(s): Subcontracting with HUB businesses is not an award requirement. Please reference page five (5), Sections L and M. This agency shall make a good faith effort to utilize Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB S) and Minority/Women and/or Disadvantaged Businesses (M/W/DBE s) in contracts for construction, services (including professional and consulting services), and commodities contracts 39) Question(s): Please provide additional information on DRAFT Exhibit A and Exhibit A. Answer(s): This information is not available at this time. 40) Question(s): Will there be penalties for not filling an opening? Answer(s): There will be no penalties for not filling an opening. 41) Question(s): Will multiple awards be made? If so, will there be a ranking of awardees according to priority in notification of staffing needs? Answer(s): Yes, multiples awards will be made. The HARRIS CENTER s current practice is to contact all the approved vendors when we have a need in order to fill the position with the best candidate as soon as possible. 42) Question(s): On page 5 of 44, Section K., Price Adjustments: it states Vendor will be required to honor their proposal prices for the term of the contract period - Is that just the base period or 5 years? Answer(s): The price submitted is for the term of the contact. Please provide escalated pricing for years ) Question(s): Page 1. Does this RFP include the staffing of Community Clinics only, or does it also include the staffing of Correctional, Acute Care, and Crisis and Emergency Service Locations, such as the Harris County Jail, Harris County Juvenile Detention (and Burnett-Bayland and Harris County Youth Village), NPC and UT HCPC? Please specify all locations to be staffed other than Community Clinics. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 7

8 Answer(s): Locum or Permanent Placement could be for any of The HARRIS CENTER locations which would include our 4 Outpatient Clinics located in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast Houston, Psychiatric Emergency Services in the Houston Medical Center, and Harris County Jail located in downtown Houston. 44) Question(s): Page 1. Regarding the community standard for patient care of approximately patients per day: From what source is this standard obtained? Are these Timeframes flexible, depending upon patient diagnoses seen each day? Answer(s): This is set by clinical operations and it is what we use in the outpatient clinics. The Psychiatrist sees patients for initial assessment and then for medication management only. They are not performing therapy, so the timeframes are set with little flexibility. 45) Question(s): Page 14, Pricing Matrix. In the RFP sentence below, please define eight (8) hours per day. Does this mean 8am to 5pm, or does it refer to any eight (8) hours worked? $ per hour for eight (8) hours per day. Answer(s): This refers to eight (8) hours worked. 46) Question(s): Page 14, Pricing Matrix. Regarding On Call on Nights, Weekends and Holidays: Is the vendor staff answering phone calls from home, or is there a possibility of being called back to work on-site? In the RFP sentence below, please define patient work, which would trigger overtime. $ per night to be on call after hours Monday through Friday- Overtime applies with patient work. Answer(s): Locum would not be asked to do On Call Patient work would be if the provider is engaged with a patient and it is necessary to go beyond the provider s 8 hours, overtime would then be applied. 47) Question(s): Page 14, Pricing Matrix. Please specify your Weekend Day. What Time does it START? What Time does it END? Answer(s): The start and end time of a Weekend Day depends on the assignment and the location. Hours would be specified at the time the order for a Contractor was placed. 48) Question(s): Page 14, Pricing Matrix. Please specify your Holiday Days. What Time do they START? What Time do they END? Answer(s): The start and end time of a Weekend Day depends on the assignment and the location. Hours would be specified at the time the order for a Contractor was placed. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 8

9 49) Question(s): Page 28, Training. Is The HARRIS CENTER able to provide the Training Requirements on a Link or DVD for the Contractor Staffing Firms? Answer(s): No, The training will be done once Contractor is on board. 50) Question(s): Does The HARRIS CENTER have on site collaborating physicians/psychiatrists for the Physician s Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners? If yes, are there collaborating agreements on site for the Physician s Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners? Answer(s): Yes, we would have assigned psychiatrists and agreements if The HARRIS CENTER were to request a Physician s Assistant and/or Advanced Nurse Practitioners. 51) Question(s): Page 39, PATIENT DOCUMENTATION. Does the RFP statement, Billing due by 5 th working day of the month proceeding services, refer only to Permanent Placements, OR does it also refer to billing for Locum Tenens Hours? Answer(s): This statement refers to Permanent Placements and Locum Tenens but Locum Tenens could be submitted weekly. 52) Question(s): Regarding Attachment A, the DRAFT Standard Professional Services Contract, do we need to complete and return with our RFP Response, the following Pages? Answer(s): No, you do not need to complete and return pages 26, 35 and 36 with the RFP. Please reference page twenty-five (25), Section XI Attachments, A. Sample Contract: A Sample contract is included for your review Attachment (A). Any exceptions to terms and/or conditions must be identified in your Deviation form. 53) Question(s): Why is an RFP being issued at this time? Is a contract being replaced, or is there a reason additional attention to staffing and recruitment is being considered? Answer(s): It has been over five (5) years since The HARRIS CENTER has gone out for a Proposal. 54) Question(s): Is the greatest or most pressing need for permanent placement or locum tenens services? Answer(s): Locum Tenens services are the greatest need but we are also in need a full-time Psychiatrists. 55) Question(s): Does The Harris Center currently have a staffing and recruitment agreement in place? If not, how have the proposed services been handled prior to this RFP? Answer(s): Yes, The HARRIS CENTER currently does have a staffing and recruitment agreements in place. 56) Question(s): Does Harris Center prefer awarding a joint contract for permanent placement and locum tenens services, or does The Harris Center contemplate awarding separate contracts for locum tenens and permanent placement services? Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 9

10 Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER prefers awarding a joint contract for permanent placement and locum tenens services. Although, The HARRIS CENTER would consider firms that only do one or the other and not both. 57) Question(s): Does the Harris Center contemplate awarding contracts to multiple vendors for locum tenens and permanent placement services? Answer(s): Yes, The HARRIS CENTER does plan to award contracts to multiples vendors for locum tenens and permanent placement services. 58) Question(s): What is the anticipated volume or estimated usage of services needed under this contract? Can you please break down by position/specialty? Answer(s): The anticipated volume or estimated usage of services needed under this contract is unknown at this time. 59) Question(s): If the forecasted volume requested in #6 is unavailable, please provide historic usage of locum tenens and permanent placement services. If these services were provided without third party assistance, please provide annual usage of temporary staffing for the positions requested, as well as annual hires for the same positions. Answer(s): Historically The HARRIS CENTER has not paid a fee for permanent placement because we have not had the right candidates presented. Over the last year the need from locums has not been as great but prior we averaged 2 3 a year. 60) Question(s): What are the current challenges/obstacles The Harris Center faces in meeting its staffing and recruitment goals for these positions? If a contract for the proposed services is in place, what areas of improvement over the existing contract would The Harris Center like to see? Answer(s): The current challenges/obstacles faced by The HARRIS CENTER are Psychiatrists are difficult to find and we require they already have a Texas license. The challenges with locum tenens is we usually need them as soon as possible and that is a challenge for the vendor. Also it is difficult to find qualified candidates who are available to start work sooner than later. 61) Question(s): Will The Harris Center be open to considering staffing and recruitment services for other medical positions? Answer(s): We do not have a need to staff other medical positions. 62) Question(s): Please clarify the Call requirement for locum tenens providers. Specifically, will this be for telephone call only, or can the provider be called into the facility? How many days per week, are contemplated for a locum tenens provider, as well as a provider that is hired? Is the Call requirement for crisis intervention/management? Answer(s): On-call is only at the Harris County Jail and we normally would not have a locum work the on-call. If we were to hire a psychiatrist for the jail the on-call would be fully explained when we listed the position. 63) Question(s): What percentage of shifts is contemplated to exceed 8 hours (overtime)? What percentage of shifts is contemplated to exceed 10 hours (more than 2 hours of overtime)? Please provide by specialty (psychiatrists, and then nurse practitioners or physician assistants). Answer(s): No percentage of shifts is expected to exceed eight (8) hours. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 10

11 64) Question(s): May we obtain all job descriptions that will be requested under this contract? Answer(s): Full job descriptions would be disclosed at the time we listed the request with the service. 65) Question(s): Please provide the contemplated average length of locum tenens assignment. Answer(s): The contemplated average length of locum tenens assignments varies depending on the reason for the need. 66) Question(s): For permanent or locum tenens positions, are providers needed for any inpatient services in residential or hospital care? Answer(s): For permanent and locum tenens positions, providers are not needed for any inpatient services in residential or hospital care. 67) Question(s): Does The Harris Center have minimum qualifications and standards for each position, (other than the stated requirements for board eligibility, certification or Texas licensing)? If so, would you please provide will any other certifications or specializations be needed for physicians, (for example fellowship trained in child and adolescent psychiatry)? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER does not have minimum qualifications and standards for each position (other than the stated requirements for board eligibility, certification or Texas licensing). A possible request for child/adolescent could be made. 68) Question(s): What is the number of Psychiatrists, Physician Assistant s and Advanced Nurse Practitioners that you will be needing on a weekly and or monthly basis? Answer(s): The number of Psychiatrists, Physician Assistant s and Advanced Nurse Practitioners that The HARRIS CENTER will be needing on a weekly and or monthly basis is unknown because it depends on demand. 69) Question(s): Are you interested in utilizing only full-time Providers, or will you allow us to utilize part-time Providers as well? (i.e. 2 part-time providers to fill 1 full-time opening). Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER is interested in full-time only unless we have a need for a part-time locum. 70) Question(s): What are your clinic hours Monday Friday? Answer(s): The clinic hours for The HARRIS CENTER Monday through Friday are 8a.m. to 5p.m. 71) Question(s): What Locum Tenens vendor currently holds this contract and what are the existing bill rates? How many Providers do they currently have working with you on a Locums basis? Answer(s): The incumbents are Staff Care, LocumTenens.com, Jackson & Coker, B.A.S. and Whitaker Medical, LLC. There is currently one provider working with The HARRIS CENTER on Locums basis. The existing billing rate can be obtained after the contract is awarded. The dollar amount can be submitted after Contract is awarded for this RFP through the formal written Open Record Request. Text of the Texas Public Information Act 2014 Public Information Handbook Office of the Attorney General Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 11

12 Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder. A formal written Open Record Request may be requested after Contract is awarded for this RFP. 72) Question(s): The Pricing Matrix includes call rates. Is this a Clinic & Call need, where you will need Providers to cover the clinic during the day and be on call for an Inpatient Unit on night and weekends? If so: Will the Providers be working in locked units? Do you require Board Certification and/or Board Eligibility for providers that are working the Inpatient piece? If so, with Board Eligible physicians, what are your by-laws regarding how many years outside of Residency they are allowed to be and still be considered Board Eligible? How many nights a week and how many weekends a month do you require the Providers to be on call? How busy can they expect to be during while On Call and what responsibilities with On Call entail? (I.e. Admissions; Evaluations; Rounding; Discharges, etc.) How much Inpatient experience do you require and within what time frame? (I.e. Do you require that a Provider have one year of experience in an Inpatient setting within the last 1-3 years, 3-5 years, etc.) Answer(s): No, The HARRIS CENTER will not have locums do on call. On call will be provided by The HARRIS CENTER staff. We require all locums to be BE (board eligible) or BC (board certified). 73) Question(s): What percentage of your patient population is moderate vs. severe? Answer(s): 60% moderate and 40% severe 74) Question(s): What services will you be looking to have our Psychiatrists work? (Crisis Emergency, ACTT, Mobile Outreach, etc.) Answer(s): The services The HARRIS CENTER is looking to have Psychiatrists work is PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services), at the Harris County Jail, one of our Outpatient Clinics or one of our Juvenile Detention programs. 75) Question(s): What age groups do you see? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER sees children/adolescents and adults. 76) Question(s): It states that you require five (5) local references where we have provided services within the last 6 months. Do you require 5 separate facilities or can it be 2-3 facilities with multiple contacts at each that will total at least 5? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER requires five (5) local references from separate facilities. 77) Question(s): It states that you require Business Automobile insurance if our Providers will be transporting your consumers. Will our Providers be transporting patients? Answer(s): The HARRIS CENTER will not require Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners to transport consumers. 78) Question(s): We pay our physicians as independent contractors/1099. They are not provided workers compensation. Can we participate in the RFP? Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 12

13 Answer(s): Please provide your current structure and benefits/coverage and we will evaluate at the time of review. We reserve the right to request any additional coverage if the risk management and liability needs of the agency are not met as proposed. 79) Question(s): On page 12 of 44, at the bottom of the page: it states If your pricing is government/county pricing please provide copy of your agreement with specific state, federal or local organization If we have a current contract with Harris County is this what you are referring too? Answer(s): Yes, if you have a current contract with Harris County, please provide a copy of your agreement. 80) Question(s): Are CV s (resumes) required? Answer(s): CV s/resumes are not required for the RFP. 81) Question(s): (page 9 Section V) Does the locums provider have to have workers compensation & Employer Liability since they are not employees? Answer(s): Please provide your current structure and benefits/coverage and we will evaluate at the time of review. We reserve the right to request any additional coverage if the risk management and liability needs of the agency are not met as proposed. 82) Question(s): (page 14) On the pricing matrix, it shows a recruitment fee to be filled out and the number of months obligated What does the number of months obligated mean? Answer(s): The number of months obligated means the length of the assignment. 83) Question(s): (page 14) Also on the pricing matrix, it states a sliding scale is requested for any provider introduced to The Harris Center who accepts a position or is permanently employed by The Harris Center or its affiliates, during the term of the agreement. What is the sliding scale referring to? For example, is it the recruitment fee of $XXXXX.XX will be reduced by $X.XX amount each month the provider works full time? Answer(s): This is what your fee would be for converting a locum to a permanent hire. 84) Question(s): (page 27 Section III. #3) Can we add the verbiage to this clause (see underlined): Any subcontractor or employees of Contractor are the direct responsibility of Contractor, excluding locum tenens personnel? Answer(s): Please put any deviations requested on the deviation form included in the RFP packet. Any request will be evaluated upon review. 85) Question(s): (page 28 #8) Since the locums provider is not an employee, would the training referred to in #8 be provided to the locums provider beginning the first day onsite at the assignment? Answer(s): The assignment would be coordinated to begin when a New Employee Orientation (NEO) was taking place, which The HARRIS CENTER conduct every two weeks. 86) Question(s): (page 34 b) It states that the Contractor represents that Contractor and their employees have received training regarding the Privacy Requirements. An affidavit documenting the training must be provided to Agency upon request. Our providers are not employees and are independent contractors through our company. Will the training be provided as part of the first day on assignment training and the affidavit signed at that time? Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 13

14 Answer(s): Training will be provided by the agency per our HR Director. 87) Question(s): On page 36 below the signature space on the draft of the agreement it shows Unit(s) to be charged: What is this referring to? Answer(s): The Unit(s) to be charged are The HARRIS CENTER units that will utilize this contract. 88) Question(s): What is your average bill rate per specialty over the past quarter and last 12 months? Answer(s): The existing billing rate can be obtained after the contract is awarded. The dollar amount can be submitted after Contract is awarded for this RFP through the formal written Open Record Request. Text of the Texas Public Information Act 2014 Public Information Handbook Office of the Attorney General Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section if it is information that, if released, would give advantage to a competitor or bidder. A formal written Open Record Request may be requested after Contract is awarded for this RFP. 89) Question(s): (Page 4 F References and Experience) It states that we need to submit with the RFP, documentation of past performance in projects of similar magnitude and resulting customer satisfaction in the areas of professionalism, contract performance, quality of personnel, responsiveness and flexibility, etc. What do we need to submit for this piece? Answer(s): Please submit any documentation that demonstrates your experience on past or current projects that meet the needs and/or requirements requested in this RFP. This Letter of Clarification #1 is hereby incorporated in the RFP document and shall supersede any previous specification or provision in conflict with the Letter of Clarification #1. All responding Vendors are directed to respond accordingly. Vendors are required to add this Letter of Clarification #1 to the original RFP document. Psychiatric Placement and Locum Tenens Coverage -Letter of Clarification #1 14