Q524--On-site Cardiothoracic Physician Services | San Juan Answer Vendor Questions to Presolicitation Notice

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to vendor questions submitted prior to the presolicitation notice.

• The document provides answers to specific questions raised by potential vendors regarding the upcoming opportunity.

• These clarifications aim to provide further detail and address ambiguities related to the presolicitation notice.

• Bidders should review these Q&As to ensure a complete understanding of the requirements and expectations for the solicitation.

• The information provided may impact how vendors prepare their proposals and approach the opportunity.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the presolicitation notice for RFP 36C24826R0072, which concerns cardiothoracic surgeon services.

• Contract Type: This will be a new contract; there is no incumbent contractor.
• Licensing Requirements: Physicians assigned to this contract must hold a current medical license in any U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, for services performed onsite at VA property. An active Puerto Rico medical license is not required.
• Procurement Method: The formal solicitation will be competed on the open market as a full and open unrestricted procurement and will be posted on SAM.gov.
• Contract Structure: The requirement is anticipated to be solicited as an Indefinite Quantity/Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ) contract.
• Service Details: The contract will include Line-Item structures for:
  • On-site Board Certified/Eligible Cardiothoracic Surgeon Services for elective procedures and patient evaluations (Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, excluding holidays).
  • On-call coverage for evenings/overnights on Mondays & Wednesdays (3:30 pm - 7:00 am).
  • 24-hour on-call coverage for Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays, weekends, and holidays during non-clinical days (7:00 am - 7:00 am).

This Q&A clarifies key aspects of the upcoming solicitation, including the contract type, licensing, procurement approach, and detailed service requirements, which will aid bidders in preparing their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is an unrestricted, full, and open competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for On-site Cardiothoracic Physician Services at the San Juan VA Medical Center (SJVAMC). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) requires these services to care for eligible beneficiaries.

• Provide comprehensive Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician services, meeting or exceeding national standards (e.g., AATS).

• Services include initial patient evaluation (inpatient, outpatient, ED), surgical procedures in the Operating Room, post-operative care, Cardiothoracic Surgery Consults, Permanent Pacemaker Implants (emergency), Pacemaker Lead Extraction (back-up), Pericardial Window/Pericardiectomy Procedures, and back-up for Interventional Cardiology (PCI) cases.

• Provide on-site and on-call coverage as detailed in the Performance Work Statement.

• Minimum of two (2) key personnel, Board Certified/Board Eligible Cardiothoracic Surgeons, must be credentialed and available for simultaneous scheduling.

• One surgeon required on-site for scheduled elective procedures and clinic evaluations on Mondays and Wednesdays (7:00 am - 3:30 pm).

• One surgeon required on-call during weeknights (Mon/Wed 3:30 pm - 7:00 am) and weekdays (Tue/Thu/Fri), weekends, and holidays (7:00 am - 7:00 am) for emergencies and Cath Lab procedures.

• Key personnel must be available on-site within one (1) hour for back-up/emergency cases.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: Base year plus four (4) one-year option periods, expected from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

• Solicitation Number: 36C24826R0072.

• Response Date: April 3, 2026, 4:30 pm Eastern Time.

• The solicitation document will be issued on or about April 9, 2026.

• Interested contractors must download the solicitation and amendments from SAM.gov; no hard copies will be provided.

• Prospective contractors should register their interest on SAM.gov to receive notifications.

• Procurement Type: Unrestricted, full and open competitive.

• NAICS Code: 621111 (Offices of Physicians).

• Product/Service Code: Q524 (Medical-Cardiothoracic Surgery).

• Business Size Standard: $16 million.

• Registration in SAM.gov is required for award eligibility.

• Physicians must possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in any U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth.

• Physicians must be Board Certified/Board Eligible by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

• Must be currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalency.

• Credentialing and privileging must comply with VHA Directives 1100.20 and 1100.21.

• Contracting Officer: Jayne Messer (jayne.messer@va.gov, 239-373-9064).

• Questions should be directed via email to Jayne Messer, including the solicitation number in the subject line.