Seeking IEE vendors for the Great Plains Area supplemental staffing requirements

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide non-personal healthcare provider and multiple healthcare personnel services to support Indian Health Service (IHS) clinics and hospitals in the Great Plains Area (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa). The goal is to ensure eligible Native American patients receive necessary healthcare services.

• Provide healthcare professionals across various specialties including, but not limited to: Anesthesiologist, CRNA, Emergency Medicine Physician, Family Medicine Physician, General Surgeon, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine Physician, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Obstetrician/Gynecology Physician, Orthopedic Physician, Pediatrician, Physician Assistant, Podiatrist, Optometrist, Dentist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Audiologist, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmacist, Laboratorian, and Respiratory Therapist.

• Personnel must possess working knowledge of their labor category as defined in Attachment A, Labor Category Matrix.

• Contractor personnel will interface with government employees, other contractors, patients, and organizations, requiring sensitivity to rural and American Indian/Alaska Native healthcare needs.

• Contractor will be responsible for creating and maintaining processes for searching for, hiring, onboarding, credentialing, and background checking personnel.

• Telemedicine services are not anticipated but may be a potential task.

• Performance will be evaluated based on Quality (customer satisfaction, professionalism), Contract Deliverables (accuracy, timeliness), Timely Staffing Support, Deliverables and Reporting, Accuracy of Deliverables, Credentialing and Onboarding Compliance, and Contract Management and Communication.

• Specific metrics include: no more than five verified formal customer complaints per 12-month period (resolved within 10 working days); 100% of providers meet credentialing and licensing requirements prior to performing services; monthly status reports submitted by the 15th of each month; no more than three correction requests per deliverable.

• Period of Performance: 60 months, beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2032.

• Principal Places of Performance: Numerous IHS facilities across the Great Plains Area, including locations in Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa (detailed list provided in the document).

• Contractor personnel must comply with IHS computer guidelines, HIPAA, and other applicable laws.

• Facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), requiring contractor personnel to meet specific credentialing and privileging requirements.

• A comprehensive credentialing package is required, including proof of identity, education, experience, licensure, certifications, liability insurance, and disclosure of any claims, sanctions, or convictions.

• Security clearance and background checks are required, with a process that can take up to 45 days.

• The work environment is tobacco/smoke-free.

• Contractor must provide a Project Manager and a Program Manager.

• Contractor must develop and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. The Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area Office (GPAO) is conducting market research to identify qualified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) and Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) capable of providing supplemental healthcare staffing services. The goal is to determine if the requirement can be set aside under Buy Indian procedures.

• The contractor shall provide non-personal healthcare provider and multiple healthcare personnel services.

• Services include, but are not limited to: Anesthesiologist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Emergency Medicine Physician, Family Medicine Physician, General Surgeon, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine Physician, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner (APN), Obstetrician/Gynecology Physician (OB/GYN), Orthopedic Physician, Pediatrician, Physician Assistant, Podiatrist, Optometrist, Dentist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Audiologist, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmacist, Laboratorian, and Respiratory Therapist (RT).

• Personnel must have a working knowledge of items in their labor category and be exempt from the Service Contract Act or comply with its requirements.

• Personnel must comply with IHS computer guidelines and HIPAA.

• Facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

• Telemedicine is not anticipated but may be a future task.

• The anticipated NAICS code is 561320, Temporary Help Services.

• The ordering period of performance will be 60 months, beginning January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2032.

• Services will be provided at various IHS facilities within the Great Plains Area (South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa).

• Responses are for market research purposes only.

• Interested parties should submit a capability statement including:

  • Company Name and SAM UEI number
  • SAM registration status
  • Point of contact information
  • Date Submitted
  • Applicable GSA Schedule or procurement vehicle
  • Business Size Standard
  • Detailed capability statement with supporting documentation
  • Geographic Coverage
  • References (last 3 years)
  • Evidence of ability to meet minimum performance characteristics
  • Evidence of item availability and delivery timeframe
  • Warranty information
  • IEE Representation Form (if applicable)

• Submission Deadline: June 10, 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Submission Method: Email to Ursula Maslonka, Contract Specialist.

• This notice is specifically seeking information from qualified Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) and Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE).

• Responses will be used to determine if the requirement may be set aside under Buy Indian procedures.

• This notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation.

• No basis for claims against IHS shall arise due to responses to this notice.

• No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Indian Health Service Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form." It serves as a self-certification for offerors to confirm they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" as required by the Buy Indian Act. This form is to be submitted in response to a Sources Sought Notice, Request for Information (RFI), or Solicitation.

• Self-Certification: Offerors must certify whether they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership" under the Buy Indian Act.
• Eligibility Period: The enterprise must meet the definition throughout the offer period, at the time of contract award, and during the full term of contract performance. Immediate notification is required if eligibility is lost.
• Documentation: Contracting Officers may require documentation of eligibility, and awards may be subject to protest.
• Registration: Successful Offerors must be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM).
• Penalties: False or misleading information is subject to legal penalties.
• Required Fields: The form requires the Offeror to provide:
  • Name of Federally Recognized Tribal Entity (if applicable)
  • Name of the 51% owner of IEE Firm
  • Business Name
  • DUNS Number
  • Certifying Signature
  • Print Name

This form is critical for bidders responding to opportunities that are set aside or sole-sourced under the Buy Indian Act. Bidders must accurately complete this form to demonstrate their eligibility. Failure to meet the definition or provide accurate information can lead to disqualification or penalties.