The Indian Health Service (IHS) is seeking to conduct market research for Healthcare Leadership and Management Support Services to enhance hospital leadership mentoring, comply with accreditation standards, and ensure the quality of service within its system. This Sources Sought Notice is aimed primarily at small businesses, including various designated groups such as Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Small Businesses, to determine their capability to provide leadership support in maintaining compliance with The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations. The anticipated contract includes four main task areas: facility support, governance support, system-wide programmatic support, and credentialing support. Key tasks involve conducting compliance evaluations, mentoring executive leadership, improving quality assessment functions, and enhancing governance processes. Interested parties are invited to submit capability statements that demonstrate relevant experience and qualifications, with the goal of facilitating a set-aside determination for small businesses. The IHS aims for a comprehensive support mechanism that preemptively addresses accreditation challenges to uphold high medical standards across its facilities, which serve approximately 2.56 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The document pertains to the Indian Health Service's adherence to the Buy Indian Act, which encourages contracting with Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs). It establishes self-certification requirements for offerors, ensuring they meet the definition of an IEE during the proposal submission, contract award, and performance phases. Offerors must declare their eligibility status in relation to IEE qualifications, with consequences for providing false information, including legal penalties. Successful bidders must also be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM). This solicitation serves as a means to promote economic opportunities for Indian-owned businesses within the federal contracting process, underlining the importance of truthful representation to maintain integrity in procurement. Overall, the document aims to solidify compliance with the Buy Indian Act while promoting transparency and accountability in federal contracts.