Managed Teleradiology Services Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (IHS)

The SS-26-PHX-015 Q&A document outlines radiology service requirements and anticipated volumes for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) and potentially up to three additional Phoenix Area IHS service units. PIMC is expected to generate the majority of the workload. The document provides estimated monthly volumes for STAT reads: 366 for Ultrasound, 798 for CT, and 981 for X-ray. It specifies that STAT services are needed for nights, weekends, federal holidays, and 50-75% of M-F day shifts. Response times are critical, with STAT exams requiring interpretation within 60 minutes, urgent exams within 4 hours, routine exams within 24 hours (95% response time), and critical results/specific CT Angio Chest/CT Brain studies requiring verbal reports within 30 minutes. The facility currently lacks MRI and Nuclear Medicine but plans to acquire MRI within one to two years. Mammography is estimated at 208-250 reads per month, with 90% sent to teleradiology and 100% requiring LIP service. These volumes are projected to increase due to a reduction in on-site radiologists from four to 2.5.

This contract aims to secure teleradiology services, including the interpretation of electronic medical images, for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) in Phoenix, AZ, and potentially other Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The contractor must provide all necessary personnel, supplies, materials, network services, and equipment, adhering to FDA, MQSA, TJC, CMS, and HIPAA regulations. Services are required 24/7, with estimated annual volumes for various imaging examinations provided. Key requirements include compliance with CMS, FDA, ACR, TJC, and HIPAA for equipment and software, professional liability insurance, interpretations by US-based radiologists, and rigorous credentialing processes. The contract outlines a Quality Assurance (QA) program, digital mammography requirements, customer assistance, and communication network standards including FedRAMP approval for cloud systems. The period of performance is from XXX 1, 2024, to XXX 31, 2026, with four one-year option periods. PIMC will handle all third-party billing.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) requires offerors to self-certify as an “Indian Economic Enterprise” (IEE) under the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. 47) for solicitations, sources sought, and RFIs. This form ensures compliance with HHSAR 326.601, mandating IEE status at the time of offer, contract award, and throughout performance. Contractors must notify the Contracting Officer immediately if they lose eligibility. Eligibility documentation may be required, and awards are subject to protest. Successful offerors must also register with the System for Award Management (SAM). False information carries severe penalties under 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 31 U.S.C. 3729 to 3731. The form includes a representation section for offerors to confirm their IEE status, requiring signatures, tribal entity names, business names, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers.

The Phoenix Area Indian Health Service (IHS) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify businesses capable of providing fully managed, non-personal teleradiology services. This is not a solicitation but aims to determine an acquisition strategy, potentially including set-asides under the Buy Indian Act. The requirement is for a five-year contract, including 24/7/365 interpretation of various medical images, quality assurance, MQSA support, and IT integration for an estimated 51,000-63,000 annual studies. The notice specifies a need for a turnkey managed teleradiology service, not radiologist staffing. Interested firms must demonstrate capabilities in coverage, exam volume, quality assurance, MQSA support, IT infrastructure, credentialing, past performance, and business structure. The tentative NAICS code is 621512. Responses are due electronically and will inform the government's acquisition approach.