External Health Professional Services for the Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP)

HEALTH CANADA ADVANCE CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE

TITLE: External Health Professional Services for the Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP) 

SOLICITATION NUMBER:  1000160626

1.  The purpose and explanation of an ACAN

 An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows Health Canada contracting authorities to post a notice on Buy and Sell, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that a good, service or construction contract will be awarded to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority may then proceed with the award. However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

2.  Rights of suppliers

Suppliers who believe that they are fully qualified and available to provide the services or goods described in this ACAN may submit a Statement of Capabilities clearly demonstrating how they meet the advertised requirement. This Statement of Capabilities must be provided via e-mail only to the contact person identified in Section 12 of the Notice on or before the closing date and time of the Notice. If there is a reasonable level of evidence regarding capability, the requirements will be opened to electronic or traditional bidding processes.

3.  Definition of Requirements or Expected Results

For health professionals in various fields of expertise but not limited to;
Psychiatry, 
Physician (substance abuse), 
Dive medicine, 
Cardiology, 
Radiology.
Physician (occupational health),
Psychology,
Independent Medical Examinations,
Neuropsychology

4.  Minimum requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a Statement of Capabilities that it meets the following minimum requirements: 

I. Holding a valid unrestricted license to practice in their respective field in the province or territory where they work; 

II. Belonging to their respective certifying body, such as:
	a) Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or
	b) College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), or
             c) Provincial College of Psychologists

III. For licensed physicians, holding medical malpractice insurance through membership to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) or alternate malpractice policy acceptable to the College of Physicians and Surgeons or having professional liability insurance for other health professionals.
	
IV Having a minimum of 2 years of relevant clinical experience.

V Meeting the language needs for the service requested.

VI Meeting the Security requirements for the position

5. Introduction

The Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP) has a continuing requirement for external health service professionals to supplement the work of the Occupational Health Medical Officers (OHMO) in the provision of health evaluations to federal government public servants. The PSOHP is a National Program with regional offices for service delivery.

6. Types of Evaluations

There are four (4) types of health evaluations for which a referral to an external health professional may be required:

1.	Pre-placement evaluation;
2.	Periodic evaluation; 
3.	Fitness to work evaluation; 
4.	Posting-related evaluations (this includes the employee’s dependants); 

All four (4) types of health evaluations may require expert advice for which a consultation with a specialist may be required. Depending upon the type of report required, the region in question will choose which Offeror to Call-up if they require specialist services. In addition to the need for specialist consultations, some of the regions use external physicians known as designated doctors to conduct the pre-placement, periodic and fitness to work evaluations. 
The purpose of these health evaluations is further explained as follows:

6.1	Pre-placement Evaluation
A pre-placement health evaluation is conducted when an individual is to be employed in a specific job that has an inherent element of risk to health and safety and/or for which certain occupational health requirements need to be met.
 
6.2	Periodic Evaluation
Periodic health evaluations are conducted on a schedule of every one to five years. The schedule is determined by a risk assessment and is based on factors such as a hazard exposure and the employee’s age. The purpose is to determine if employees: 
o continue to meet the occupational health requirements of their position; 
o are being negatively affected by their work; and/or 
o can continue working under the same work conditions without detriment to their health and safety or to that of others. 

6.3	Fitness to Work Evaluation (FTWE)
Fitness to work evaluations are provided at the request of the employer to determine if an employee is medically fit to safely and effectively perform the tasks of a specific job. The evaluations are carried out with the employee's consent and with input from the treating health professional, if applicable. The evaluations are to assess the employee's health capability to carry out, or continue to carry out, the duties of the position and, where applicable, to identify the employee’s medical limitations/restrictions. 
   

6.4 	Posting-related Evaluation 
Assignment-related health evaluations are conducted for employees and their dependants assigned to, between and from foreign posts. The purpose of these health evaluations is to optimally prepare employees and their dependants for a healthy assignment by providing advice on the level of medical services at post and on conditions at post which could affect their health, as well as advising on individual health issues which should be resolved prior to departure. 

7.  Applicable trade agreements 

Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)

8.  Period of the proposed contract

The initial period shall be upon contract award to up to three (3) years from that date.  The Contractor grants to Canada the irrevocable option to extend the Contract by up to two (2) additional one (1) year extension periods under the same terms and conditions. 

The Crown may exercise this option at any time by sending a written notice to the Contractor before the Contract expiry date. The option may only be exercised by the Contracting Authority, and will be evidenced for administrative purposes, through a contract amendment.

9.  Estimated value of the proposed contract

Occupational Health evaluation services over a three (3) year period with two (2) one (1) year options should not exceed $600,000.00 per individual service provider, including travel and living expenses (if applicable), and all applicable taxes.
 
10.   Security

All physicians will be bound by Hippocratic oath.

11.  Closing date and time 

The closing date and time for accepting Statements of Capabilities is July 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM EDT

12.  Contact Person

All inquiries with regard to this Notice must be addressed by e-mail to:

Name: Cheryl Moss
E-Mail: cheryl.moss@hc-sc.gc.ca