VHA Integrated Critical Staffing Program (ICSP)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking to award a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the VHA Integrated Critical Staffing Program (ICSP). The ICSP contract will provide temporary staffing services to VA medical facilities across the nation, with a focus on addressing critical staffing shortages and improving the quality of care for veterans. The ICSP contract is expected to have a ceiling value of $23B, with a base period of one year and four option years. The solicitation is expected to be released in September 2023, with the award date expected to be in March 2024. In this article, we will provide an overview of the ICSP contract, its objectives, requirements, evaluation criteria, and opportunities for healthcare providers.

What is the ICSP contract?

The ICSP contract is a follow-on to the previous VA Medical Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) 2.0 program, which was awarded in 2018 and had a ceiling value of $5 billion. The MSPV 2.0 program provided medical supplies and equipment to VA medical facilities, as well as temporary staffing services through a subcontracting arrangement. However, the MSPV 2.0 program faced several challenges and criticisms, such as delays, cost overruns, quality issues, and lack of transparency. The VA decided to terminate the MSPV 2.0 program in June 2023 and replace it with two separate contracts: one for medical supplies and equipment, and one for temporary staffing services.

The ICSP contract is the new contract for temporary staffing services, which will cover various clinical and non-clinical positions, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, technicians, social workers, administrative staff, and others. It will provide on-demand staffing solutions to VA medical facilities that are experiencing critical staffing shortages due to various factors, such as high turnover rates, recruitment challenges, seasonal fluctuations, surge demands, emergencies, or special projects. The ICSP contract will also support the VA’s strategic goals of improving access to care, enhancing quality of care, reducing wait times, increasing patient satisfaction, and achieving operational efficiency.

What are the objectives of the ICSP contract?

The main objective of the ICSP contract is to provide high-quality temporary staffing services to VA medical facilities across the nation. The ICSP contract will enable the VA to quickly and effectively fill critical staffing gaps and meet the diverse and complex needs of veterans. The ICSP contract will also support the VA’s transformation initiatives, such as expanding telehealth services, implementing electronic health records systems, enhancing community care partnerships, and modernizing infrastructure and facilities.

The ICSP contract will also create significant opportunities for SDVOSBs who can offer qualified and experienced staff for various clinical and non-clinical positions.

What are the requirements of the ICSP contract?

The ICSP contract will have several requirements that businesses will need to meet in order to qualify and compete for task orders under the contract. Some of the key requirements are:

  • Ability to provide temporary staffing services for:
    • various clinical and non-clinical positions across multiple disciplines and specialtie
    • various modalities of care delivery, such as in-person, telehealth, virtual, video, telephone
    • different locations and settings, such as urban, rural, remote, tribal, and overseas
    • flexible periods of performance, such as short-term, long-term, intermittent, or emergency
  • Compliance with:
    • applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to healthcare delivery
    • all VA-specific requirements, such as credentialing, vetting, training, security clearance, and performance evaluation
  • Interfacing with existing VA systems, such as VistA/CPRS, Cerner Millennium, VA Centralized Credentials Quality Assurance System (VA CCQAS), and VA Time & Attendance System (VATAS)
  • Competitive pricing, flexible payment terms, and transparent invoicing

What are the evaluation criteria of the ICSP contract?

The ICSP contract will be awarded as a multiple-award IDIQ contract. This means that the VA will select multiple contractors who will compete for task orders under the contract. The contractors will be evaluated based on the following factors:

  • Technical approach
  • Management approach
  • Past performance
  • Cost/price

The VA will also consider the following subfactors:

  • Innovation
  • Risk mitigation
  • Transition plan
  • Key personnel
  • Small business participation

Latest information on ISCP

  • The Contracting Office released the Solicitation and Modifications on August 1, 2023.
  • The Contracting Office released a Modification on August 2, 2023. The purpose of the Modification is to reupload the Solicitation Documents.
  • Phase I Questions must be submitted by August 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET. Phase I Intentions are due no later than August 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET. Phase I VITAL Viability Submissions are due no later than August 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET. Phase II Proposal due date will be established in an amendment initiating Phase II.

Conclusion

The ICSP contract is a major procurement initiative by the VA aimed at providing temporary staffing services to VA medical facilities across the nation. The contract’s focus on addressing critical staffing shortages and improving the quality of care for veterans is vital for the VA’s mission and vision. The contract is expected to create significant opportunities for healthcare providers who can offer qualified and experienced staff for various clinical and non-clinical positions.

The contract is expected to have a ceiling value of $23 billion, with a base period of one year and four option years. The solicitation is expected to be released in September 2023, with the award date expected to be in March 2024. The industry day/site visit/conference is scheduled for September 15 2023.

Our Services

At GDI Consulting, we specialize in capture and proposal development of enterprise-level government contracts. We can help you prepare a winning proposal for the ICSP contract by providing a full range of services, such as:

  • Market research and analysis
  • Capture strategy and planning
  • Partnering support
  • Proposal writing and editing
  • Graphic design and layout
  • Compliance and quality assurance
  • Review and feedback

With our services, you can increase your chances of securing the ICSP and grow your business in the geospatial industry. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you with your proposal writing project.