1. Background

Home Care and Community Workers are Required to travel frequently throughout the community which increases the risk of encountering situations that places them at risk for harm (Bussing & Hoge, 2004). Civil unrest, violence in a home environment or entering environments where other VA staff or police are not present increases the likelihood of delayed awareness when a staff member is harmed or in danger. Staff are dependent on the ability to grab a VA issued smart phone, unlock the phone and then dial 911 while trying to flee from an unsafe situation. The device allows staff to push button on device which is located on lanyard or on a badge holder on the outside of their shirt. The silent alarm does not emit an audible signal which prevents others from being aware that help was activated and does not further escalate the situation. The monitoring company will listen in and call for help when signs of struggles, distress or silence is detected.

With expanding demand for increased in-home care, little research and evidence is available that demonstrates proven techniques to increase personal safety. KCVA and Community Worker programs currently report to various service lines and information on safety events is not well known outside of individual programs. The KCVA is comprised of front-line staff and leadership representation. This committee is working towards standardization of processes, policies and safety precautions.

2. Scope

KCVA is requesting contractors provide specific equipment due to the listed salient characteristics in this section that meets the safety requirements of home care and community worker programs.

A Base plus 4-Year Option. Period of performance will be determined at pre-award.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Equipment must have the physical characteristics needed for utilization with these devices. The implementation of safety device for lone workers in the community will have far reaching implications for direct care staff. This project impacts multiple services that will experience increased staff satisfaction related to enhanced personal safety. There may be an opportunity to use data to better understand the number of safety events occurring on an on-going basis.

FUNCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS: Equipment must provide the following functional and performance capability based on evidenced based research on

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

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personal safety standards, using recommendations from home care and emergency management experts, and endorsed by local end-users. Additional function, performance and salient characteristics include:

• Must come with 24/7/365 monitoring.

• Check-in/Check-out feature.

• Incapacitation/Man-Down detection.

• Silent notification signal.

• GPS/GNS dual signal detection and reporting.

• Badge holder appearance to the public.

• Immediate notification to emergency services.

• Escalation notification to VHA when safety alert sent or man-down detected.

• Ongoing customer support.

POTENTIAL REQUIREMENT GROWTH: The Government may require additional effort in order to successfully accomplish the Government’s scope of this requirement. The Government reserves the right to include services at additional locations with the VISN as required and funding becomes available. Additional locations include VA Medical Facility in St Louis, Columbia, Leavenworth, Witchita, and Topeka. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.212-4, any changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the Contractor and Government. The price for services at additional locations are to be determined upon agreement between the Contractor and the Government via bi-lateral modification at the Government’s request.

PLACE OF DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE: Kansas City Veteran Medical Center, 4801 East Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64128.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE: All Items to be delivered within 30 days of purchase order processing and order placement.

WARRANTY OF EQUIPMENT: Contractor must provide any manufacturer(s) warranty on devices