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Second, you must register with the System for Award Management (SAM), formerly known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). SAM registration is mandatory for any business competing for contracts covered by FAR. If you previously registered with CCR, note that your CCR username will not work in SAM; you must register with and create a new username in the SAM system. SAM registration is free and relatively quick, and must be completed online at www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/##11. On the SAM site, click on “Create User Account” and then “Create Individual Account.” Follow all of the prompts and provide the information requested. That takes care of the two mandatory steps required to bid on a VA contract or RFP, but there are two additional steps that may help ensure the VA bidding process is successful for your facility. First, check with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and determine if you qualify for and are considered
a small business. The SBA typically uses certain criteria, such as average number of employees or average annual receipts, to determine if a business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.) is considered small. To review all of the criteria and determine if you are considered a small business, visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov/ contracting/getting-started-contractor/ qualifying-small-business. Why is this important? FAR requires contracting officers to ensure that the interests of small businesses are considered when awarding contracts. Depending on the ability of these businesses to provide adequate levels of service in the area where the proposed contract will operate, the contracting officer may issue an RFP with either a full set-aside or partial set-aside. If a contract is 100 percent set-aside for small businesses, then only those companies that qualify as a small business may submit a proposal. In areas where the need cannot be met by small businesses,
the contracting officer may issue the RFP with a partial set-aside, which means a percentage of the overall contracts will be awarded to small businesses. The second optional step is ensuring that your practitioners’ credentials are current and valid, and that your facility’s accreditation information is up to date and accurate. Certain VA contracts may require that each location staff a full-time prosthetist in good standing, certified by either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC) or the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), and that the certified individual be identified in your proposal. Some VA contracts also may require current facility accreditation through either ABC or BOC. In addition, you should verify that any other education requirements are up to date. For example, to provide prosthetic services under the VA prosthetic template, you may be required to demonstrate that your practitioners have received specific education or
Get Ahead of the Curve ONLINE! THE ORIGINAL BENDING BRACE OF CHARLESTON CERTIFICATION COURSE Upon completion of this 4 hour online course, participants will receive CBB Certification and have ability to order the The Original Bending Brace of Charleston. Course Includes: Background information on scoliosis. Review of the types of scoliotic curves. Indications and contradictions for each type of curve. Unlike most braces used to treat scoliosis, the The Original Bending Brace of Charleston offers a major revolutionary approach. Patients wear this nocturnal (nighttime) orthosis only eight to ten hours at night; they therefore may participate in normal daytime activities, including sports. C. Ralph Hooper, Jr., CPO will be hosting the course. Registration fee is $350 Participants receive 4 CEU’s Course Dates are May 27th, and June 24th. The number of participants is limited so please register early at CBB.org. For more information please contact Natasha Hardina at 843-577-9577 or email her at nhardina@carolinaop.com
O&P ALMANAC | JUNE 2016
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