FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Laws 89-785, 91-496, 93-82, 96-151, 101-366 and 103-210; 38 U.S.C. 8151-8153.

OBJECTIVES:

To receive and share the most advanced medical techniques; to secure the use of specialized medical resources which otherwise might not be feasibly available to the VA and to provide services to the community through specialized medical resources which are not being utilized to their maximum effectiveness within the VA. (These medical resources are "specialized" resources or underutilized resources in the sense that they are unique in the medical community or can have maximum utilization only through mutual use.)

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Provision of Specialized Services. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

To provide for the exchange of or mutual use of specialized medical resources when such an agreement will obviate the need for a similar resource to be provided in a VA facility, or for the mutual use, or exchange of use, of specialized medical resources in a VA facility which have been justified on the basis of veterans' care, but which are not utilized to their maximum effective capacity. Such agreements must be made with health care facilities including hospitals, medical schools, clinics, research centers, and blood and organ banks. VA may also enter into sharing agreements with State Veterans Homes for the purpose of sharing health care resources which include inpatient and outpatient care, rehabilitation services, and other health care support or administrative services.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   (For sharing of medical resources) Health care facilities including medical schools, hospitals, clinics, research centers and blood and organ banks. ("Hospitals" include any Federal, State, local, or other public or private hospital.)

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Patients of VA medical facilities or patients of health care facilities including hospitals, medical schools, clinics, research centers and blood and organ banks.

Credentials/Documentation:   Written authorization from the VA (or other party to the agreement or contract, as provided) by the terms of the agreement or contract.

Pre-application Coordination:   Negotiated between VA and the applicant. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Competitive sharing agreements greater than $1.5 million and non-competitive contracts greater than $500,000 must be approved by the Director, Sharing and Purchasing Office (175), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, prior to contract execution. Proposed contracts less than these thresholds may be negotiated and awarded without prior VA Central Office reviewed approval.

Award Procedure:   None.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Sharing contracts may include the exercise of two 1- year, pre-priced options beyond the first year of the contract. No other renewals are permitted.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annually as required by Title 38 U.S.C. 8153(e).

Audits:   As required by contract terms.

Records:   Maintain records in accordance with the contract or agreements which will facilitate an effective audit.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-0160-0-1-703.

Obligations:   (Salaries and Expenses) FY 01 $185,500,000; FY 02 est $200,000,000; and FY 03 est $200,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

There were approximately 550 contracts for resources purchased and provided in fiscal year 2001.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

38 CFR 17.210; VA Manual M-I, Part I, Chapter 34, Section II; VA Acquisition Regulations VAAR 815.7.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Contact nearest VA Facility listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog under Veterans Health Administration.

Headquarters Office:   Director, Sharing and Purchasing Office (175), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273- 8406.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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