7/27/07 CMS Grants 60-Day Bid Extension

BALTIMORE–In its third last-minute notice in as many weeks, CMS has announced it will extend the window for the first round of Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding for 60 days.

All bids are now due by 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 25, 2007; the registration deadline is Aug. 27; and the accreditation deadline is now Oct. 31. The previous bidding deadline had been set tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

The text of CMS’ bid extension notice follows in its entirety.

DEADLINE EXTENSIONS FOR DMEPOS COMPETITIVE BIDDING

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending the bid submission, registration, and accreditation deadlines for the first round of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. All bids are now due by 9:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time on September 25, 2007; the registration deadline is August 27, 2007; and the accreditation deadline is October 31, 2007. Suppliers that have already submitted their bids may revise and resubmit their bids until the new deadline. Suppliers that resubmit bids must submit a new certification statement.

On May 15, 2007, CMS issued a request for bids for the first round of the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program. The original due date was 9:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time on July 13, 2007. All bids are now due by 9:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time on September 25, 2007.

Suppliers interested in bidding must first register and receive a User ID and Password before they can access the internet-based bid submission system. Registration opened on April 9, 2007. The original registration deadline was June 30, 2007. CMS has reopened registration. The registration deadline is now August 27, 2007.

Suppliers must be accredited or be pending accreditation to submit a bid and will need to be accredited to be awarded a contract. The accreditation deadline for the first round of competitive bidding was originally August 31, 2007. The accreditation deadline is now October 31, 2007.

CMS is revising the contract periods. The original contract period for mail order diabetic supplies was April 1, 2008 – December 31, 2009. The contract period for all other first round product categories was April 1, 2008 – March 31, 2011. The contract period for mail order diabetic supplies is now July 1, 2008 – March 31, 2010. The contract period for all other first round product categories is now July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2011.

CMS is providing a targeted period to address suppliers’ remaining questions on the competitive bidding program. To help ensure that answers are available as soon as possible, please e-mail your questions to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) no later than August 10, 2007. The e-mail address is [email protected].

The first round competitive bidding areas (CBAs) and product categories were announced on April 2, 2007. CMS has issued for each CBA a detailed chart providing important bidding information for suppliers. Suppliers should use these charts when preparing their bids. Bidders will submit their bids using an internet-based bid submission system. The CBAs, product categories, bidding information charts, and full instructions for submitting a bid are located on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site. (The link is located under “Related Links Outside CMS” below.)

CMS would like to remind all potential bidders that, in order to submit a bid, a supplier must register to obtain a USER ID and Password before accessing the on-line bid submission system and must be accredited or have applied for accreditation. Suppliers must ensure that the information listed in their NSC supplier files is accurate and current to enable registration for the on-line bid submission system. CMS has also issued educational materials for suppliers. For additional information on registration, accreditation, and education please refer to the Important Messages later in this overview page.

Revised CBIC Help Desk Hours
There are revised customer service hours at the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC). Effective immediately, the CBIC help desk will be available to assist you from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. You may call the help desk at 877-577-5331.

Note: To view the important messages referred to in this CMS notice, visit the CBIC Web site at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.