First-Round Bid Deadline Tomorrow

BALTIMORE--Less than two days remain for HME providers to submit bids for the first round of CMS' DMEPOS competitive bidding project--and this time there's no last-minute extension in sight, according to industry stakeholders.

Bids must be submitted electronically through the Competitive Bidding Submission System by 9 p.m. ET tomorrow. Bidders must also submit a variety of hard copy documents, including financial statements, postmarked by the Sept. 25 deadline.

In addition, according to a notice on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor Web site: "All bidders must certify their bids in the CBSS before the close of the bidding period. To certify a bid in the CBSS, click on 'Certify' on the Bid Certification page of Form B. All bidders must also print and sign this bid certification page and submit it to the CBIC along with the other required hard copy documents."

Just hours before the previous bid deadline of July 27, CMS extended the bidding window by 60 days. But another extension is unlikely this time around.

"I do not think there will be an 11th-hour extension--nor have I heard a loud outcry for one," said John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for Waterloo, Iowa-based buying group VGM. Gallagher said providers he has spoken with had finished bidding shortly after the extension and some had "reviewed their bids and corrected any problems that were made in haste."

As well, observers said they did not expect a last-minute rush to bid. "I think the vast majority of providers submitted bids at the time of the original deadline," said Miriam Lieber of Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Lieber Consulting.

Both Lieber and Gallagher said they were unaware of any current major system problems such as those that crippled the bidding prior to the July 27 deadline.

Those comments were echoed by Walt Gorski, vice president of government relations for the American Association for Homecare. "We are hearing of minor technical glitches, but nothing at the same magnitude as we had before the 60-day extension," Gorski said.

He was concerned, however, that as late as Sept. 19, CMS was offering new guidance via the "frequently asked questions" section on the CBIC site. "Right now, our major concern is what happens with the bid applications that CMS deems as incorrect or incomplete. The guidance has changed as to how members will be contacted or if they will be contacted," Gorski said.