VASNHCS Police Psychological Assessments

Amendment 0001 issued to answer Q&A and extend RFQ response due date to 02/12/2026.

Psychological Evaluation Services for VA Police Officers

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to provide comprehensive psychological evaluation services for VA Police Officer applicants and incumbents. These services are critical to ensure the officers' emotional and mental stability, as well as their suitability to carry firearms and perform essential job functions.

Scope of Services:

1. 
   

   Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations:

   
   
   
   
   
   • Conduct structured interviews and administer at least two standardized psychological tests for new VA Police Officer applicants. Tests should assess normal-range personality traits and psychopathology.
   
   
   • Evaluate mental stability, substance abuse, and other behaviors critical to job performance.
   
   
   
   


2. 
   

   Annual Psychological Evaluations:

   
   
   
   
   
   • Conduct verbal interviews annually to assess the psychological fitness of incumbent VA Police Officers for job-related factors.
   
   
   • Administer additional psychological tests if concerns about psychological fitness arise during the interview.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Directed/Special Examinations:

   
   
   
   
   
   • Perform evaluations for incumbent officers referred due to objective evidence suggesting compromised job performance because of psychological issues.
   
   
   • Follow guidelines outlined in an occupational health evaluation, as per VA Handbook 5019.
   
   
   
   

Qualifications:

• Personnel must be licensed psychologists or psychiatrists in any State, Territory, Commonwealth of the U.S., or the District of Columbia.


• Evaluators should have expertise in clinical and personnel assessment, be familiar with VA policies, and knowledgeable in relevant employment law, including ADA, USERRA, GINA, ADEA, HIPAA, and The Privacy Act of 1974.

Evaluation Components:

• Obtain written authorization from the applicant or officer before conducting evaluations.


• Conduct comprehensive, structured interviews focusing on job-relevant information while adhering to professional and industry standards.


• Utilize standardized psychological tests, ensuring confidentiality by not using the Mental Health Assistant (MHA) software for these evaluations.

Telehealth Considerations:

• Ensure remote evaluations via video communication technology follow traditional in-person procedures and maintain thorough documentation.


• Use HIPAA-compliant, non-public facing video platforms with encryption to protect privacy and confidentiality.

Reporting:

• Submit a thorough recommendation report following the evaluation, detailing the officer’s psychological fitness while providing only the necessary level of detail for medical clearance by the EOH Agency Medical Officer.


• Ensure recommendations are unequivocal, mentioning any compromised functional requirements if found.