Q & A

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are your members?
CSF Members are LMHS and SMHCS. Entities owned by either of these IDN's are eligible to participate.

How long have you been in business?
CSF was incorporated in 1997 through a joint ownership between LMHS and SMHCS. It is a subchapter T Corporation.

What is the difference between CSF and a National GPO?
CSF establishes user support for all contracts prior to signing. This assures compliance prior to contract execution. This transitions the "sales" relationship into a working partnership designed to create value for members, CSF, and the manufacturer.

Why should manufacturers want to do business with CSF?
Manufacturers pursue contracts with CSF for many reasons. CSF members represent a significant portion of the healthcare delivered in southwest Florida. This includes nationally ranked Open Heart, Pediatric, and Orthopedic programs. Committed contracts in a rapidly expanding healthcare market make CSF contracts a desirable objective.

How long does it take to establish a CSF contract?
From beginning to execution, it can take up to 90 days. The CSF process is committed to three (3) formal interactions with users before signing the contract. The greatest time savings opportunity exists in product validation. Effectively determining "clinical acceptability" of qualifiers can further minimize time required to complete the contract.

How big is the CSF portfolio?
The CSF portfolio consists of greater than 60 supplies and implants contracts. In addition, CSF is now contracting for major capital equipment in member IDN's.

What is meant by "clinical acceptability?"
Clinical acceptability is based on the clinical users ability to work with the manufacturers products. Ease of use, predictability, and latex content are just some of the concerns a product must address to achieve acceptability. Once the product is found acceptable, the manufacturer is expected to compete against other order finalists to secure the economic lead. The optimal CSF contract captures both product quality and low price for its members.

How do manufacturers become "Order Qualifiers?"
CSF and CP seek out manufacturers who can provide the breadth of product necessary to address at least 90% of the defined category. In cases where less than 90% is achievable by the field of vendors, the compliance is modified to achieve vendor-to-vendor competition.

How do manufacturer’s become “Order Finalists?”
Following the clinical validation process, vendor’s product performance is determined to be clinically acceptable. This, in turn, with representation and pricing acceptability, results in the manufacturer becoming order finalists and eligible to participate in the RFP process.

How do I find out about CSF opportunities?
Manufacturers interested in CSF contracting opportunities should check this web page for the RFP calendar. CSF initiates "new" contracts on a regular basis. Contracts “renewals” are initiated 120 days prior to expiration.

What access (s) do "un-contracted" competitors have to members?
CSF contracts are designed to achieve up to 90% compliance. The balance is intended to address unique needs that require a more specialized response. It is not intended to create a secondary vendor. Once a contract is awarded and the transition plan initiated, outgoing vendors and/or non-order winners are expected to honor their revised access limitations.

Where are your offices?
CSF offices are located adjacent to the LeeSar Distribution Center in Lehigh Acres, Florida.

How can I contact CSF?

Mailing Address:
401 Leonard Blvd. North
Lehigh Acres, Florida 33971

Phone:
(239) 303-0606
Fax:
(239) 303-0754

Web Address:
www.csofl.com

Email Address:
Christine Lonabaugh clonabaugh@csofl.com

What does a CSF Contract entail?
The CSF contracting process works on a Net Net basis. At the Net level, CSF expects to receive the prevailing market price for products based on our aggregate purchasing power. As an agent for the supply chain management company LeeSar, CSF pursues regional distribution enabling additional efficiency and savings for manufacturer and coop members. On the Net Net level, CSF offers three (3) year sole source contracts with up to 90% compliance. The terms of this level are considered Trade Secrets and are kept confidential by CSF executives.

How long does the manufacturer have the RFP?
The manufacturer is given two (2) weeks to respond to the RFP. Responses are requested in hard copy and the pricing template is to be returned on disc or through e-mail on Excel format.

What information is provided in the RFP?
CSF provides aggregate usage from either the previous fiscal year or the most recent calendar year. The detail captures the breadth of the product to be included in the bid category The CSF Contract is included and manufacturers are strongly encouraged to utilize this document with as few changes as possible.

Does CSF award dual source contracts?
In some circumstances CSF does have multi-source contracts in its portfolio. This has been done when it satisfies both the clinical and economic considerations of the defined category.

Does the "low bid" always win the contract?
Once CSF receives the manufacturers response to the RFP, a Net and a Net Net analysis are performed. The economic response is thoroughly analyzed and an "economic recommendation" is entered. The Net analysis is presented to the appropriate/effected committees and/or leadership. It is their responsibility to balance the economic and clinical considerations at hand and render a decision.

How does CSF assure compliance?
The CSF contracting process engages users early in the process. Once a defined category is established, the effected member users are engaged to approve order qualifiers. Once approved, manufacturers become order finalists. Order finalists are invited to participate in the contract through the CSF RFP. Once bids are received, a Net Analysis is presented to the user group, sign-off is obtained, and the contract is executed.