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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 02, 2002 FBO #0243
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- Study Of The Use Of High Performance Internet Connectivity.

Notice Date

7/31/2002
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894
 

ZIP Code

20894
 

Solicitation Number

02-184-CYC
 

Response Due

8/15/2002
 

Point of Contact

Cara Calimano, Office Automation Assistance, Phone 301 496-6127, Fax 301 402-8169, - Karen Riggs, Contracting Officer, Phone 301 496-6546, Fax 301 402-0642,
 

E-Mail Address

CalimaC@mail.nlm.nih.gov, RIGGSK@mail.nlm.nih.gov
 

Description

It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure services on a sole source basis from University Corporation For Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), Ann Arbor, Minnesota. The purpose of the proposed work is to develop a more robust, deeper understanding of the use of high performance Internet connectivity by the Health Care/Health Sciences community--with emphasis on critical incidents of usage where the user (individual, group, or organization) reports notable success or failure, with significant positive or negative impacts, and explains why and what remedial actions (if needed) were taken. The work will apply the Critical Incident Methodology developed in the 1980s and previously used by NLM to better understand physician use of the MEDLINE database. The methodology will be refined through two focus groups, and then applied in two rounds of interviews with representative users from a cross-section of health care/science institutions. The study will be exploratory in nature, with an emphasis on brainstorming and open-ended semi-structured interviews that encourage flexibility to accommodate new ideas and perspectives. The results of the interviews will be analyzed using the critical incident framework to develop a taxonomy of critical incidents, a series of synopsized mini-case studies, a correlation between perceived and actual levels of Internet connectivity at select sites, and a baseline for possible future work. The work will consist of three phases--Phase I, Plan, Conduct, and Analyze Focus Groups; Phase II--Plan, Conduct, and Analyze First Round of Interviews; and Phase III--Plan, Conduct, and Analyze Second Round of Interviews. NLM staff conducted searches of the web and high bandwidth Internet-related web sites in particular, and made inquiries of persons and organizations familiar with this market. NLM staff determined that the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development/Internet2 was the only vendor able to meet all of the requirements listed above. UCAID/Internet2 is the leading collaborative organization with regard to U.S. research university high bandwidth Internet applications, has given a priority to Internet connectivity monitoring and evaluation (as manifested by its end-to-end Internet performance initiative), has broad knowledge of both high end Internet applications and performance evaluation methods and metrics, and has access to the requisite combination of technical, application, and focus group/interview skills and experience necessary to provide the requisite services. Any other source would not be able to meet NLM?s needs. The proposed acquisition will be procured under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition of Commercial Items. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsive sources may submit a proposal in a timely manner in which will be considered by NLM. Firms interested in responding to the notice must be able to provide the referenced book as specified above. Responses must be in writing and must be received in the office within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. Proposal must include pricing information. NLM Synopsis No. NLM 02-184/CYC. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Cara Y. Calimano, Office Automation Technician, NLM on (301) 496-6127.
 

Place of Performance

Address: 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland

Zip Code: 20894

Country: US
 

Record

SN00129159-W 20020802/020731213359 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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