SOLICITATION NOTICE
L -- Technical Services
- Notice Date
- 4/8/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Nat'l Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, & Kidney Diseases, 2 Democracy Plaza, Suite 700W 6707 Democracy Blvd., MSC 5455, Bethesda, MD, 20892-5455
- ZIP Code
- 20892-5455
- Solicitation Number
- NIH-NIDDK-06-793
- Response Due
- 5/1/2006
- Archive Date
- 5/16/2006
- Description
- The National Institutes of health (NIH), National Institute of Child and Human Development (NICHD) intends to procure on a sole source basis with David Todem to develop statistical and methodological methods in Perinatal Health. Also, the contractor shall consider both parametric, semiparametric and nonparametric statistical models needed to understand the relationship between pregnancy outcomes (Preeclampsia, Small neonates for gestational age, and Uncomplicated pregnancies) and prenatal biologic analytes (VEGFR-1, PIGF, and s-eng Endoglin) measured over time. Parametric models will include both linear and nonlinear models. Specifically, the Contractor shall use parametric growth curve models (mixed-effects models, nonlinear mixed effects models and population-averaged models) to understand the relationship between pregnancy outcomes viewed as covariates and prenatal biologic analytes viewed as responses. To increase efficiency, the Contractor shall consider model-based standard errors after a careful modeling of the association structure in the data. Other parametric model shall include prediction models based on polytomous logistic regression for identifying patients with the clinical disease, using either each analyte, and as well as a combination of analytes viewed as covariates. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) shall also be constructed and classification matrices generated. The contractor shall use semiparametric models that use robust ?Sandwich? estimators to estimate the standard errors of the parameter estimates when the association structure in the data is misspecified. Nonparametric models will include descriptive tools such as spline models and explanatory tools such as regression trees and classification trees for longitudinal data. It is common that in medical research, with the current technology, a level of some analytes may be detectable only above a threshold level. A good example in the database available at the Branch is the PlGF analyte, which is only measured above some threshold value. The Contractor shall then consider a piece-wise growth curve model or any other novel tool to adequately capture this feature of the data. The Contractor shall check all model fits for individual and systematic departures of the observed and fitted values using informal (e.g. inspection of residuals) and formal methods (e.g. based on Wald, Likelihood ratio and score tests for extra parameters). If individual outliers are detected, their influence will be evaluated by comparing models with and without outlying values. When we are not successful in fitting the parametric model, then non parametric methods such as generalized additive models shall be utilized. To minimize bias in the prediction model, the Contractor shall consider a cross-validation method by splitting the original data into a training sample (about 3/4 of data) and a testing set (about 1/4). Contractor will provide the background and reasoning for using a particular method of analyzing the data. Contractor will provide the PRB with references for the method(s) chosen. Contractor shall utilize updated versions of software packages that he/she considers most appropriate for the type of data handled. In addition the Contractor shall consider programming new methodologies and models using matrix oriented-software packages as these new models may not be fitted using commercial software packages. Contractor will perform intensive computation, including bootstrapping and permutation, for statistical hypothesis testing. The Contractor shall provide administrative support for the research projects such as typing of statistical reports and submissions for publications; literature searches and collection of scientific papers; copying of scientific papers; maintaining and updating a computerized reference library (e.g. EndNote). Work is to be performed by Contractor both at the PRB site at Wayne State University and at Contractor?s own location. To function effectively, the PRB will hold frequent meetings input from, and collaboration with, its Cooperative Group partners and other stakeholders. The Contractor shall attend in-person onsite monthly meetings organized by the head of PRB or his designee at the PRB premises, for an overview of the conduct of the project. In addition, the Contractor shall organize and coordinate in-person weekly meetings (preferably on Fridays) on methodological and statistical issues of the project in collaboration with the PRB project director or designee. The Contractor should be a member of a task specific panel made of all consultants that offer statistical advice and reviews about all aspects of PRB statistical operations. Areas in which this task-specific panel would be of value include, study design, data management and analysis, and interpretation of results. This panel will primarily meet every week in person, although the PRB may elect, in addition, to host conference call meetings to minimize costs for in-person meetings. By Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy agency requirements. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 22 days after publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries may be directed to Patricia Haun via email: haunp@mail.nih.gov.
- Record
- SN01024297-W 20060410/060408220542 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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