SPECIAL NOTICE
B -- Surevey of fellows of the ACOG
- Notice Date
- 9/6/2009
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procurement and Grants Office (Atlanta), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341-4146
- ZIP Code
- 30341-4146
- Solicitation Number
- 2009-Q-73652
- Archive Date
- 9/22/2009
- Point of Contact
- Matthew C Ellington, Phone: 770-488-2677
- E-Mail Address
-
mce8@cdc.gov
(mce8@cdc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). IT IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. ANY COST INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHALL BE BORNE BY THE INTERESTED PARTY (PROSPECTIVE OFFEROR) AND WILL NOT BE CHARGED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. VENDOR: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 409 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20090 1) BACKGROUND AND NEED - Preterm birth (birth < 37 weeks gestation) affects over 12% of all births in the United States, and has increased by 36% over the past 20 years. Among African American infants, the risk of preterm birth is even more concerning; 18% of infants born to non-Hispanic black mothers are born preterm. Preterm birth is the most frequent cause of infant mortality and severe neurologic disabilities in children. It is estimated that the cost of preterm birth in the United States exceeds $26 billion each year for medical care, special education needs, and lost productivity of affected families. The rise in preterm birth over the past two decades has been nearly exclusively due to the increase in late preterm births (32-36 weeks gestation). Despite being the most common category of preterm birth, the health effects of late preterm birth have not been studied as extensively as has those of very preterm birth (Saigal and Doyle, 2008). Neonates born late preterm suffer increased morbidity and mortality compared with term infants (Shapiro-Mendoza et al., 2008). They experience higher frequencies of temperature instability, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, seizures, jaundice, feeding difficulties and other complications (Saigal and Doyle, 2008). In a study of term and late preterm infants discharged prior to 48 hours, breast fed late preterm infants had a significantly higher rate of readmission (Tomashek et al., 2006). Many of the recent advances in neonatal care for preterm infants have not been shown to be effective for neonates born after 34 weeks gestational age. For example, the use of corticosteroids for lung and other organ maturation is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) prior to 34 weeks gestational age, but not for after that gestational age as no benefit has been documented (ACOG, 2002). ACOG published the Committee Opinion #408 Late-Preterm Infants in April 2008 to bring increased awareness among obstetrician-gynecologists and other obstetric providers (ACOG, 2008). Birth prior to 39 weeks gestational age is associated with increased respiratory complications (Yoder et al., 2008). Because of the evidence for increased risk to neonates born prior to 39 weeks gestational age, and even to infants born between 37 and 39 weeks, ACOG recommends that scheduled delivery only occur if fetal lung maturity of 39 weeks or more of gestational age has been confirmed ( ACOG, 2008). Despite growing concerns about the risks of late preterm births, the reasons for the increase in the late preterm birth rates remain unknown. It is likely that there have been changes in clinical practice and clinical decision-making, although this topic has not been well studied or documented. It is unknown if patient demands or concerns have altered clinical practices, if the concomitant rise in the rate of Cesarean sections is related to the rise in late preterm, or if changes in providers concerns about clinical outcomes or medical malpractice may have changed clinical practice. In addition, it has been difficult to track the problem of preterm birth in the United States due to the inaccuracy of gestational age dating on vital records. Standard methods for reporting of gestational age rely on use of last menstrual period, which has been clearly demonstrated to be less accurate for determining gestational age compared with first trimester ultrasound or use of "best clinical estimate." It is unclear if providers' uncertainty about gestational age is related to changes in clinical decision-making or the rise in late preterm birth rates. 2) PROJECT OBJECTIVE - The objective of this project is to develop a survey questionnaire in collaboration with ACOG colleagues. Questions will assess physicians' methods of estimating gestational age, perceived barriers to early gestational age dating (e.g. reimbursement concerns or perceived lack of clinical utility), decision-making strategies for timing assisted delivery, management of spontaneous late preterm labor and delivery, and immediate postpartum management of neonates delivered late preterm. 3) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS - The vendor shall perform the following tasks: · Develop a questionnaire in collaboration with CDC colleagues. ACOG will consult with other groups that are also addressing the issue of late-preterm births such as the CDC, National Institute of Child Health and Development, March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and AWHONN. Questions will assess physicians' methods of estimating gestational age, perceived barriers to early gestational age dating (e.g. reimbursement concerns or perceived lack of clinical utility), decision-making strategies for timing assisted delivery, management of spontaneous late preterm labor and delivery, and immediate postpartum management of neonates delivered late preterm. The questionnaire will also survey obstetrician-gynecologists' practice patterns, clinical experiences, basic knowledge, professional training, access to professional and patient resource materials, and self-reported educational needs relevant to issues pertinent to late preterm birth. Their knowledge of and compliance with ACOG recommendations will be investigated. · Generate a sample of Network and non-Network Fellows and JFPs and assign an identification number to track respondents versus non-respondents while maintaining Fellows' anonymity. · Mail surveys to all Ob/Gyn's. · Include a cover letter with the questionnaire, orienting survey recipients to the study and indicating a response deadline. Include postage paid return envelopes. · About 4-5 weeks after the first mailing, send a second mailing to all non-respondents. · About 4 to 5 weeks after the second mailing, send a third mailing following the same format. This protocol typically results in a response rate of at least 55%. Additional provider contacts may be considered to reach improved response rates. · Send a short letter-survey to non-respondents after the deadline for the third mailing, asking them to return answers to 4-6 key questions from the survey. · Hire an assistant with experience in data management to code and enter questionnaire data using SPSS, while under the supervision of ACOG Research Department staff. · Complete data coding and begin data entry after the third mailing deadline has been reached. · Analyze questionnaire results, write a final report and disseminate results in collaboration with CDC investigators. 4) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE- September 30, 2009 - September 30, 2010 The period of performance shall commence upon award of a contract and shall continue through September 30, 2010 or until all activities are complete, whichever is sooner. 5) DELIVERABLES - Deliverables Date Required Development of survey questionnaire October 30, 2009 Cover letter to accompany first mailing of questionnaire 7 days post survey development 2nd mailing to non-respondents 4-5 weeks after 1st mailing 3rd mailing to non-respondents 4-5 weeks after 2nd mailing Short letter-survey to non-respondents After the deadline for the third mailing Analysis of data from questionnaire and final written report 6 week after completion of data coding and data entry. 6) MINIMUM VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS The vendor shall have expertise in the conduct of completing surveys with the only existing national collective of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States. The vendor shall have staff, facilities and infrastructure necessary to develop the survey questionnaire and administer it to practicing OB/GYNs in American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The vendor shall have MD or Ph.D. supervising staff with experience or expertise in gestational age dating and management of late preterm birth. However, responsible sources who believe they can provide the required services may submit a written capability statement, via e-mail to Matthew Ellington at mce8@cdc.gov no later than 15 days from the published date of this announcement, by 4:00 pm EST, on September 21, 2009. All responses are limited to 5 pages, single spaced, 12 font, Times Roman. The cover letter is not includes in the 5 page limit, however should be included in the body of the email response. Telephone inquiries will be considered non-responsive.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/CDCP/PGOA/2009-Q-73652/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 2920 Brandywine Rd, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, United States
- Zip Code: 30341
- Zip Code: 30341
- Record
- SN01943118-W 20090908/090906233023-83864bde1beab66dd69802017726c8d3 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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