SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- MedRIC Linked Datasets - IT Security Information - Statement of Work
- Notice Date
- 12/7/2010
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- NOI1862014
- Archive Date
- 1/1/2011
- Point of Contact
- Idella M. Simpson, Phone: 301-435-8781, Susan Nsangou, Phone: 3014432104
- E-Mail Address
-
simpsoi@nida.nih.gov, nsangous@mail.nih.gov
(simpsoi@nida.nih.gov, nsangous@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Statement of Work IT Security Information This is a notice of intent, not a request for a proposal. A solicitation document will not be issued and proposals will not be requested. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisition, Office of Acquisitions- Neurosciences, on behalf of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a non-competitive basis to Acumen LLC of Burlingame, CA for continued support of the Medicare Research Information Center (MedRIC) linked research data capacities. MedRIC is a research tool that facilitates the acquisition and linkage of CMS data to surveys and registries sponsored by federal agencies. The tasks primarily include: continual acquisition of new Medicare data as it becomes available, updating the linkage of these data to those surveys designated by NIA, distribution of linked research files to approved users, and further enhancement of the breadth and depth of the data products available to researchers. Specific tasks include the following: Task 1: Data Linkage, Collection, and Dissemination Acumen will both maintain its current proprietary data inventory input (which includes Health and Retirement Study (HRS), Panel Study on Income Dynamics (PSID), Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) and HealthABC) and linkages and update this inventory as new Medicare data becomes available and are approved for linkage. Maintenance not only includes adding new years of CMS administrative data to surveys already affiliated with MedRIC, but also linkage of existing administrative data to new surveys and registries (as identified by NIA) recruited in the future to partner with MedRIC, as well as the addition of other Medicare files as they are approved by CMS for data linkage. Task 2: Development of Research Files MedRIC will continue development of research extracts and summaries of CMS administrative files at the person level tailored to satisfy the research needs of a wide range of users. The aim is to create summary formats that remove the burden of working with large and complicated Medicare files in multiple formats across multiple years. In constructing these research files, algorithms will be created to translate raw data scanned claims records into meaningful indicators of medical conditions and treatments. These files will be formulated to provide user friendly and easy access to statistics describing individual respondents' health status and usage of medical services. This formulation shall be developed and refined with the input of the survey developers and their research teams. Development shall also include creation of versions of research files designed to enhance information content while maintaining data confidentially through the masking of HIPAA-sensitive variables. Task 3: Documentation MedRIC shall maintain and further enhance data documentation for both the linked research extracts of the raw claims records and the research summary constructions of the Medicare data. This data documentation shall be directly built into the research extract files, making specific data elements both easily understood and retrievable by potential users. In addition to written material, documentation shall also be provided in accessible and easily searchable electronic formats (e.g., html, Excel and Access formats). In addition to data layouts that report a label and description for each data element, MedRIC shall, in collaboration with study directors, further creation of more detailed data documentation and tools for working with Medicare data, including value formats and value frequencies, advisories on specific data elements and general guidance on the usefulness of Medicare data for health services research. Task 4: Distribution of Research Files MedRIC will distribute linked research extracts to end users in compliance with existing CMS and survey data security policies, as described in section 5. The process of extracting the data may be specific to each distribution. Minimally, each data distribution shall include the following elements: Confirmation of request specifications; Validation of approval for distribution from survey managers and in accordance with CMS DUA procedures; Verification of data extracts; Encryption of data files when written to media; and Secure shipment/transfer of data files to the end user. Task 5: User Support MedRIC shall provide technical assistance and other guidance to users during all phases of the data request process. Guidance includes assisting users with formulating their requests, directing users to resources regarding requests and Data Usage Agreements (DUA), and facilitating DUA acquisition and maintenance. MedRIC staff shall also provide technical support in decrypting and reading data and support for understanding documentation to users after the receipt of shipped data files. MedRIC may develop and maintain other tools for user support, which could include websites and discussion boards, to supplement documentation. Task 6: Project Management MedRIC shall track and maintain detailed records of all request specifications and shipments and deliveries. These records will be available on a real time basis, and MedRIC will be able to respond to a request for information from NIA within 2 business days. Minimally, MedRIC shall provide reports twice a year to NIA detailing the researchers (including institutional affiliation) who requested linked datasets, dates of requests, research files distributed, and timeframes of permitted use. Further, MedRIC shall manage and coordinate regular communication with personnel from all affiliated surveys and registries. This communication will inform these personnel about the status of administrative data linkages, availability of data products, and details summarizing the distribution of files to users. Finally, MedRIC will maintain whatever records and communication are required by CMS as part of its DUA procedures. In January of 2007 CMS announced that it would no longer distribute file extracts for years prior to 1997. As the Research Data Distribution Center (RDDC) for CMS Medicare data, Acumen LLC was permitted to download 100% of all Medicare files from 1991-1996. Because this data is no longer distributed through CMS fair competition is unlikely. They have kept their DUA for these data current, and has added to their onsite database in service of analytical work done under contract with the federal government. Additionally, Acumen has NIA and other institutions with the survey data (ie, HRS, PSID, BLSA, etc.) and file structures, as well as the likely needs of the research community which will be requesting these extracts; there would be a significant delay with another source provider to develop the same familiarity and relationships with the survey data providers. The period of performance for this contract is two (2) years with three (3) option years The acquisition is being conducted using FAR Part 12 procedures and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, competition requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NOI1862014 may be submitted electronically to Idella Simpson, Contract Specialist, simpsoi@mail.nih.gov, on or before December 17, 2010 at 12:00pm.
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-
FBO.gov Permalink
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- Record
- SN02339662-W 20101209/101207233902-b40f7afbf81eb48ae5f636b8d34acc42 (fbodaily.com)
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