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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF MAY 05, 2013 FBO #4180
SOLICITATION NOTICE

Q -- Follow-On Podoconiosis Research in Wolaita Zone of Ethiopia

Notice Date

5/3/2013
 

Notice Type

Presolicitation
 

NAICS

541712 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Rockledge Dr. Bethesda, MD, Office of Acquisitions, 6701 Rockledge Dr RKL2/6100 MSC 7902, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-7902
 

ZIP Code

20892-7902
 

Solicitation Number

NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-125-DLM
 

Archive Date

5/23/2013
 

Point of Contact

Dorothy Maxwell, Phone: 301-435-0352
 

E-Mail Address

maxwelld@mail.nih.gov
(maxwelld@mail.nih.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

INTRODUCTION: 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. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Acquisition (OA) on behalf of the National Human Genome Research Institute intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Podoconiosis Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to conduct a research trial that compares a standardized parent-directed health behavior change intervention (SHE) promotes consistent shoe wearing by an index child aged 3 to 6 regarding footwear practices among children at high risk for podoconiosis in Ethiopia,to produce intervention materials for a podoconiosis prevention and education research study. This is a Follow-On requirement. Period of Performance : May 2013 through October 2013. The sole source determination is based on the fact that National Institute of Health (NIH) is the nation's leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency conducting and supporting medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Social & Behavioral Research Branch (SDRB) in partnership with the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association (MFTPA) in Ethiopia, has conducted formative research to support the development and delivery of prevention and education intervention to address the problem of podoconiosis in the Wolaita region of Ethiopia. The National Human Genome Research Institute has been partnering with the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association (MFTPA) and Addis Ababa University in conducting extensive qualitative research regarding footwear practices among children at high risk for podoconiosis in the Wolaita zone of Ethiopia. A complement of focus groups, individual interviews and case studies with parents and children now have been completed in four target communities. The intervention was developed and testing started in September 2012 with necessary approvals gained from NHGRI's IRB and the government of Ethiopia. This has allowed NHGRI to start collecting preliminary data to base the study on. Over the past 8 months the contract workers in Ethiopia have determined appropriate candidates and met with families in the Woliata Zone of Ethiopia. After reviewing the initial data, it was determined that it is vital to this project that the next step in data collection be undertaken to utilize the effects of the rainy season in this zone. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The overarching objectives of the activities proposed is to conduct a research trial that compares a standardized parent-directed health behavior change intervention (SHE) promotes consistent shoe wearing by an index child aged 3 to 6 (as reported by the participating adult in affected families who receive shoes from the MFTPA - henceforth "high risk children"). Additionally the research trial will evaluate whether supplementary education about inherited susceptibility to soil exposure added to the SHE intervention decreases stigma among affected (self-stigma) and unaffected (e.g., social distancing) adults, and in turn, consistent shoe wearing among high risk children. The contractor shall continue to oversee the conduct of a 3 group controlled intervention trial that uses quasi-experimental methods to evaluate 2 different health education approaches to increase consistent shoe wearing among high risk children. The study has moved past the randomization of sites, selection of affected and unaffected households, the public health campaign, and delivery of training by Lay Health Advisors into the next phase. Qualitative assessment of Group 3. Inherited susceptibility education response: A random sample of parent-participants from affected (10% or approx 20 parents) and unaffected households (5% or approx 20) will be asked to participate in a semi-structured interview to occur within 2 weeks of the initial household intervention (that is described in the next section). The interview questions will be based on the common-sense model and be aimed to explore in more depth, participants' reactions to the curriculum on inherited susceptibility to soil sensitivity. Understanding of the joint contribution of susceptibility and exposure as causes of podoconiosis will be explored. Additionally, the effects these understandings have on perceived preventability of podoconiosis and its impact on stigma will be explored. 3-month follow-up data collection. Trained research assistants shall visit the 600 affected and 1200 unaffected households previously participating in the baseline data collection. Research assistants shall obtain consent and then administer a 25-minute 3-month follow-up survey. Affected households in Groups 2 & 3 - Booster session. Approximately 6 months after the initial household education session, a booster session of approximately 90 minutes will be conducted with each participating adult in affected households. The objectives for the booster visit will be to: (a) refresh didactic information about protecting the child's foot from exposure to soil and how best to wear shoes and maintain foot hygiene; (b) to go over experiences dealing with barriers to foot wear and reinvigorate efforts to overcome barriers, and (c) to address barriers specific to the upcoming rainy season that will make it harder to consistently wear shoes. Additionally for Group 3, the LHA shall review issues related to (d) inherited soil sensitivity and discuss/correct any recurring misconceptions. Community intervention booster. The contractor shall see that communities assigned to Groups 2 & 3 are exposed to a second public health campaign to raise general awareness of the importance of children wearing shoes. As for the first campaign, posters, stickers and buttons with the study logo, and a children's song will be used around the time of second shoe distribution. Contractor Requirements The contractor shall provide scientific oversight of the conduct of the research trial. The specific requirements are to: •Possess extensive expertise in the epidemiology of podoconiosis and experience in conducting public health interventions in the Wolaita zone of Ethiopia; •Speak Amharic and Wolatinya (dialects used in the Wolaita zone); •Relationships with community and religious leaders; •Experience conducting surveys with those speaking Wolatinya; •Experience training lay health workers in the Wolaita zone; and •Lead and steer the intervention activities that will take place in Wolaita, Ethiopia, in collaboration with the local communities and the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association. Government Responsibilities The Government will print health educational materials, field data collection tools (e.g., surveys, audio-recording equipment). Reporting Requirements and Deliverables The contractor shall submit monthly progress report, and semi-annual budget report. Program Management and Control Requirements Not Applicable Inspection and Acceptance Requirements Not Applicable REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) with size standard of 500 Employees. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6 B Competitive Requirements are not applicable (FAR Part 6.001).and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 05-66 (April 1, 2013). This requirement is under the SAT of $150,000.00. The determination by the Government to award a purchase order on a sole source on competitive basis to IOCC is a continuation of a previous order [HHSN268201200284P, September 12, 2012]. Any information received as a result of this pre-solicitation / notice of intent will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct any future competitive procurements. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NHLBI/NHLBI-CSB-(HG)-2013-125-DLM/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Zip Code: 20892
 

Record

SN03052240-W 20130505/130503234345-6f02d74c299b735d3ad4db80e15e8982 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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