SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Continuing Medical Education
- Notice Date
- 5/7/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 611710
— Educational Support Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center/Office of Purchasing & Contracts, 6707 Democracy Blvd, Suite 106, MSC 5480, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-5480
- ZIP Code
- 20892-5480
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-CC-OPC-SBSS-14-9917
- Archive Date
- 5/30/2014
- Point of Contact
- Daytona Philpotts, Phone: 3014512716
- E-Mail Address
-
daytona.philpotts@nih.gov
(daytona.philpotts@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and capability of small businesses (including certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Businesses). This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposal, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained herein. This notice is not to be construed as commitment of the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission to the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this sources sought. Any responses received will not be used as a proposal. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Clinical Center (CC), Office of Purchasing and Contracts (OPC) are seeking to identify any sources with capabilities or prior experience that can provide support for the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Continuing Medical Education services (CME) in accordance with the following statement of work. This is a potential twelve (12) month Base Period with four (4) one (1) year Option Periods, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award. OBJECTIVE: This request is being conducted for NIH/CC/OPC. This company is expected to maintain NIH CME activities, NIH requires a full-service ACCME-accredited CME provider to cover comprehensive activity and data management support services. STATEMENT OF WORK: This requirement consists of the following major functions: Program Administration, Program Evaluation, Problem Identification and Resolution, Communication, Green Initiatives, Continuity of NIH/CME Operations, Information Technology Support (IT), and Fiscal Responsibility and Financial Accountability, all of which must be executed in 100% compliance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) requirements and other requirements as described in this document. Program Administration involves any action that may include, but is not limited to communication with OCRTME staff, acceptance of electronic applications, verification of authenticity of CME activity applications, evaluation of electronic applications, awarding of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s), and monitoring of activity directors' and support staff compliance with accreditation requirements. Program Evaluation involves any activity that may include, but is not limited to, providing the deliverables as identified in Schedule of Deliverables and maintaining the ACCME Accredited Provider status throughout the duration of the requirement and subsequent optional years. Problem Resolution may include, but is not limited to communications, training of NIH staff regarding accreditation requirements, as well as providing the deliverables as identified in Schedule of Deliverables. Communication may include, but is not limited to email, phone conversations, and teleconferencing capabilities. Continuity of NIH/CME Operations refers to, but is not limited to: 1. Activities that are accredited with an ending date beyond the period of performance will continue accreditation to that date via a no-cost extension to this requirement. Signature by the Contractor signifies agreement with this extension. Specific activities affected will be identified in the no-cost extension of this requirement with their expiration dates. No additional activities will be processed via the no-cost extension. 2. NIH ownership of all data and activity documents (electronic or hardcopy) and documentation (electronic or hardcopy) associated with all NIH accredited CME activities during and after the period of performance. 3. CME participant access to transcripts issued by the contractor for those at NIH who participated in NIH CME-generating activities. Transcripts must be retained for the life of the contract and transferred to NIH upon termination of the contract. Information Technology (IT) Support includes, but is not limited to developing, hosting, and maintaining a website that is compliant with DHHS information technology requirements. a. HHS Policy for Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT) (January 2005) http://www.hhs.gov/od/Final_Section_508_Policy.html b. HHS Section 508 http://508.hhs.gov/ c. HHS ASPA Web Communications Division: http://www.hhs.gov/web/policies/index.html d. US General Services Administration (GSA) Section 508: http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm e. ACCME Accreditation Publicity http://www.accme.org/publicizing-accme-accreditation Security Any personal data collected and/or used under this contract is subject to the Privacy Act Clause (FAR 52.224-2). The contractor will use any Privacy Act information provided by the Government or other Government contractors for the purposes authorized by this contract only and for no other. Contractors that operate a third-party website or application to engage with the public on the agency's behalf must satisfy the OMB memorandums issued June 25, 2010, OMB M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies; and OMB M-10-23, Guidance for Agency Use of Third-Party Websites and Applications. The Offeror must submit their Privacy Policy which will identify the web measurement and/or customization technologies employed at their website, indicate if the technology is.enabled by default and address whether users can opt-out or opt-in to use the web measurement and/or customization technologies. Contractors that develop a federal information system(s) at the Contractor's/Subcontractor's facility, or host and/or maintain a federal information system(s) at the Contractor's/Subcontractor's facility must provide the data center security and privacy policy that should include administrative, physical and technical controls in place. Offerors with security and privacy policies that include a secure firewall, segmentation of the government's data from non-government data, encryption technology that is FIPS 140-2 compliant, vulnerability scanning, current patch management and antivirus software, intrusion detection services, personnel access controls to the facility and servers, information system security and privacy training programs for personnel, redundant electricity, heating and cooling, data back up and retention plan incident response plan, contingency plan and disaster recovery plan will be scored higher than Offerors that do not offer these security controls. Section 508 Compliance Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) is applicable to this Statement of Work (SOW). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires compliance with Section 508 of any contractor or consultant who (1) produces content in any format that could be placed on a Department-owned or Department-funded Web site; or (2) writes, creates or produces any communications materials intended for public or internal use; to include reports, documents, charts, posters, presentations (such as Microsoft PowerPoint) or video material that could be placed on a Department-owned or Department-funded Web site. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) requires Federal agencies to purchase electronic and information technologies (EIT) that meet specific accessibility standards. This law helps to ensure that federal employees with disabilities have access to, and use of, the information and data they need to do their jobs. Furthermore, this law ensures that members of the public with disabilities have the ability to access government information and services. There are three regulations addressing the requirements detailed in Section 508. The Section 508 technical and functional standards are codified at 36 CFR Part 1194 and may be accessed through the Access Board's Web site at http://www.access-board.gov. The second regulation issued to implement Section 508 is the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). FAR Part 39.2 requires that agency acquisitions of Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) comply with the Access Board's standards. The entire FAR is found at Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Register (CFR) Title 48, located at http://www.acquisition.gov. The FAR rule implementing Section 508 can be found at http://www.section508.gov. The third applicable regulation is the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR). Regardless of format, all Web content or communications materials produced for publication on or delivery via HHS Web sites­ including text, audio or video - must conform to applicable Section 508 standards to allow federal employees and members of the public with disabilities to access information that is comparable to information provided to persons without disabilities. All contractors (including subcontractors) or consultants responsible for preparing or posting content intended for use on an HHS­ funded or HHS-managed Web site must comply with applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and where applicable, those set forth in the referenced policy or standards documents below. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with the applicable provisions of36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the SOW or PWS, shall be the responsibility of the contractor or consultant retained to produce the Web-suitable content or communications material. The contractor is responsible for ensuring compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by evaluating all web pages and web-based applications to ensure they meet all standards prior to going to production. All of these Section 508 provisions apply to all content or communications material identified in this SOW. Specific Services to be Provided by the Contractor: Initial Set-up and Development 1. On-site meetings with NIH staff for consultation regarding website development and/or maintenance. 2. Establish and/or maintain a NIH CME website that identifies current activities, provides an on-line application process (if needed), with supporting document templates, and provides course attendees confidential password-protected electronic access for their personal CME data. 3. Provide forms and instructions for on-line application process for Activity Directors and their staff on website. 4. Provide information and instructions for on-line review of applications on website. 5. Provide conflict of interest information and disclosure forms for speakers and planners on website. 6. Establish and maintain a tracking system to develop required ACCME and NIH reports to include, but not limited to, accreditation compliance, conflict of interest, participant data, lecture quality, attendance, needs assessment and evaluation outcome reports, as well as other reports as needed, and accurate and timely data entry for individual CME records. 7. Provide a web-based tracking system for all NIH CME records and individual physician participation, including specific requirements of the Joint Commission credentialing process. 8. Transfer historical participant data from current vendor to an electronic database. 9. Ensure that the website meets all U.S. government and ACCME guidelines. Activity Administration 1. Work with the NIH Activity Directors to develop educational meetings, conferences, and on-going regularly scheduled conferences (RSCs) that are in compliance with the requirements set by ACCME, and for maintaining NIH's ability to support accredited activities. 2. Manage the application process from initial receipt and review to approval and final post activity documentation. Ensure that information entered into the activity log is accurate. 3. Manage and administer CME-certified activities. 4. Provide interactive multimedia, online and distance learning capabilities as they pertain to the delivery of CME-certified activities. 5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the NIH CME-certified activities in meeting identified educational needs and implement improvements as required. 6. Respond to inquiries received by internet, email, fax, and phone from a variety of sources not only within NIH but also from other government agencies, professional and lay individuals, professional societies, and government contractors. 7. Interface with participants, Activity Directors and their staff, and other activity planners to ensure smooth and efficient operations in compliance with ACCME regulations. On-site meetings may be required. 8. Provide compliance reporting. 9. Ensure that all required CME activity information and supporting documentation, and post-activity documentation materials, are maintained and stored in accordance with ACCME requirements. 10. Ensure that all planners and faculty provide completed and signed disclosure forms and that potential conflicts of interest are resolved to guarantee non-biased presentations. 11. Ensure that all media used to advertise CME events include appropriate language and meet ACCME requirements. 12. Assume total responsibility for managing the post-activity documentation process. In so doing, alert Activity Directors when required materials have not been submitted within the allotted time frame. Review submissions for accuracy and completeness. Contact Activity Directors and staff to obtain missing information. Educational Planning 1. ON-site meetings and electronic and phone communications to consult with Activity Directors regarding needs assessment, course objectives, and programmatic design and delivery. 2. Routine on-site meetings, electronic and/or phone communication to liaison with medical education and medical communication organizations that may wish to collaborate with the NIH on activity delivery or create enduring materials. 3. Ensure that all CME-certified activities are in compliance with the Essential Areas and Elements of the ACCME. 4. Work with Activity Directors to ensure approval of activities. 5. Advise on complex issues of joint sponsorship and commercial support. 6. Determine credit hours toward the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician's Recognition Award for all approved CME-certified activities. Data Management and Reporting 1. Document and track attendance to ensure accurate and timely individual participant CME records. 2. Provide systems for issuing health care professional certificates and/or verifications of credit when needed. 3. Provide confidential management of attendee's personal CME data. 4. Track short and long term attendees' participation. 5. Carry out Regularly Scheduled Conferences (RSC) monitoring in accordance with ACCME requirements. 6. Carry out annual needs assessment for activity content. 7. Assess the outcomes of each CME-certified activity. 8. Prepare, distribute, and collect email and hard copy evaluation forms for all CME-certified activities, as requested (e.g., Regularly Scheduled Conferences [RSCs]). 9. Conduct regular evaluations of the tracking systems to ensure accuracy and effectiveness. 10. Verify that all data are correctly converted from website to annual reports. 11. Collect and analyze CME-certified activity evaluation data. Track quality of the activities through evaluations and provide data collected to Activity Directors to improve future events. 12. Prepare summary reports and submit to the NIH and the ACCME as required for accreditation purposes. 13. Prepare final cumulative evaluation summary data for the NIH. 14. Collect and analyze data, and prepare statistical and text reports on activity accomplishments and finances. 15. Provide reports to NIH Activity Directors and the Director, Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education, Clinical Center, in support of charges submitted for payment. Policy and Analysis Interpret "Essentials and Standards" of the ACCME on an ongoing basis; draft policy, and communicate updates and revisions to Activity Directors and the Director, Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education, Clinical Center. Education and Training 1. Develop informational materials on the CME application review and accreditation process for dissemination to current and prospective Activity Directors and periodically conduct small-group training sessions on-site or provide an on-line site containing information useful for faculty. 2. Conduct small group training sessions for CME Activity Directors and their staff to address complex policy issues. 3. Establish and maintain strong relationships with NIH Institutes and Centers and other CME providers to provide a source of new ideas and problem solving, facilitate activity delivery, provide historical information necessary to develop fiscal analysis of future activities, and coordinate the sharing of resources (e.g., mailing lists, and profit and loss statements from previous activities). Participation with Appropriate NIH Staff 1. Perform initial review and evaluation of new applications for CME-certified activities submitted by Activity Directors to determine if the applications meet ACCME approval criteria. 2. If applications are incomplete, contact the Activity Director or appropriate staff to request missing items. 3. Assist, if needed, with the determination of whether proposed activities support the mission of the NIH. 4. In conjunction with the NIH, review and approve individual CME-certified activities. 5. As necessary, provide special support to individuals at NIH with questions about content, duration, etc. which might impact the development of a CME activity. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: NIH/CC, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 Offerors are encouraged to respond if they have the capability and capacity to provide the identified services with little or no disruption of services to the current users at the NIH/CC. Interested small business potential Offerors are encouraged to respond to this notice. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of respondents' capacity and capability to perform the specific work as required. Responses must directly demonstrate the company's capability, experience, and/or ability to marshal resources to effectively and efficiently perform each of the tasks described above at a sufficient level of detail to allow definitive numerical evaluation; and evidence that the Contractor can satisfy the minimum requirements listed above wile in compliance with FAR 52.219-14 ("Limitations on Subcontracting"). Failure to definitively address each of these factors will result in a finding that respondent lacks capability to perform the work. Responses to this notice shall be limited to fifteen (15) pages, and must include: 1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS 611710 with size limitation standards of $7.0 Million, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov to be considered as potential sources. 5. Identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 6. If the company has a Government approved accounting system, please identify the agency that approved the system. Please submit copies of any documentation, such as letters or certificates to indicate the firm's status (see item #3 above). Teaming arrangements are acceptable, and the information required above on the company responding to this announcement shall also be provided for each entity expected to be teammates of the respondent for performance of this work. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. Interested Offerors should submit their capability statement not exceeding fifteen (15) pages in length, excluding standard brochures. SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE no later than 2:00pm, Eastern Time, May 15, 2014. The capabilities response shall be e-mailed to: Daytona.philpotts@nih.gov All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the notice will not be returned nor there any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. Information provided in response to this notice will be used to assess alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process. This notice is part of Government Market Research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the commercial status of the industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The NIH/CC/OPC will use the information submitted in response to this notice at its discretion and will not provide comments to any submission; however, the content of any responses to this notice may be reflected in subsequent solicitation. NIH/CC/OPC reserves the right to contact any respondent to this notice for the sole purpose of enhancing NIH/CC/OPC's understanding of the notice submission. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses. It is emphasized that this is a notice for planning and information purposes only and is not be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. ***********************************************
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/CCOPC/HHS-NIH-CC-OPC-SBSS-14-9917/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NIH/CC, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
- Zip Code: 20892
- Zip Code: 20892
- Record
- SN03359550-W 20140509/140507234523-bae5e1eea4fb1d860e2b48b92f12f935 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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