Contracting Officer (90C), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 40 Industry Drive, West Haven, CT 06516

B -- STUDY ON CROSS SYSTEM HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION BY VETERANS SOL RFP 689-73-95 DUE 092895 POC Contact Point, Michele Pompane, (203)937-3079 The Contracting Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus, West Haven, Connecticut intends to negotiate a sole source procurement with the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, 7th Floor, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a collaborative study on veterans who use the VA and who also use alternative or additional health care providers for treatment of a variety of medical and psychological conditions, particularly those who have private insurance or are on medical assistance or Medicare. Both the extent and reasons for this ''cross system'' use are not well known but are especially relevant today given the proposed cutbacks in Medicaid and Medicare and the current thrust to place beneficiaries in managed care settings that may limit certain types of care. Applications are to collaborate with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center at the Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, Connecticut on several studies related to ''cross system'' utilization by veterans. There are three research priorities: (1) ''Cross System'' Use of Health Care and Prescription Drugs by VA Substance Abusers; (2) ''Cross System Use of Behavioral Health Services by VA Substance Abusers; and (3) Patterns of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Utilization for Mentally Ill Veterans Who Become Homeless. This procurement is issued under the authority of FAR 6.302. All proposals received within 15 days after publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. (0221)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0009 19950810\B-0002.SOL)