HSC/YAK, 8107 13th Street, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5218

A -- EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH/AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY-PROJECT RANCH HAND II POC Capt Becky Weirick, Contract Specialist, (210) 536-6332; William H. Keihl, Contracting Officer, (210) 536-6318. Pre-solicitation/Sources Sought Announcement: Information regarding qualified sources is being sought for EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH, in support of the Air Force Health Study (AFHS), (Project Ranch Hand II). This synopsis is also a request for expression of interest and capability information. Interested parties are requested to submit three copies of information which outlines their abilities to support the effort which is described below. As a minimum, submissions should disclose (1) identification of company size (e.g., # of personnel, if 8A or small business, etc.), (2) facilities, (3) testing capabilities, (4) technical capabilities, and (5) personnel and management capabilities. See Numbered Notes 22 and 25. Without receiving acceptable capability information that addresses the requested specific technical and quality background requirements/experience, it is the Air Force's intent to only solicit Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) because any delay of the Ranch Hand II protocol timelines is unacceptable. SAIC has competitively won the last three contracted cycles and has performed the Air Force Health Study of the Ranch Hand II Program since 1985. Respondents shall not be compensated and will not be contacted. No pre-solicitation conference to discuss this effort is currently planned. This announcement is based on the best information available and may be subject to future changes. A description of the anticipated effort is outlined in the remainder of this announcement. The objective of this effort is to accomplish the highest quality medical examinations and laboratory determinations, psychological testing, statistical data analyses, questionnaire administration, participation scheduling, travel arrangements, lodging, local transportation and compensation in support of the Air Force Health Study (AFHS). The AFHS (Project Ranch Hand II) is an epidemiologic study of Air Force veterans of Operation Ranch Hand who conducted aerial herbicide missions in Southeast Asia. This study uses a cohort design incorporating morbidity, mortality and follow-up data. Previous evaluations have been conducted in 1982, 1985, 1987,and 1992. Serum dioxin levels were determined during the 1987 effort and again on selected individuals during the 1992 effort. Technical reports have been written and are available from the National Technical Information Service. The contractor shall have the following technical background requirements/experience: conducting comprehensive research-orientated medical examinations of all body systems; laboratory determinations and psychological evaluations. The contractor shall have expertise in conducting research-oriented interviews and in the use of CAPI (computer assisted personal interview) methodologies. The contractor shall have expertise in the logistics of locating, contracting, scheduling and converting participants to attend the examinations. The contractor shall have expertise in the logistics of travel arrangements including transportation to and from the examination site as well as lodging and reimbursements while at the examination site. The contractor shall have expertise in epidemiologic database management, statistical analysis, and report writing. The contractor shall have expertise in research laboratory methods and statistical quality control. The contractor shall have the following prior critical experience: conducting the highest quality, large epidemiologic investigations that require research-oriented physical and psychological examinations (where the number of subjects examined was greater than 2000). The contractor shall have experience in the logistics of collection and handling of specimens for serum dioxin testing. The contractor shall have experience in complex statistical analyses, data interpretation and report writing. The contractor shall have successful experience in the management of large project milestones, cost and funds reporting, and project control. The contractor shall have or have access to the required special facilities that are appropriately accredited health examination and laboratory facilities capable of handling 2000 or more participants during a ten-month period. The contractor shall have or have access to suffieient computer resources to accomplish the statistical analyses. All information submitted should be detailed, complete and should address the issues, listed above, i.e. state whether your unit meets the requirements or describe in detail any deviations. Please submit your interest in writing. Information should include company name,address, and phone number, main point of contact, facsimile number, and business size status. The above information is not intended as a pre-selection evaluation; yet, providing this information will more clearly define our competitive procurement strategy. An Ombudsman is to receive and communicate concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate concern during the proposal development of this acquisition. All potential offerors should use established channels to voice concerns before resorting to use of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsmand will communicate certain offeror's issues, disagreements, and recommendations on this acquisition to proper channels. The Ombudman's role is not to diminish the authority of the Program Director or the Contracting Officer, but to advocate an offeror's concern on a non-attribution basis. The Ombudsman will not participate in the acquisition. The HSC Ombudsman is Mr. Emile Baladi, HSC/XRY, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5000. Mr. Baladi may reached by calling (210) 536-2903. Direct all offeror inquiries concerning this acquisition to HSC/YAK, Attn: Capt Becky Weireck, 8107 13th Street, Brooks AFB TX 78235-5218, (210) 536-6332. Closing date for submission of responses is thirty (30) days from publication of this notice. (0311)

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