Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procurement and Grants Office, 255 East Paces Ferry Road NE, Room 405, Atlanta, Georgia 30305

D -- ESTABLISH AND MAINTENANCE OF CDC HIV/AIDS INFORMATION SERVICES SYSTEM SOL 200-96-0502(P) DUE 121595 POC Contact Bradford A. Myers at (404) 842-6791 Since 1987 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been charged by the United States Public Health Service (PHS) as the primary source within the United States for the identification, collection, and dissemination of relevant HIV/AIDS information. As part of their efforts to fulfill such charge, beginning with the establishment of a National HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse, CDC has striven to assure that current, complete and accurate information on HIV/AIDS transmission, treatment, and support is available to those individuals or organizations who seek such. The CDC National AIDS Hotline is charged with the primary responsibility of providing information to the public, and the CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse's primary responsibility is providing information to organizations involved in HIV/AIDS efforts. While the importance of this information has not substantially changed since 1987, the mechanisms used and the activities undertaken to collect and disseminate these materials has. In order to assure the continued presence of a resource responsible for providing required HIV/AIDS information services to CDC, the purpose of this notice is to, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.202-1 ascertain the existence of qualified sources within the small business community who can provide the type and d IS $18 MILLION. Interested organizations MUST specifically address (USING NO MORE THAN 5 PAGES FOR ANY ONE COMPONENT OR 20 PAGES IN THE AGGREGATE) each of the following components representing the Government's needs as to HIV/AIDS information collection/dissemination/management. Within its response to each component, organizations must include adequate detail as to current or historical (within the past 5 years) experience within the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SECTOR with the activities or services specified within. /I./ CORE REQUIREMENTS: {1.} Establishment and Maintenance of Computerized Databases. The most efficient and expedient method of developing and maintaining appropriate HIV/AIDS information is to do so through the use of personal computers maintained withi a PC based Local Area Network which is dial-in accessible. These databases, which may range upwards of 20,000 records, must be updated on a constant basis and require coordination with community based organizations, state health departments, and other priority organizations from which useful and appropriate information on HIV/AIDS information would be sought. Capacity to access and utilize off-site databases (both Governmental and private-sector based) must be demonstrated. Plans must be developed and implemented to perform Quality Assurance/Quality Control checks on new and current information to maintain the currency and completeness of that information gathered and maintained under each database. Specifically, the types of databases to be maintained include: 1) a resources and services database (of organizations providing HIV/AIDS programs and services throughout the country); 2) funding database (information regarding funding opportunities for HIV/AIDS and related programs available from the public and private sector); 3) AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service Database (ACTIS) (regarding product effectiveness and products under treatment); 4) Business and Labor Respond to AIDS databases (containing information on organizations, programs, and educational materials and programs designed to assist business and labor organizations to deal effectively with HIV/AIDS in the workplace; and 5) other complimentary databases indexing such information as Government Press Releases relevant to HIV/AIDS, news stories from the general, AIDS-related media, relevant scientific journals, and religious-based HIV/AIDS programs, services, and materials. The offeror MUST have the capability and capacity to access off-site databases, established and maintained by both Governmental agencies and private sector organizations. These include the AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) and AIDS Information databases, established and maintained by the National Library of Medicine. {2.} Reference and Referral Services. A significant part of the Government's efforts to assure adequate access to, and dissemination of current HIV/AIDS information is through the use of reference and referral services. These services generally provide reference support through the use of a system utilizing both trained individuals and on-line information resources through which requesters can identify and access (and/or downlod) information from established databases or through separate research. In addition to general reference and referral services, specialized HIV/AIDS information services are also provided to health care professionals and HIV positive individuals by qualified health care professionals, based upon Federally approved Clinical Trials and Treatment protocols. All reference and referral services must allow for the receipt of both electronic (on-line service or fax), as well as telephonic (including TDD services for the hearing impaired) inquiries and shall be developed and maintained to respond in appropriate manner. In-service training to assure the currency and understanding of developments regarding HIV/AIDS information must be provided at least on a quarterly basis to general reference specialists, and more frequently to ACTIS and ATIS reference specialists. Reference and referral specialists must utilize a network of internal and external computer-based information sources and databases, including relevant Federal agency information services, as well as, private sector computer-based information services and databases. A system must be established by which requests to reference specialists may be tracked by nature of request, geographic location, and type of requestor (individual or organization), and make referrals to other organizations or resources as appropriate. Reference and referral services must be maintained for approximately 10 hours per day, Monday through Friday and must be able to handle requests in English or Spanish as well as from those who are hearing impaired. A rigorous quality assurance/quality control program must be in place and utilized to assure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information furnished in response to requests. The offeror must provide telephone access to all services through telephone lines acquired by the Government through the FTS 2000 system. The telephone service must provide for a minimum of 36 lines and be capable of handling at least that number of simultaneous incoming and outgoing calls. {3.} Inventory and Publications/Materials Distribution. In order to accommodate requests for hardcopy documentation related to HIV/AIDS information, an broad inventory of materials generaed and a system to efficiently distribute such be developed and utilized. The distribution system must assure that all orders for materials be fulfille within 5 working days of receipt of the order regardless of its means of transmission (fax, letter, phone call). Accommodations must be made to handle automated ordering from the CDC National AIDS Hotline or other Government information systems. The inventory/distribution system must be able to accommodate approximately 20,000 requests per month for materials maintained within such system including 4,000 telephonic, and 2,000 fax, on-line and written requests each. Up to 25 million copies of HIV/AIDS publications will need to be consistently maintained in a common facility with distribution of such averaging approximately 3.5 million per year. Inventory levels should assure at least a three month supply of all materials identified by the Government for distribution. Customized mailings containing a subset of materials appropriate to a number of target audiences as well as a packaging and distribution system for broadcast materials must be developed and maintained. At 18 month intervals, development of hard copy and electronic versions of catalogs of current materials in inventory will be required which may be transmitted via on-line or downloaded to hardcopy by requestors shall be necessary. These catalogs shall be marketed and distributed to priority target audiences as identified by the Government. A cost recovery system, developed to recoup shipping and handling costs only of bulk orders shall also be required. {4.} Networking, Marketing, Training, Technical Assistance, Document Production. In order to maximize the effect of the materials developed and maintained by the Government regarding HIV/AIDS information, CDC will require the development and implementation of a plan to market the information and services maintained under contract. The plan shall include recommendations and identification of training and collaboration opportunities with key international, national, regional, and local organizations with whom contact and coordination would enhance the efficacy and efficiency of the collection and dissemination of critical HIV/AIDS information and/or materials. Areas of assistance emphasized will include training initiatives designed to encourage and facilitate use of on-line services and utilization of other HIV/AIDS information resources maintained under contract. In concert with marketing efforts identified above, the Government will require the establishment and/or maitenance of certain mailing lists (including electronic addresses) in order to facilitate distribution of crucial information and/or materials to key partners and constituencies. The contractor is required to develop and produce materials (in both written and electronic versions) of materials which help clientele identify, access, and utilize information, materials and resources dealing with specific issues, or audiences. /II./ TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The contractor shall utilize a Local Area Network (LAN) based system for establishing, maintaining and accessing all relevant databases and for providing access to information produced and made available through the CDC HIV/AIDS Information System. The system must be compatible and provide interface with established CDC HIV/AIDS local area networks (e.g., HIVNET), as well as other CDC established networks and systems (e.g., PC Wonder, Epi Info, etc.). The system will be designed in such a manner as to provide multiple methods of access, including NAC On-line (a limited access Electronic Bulletin Board), the Internet, World Wide Web, etc. All databases, unless otherwise specified, shall be accessible through the system. /III./ DETERMINATION OF CAPABILITY: Corporate Capacity and Experience will be judged on the offeror's previous successful, experience providing planning, operation, and management of large-scale, complex Information Systems/Clearinghouses, including: 1) establishment and management of large databases; 2) operation and maintenance of state of the art health-related reference and referral systems; 3) management and distribution (particularly by automated systems) of large-scale, high volume materials inventories; 4) development, and delivery of appropriate training and technical assistance in management and operation of large-scale information systems/clearinghouses; 5) establishment and maintenance of relationships with a variety of national, regional, state and local organizations; and, 6) development, production and distribution of health-related information and materials. Experience should be of comparable scope and complexity. Organizations shall demonstrate experience and ability to: collect the type of information referenced in Part I, to disseminate such information within an on-line environment, to assure the accuracy and currency of such information, and to manage these records as part of an independent database. Spcific points of contact for previous Federal Government experience through contract should be listed. Established corporate capability shall also be judged on the adequacy and suitability of equipment, systems, hardware, software, to manage and operate a large scale, national Information System/Clearinghouse in an effective and cost-efficient manner. It is CDC's policy that equipment necessary to establish, maintain, and operate such systems are not an allowable direct cost Organizations must demonstrate that they have access to the equipment necessary to establish, maintain and operate the systems/networks required. The offerors should demonstrate the adequacy and suitability of its capacity to provide established relationships with suppliers and intermediaries, ability to meet ''normal'' and emergency requests, and ability to conduct the necessary tasks. At least 51 percent of the estimated 180,000 annual labor hours estimated to be required for full performance of the anticipated requirements, must be performed by the prime contractor. Interested organizations must demonstrate the presence and commitment of high quality, professionally trained staff necessary to provide this level of effort. The offeror must also demonstrate viable financial capacity necessary to establish, maintain, and operate the contract, including management of indirect cost pools, timely payment of vendors and subcontractors, and acquisition of necessary equipment. In particular, organizations should provide to the Government, as part of their response, a copy of its most recent Dun & Bradstreet Business Background Report. If a D&B background report is not available, organizations should provide a current certified financial report detailing present obligations and assets of the organizations. Responses should be limited to 25 double spaced pages (exclusive of D & B background reports or financial statements and should be segmented according to the structure detailed within this notice (i.e. core requirements, technical requirements, and organizational capacity). NO FACSIMILE RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. All responses should clearly note the acquisition number 200-96-0502(P). To allow the Government sufficient time to assess the capacity of the small business community to successfully meet the Government's requirements in this area, responses should be delivered to the following address by 4:00 pm Decembe 15, 1995: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Program Acquisition Branch/PGO; Attn.: Bradford A. Myers, Mailstop E-35; 255 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Room 405; Atlanta, Georgia 30305. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Bradford A. Myers at (404) 842-6791. (0317)

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