Health Care Financing Administration 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

H -- SPECIALIZED ON-SITE SURVEYS OF CYTOLOGY LABORATORIES SOL HCFA DUE 053096 POC Lynda P. Jacobs, Contract Specialist, 410-786-5168 Leisa S. Bodway, Contracting Officer, 410-786-1278. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) will issue Solicitation # HCFA-96-0200/LPJ 15 days after issuance of this notice in search of a qualified firm to conduct on-site cytology laboratory reviews. Because of the critical nature of cytology testing, i.e., the relationship of cytology slide examination results to cancer, there is a great deal of interest in cytology laboratories and concern about the validity of cytology reports. The majority of surveyors employed by State agencies are medical technologists, bacteriologists or chemists. Few State agency laboratory surveyors are skilled or experienced in the area of cytology. Surveys of cytology laboratories have often lacked in-depth reviews of the entire process of testing or examination of cytology specimens, i.e., quality of slide preparations, adequacy of processing and staining, and validity of cytology examination reports. Because of the critical relationship of cytology procedures to diagnosis and treatment, it is essential that HCFA have an effective means of evaluating cytology laboratories. The on-site surveys will be used to evaluate cytology laboratories selected by HCFA for the quality of services provided and responses to specific complaints received by HCFA. In conducting on-site surveys, the Contractor will evaluate laboratories using the current applicable Federal requirement (CLIA), HCFA survey forms and guidelines. These surveys will be used to evaluate cytology laboratories under two conditions: (1) on-site reviews through surveys of individual laboratories selected by HCFA to evaluate the quality of services provided and (2) on-site reviews of cytology laboratories in response to specific complaints received by HCFA. The Contractor must employ directly or have available immediately or on an ''as needed'' basis a sufficient staff of cytotechnologists to perform the on-site evaluations. It is anticipated that a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will be awarded with a 2 year period of performance plus 2 option years. Request for a copy of the solicitation should be submitted in writing to: HCFA, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Planning and Health Services Contracts Division, ATTN: Lynda P. Jacobs, Mail Stop C2-21-15, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. No telephone, facsimile or telegraphic requests will be honored. (0135)

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