USDA, Food and Consumer Service, Contract Management Branch, 3101 Park Center Dr., Rm. 914, Alexandria, VA 22302

B -- FOOD AND CONSUMER SERVICE (FCS)/BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (BPHC)/INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES (IHS) COORDINATION STUDY SOL FCS-96-026SMC DUE 081696 POC Stephen M. Crotwell, Contract Specialist, (703) 305-2250. The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service anticipates issuing a competitive procurement for advisory and assistance services for the Food and Consumer Service (FCS)/ Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)/Indian Health Service (IHS) Coordination Study. The study will examine the current level of effort of WIC State and local WIC agencies, community and migrant health centers, and IHS facilities in coordinating the provision of WIC and health care services to low-income women, infants and children. The project will identify by site the degree of coordinated effort occurring at the referenced facilities. Potential barriers to the provision of WIC benefits at health centers and IHS facilities, and recommendations to overcome them, will be identified so that USDA and DHHS can develop strategies to improve coordination and co-location of services. Model programs that are successful examples of coordinated efforts will be identified. The outcome of this project will be a site-specific status report of the existing level of program integration which also identifies barriers to co-location/coordination and recommendations to overcome them. Option 1 of this project is to develop a best practices handbook that agencies may use as a guide in order to improve coordination/co-location. The estimated period of performance is approximately 18 months including option 1. Award of this contract is subject to the receipt of USDA departmental clearance and approval for Advisory and Assistance services. No award may be made prior to receiving this clearance. Offers will be due on or about August 16, 1996. Parties interested in receiving a copy of the Request for Proposal when it is issued must submit their request in writing and must include four (4) self-addressed mailing labels (not envelopes). Telephonic or facsimile requests will not be honored. (0179)

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