Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Contracts Management Staff, Executive Office Center, Suite 601, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, Maryland, 20852

R -- EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE CENTERS (EPCS) SOL AHCPR-97-0001 POC Al Deal, (301) 594-1445, extension 1172 As part of its program to strengthen the scientific evidence base used by health care organizatons to improve the quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical practice, AHCPR seeks to contract with Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). A portion of the funding for the EPCs will be contributed by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Other federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, may also contribute funds. Contractors will conduct scientific analysis and evidence synthesis and produce evidence reports and technology assessments. AHCPR will identify topics for which there is significant demand by health care organizations-- including health plans, professional societies, public and private purchasers, and consumer organization -- with an intrest in developing their own guidelines, clinical pathways, performance measures, or other clinical quality improvement tools, or in making decisions, such as coverage or reimbursement policies, related to the effectiveness or appropriateness of specific health care technologies. The evidence reports and technolgy assessments produced by the contractors will be published and disseminated by AHCPR. The services will be performed under task order contracts and will cover a full range of methodologic and technical activities necessary for developing and updating evidence reports and technology assessments, including; assessing and refining clinical topics; performing scientific literature reviews; synthesizing scientific evidence; developing evidence tables; performing decision analysis, meta-analysis and cost and cost effectiveness analysis when appropriate; consulting with clinical and consumer experts and potential users; obtaining peer review; and writing and editing evidence reports and technology assessments. Other services that may be performed under this contact include: (1) conducting research on the methodology and process for developing evidence reports and on the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based tools to improve clinical practice; and 2) providing technical assistance to help potential users in translating evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice. No telephone requests for the solicitation will be honored. Telefax requests for the solicitation will be accepted at (301) 443-7523. It is anticipated that a pre proposal conference will be associated with this project. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by this office. (0325)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0069 19961121\R-0002.SOL)