Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, OPS, Division of Contracts Management, Parklawn Building, Room 15C-17, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857

B -- ANALYSES FOR IMPROVED INFORMATION IN MANAGED CARE SOL CMHS-DSC-97-8009 DUE 050897 POC Mary Ann Deal, Contract Specialist, 301/443-5329, Contracting Officer, Beatrice L. Woods, 301/443-0043 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is soliciting proposals on a full and open competitive basis from qualified organizations to award a 24 month, cost-reimbursement, completion type of contract to conduct analysis for improved information in managed care. The objectives of this 2-year competitive contract are to 1) understand where clinical and system-level practice guidelines are going, and to identify major issues around their development and use, and the evolution of outcome measurement, system structure and performance indicators through results of a literature search and focus group discussions; 2) understand the status of practice guideline measurement, particularly with respect to implementation and fidelity within the managed care environment and to understand how practice guideline measures can be integrated into a prototype information system that is developed and tested through case studies in the field; and 3) inform the field regarding key issues and next steps in the development and implementation of practice guidelines and information systems in managed behavioral healthcare (MBHC) through essential policy analyses. The successful offeror must demonstrate 1) an understanding of the project, including familiarity with issues relating to the history, current situation, and likely future developments in MBHC, clinical and system-level guidelines, and mental health statistical systems and measurement issues related to practice guidelines; 2) a comprehensive technical approach, including a plan of performance; 3) availability of qualified technical and policy staff with expertise in the areas of MBHC, mental health statistics, services and systems, clinical and system outcome measurement, case studies, policy analyses, and facilitation of a broad constituency of groups; and 4) appropriate corporate/management experience and facilities/resources. The solicitation may be obtained in either of two ways; electronically, by downloading a file from the SAMHSA Bulletin Board System (BBS) at 1 (800) 424-2294 (8,N,1) or by mail. Files will not be made available on the BBS until on or after the estimated issuance date (above). Download instructions are posted on the BBS. Once downloaded, you should determine if you have a continuing interest in the RFP. If so, you must either write the individual identified above that you wish copies of amendments to the RFP (if any) sent to you by mail or check the BBS regularly for amendments which will also be posted there and can be downloaded electronically. You may choose either method for obtaining amendments. Note, however, that if you rely on the BBS for obtaining amendments, at this time we have no way to assure, and will therefore assume no responsibility for assuring, you have downloaded these amendments. Requests for copies of the RFP to be mailed must be made in writing and will be honored if received within twenty calendar days after issuance of the solicitation. Requests received after this period will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until the supply is exhausted; however, there is no assurance that copies requested after the twentieth day will reach the requestor before the due date for receipt of responses. Requests shall be forwarded to the attention of Mary Ann Deal, Contract Specialist, Division of Contracts Management, OPS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Parklawn Building, Room 15C-17, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Telephone requests will not be honored. Pickups will not be permitted. (0078)

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