Division of Contracts Management, Office of Program Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II, Suite 670, Rockville, MD 20857

B -- SURVEY OF ORGANIZED CONSUMER SELF-HELP SOL 280-97-8006 DUE 060297 POC Catherine Kellington, Contracting Officer, 301-443-4980 The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) intends to negotiate for the purposes conducting a full-scale survey of approximately 3,000 self-help groups and organizations run by and for consumers and families of people with serious psychiatric disabilities in 190 nationally representative counties; and, develop national estimates of the number and characteristics of self-help entities -- - structure, linkages with traditional specialty mental health and other systems of care, activities, approach to well-being and recovery, resources, and access for, and roles of, participants. The successful offeror must demonstrate: (1) an understanding of the project, including familiarity with self-help activities, research and surveys with respect to people with severe psychiatric disabilities, traditional mental health services research, and the interrelationships between self-help, traditional mental health services research and managed care; (2) a comprehensive technical approach, including a plan of performance; (3) availability of qualified technical staff, with expertise in the areas of management of large scale telephone surveys, computer assisted interviewing technology, mental health services and self-help research; and, (4) appropriate corporate/management experience and facilities/resources. Involvement in the contract of mental health consumers and/or family members, and sensitivity to appropriate language and concerns of consumers and family members must be demonstrated. CMHS plans a 30 month award. The estimated date for issuance of this RFP is May 1, 1997 with responses due thirty days later. This 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. Download instructions are posted on the BBS. Once downloaded, youshould 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 Catherine Kellington, Contracting Officer, Division of Contracts Management, OPS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockwall II Building, Room 670, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Telephone requests will not be honored. No pickups will be permitted. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which chall be considered by CMHS. (0104)

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