National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSCS, 6120 Executive Blvd, Eps/room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

R -- CONSUMER LIAISON GROUP AND OFFICE OF LIAISON ACTIVITIES SOL RFQ-NCI-70232 DUE 052197 POC Dave Keefer, Contracting Officer 301-435-3801 The National Cancer Institute proposes to issue a sole source solicitation (RFQ-NCI-70232) to Palladian Partners, 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 440W, Bethesda, MD 20814 for the continuation and expansion of their support to the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG) and Office of Liaison Activities. In January 1997, Palladian Partners was the recipient of a competitive simplified acquisition to support the above referenced areas. A Planning Group of consumer advocates and NCI staff was established to assist in defining the initial role of the DCLG, the eligibility requirements and the criteria for individual members, the characteristics of the DCLG as a whole and the nomination, screening and scoring processes for selecting members. The Planning Group wanted to be more involved in these than what was originally anticipated by the Government and thus a more complex, lengthy and labor-intensive process resulted. Palladian has forged effective working relationships with the Planning Group and has built a substantial degree of credibility for the NCI initiative. They have been involved in the planning, execution, review, in short in most all activities of this project and thus have developed a knowledge base and credibility which would be impossible to duplicate at this point. Continuity is critical to the successful execution of this project as any change would result in disruption, loss of time, duplication of effort, and delay in implementation. Finally, Palladian researched the processes used by other Federal agencies, academia, and the private sector and has made substantive contributions to the processes used by the Planning Group. This is a notice of intent and not a request for competitive solicitations. However, offerors who submit qualification statements must address: their experience in supporting and facilitatiing cancer-related consumer advocacy and volunteer groups; expericence in screening and scoring, matrix development, and implementation of interviewing and rating systems to identify qualified nominees; an understanding of the purpose and intent of the DCLG; and qualifications of proposed staff, to include a resume of the proposed facilitator/evaluation specialist. Responses to this notice are due no later than 20 days after the date of publication, close of business. (0119)

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