Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21207-0696

R -- INTEGRATION OF DISABILITY METHODOLOGY RESEARACH SOL SSA-RFP-97-3118 POC Elizabeth Clark Tel: (410) 965-9465 The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a requirement for contractor support to perform research and development, data analysis, project management and other activities associated with a project to develop a new decisionmaking process (methodology) for determining whether an individual is "disabled" under Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act. Contractor support will be required for a total of 4 years (a 12-month base year and 3 12- month options). SSA's Plan for a New Disability Claim Process (September 1994) discussed the need for a structured approach to disability decision-making. It reflected a commitment to conducting extensive research and testing to develop a new process, and provided a conceptual framework for a new approach that would, among other things, focus decision making more directly on the functional consequences of an individual's medically determinable impairment(s), use standardized measures of functional ability to assess an individual's ability to perform the basic physical and mental demands of a baseline of work that represents substantial gainful work activity. The contractor would be required to perform project task activities including (but not necessarily being limited to): (1) providing ongoing consultation and expert advice and analysis on all aspects of the project, including project management, project planning, and all associated research activities; (2) reviewing completed research; (3) integrating research results; and (4) formulating and testing instruments, processes, and methodologies to assist SSA in developing a new decisionmaking process. A critical objective will be to provide SSA with the capability to quickly obtain research and evaluation studies, projects, and analyses of immediate relevance to the project. It is planned that an RFP will be issued on or about July 10, 1997 with proposals due 30 days later. Parties interested in receiving a copy of this solicitation must request a copy in writing and reference solicitation number SSA-RFP-97-3118. FAX requests (INSTEAD OF WRITTEN REQUESTS) may be sent to the attention of Elizabeth Clark at FAX number (410) 966-9310). Telephone requests or inquiries will not be acknowledged. (0161)

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