Health Care Financing Administration, Acquisition and Grants Group, Division of Quality Contracts, 7500 Security Boulevard, C2-21-15, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

Q -- PROMOTE EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS THAT FACILITATE HEALTH AGING AMONG MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AGED 65 AND OLDER DUE 032698 POC Beverly Gillette, Contract Specialist, 410-786-5142 The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is seeking sources to develop an evidence-based Center on Healthy Aging, which will serve as the most scientifically reliable and up-to-date resource on interventions that preserve health and postpone chronic disease and disability in people age 65 and older. The contractor selected will perform literature reviews, conduct supplemental analyses, synthesize results using advanced analytic techniques and write an evidence report. The evidence report will include results of completed analyses with explicit documentation, and will present findings in the context of a multi-disciplinary understanding of issues related to health care for older people. The evidence report will extract principles that enhance the probability of cost-effective implementation of health promotion and disease prevention interventions for older people. The evidence report will be presented in the context of public policy, outcomes measurement, as well as behavioral and clinical disciplines. Based on research findings, the selected contractor will design one or more behavioral risk factor interventions to be tested for effectiveness with Medicare beneficiaries. A subcontractor may be used to implement the pilot intervention(s). The prime contractor and subcontractor may work together to design, implement and evaluate the intervention(s) for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and write a detailed report suitable for publication in a scientific journal on the results of the intervention(s). The report will include the impact of the intervention(s), evaluation methods used, including outcomes measured, cost benefit/effectiveness analysis, recommendations for further refinements and implementation strategies, and Medicare program implications. The prime contractor must have core competencies demonstrating experience and expertise in the following areas: geriatrics, gerontology, epidemiology, preventive medicine, behavioral sciences, nursing, intervention research, public policy, economics, decision analysis, meta-analyses, technology assessments, searching science databases, retrieving and abstracting scientific literature, evaluating scientific credibility of published studies, and writing scientific reports. The subcontractor must have experience and expertise in applied research, quality improvement techniques, and health promotion and disease prevention interventions targeting the elderly. Prospective sources interested in documenting their background experience and capability to perform this effort should respond within 10 days of publication. Indicate your size status under SIC Code 3812 with a small business size standard not to exceed 750 employees per FAR 19.102. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, does not constitute a solicitation, and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or otherwise pay for any information solicited. The purpose of this sources sought is to identify prospective sources and status prior to possible solicitation. Submissions should include a contact name and telephone number. (0072)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0086 19980317\Q-0007.SOL)