Department of Defense (CMP), Tricare Management Activity, 16401 E. Centretech Parkway, Aurora, CO 80011-9043

D -- NATIONAL TOLL-FREE INFORMATION TELEPHONE LINE!! SOL N/A!! DUE 021899 POC Angie Figueroa, Contract Specialist, 303-676-3626/Roger Kubik, Contracting Officer, 303-676-3689!! REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. The DOD is in the process of planning for the implementation of a natinal toll-free TRICARE information line. This centralized number will assist in the education and customer service areas by providing one centralized number that is easy to remember. As part of this process DOD is requesting input from interested companies within the telecommunications sector on the implementation process. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. DOD does not intend to award a contract on the basis of information submitted in response to the RFI nor pay for costs associated with responses received. Interested parties may submit a response by mail to Mr. Roger Kubik, TRICARE Management Activity, 16401 E. Centretech Parkway, Aurora, CO 80011-9043, or via facsimile to 303-676-3987 no later than 30 days from the date of release of this RFI. Feel free to answer any or all of the questions presented in this request and provide a rationale for your comments. To aid in the Government's review of responses submited, please indicate the specific issue you are addressing by utilizing the respective number in the "Specific Content Issues" portion of this document for each of your responses. Information received in response to this RFI will be considered confidential and will not be disclosed t anyone other than the personnel working on this project. DOD plans to hold a Government/Industry forum to discuss the responses received to this RFI and to solicit further input. The Government may limit attendance to organizations that respond to this RFI. CONTENT. The intent is for the toll-free number to spell out the word TRICARE. The project will be implemented in two phases. Phase I should have the following initial capabilities: (1) a two-minute audio tape describing the TRICARE Program; (2) the ability to field international calls and forward them to the appropriate TRICARE Support Center; (3) the ability to speed dial to designated regional service offices; (4) provide connectivity to regional Nurse Advice/Information lines; (5) provide for on-line enrollment to the program; (6) conect the caller to the regional and local Military Treatment Facility (MTF), Health Benefits Advisor; (7) connect the caller to the regional and local MTF, Health Care Finder; (8) connect the caller to the regional and local MTF designated TRICARE office; (9) ability via speed dial to connect caller to the regional lead agent contacts; (10) support for the hearing impaired; (11) assist in regional identification and location of nearest MTF and/or TRICARE Service Centers utilizing (a) zip code (also could use an area code sorting sequence), and (b) post, base, or station. Phase II of the project should include the ability to provide the following additional capabilities: (1) connect to local resources and referral services for children, families, and elderly; (2) connect to beneficiary assistance programs in the local area; (3) connect to a consolidated nurse triage service for all regions; (4) provide for on-line random surveys to address (a) access to care; (b) satisfaction of care received; (c) health assessment survey; and (d) provider performance; and (5) provide access to educational, informational and other customer driven on-line services. SPECIFIC CONTENT ISSUES. 1) The requirement is to spell out the word TRICARE (874-2273) as part of the toll-free number established. The objective is to gather information from the beneficiaries of the TRICARE system. 2) Respondents are to provide a record of past performance in commercial and Government telecommunications. 3) In your experience, what would be the best technical approach to this project: (a) what would be key indicators of performance? (b) what standard should be utilized and in what format? (c) what would be some of the advantages of using these standards? 4) Provide interconnectivity to current and future regional information lines. 5) Prepare time line for implementation within one year across all regions to include all Phase I requirements. Propose a time line for Phase II. 6) What would be a good commercial standard to follow? 7) Providing a turn-key system to the Government. 8) Providing the Government sole use of this number and all its programming aspects. 9) Ensure that all software and technical equipment used be compatible with existing systems, must meet all local Dial Tone Frame/Switch standards. Provide current state of the art technology as well as p rovide for expanding capabilities to meet future telecommunication technological advances. 10) Interested parties are requested to submit their responses on both hard copy and electronic medium that is compatible with DOD systems, which currently are Microsoft Office programs. Posted 01/13/99 (W-SN287825). (0013)

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