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A -- REMOTE DENTAL CONSULTATION PROJECT SOL N01-LM-7-3530 DUE 032599 POC Susan Nsangou, Contract Specialist/Mary Smith, Contracting Officer, (301) 496-6546 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (UPSDM) for a one-year continuation of Contract N01-LM-7-3530 for further refinement of the prototype Remote Dental Consultation System and expansion of testing with a larger, more diverse patient population. Access to speciality care in dentistry can be limited by the number and location of specialists as well as the patients' ability and willingness to pay for these services. Creating an Internet-based, efficient and effective, asynchronous remote dental consultation system will increase communications and consultation among general dentists and specialists. This system must be easy to use, require minimal training, provide necessary clinical information in a logical format, be valued for patient care and utilize readily available, inexpensive equipment. Under the referenced contract, UPSDM successfully developed and tested a Remote Dental Consultation System which met the above criteria for such a system. NLM intends to provide a contract extension and additional funding to the UPSDM for more extensive image testing and case simulations with groups of specialists, general dentists, and dental office staff which will provide clearer indications of how this system can best be used in clinical dental practice to efficiently improve patient access to speciality dental care. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. Inherent duplication of cost to the Government and unacceptable delays in completing the project make competition unfeasible for the continuation of this project. See Numbered Note 22. Posted 02/08/99 (W-SN295895). (0039)

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