Health Care Financing Administration 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD. 21244-1850

99 -- QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA POC Lucille Fussell-Lee, Contract Specialist (410) 786-5447 The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) intends to award on a sole source basis, under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures an award to the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Board on Health Care Services FO 3110, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418. HCFA is proposing to acquire a portion of an ongoing project in the National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine -- the Quality of Health Care in America. Our funding would sponsor a workshop, commission several expert papers and produce a white paper providing a better understanding of the effects of their program to use and which should be the responsibility of the private sector of the health system. HCFA's objective is to better understand the effects of financial incentives -- external and internal to health care organizations on quality improvement in health care; and develop a decision framework to help delivery system executives move toward implementation of quality and patient safety improvements. The Institute of Medicine established the Quality of Health care in America Committee (QHCA) in June of 1998. The 19-member committee is chaired by William C. Richardson, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and includes individuals with expertise in health care purchasing, consumer issues, insurance and administration, provision of health care services, health informatics and quality oversight and regulation. The Contractor shall develop a strategy that will result in a threshold improvement in quality over the next 10 years. The Contractor shall (1) review and synthesis of findings in the literature pertaining to the quality of care provided in the health care systems; (2) develop a communications strategy for raising the awareness of the general public and key stakeholders of quality of care concerns and opportunities for improvement; (3) articulate a policy framework that will provide positive incentives to improve quality and foster accountability; and (4) identify key characteristics and factors that enable or encourage provides, health care organizations, health plans and communities to continuously improve the quality of care. All others who respond must be prepared to provide clear and convincing evidence that they have the same standards and status as the National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine. The Government shall make the final determination of whether the other offerors have the same standards and status; and that the same standards and status equals to that of the National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine. All responsible sources may submit capability statements in consideration to the agency at the above address. Posted 05/21/99 (I-SN334449). (0141)

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