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R -- PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES SOL NLM 99-083/UHP DUE 061199 POC Uyen H. Phuong (301) 496-6127 E-MAIL: karen_riggs@nlm.nih.gov, uyen_phuong@nlm.nih.gov. It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure professional services on a sole source basis specialized in health services research tools with the University of North Carolina, Cecil G. Sheps/Health Services Researchers, 725 Airport Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, to assist with the evaluations and recommendations on the utility and future directions of a prototype database of Health Services Research (HSR) Tools. A team of librarians, programmer and web specialist, all with years of experience in health services research will work with NLM staff to maximize the appropriateness and accessibility of inclusions to the database. The team will: 1) evaluate the prototype database for web site style, ease of use, and clarity; 2) the team will recommend 35-40 datasets and 35-40 instruments for inclusion based on criteria including but not limited to: experience, interviews with researcher centers, World Wide Web searching, communications with similar centers, and assessing datasets used inmajor papers in health services research over the past five years; 3) the team will recommend other enhancements to the database, including but not limited to: citations to supporting documentation for instruments, reviews of datasets/instruments, links to NLM's Pub Med, and information on statistical packages; 4) prepare a written evaluation and submit a list of 20-40 datasets and 20-40 instruments for inclusion. This project requires a detailed and broad understanding of various types of datasets, survey instruments, and other tools useful for health services research. The team has a Ph.D. in Public Health and a masters in library science. They are experienced in several aspects of HSR which rely on use of datasets. They developed an in-house database of HSR instruments that they are sharing with the NLM. Additionally, they has a familiarity with NLM electronic formats as the Sheps Center for Health Services Research is one of the nation's oldest and largest health services research center. The center encompasses an interdisciplinary program of research, consultation, technical assistance and training focusing on the accessibility, adequacy, organization, cost and effectiveness of health care services. Sheps Center staff regularly conduct research with datasets for projects studying hospital networks, nursing home resident's attitudes, childhood immunizations receipt, measure of medical under service, and telemedicine. This work encompasses identifying, locating and evaluating the usefulness of data files, and/or instruments for projects. The Center's expert health services researchers frequently use data sources such as physician supply, general demographics, rural/urban indicators, and hospital survey information. Staff use data files for specific projects such as disease incidence, locations of federally supported health clinics, regional economic indicators, residential socioeconomic status indicators, population projections, industry-specific employment, toxic waste sites, and hospital discharge data. Theteam are expert health services researchers and librarians skilled in identification, escalation, evaluation, and analysis and use of HSR datasets and instruments and searching HSR information systems and are, therefore, uniquely qualified to evaluate the Database of HSR Tools (DBT) and provide recommendations of its utility and future directions. This notice of intent is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ) nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsible and responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide professional service as specified and listed above. Responses should sufficiently demonstrate the firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are required within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. NLM synopsis No. NLM 99-083/UHP. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Uyen H. Phuong, Lead Purchasing Agent, NLM on (301) 496-6127. Posted 05/27/99 (W-SN336811). (0147)

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