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

B -- IDENTIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED POC Dawn L. Tucker, Contract Specialist, (410) 786-5162 The Health Care Financing Administration intends to contract on a sole-source basis, with Gallaudet University, 800 Florida, Avenue, Washington, DC 20002-3695 to identify cultural competence performance standards within the disabled community, specifically for hearing-impaired (hard of hearing or deaf individuals). The objective is to determine if selected cultural competency standards can provide opportunities for improvement in health outcomes for hearing impaired individuals who seek care under the Health Care Financing Administration programs. Products from this effort include: a set of cultural competency performance standards for the hearing impaired, a compilation of case studies, and recommendations for future HCFA activities. It is expected that the contractor shall develop the project design, provide project oversight for 1) identifying culturally and linguistically appropriate standards of performance for health outcomes within the hearing-impaired community, 2) including the hearing impaired or their representatives in proposing performance standards for the hearing impaired, 3) providing information to HCFA relative to the burden imposed on the provider community for implementing each standard, 4) ensuring that performance standards are consistent with the Medicaid regulation on cultural competence requirements for States and fully supportive of Quality Improvement System in Managed Care (QISMIC), 5) developing a set of case studies to inform providers and beneficiaries of situations which may impact the delivery and receipt of quality health care, and 6) making specific recommendations to HCFA regarding future activities related to the hearing impaired. Potential sources may identify their interest and capability in response to the above requirements by submitting clear and convincing documentation that fully defines their capability to meet the established requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interest expressed within 15 calendar days of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of HCFA. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Written requests should be submitted to HCFA, Office of Acquisitions and Grants, ATTN: Dawn L. Tucker, 7500 Security Blvd., C2-21-15, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Posted 07/13/99 (I-SN353448). (0194)

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