Health Care Financing Administration, Acquisition and Grants Group, C2-21-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD., 21244-1850

D -- INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES SOL HCFA-IV&V-SOURCES POC Sandra Williamson, Contract Specialist, 410-786-5143; Pamela Collins, Contracting Officer, 410-786-4871 E-MAIL: click here to contact the Contract Specialist via, swilliamson@hcfa.gov. Sources are sought from Small and Small and Disadvantaged Businesses (including 8(a) companies), by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), to provide IV&V technical support services necessary for the efficient and effective management of its business and information systems, infrastructure, and related information systems projects. HCFA seeks to establish mechanisms, through its IV&V program, to provide accountability for information resources management, and to provide strategic and tactical support to the agency's Information Technology (IT) efforts. IT projects that may be selected for IV&V review include, but are not limited to, HCFA systems development and redesign initiatives, HCFA's systems development environment, systems security, quality assurance processes, and HCFA Standard System Maintainer/Medicare Contractor processes. HCFA's IV&V contractor will be required to demonstrate an understanding of HCFA's management of the Medicare/Medicaid program pursuant to its responsibilities under Title 18/19 of the Social Security Act. The IV&V contractor must also possess a current knowledge of the Medicare claims processing environment, including operations, administration and functionality. HCFA is requiring complete contractor independence to protect the integrity and usefulness of IV&V and to avoid significant potential organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), and/or the appearance of impartiality and/or unfair competitive advantage (as defined in FAR 9.501). Contractor(s) awarded a contract for HCFA IV&V may be excluded from working on any HCFA work related to systems development and implementation efforts. An OCI clause will be included in any resultant contract and will be effective during the period of performance of the IV&V contract(s). In accordance with the FAR, the HCFA contracting officer will make a case-by-case determination of the existence of OCI. If a potential OCI is identified, the contracting officer will determine if the conflict can be sufficiently mitigated. Contractors must meet the following MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS in order to be determined "QUALIFIED" to meet HCFA's IV&V support needs. The contractor MUST: 1) possess current Medicare business knowledge; 2) possess current knowledge of the claims processing environment; 3) possess current knowledge of HCFA's Standard Systems or HCFA's Internal Systems; and 4) possess extensive IV&V experience. Other "DESIRED" capabilities include: 1) knowledge of industry standards and recommended practices such as Software Enterprise Institute Capability Maturity Model (SEI CMM), International Standards Organization (ISO), National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE); and 2) a tools based methodology. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis is due no later than April 24, 2000, and SHALL provide an introduction cover letter including a Point of Contact accompanied with documentation approximately 3pages that demonstrates the contractor's ability to meet HCFA's Minimum Requirements. Contractors should indicate their size status under SIC Code 7379 with a small business size standard not to exceed $18 Million per FAR 19.102 and whether they are a socially or economically disadvantaged business, a small business, and/or woman-owned business. This synopsis is for information only, does not constitute an RFP, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government; however, it is the intent of the Government to issue an RFP in the near future. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or otherwise pay for any information solicited. The purpose of this Sources Sought Synopsis is to identify potential responsible sources and status prior to solicitation. Responses should be sent via hard copy to: Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: Ms. Sandra Williamson, C2-21-15, Baltimore, MD 21244. Posted 04/06/00 (W-SN442161). (0097)

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