U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Program Contract Service Center (3803R), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460-0001

B -- DATA FOR TIME SERIES AND CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF ASTHMA AND AIR POLLUTION SOL RFQ-DC-00-00133 DUE 071200 POC Yvonne D. Stiso/Contract Specialist/stiso.yvonne@epa.gov WEB: Click here to access a copy of the RFQ, Http://www.epa.gov/oamhpod1/oppts_grp/dc0000133/index.htm. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contract Specialist, stiso.yvonne@epa.gov. The US Environmental Protection Agency, under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR Part 13 FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION, is seeking a contractor to produce data files for use in a series of cross-sectional and time-series analyses of asthma prescriptions in California. In addition, a report on the national costs of asthma prescriptions will be produced. The SIC code for this requirement is 8731. The EPA is FACNET certified. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Any interested parties may e-mail the Contract Specialist at: stiso.yvonne@epa.gov. Please include the following: Company name, address, phone number, business class, and e-mail address. TWO (2) copies of the proposal must be submitted by no later than 3:00PM/EST on the due date. US Mail address is: US EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Attn: Yvonne D. Stiso Mail Code 3803R, Washington, DC 20460. Hand Carry (such as FedEx) should be submitted to US EPA- Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Attn: Yvonne D. Stiso Mail Code 3803R, Bid and Proposal Room, 6th Floor, Room 61107, Washington, DC 20004. TITLE: Data for Time Series and Cross-Sectional Analysis of Asthma and Air Pollution BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by intermittent, recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, tightness of the chest, and coughing. These episodes are caused by inflammation of the airways that carry air into and out of the lungs. Asthma is considered to be a growing problem in the United States, especially among children. The prevalence of asthma increased 46 percent between 1982 and 1993. While increases in prevalence have been documented in all age, race, and gender groups, the increase has been most significant among the individuals under the age of 18 in which prevalence has increased by a staggering 80 percent since 1982. The exact causes of the illness remain unknown, however, various "triggers" of asthma attacks have been identified. Asthma attacks can be triggered by exposure to allergens (such as dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander, and cockroach waste), strong fumes, respiratory infections, exercise, dry or cold air, as well as air pollution (including ozone and particulate matter). Despite recent efforts to reduce ambient levels of air pollution, approximately 46 million people lived in countries that did not meet the air quality standards for at least one of the six criteria pollutants in 1996. The combination of poor air quality with other triggers is often most extreme in urban centers where a disproportionate number of minority and low income households reside. The Office of Children's Health protection and the Office of policy and Re-invention are engaging in efforts to better understand asthma and the role ambient air pollution plays in the proliferation of this often debilitating disease. Although a number of studies exist that focus on the relationship between air pollution and serious asthma attacks resulting in Emergency Room visits or Hospital Admissions, very few studies exist that focus on mild to moderate asthma attacks. The purpose of this procurement is to produce data files for use in a series of cross-sectional and time-series analyses of asthma prescriptions in California. In addition, a report on the national costs of asthma prescriptions will be produced. Please see the EPA Website at Http://www.epa.gov/oamhpod1/oppts_grp/dc0000133/index.htm for complete work statement and deliverables schedule. Period of Performance- 42 weeks from date of award. EVALUATION CRITERIA 1. Experience and Capability- Demonstrate experience and capability through describing access to and knowledge of existing prescription data as described in the assignment. Access to and knowledge of prescription data by geographic location is critical in accomplishing the work as described in the assignment. 2. Proposal- Prepare a short technical proposal addressing all the major elements of the Statement of Work. Evaluation will be made on the contractor's demonstration of a clear understanding of the general subject matter,and on each of the topics discussed, through originality in the thought process, proposed approach to undertaking the tasks, and clarity. 3. Time Requirement- The proposed work must be completed within 42 weeks from the award date, without provisions for an extension. A description of the resource and level of effort will be needed to help justify the claim for support of this requirement. Posted 06/23/00 (W-SN467978). (0175)

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