R -- EPIDEMIOLOGIC, LABORATORY, AND TRAINING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR A HURRICANE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN COSTA RICA

Notice Date

August 29, 2000

Adminstrative Office

Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Procurement and Grants Office (Atlanta), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA, 30341-4146

ZIP Code

30341-4146

Solicitation Number

2000N00178

Response Due

September 15, 2000

Point of Contact

Dale Defilipps, Contract Specialist, Phone (770)488-2637, Fax (770)488-2670, Email DDefilipps@CDC.GOV -- Dale Defilipps, Contract Specialist, Phone (770)488-2637, Fax (770)488-2670, Email DDefilipps@CDC.GOV

E-Mail Address

Dale Defilipps (DDefilipps@CDC.GOV)

Description

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is contemplating awarding a Sole Source contract to Ana Cecelia Morice in San Hose, Costa Rica to coordinate epidemiologic, laboratory, and training support services for a Hurricane Reconstruction Project in Costa Rica. The CDC has been invited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Health (MOH) and USAID to assist the Ministry in carrying out a series of activities to assist in the reconstruction of the public health care systems and the implementation of programs to control health problems resulting from infectious diseases in those countries most severely affected by Hurricanes George and Mitch. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology Program Office, Division of International Health (EPO/DIH) has initiated a project to re-establish effective public health information systems and the capacity to respond to priority health problems including infectious disease outbreaks in the target countries through investments in both training and physical infrastructure. These inputs will be linked directly to at least one specific health program selected by the MOH with activities in community based prevention and control. EPO/DIH has a need for the provision of technical consultation services by an epidemiologist located in Costa Rica to coordinate epidemiologic, laboratory and training support to be provided to the Ministry of Health. The goal of the Hurricane Reconstruction collaboration between CDC and Costa Rican MOH is to help the ministry develop the information necessary to develop and implement the most effective and cost-effective public health programs to address on going health problems. The project consultant will be required to provide in-country coordination of activities designed to: (a) rehabilitate disease surveillance and assure that information is used for public health decisions; (b) increase availability of trained epidemiologists in the region and the training of other levels of health workers by these epidemiologists; (c) rehabilitate infectious disease and environmental health laboratory capacity; and (d) institutionalize the capacity of ministries of health to design and implement community based prevention and control of disease. To formulate and implement work plans of the four Intermediate Results, the project consultant shall be required to provide: (a) scientific direction and management of in-country activities; (b) consultation to US based project officers as well as project consultants in other countries on technical issues related to activities planned and underway; (c) logistical support for project activities. More specifically, the Contractor shall be required to: (a) coordinate IR3/Laboratory activities with representatives of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL); (b) coordinate implementation of Post-Hurricane Reconstruction Project work plan in Costa Rica, in accordance with the responsibilities of participating institutions (Ministerio de Salud (MS), Instituto Costarricense de Investigacion y Ensenanza en Nutircion y Saluda (INCIENSA), and Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS); (c) provide technical assistance to Costa Rican counterparts and each institution's working groups, in order to achieve adequate development of each IR; (d) participate in epidemiology training activities at the national level utilizing the Data for Decision Making curriculum (DDM) and at sub-regional instructional processes such as the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP); (e) coordinate technical visits by CDC experts, who will advise on specific priority issues as identified by the country, guaranteeing the relevance of visit results to Project progress and Project goal fulfillment; (f)Prepare technical and financial reports on project progress; (g) provide written reports each month on Project activities to the Project coordinator in Atlanta with a copy to the USAID representative in San Jose; (h) clear whatever purchases or expenditures related to the Project with the Coordinator or CDC/DIH administrative personnel in Atlanta; (i) Prepare technical documents that systematize results and successful outcomes resulting from project implementation; and (j) participate in sub-regional project coordination meetings in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as with regional coordination of CDC-Atlanta. The successful contractor must meet all the following qualifications: speak bilingual Spanish/English; is a trained medical epidemiologist; have substantial work experience with project partners; close familiarity with the technical components of the Post-Hurricane Reconstruction project; previous knowledge of and experience working with CDC, and the Division of International Health/EPO; and is currently a resident of Costa Rica. The estimated contract performance period is from November 1, 2000 through May 2002. Ana Cecelia Morice is the only known source that can meet all of the above requirements, hence a sole source procurement is contemplated. Responsible sources may submit a response which will be considered by the Agency.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www2.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=2000N00178&LocID=2965)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000831/RSOL020.HTM (D-242 SN491401)