R -- RURAL OUTREACH AND EVALUATION SERVICES

Notice Date

September 1, 2000

Contracting Office

National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20894

ZIP Code

20894

Solicitation Number

NLM 00-193/LTN

Response Due

September 15, 2000

Point of Contact

Liem T. Nguyen, Contract Specialist, 301-496-6546

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contract specialist via (liem_nguyen@nlm.nih.gov)

Description

It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure rural outreach and evaluation services on a sole-source basis with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), P.O. Box 250403, Charleston, SC, under the authority of U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1(b)(1). The Internet and World Wide Web (www or web) now play a dominant role in dissemination of NLM health information services. NLM's historic commitment to improving access of rural, underserved, and minority communities to health information must now be extended to the Internet and web environment. Accordingly, NLM has a tribal connections program that is intended to address both digital divide and health disparity issues in rural, underserved, and/or minority areas with an emphasis on specific diseases or conditions, including diabetes. Additionally, NLM's historic commitment to evaluation of its health information services must be extended to include the evaluation of utility and usage of these information services by rural health care providers. The vendor will assist NLM in achieving these objectives by providing: 1) a comprehensive plan for evaluating the utility and usage of MedlinePlus and other health information resources to MUSC medical students and faculty; 2) direct engagement of medical students assigned to rural clerkships and their preceptors in using and providing feedback on the use of MedlinePlus and other health information resources; 3) detailed feedback from medical students on so-called "critical incidents" where the use of health information affected or resulted in a medical decision, treatment plan, patient activity or behavior, and/or health outcome; 4) tracking of the health information usage patterns of participating medical students and preceptors; 5) analysis of all data, feedback, and critical incident reports collected during the course of the project; and 6) preparation of a written report on the results and evaluation of the project. After conducting searches of the web and making inquiries of persons and organizations familiar with South Carolina, NLM has determined that the Medical University of South Carolina is the only vendor that could meet NLM's needs. MUSC, in collaboration with the University of South Carolina Medical School, sponsors the Dean's' Rural Primary Care Clerkship, which is the only rural medical student clerkship program in South Carolina. MUSC is the only medical institution in South Carolina that combines experience with a medical student rural clerkship program, rural outreach, diabetes health information outreach, and program evaluation. The period of performance for this project will be for 15 months and begin on or about September 25, 2000. This 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 services 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. Inquiries regarding this procurement may be made to Liem T. Nguyen, NLM on (301) 496-6546. This acquisition will be made using FAR PART 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000906/RSOL009.HTM (W-245 SN492838)