R -- OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Notice Date

September 8, 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 00-206/LTN

Response Due

September 22, 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 comprehensive, integrated and cost-effective focus group research and usability testing in each of two major project phases on a sole source basis with Matthews Media Group, Inc. (MMG), 6101 Executive Boulevard, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, under the authority 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 (b)(1). The NLM, Office of Public Information (OPI) is actively involved in responding to the 1987 Congressional mandate "... to develop outreach programs aimed at the transfer of the latest scientific findings to all health professionals ... in rural communities and other areas ... and, to publicize the availability of its products and services ..." In response to this charge, NLM is working closely with the National Institute on Aging to design and develop a MEDLINEplus web site for older Americans. Already, NLM as one of the Administration's reinvention laboratories, has further streamlined the transfer of the latest scientific findings to health professionals with its development of the Visible Human Program, the Human Gene Map, and MEDLINEplus on the World Wide Web. This project will provide the additional assistance necessary to conduct focus group research and perform usability testing to improve MEDLINEplus's Age Page for the public in general, and for Older Americans, in particular. MMG will conduct the focus group research to perform the usability testing. Two major assessment phases are required. Stages one and two implementation will focus on facilitating focus group sessions, administering instruments, and conducting open-ended Q & A discussions. MMG will conduct these core focus group activities in coordination and consultation with NIA and NLM staff. The stage two analysis will consist of tracking the transcriptions; developing coding schemes; managing the research data; identifying key patterns, clustering, and theme; and report writing and presentation. Focus group research will help to answer several critical questions about seniors' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions about the content, format, layout, and delivery structure of AgePage and MEDLINEplus. HFI will conduct usability testing of the two Web sites in phase I. HFI will observe Phase I and Phase II focus group sessions. The following schedules of activities will occur: meeting and preparation for usability testing; observing focus groups in Phase I and Phase II; Phase I usability testing; analysis and write-up of usability testing; expert heuristic assessment of interactive AgePage and MEDLINEplus Web sites; editing for usability testing portion (2.5 minutes) of 5 minute video. After making inquiries with numerous health and aging experts familiar with this market, to identify potential contractors, NLM has determined that MMG is the only vendor that meets NLM's needs. MMG has experience in conducting and organizing focus group research and usability testing within the NIH research community, in general, and within the NLM, in particular. They have an understanding of the NIH structure, health and science content, science and biomedical research involved in the Internet web sites, and the audiences that the NLM needs to reach. They were responsible for the creative work involved in the development of another NLM web site similar to MEDLINEplus and understand the communication messages and audiences unique to the NLM and MEDLINEplus. Another vendor would require a considerable amount of time to reach a similar level of understanding which would limit our ability to produce this deliverable in a timely fashion. 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 all services as specified and listed above. Responses should sufficiently demonstrate the firms 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. Telephone and/or facsimile request will not be accepted. This acquisition will be made using FAR PART 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. *****

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000912/RSOL008.HTM (W-252 SN494648)