R -- QUERI TRANSLATOR

Notice Date

December 18, 2000

Contracting Office

Contracting Officer (90C), VA Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705

ZIP Code

27705

Solicitation Number

558-48-01

Response Due

January 18, 2001

Point of Contact

Helen B. Warren 919-286-6920

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items and services prepared in accordance with the format included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested using simplified acquisition procedures. A breakdown of the cost proposal is required. A written solicitation will not be issued. This acquisition is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside; the NAICS code is 813920 and the related size standard is $5.0 million. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Health Service Research & Development (HSR&D), Durham, North Carolina has a need for a Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Translator. The translator will provide consultation time during FY 2001 for participation in multiple QUERI Translation activities including consultations to Headquarters and to the field QUERI members, preparation of analyses, summary reports and resource documents, and preparation/participation in several QUERI Translation and Review meetings. Translation involves but not limited to dissemination of research findings, best practices and patient care innovations; implementation of optimal, evidence-based interventions in the practice setting; and evaluation of the impact of dissemination and implementation of patient outcomes and system processes. Translator provide feedback via conference calls, electronic review and in person, regarding content planning for QUERI translation activities and meetings. Conduct discussions with the other translation faculty and with HSR&D Headquarters staff, review proposed Agenda and meeting materials and participate in strategy sessions, prepare written debriefing reports as requested and prepare translation resources for the QUERI groups on an ad hoc basis. Work accomplished by the translator will be developed, assigned evaluated and monitored by the Associate Director of QUERI. Translator will communicate frequently (bi-weekly or more often, if necessary) with the Associate Director of QUERI to ensure that planning and activities are progressing in a timely manner and on the desired course for QUERI. At the direction of the Chief of Research and Development, the Director of HSR&D, the Associate Director of the QUERI program and the Researcha and Methodology Committee, the translator will be responsible for facilitating the next step in the mission of QUERI, the translation of health research findings into improvement of patient care practices and health system processes. For example, a research study may show that a certain combination of medications may be beneficial for a certain health condition but are found to not commonly be prescribed together. Translation involves taking the information about that combination of medications and finding the best ways to inform health care providers across a wide variety of clinical settings, elicit their participation, provide tools to help these providers apply the practice of using the combination prescription and then measure the impact on the patients' health and on the health care system. Translation will require significant resources to effect system-wide health care improvements that will improve the health of veterans. Translator must have an in-depth knowledge of federal healthcare issues and VHA system of delivery of care to enable realistic and customized theoretical and operational planning for implementation. Given the abbreviated timeframe for demonstrating an impact, HSR&D require all translators to have extensive familiarity with VA Health Services Research and with the QUERI pgrogram infrastructure. All translators must have a solid understanding of each individual QUERI group's Translation Plan, Expected Outcomes and regional variations in health care delivery infrastructure. Because QUERI was intentionally designed as a program that integrates the clinical and research sides of health care, all translators must have a diverse background as clinical health care providers, educators, researchers and consultants. Translator will provide extensive content expertise in the following areas of translation: translation processes, evaluation, outcome/performance measures, product/tool development, individual and systems change theory, information and innovation dissmination, collaboration at national and local levels and innovative approaches to bridge the fields of research and quality improvement. This is a RFP. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 20. Offerors are to include with their offer a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3,"Offeror Representation and Certification -- Commercial Items," Provision 52.212-2, "Evaluation-Commercial Items," and Clause 52.212-4, "Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items," and 52.212-5, "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes for Executive Order -- Commercial Item," as they are applicable to this acquisition. Proposals received in response to this solicitation will be evaluated against the following criteria which are approximately equal in weight: 1) Knowledge of VA Healthcare System: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the VA Healthcare system in terms of the processes involved in the physical delivery of health care to veterans and the process for proposing, securing approval for and implementing policy and procedural changes in VA patient care practices system-wide; 2) Knowledge and experience with QUERI Program: Show thorough knowledge of and experience with the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Program within Health Services Research and Development Service with regard to quality improvement initiatives aimed at expediting research outcomes being implemented in the patient care environment; 3) Knowledge and experience in Translation: In-depth knowledge and experience in the process of translation as defined by the VA -- "the translation of health research findings into improvement of patient care practices and health system processes, both system-wide and at the point of delivery of care to the individual patient."; 4) Experience in Health Service: Contractor(s) must be trained and experienced in the field of health services research and be recognized as an expert in the scientific community in both health services research and translation by peers and colleagues. All offerors should address the above evaluation factors and mail their response/resume to: Contracting Officer (90C), Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Attn: Helen B. Warren RM NG042, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, North Carolina 27705. All offers must be in the designated place by COB (4:30 p.m.) on 1/18/01. Faxed offers will not be accepted. Multiple Award may be made.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001220/RSOL009.HTM (W-353 SN509150)