70 -- SSA SEEKING SOURCES TO PROVIDE ONLINE INFORMATION

Notice Date

December 20, 2000

Contracting Office

Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

ZIP Code

21207-5279

Solicitation Number

4034-01-0200

Response Due

January 8, 2001

Point of Contact

Cynthia Spencer, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109653369, Fax 4109659560, Email cynthia.spencer@ssa.gov -- Wayne Mcdonald, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659480, Fax 4109659560, Email wayne.mcdonald@ssa.gov

E-Mail Address

Cynthia Spencer (cynthia.spencer@ssa.gov)

Description

In an effort to improve its World-Class service to its customers through automation, the Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to enter into a contract to obtain information needed for program purposes from States. Currently, SSA offices request information by mail, telephone, fax, or request the client to obtain the data for the respective State agency. Because of this labor intensity, the ability to confirm electronically (i.e. online) names, dates, places and various other pieces of information, if available, of birth and death information in the United States and its Territories is preferred. The confirmation will be used to assist the Agency in its processing of applications for benefits and for Social Security cards. The requirement is for birth information from 1939 to present and death information for the current and prior year. All online information of this type is needed for all 50 States. The National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information (NAPHSIS) represents the States and territories of the U.S. on issues and actions involving public health statistics, public health information systems and vital records registration. The Association provides standards and principles for administering this information. SSA intends to conduct a ten-month proof of concept between NAPHSIS, and one or more State Bureau of Vital Statistics agencies. The intent is to establish a process that provides SSA users with a single interface to generate a request to verify vital statistics data needed in SSA claims processing. The Association is currently developing a Vital Event Transaction, which will serve as the standardized format for all state vital records. This functionality will meet the verification needs (electronically) of the documentation needed in claims processing. NAPHSIS meets the goal of electronic nationwide access for SSA users of vital statistics data. NAPHSIS is the only known national organization that: 1) develops vital records policy and procedures directly with its members, the state registrars; 2) has the relationships and trust needed to develop with the state agencies a new public policy in regards to online access pilots, tailored to states' concerns; 3) can provide a forum and a process for resolving states' concerns; 4) can develop an acceptable pilot; and 5) can successfully convince states to reassess their reluctance to work in an online environment. NAPHSIS is the only known organization that can provide electronic online access to the following data elements on the State's system of vital records, as available the minimum data elements are: a) child's first, middle and last name; b) child's surname suffix; c) date of birth; d) sex; e) place of birth: town and/or county and state; f) father's first and last name; g) mother's first name and maiden name; h) birth certificate number or state file number and i) recordation and correction (if any) dates. Also, the following Death Record Elements apply: a) decedent's first, middle and last names; b) date of death; c) place of death -- town and/or county and state; d) death certificate number; e) decedent's social security number; f) date of birth; g) manner of death; h) father's surname; and i) recordation and correction (if any) dates. Organizations with actual experience that can substantiate their ability to meet all of the above characteristics are invited to respond to this announcement. Respondents must site specific examples and reference contacts of their experience in the area of obtaining information regarding births and deaths encompassing all 50 States and U.S. Territories. Respondents also should summarize and provide an overview of the content of their database, including an overview of each organization they claim represents an actual recent example of their experience, including references that specify a contact name and address. FAXED RESPONSES SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED. This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response hereto will not be honored or acknowledged. If after January 8, 2001, no viable responses have been received in response to this announcement, SSA shall initiate negotiations solely with the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information. The Government does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this announcement, respondents should refer to VITAL2001.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www2.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS.woa/wa/SPF?A=R&P=4034-01-0200&L=2422)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001222/70SOL005.HTM (D-355 SN509320)