R -- PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENT

Notice Date

September 10, 2001

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

N/A

Response Due

September 26, 2001

Point of Contact

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

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the Contract Specialist via (nguyenl@mail.nlm.nih.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for Commercial Items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information contained in this notice. This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to negotiate on a sole source basis with CyberSeniors.org, Portland, ME 04101, under the authority 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 (b)(1) to obtain services in planning and implementing selected pilot projects of the CyberSeniors/CyberTeens "CyberHealth" education program. NLM has a longstanding commitment of outreach to underserved communities. The development of MEDLINEplus and extension of NLM's user community to the general public require that NLM's outreach activities include general health information consumers, and various segments thereof. Senior citizens as a group constitute a population segment with significant health needs, and with proportionally lower levels of access to online health information than other population groups. This project is one of a series that focuses on the health information needs of senior citizens and conducts outreach designed to improve senior citizens access to and use of such information. To carry out this project, the vendor shall plan and implement select pilot projects of the CyberSeniors/CyberTeens "CyberHealth" education program, in Arlington, Va and the Portland, ME, metro area. The program is designed to promote health literacy and healthy lifestyles among senior citizens and young people. In CyberHealth, young people working with adult mentors will provide: the training to get seniors online and to web sites such as MEDLINEplus; the computer skills to help seniors find the online health information they need; the knowledge base for seniors to properly use web-based health information and weigh the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of web content; and the tools for seniors to use the Internet to reach out to others dealing with similar health and/or wellness issues. The evaluation model will involve seniors, young people, healthcare providers, adolescent sociologists, and guidance counselors in Arlington, VA, and the Portland, ME, metro area. The evaluation will include collection of data pre-, mid-, and post-training to determine if seniors have learned new computer and Internet skills, have accessed and used health information, and have, as a result, effected changes in their personal healthcare outlook and practice, views on health risks and prevention, knowledge about specific diseases or conditions, and involvement in identifying and determining treatment choices. The evaluation also will include data collection to determine if the young people through serving as trainers have learned from the intergenerational experience, increased their self-efficacy and social/citizenship skills, and enhanced the health of their own personal lifestyles. NLM staff conducted market searches for business and/or organization familiar with this market. NLM has determined that CyberSeniors.org was the only vendor that meets all the requisite experience and skill requirements to successfully carry out this project. Additionally, CyberSeniors.org has demonstrated its ability to plan and launch the pilot projects, and has been successful in obtaining community backing along with funding and in-kind support from other organizations, in addition to NLM, so as to reasonably assure the completion of the project within the scope and time frame outlined. Any other source would not be able to meet NLM's needs. This is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is a 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 firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are required within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Liem T. Nguyen, NLM on (301) 496-6546.*****

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010912/RSOL002.HTM (W-253 SN50X1V1)