Live Task Order2.docx

TASK ORDER #2: Evaluating HIV resource allocation models for local health jurisdictions

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Background:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest estimates show that approximately 50,000 Americans become infected with HIV annually. As a result, the number of people living with HIV in the United States, now at nearly 1.2 million, continues to grow by tens of thousands each year, creating more opportunities for HIV transmission.

In July 2010, the White House released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), a comprehensive roadmap for reducing the impact of HIV. The NHAS sets clear goals for HIV prevention in the United States that include reducing incidence by 25% and increasing the proportion of people living with HIV who know of their infection to 90% over the next 5 years.

The Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) at the CDC has an annual budget of approximately $350 million for funding HIV prevention programs domestically. Approximately two-thirds of DHAP’s extramural program budget is allocated to state and large metropolitan health departments, who in turn reallocate the funds to HIV programs within their jurisdictions. Local health jurisdictions (LHJ) tend to pool federal, state and their own locally raised resources to fund HIV prevention programs. Attention to the manner in which HIV prevention resources are allocated at a local level is critical because it is the level at which programs are delivered.

HIV resource allocation models can provide valuable guidance to improve the rational allocation of funds by targeting areas of the greatest return, which may lead to better health outcomes. To guide the HIV prevention planning efforts and funding priorities of local health jurisdictions towards the goals set in the NHAS, LHJs are encouraged, and in some circumstances required, to use formal decision-support models to allocate their prevention dollars in a manner which maximizes the impact of prevention efforts for those at risk for HIV infection. Recent scientific breakthroughs have expanded the number of effective tools to prevent HIV infection and rendered the decision-making process for HIV resource allocation more complex.

II. Purpose:

The purpose of this task order is to provide an overview, evaluation and independent assessment of existing HIV resource allocation models intended for use by LHJs, including an evaluation of input data and data assumptions used to populate the models, how well the models are capable of producing valid results and estimates of uncertainty, and how user-friendly the models are for local and state health departments. The assessment will include two CDC models and up to three resource allocation models produced outside of CDC.

III. Scope of Work:

Independently, and not as an agent of the government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary personnel, facilities, supplies, and equipment (other than that provided by the Government) required to conduct the evaluation and independent assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of existing HIV resource allocation models intended for use by LHJs. If a model selected requires the purchase of a license by the contractor, that license can be billed as a direct cost. For purposes of submitting a cost proposal, offerors should assume a cost of $5,000 to obtain all licenses needed to operate the external models. The requirements of this task order fall under the following Task Areas of the basic contract: Resource Allocation Modeling, Technical Assistance, and Study Analysis.

IV. Technical Requirements:

For each task, the contractor shall have ongoing meetings with the Technical Monitor(TM) and designated site staff. Meetings may include face to face, web conference calls, web-based presentations, or teleconferences. The Contractor should expect to conduct two (2) one-day, face to face meetings at CDC offices in Atlanta, including the kick-off meeting.

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

Task 1. Participate in a one-day kick-off meeting with the Technical Monitor (TM) and DHAP staff to discuss the tasks outlined in the statement of work. The kick-off meeting will be held in Atlanta, GA. The contractor shall submit a synopsis of the kick-off meeting to the TM within 3 days of the meeting.

Task 2. Obtain two resource allocation models from CDC and up to 3 models from model developers external to CDC. The models will be identified during the kick-off meeting. The contractor shall notify CDC when external models are obtained.

Task 3. The Contractor shall perform the following subtasks for each model obtained in Task 2.

Subtask 3.1. Assess the validity of data inputs, including all those related to HIV transmission dynamics and the costs and effectiveness of prevention programs.

Subtask 3.2. Assess the validity of model and input data assumptions.

Subtask 3.3. Assess the validity of the model structure with respect to performance, robustness of results, evaluation of uncertainty and what-if scenario capabilities.

Subtask 3.4. Based on model complexity, usability, transferability and data requirements, assess the model’s potential to be used by non-modelers in state and local health departments to support their decision-making process for HIV resource allocation.

Subtask 3.5. Write a report detailing the outcome of assessments made in Subtasks 3.1 to 3.4. The report is intended for CDC internal usage. Draft report shall be submitted to CDC for feedback to be incorporated by Contractors in final version.

Task 4. Produce best practice report for HIV resource allocation modeling for state and local health department use.

Subtask 4.1. Write a draft report describing best practice guidelines for HIV resource allocation modeling at the state and local health department level. Based on lessons learned from the assessment of the models in Task 3, this report shall include recommendations for the best data inputs and their sources, best model structures to ensure validity and robustness of results, best user interface and best indicators and formats for displaying results. Guidelines shall focus on modelers and how they can best design resource allocation models for health departments. Guidelines shall also focus on end-users and how to select a model that best supports their needs for HIV resource allocation. This report must be suitable for publication and/or public dissemination. Draft report shall be submitted to CDC for feedback to be incorporated by Contractors in final version.

Subtask 4.2. Submit final report describing best practice guidelines.

V. Reporting Requirements:

a) Monthly Reports A monthly progress report that contains at a minimum, the following information: a brief description of requirements, accomplishments during the reporting period and significant events regarding the task order, deliverables submitted, progress on deliverable products, any current and anticipated problems and solutions proposed stakeholder participation and issues, communications with persons, groups, organizations, and agencies and the nature of those communications, activities scheduled for the next month, and key personnel changes and a brief summary of activity planned for the next reporting period.

b) . Conference Calls The Contractor shall have at least 2 conference calls per month with the TM to discuss progress, problems and solutions. Assessments, reports, etc., may be presented electronically via web based presentations or teleconference.

VI. Deliverables:

The contractor shall submit the following deliverables to the TM in the quantities and during the time periods indicated. All documents to be in Microsoft Word© or Excel© format, unless alternative formats are approved in advance by CDC.

Task/Subtask

* These deliverables are contingent on the evaluation of up to 3 models developed outside of CDC (external models).

VII. Special Considerations:

1.

2. During or after the life of this task order, the contractor shall not release any data, publications or materials developed under this task order without prior CDC clearance and approval. CDC retains the rights to all data, publications or materials developed under this task order.

VIII. Government Furnished Equipment:

The Government will furnish a provision of initial model parameters to the contractor which includes data collection and current model applications.

IX. Period of Performance: Seven months from date of task order award.

X. Place of Performance: The Contractor’s facility