Analytic Support to MEPS Medical Provider Component

Pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), the Contracting Officer may solicit from one source if the Contracting Officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source is reasonably available. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), intends to issue a sole source to:

Adam Biener 
30 PLYMOUTH PL
ROSELAND BORO, NJ 07068-1309

Purpose: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation has requested that AHRQ prepare a report that assesses the effects of the changes in surprise billing and medical debt due to the No Surprises Act. The Medical Provider Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data files is uniquely suited for this research because it captures the information on surprise billing and medical debt in the civilian noninstitutionalized population. While AHRQ staff members have great experience with MEPS, outside expertise is necessary to complete this project.

As a result of his extensive expertise and experience with the MEPS Provider Component, his robust publication record, and his intimate familiarity with AHRQ and AHRQ's vision and mission, Dr. Biener is uniquely qualified to create and conduct research with new metrics on out-of-network billing, surprising billing, and medical debt.  He has contributed substantially to the existing literature on surprise billing and payment, using MEPS data. He combines this research expertise with a breadth and depth of knowledge of the MEPS-Medical Provider Component and its detailed patient account information (not available publicly) that only comes from working extensively on the design, editing, and imputation of MEPS expenditure data. In addition, Dr. Biener has linked providers reported by MEPS respondents and in the MEPS-MPC to outside data sources on practices and health systems (e.g. IQVIA). 

The breadth and diversity of Dr. Biener’s expertise, knowledge, and skills, makes him uniquely qualified to perform all the tasks described in this task order. He has deep knowledge and experience with developing out-of-network billing, surprise billing, and medical debt metrics; with the regulatory framework surrounding the No Surprises Act; and the uses of MEPS for policy-related research.

The period of performance is 4 months. 

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government as to whether or not to compete this proposed contract action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties regarding thissole source action may contact the contract specialist, Alyssa Tornatore, alyssa.tornatore@ahrq.hhs.gov no later than the time and date specified in the posting.