Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center

Added: January 31, 2008 Modified: May 05, 2008 10:02 amTrack Changes SYNOPSIS -



The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is soliciting proposals to establish a research and translation decision science and communication center that will facilitate access to evidence-based clinical and health care delivery information, and foster informed health care decisions by patients, providers, and policy makers. The Center will work with AHRQ and its contractors to implement Section 1013 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.



Under the contract, tasks will address a variety of assignments, such as developing health care information products based on comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs) related to clinical and behavioral topics, drugs, procedures, biologics and medical devices. Information products will be developed for a minimum of 3 audiences: patients, providers and policy makers. Development of the information products will be based on an assessment that the Center will conduct on the target audiences and will factor in health literacy and numeracy issues, and other factors. All information products will be pre-tested. Additional tasks include: maintain and keep current a health care interpretation guide which converts scientific terms and phrases used in medical research literature and health care discussions into plain language that is understandable to the general public; facilitate broad dissemination and use of all developed products and provide technical assistance to users; plan and hold two health care decision symposiums per year using venues appropriate for the targeted audiences; development of a biannual electronic newsletter; development of interactive decision aids based on CERs. The Center will assume web deployment responsibilities that include: migrating an existing Web site to the Center, develop and maintain a web site according to policies set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services, maintain web-enabled versions of decision aids, create and maintain user e-mail. The Center will be expected to have the competence and management flexibility to satisfy a range of single and complex multiple tasks that need to be performed concurrently and in a timely way.



Offerors are expected to have expertise in evidence-based medicine and practice and in the development of user-friendly clinical information and tools for a diverse audience, particularly consumers, patients, clinicians, and policy makers; developing decision aids that consist of information, values clarification exercises, and guidance/coaching; and developing and maintaining a Web site. To evaluate offerors expertise in the aforementioned areas, the information set out below must be included in the proposal, when the solicitation is issued. Specifically offerors process for: (1) reviewing CERs, identifying key messages and translating into an understandable information product for each targeted audience that accurately reflects the source document; (2) identifying and defining scientific terms for a health care guide that is understandable, relevant, and meaningful; (3) evaluating the process and impact of products developed for the targeted audiences. The plan should also evaluate the various dissemination modes; (4) disseminating products developed under this contract to targeted audiences, and provision of technical assistance to facilitate use; (5) organizing a white paper series on health care intervention decisions that will be followed-up with a meeting to discuss the papers; (6) arranging two symposiums each year on health care decisions for targeted audiences; (7) developing a biannual electronic newsletter; (8) developing interactive Web based decision aids for selected CERs; (9) maintain and keep current an interpretation guide to help consumers and other users incorporate evidence in their decision making; (10) migrate, develop and maintain a Web site according to the Department of Health and Human Services policies; (11) creating and maintaining user e-mail; and (12) maintain web-enabled versions of decision aids.



The Center is to be comprised of a core staff of seasoned professionals in fields such as clinical health education, behavior medicine, decision psychology, marketing and Web site services and development, writing and editing. The proposed Project Director should hold, at a minimum, a doctoral or medical degree and have extensive experience in developing health information tools and program management. The Project Director should have at least 10 (ten) years total work experience which includes: 1) at least eight (8) years in the SOWs specialty services field in progressively supervisory positions; and 2) demonstrated skills in organizing and monitoring complex projects conducted by groups of diverse professionals. The Project Manager, if used, should hold at a minimum, a masters degree in health and human services-related specialty and not less than the (10) years total work experience which includes: 1) at least eight (8) years in the health education, health services research field, or behavior medicine; 2) demonstrated skills in developing information products for diverse audiences; 3) knowledge of the Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP programs; and 4) demonstrated skills in organizing and monitoring complex projects conducted by groups of diverse professionals. In the event that the Centers core staff does not include particular expertise needed to accomplish a particular task, the Center is to obtain such expertise through consultants and/or sub-contracts. It is AHRQs expectation that at least one topic-specific content expert will be included as key personnel for each information product.



It is anticipated that 1 contract will be awarded for a period of 2 years with 3 one year option periods. Award is expected no later than August 15, 2008. In addition to the solicitation being available on this site, it will also be available for downloading from the internet on AHRQs website at www.ahrq.gov. It is the offerors responsibility to monitor this site for release of the solicitation, download their own copy of the solicitation, and monitor the site for any subsequent amendments. Since it is not known who is downloading the solicitation, a bidders list will not be available. All responsible businesses may submit a proposal which will be evaluated by AHRQ. It is estimated that the solicitation will be issued on or about May 20, 2008, with proposals due approximately 50 days thereafter.

Added: January 31, 2008 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is conducting a market survey to seek potential sources from qualified small business firms under North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code 541611which have the capability to establish a research and translation decision science and communication center that will facilitate access to evidence-based clinical and health care delivery information, and foster informed health care decisions by patients, providers, and policy makers. The requirement is for a 2 year effort with 3 option periods. The Center will work with AHRQ and its contractors to implement Section 1013 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

Under the contract, tasks will address a variety of assignments, such as developing health care information products based on comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs) related to clinical and behavioral topics, drugs, procedures, biologics and medical devices. Information products will be developed for a minimum of 3 audiences: patients, providers and policy makers. Development of the information products will be based on an assessment that the Center will conduct on the target audiences and will factor in health literacy and numeracy issues, and other factors. All information products will be pretested. Additional tasks include: maintain and keep current a health care interpretation guide which converts scientific terms and phrases used in medical research literature and health care discussions into plain language that is understandable to the general public; facilitate broad dissemination and use of all developed products and provide technical assistance to users; plan and hold two health care decision symposiums per year using venues appropriate for the targeted audiences; development of a biannual electronic newsletter; development of interactive decision aids based on CERs. The Center will assume web deployment responsibilities that include: migrating an existing Web site to the Center, develop and maintain a web site according to policies set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services, maintain web-enabled versions of decision aids, create and maintain user e-mail. The Center will be expected to have the competence and management flexibility to satisfy a range of single and complex multiple tasks that need to be performed concurrently and in a timely way.



Offerors are expected to have expertise in evidence-based medicine and practice and in the development of user-friendly clinical information and tools for a diverse audience, particularly consumers, patients, clinicians, and policy makers; developing decision aids that consist of information, values clarification exercises, and guidance/coaching; and developing and maintaining a Web site. To evaluate offerors expertise in the aforementioned areas, the information set out below must be included in the proposal, when the solicitation is issued. Specifically offerors process for: (1) reviewing CERs, identifying key messages and translating into an understandable information product for each targeted audience that accurately reflects the source document; (2) identifying and defining scientific terms for a health care guide that is understandable, relevant, and meaningful; (3) evaluating the process and impact of products developed for the targeted audiences. The plan should also evaluate the various dissemination modes; (4) disseminating products developed under this contract to targeted audiences, and provision of technical assistance to facilitate use; (5) organizing a white paper series on health care intervention decisions that will be followed-up with a meeting to discuss the papers; (6) arranging two symposiums each year on health care decisions for targeted audiences; (7) developing a biannual electronic newsletter; (8) developing interactive Web based decision aids for selected CERs; (9) maintain and keep current an interpretation guide to help consumers and other users incorporate evidence in their decision making; (10) migrate, develop and maintain a Web site according to the Department of Health and Human Services policies; (11) creating and maintaining user e-mail; and (12) maintain web-enabled versions of decision aids.



The Center is to be comprised of a core staff of seasoned professionals in fields such as clinical health education, behavior medicine, decision psychology, marketing and Web site services and development, writing and editing. The proposed Project Director should hold, at a minimum, a doctoral or medical degree and have extensive experience in developing health information tools and program management. The Project Director should have at least 10 (ten) years total work experience which includes: 1) at least eight (8) years in the SOWs specialty services field in progressively supervisory positions; and 2) demonstrated skills in organizing and monitoring complex projects conducted by groups of diverse professionals. The Project Manager, if used, should hold at a minimum, a masters degree in health and human services-related specialty and not less than the (10) years total work experience which includes: 1) at least eight (8) years in the health education, health services research field, or behavior medicine; 2) demonstrated skills in developing information products for diverse audiences; 3) knowledge of the Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP programs; and 4) demonstrated skills in organizing and monitoring complex projects conducted by groups of diverse professionals. In the event that the Centers core staff does not include particular expertise needed to accomplish a particular task, the Center is to obtain such expertise through consultants and/or sub-contracts. It is AHRQs expectation that at least one topic-specific content expert will be included as key personnel for each information product.



Interested SMALL BUSINESSES only should submit their capability statements (no more than 10 pages in length) to Jessica Alderton, Contracting Officer, by email at jessica.alderton@ahrq.hhs.gov, no later than 12pm (noon) EST on Friday, February 15, 2008. Capability statements must be tailored to this request and identify the sources capabilities to complete this requirement including information on key staff experience and education, and a description of corporate experience with similar projects.