Mental Health in Rural America

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Federal Business Opportunities   (Beta.sam.gov)

 Solicitation Number: NIMH-20-004329

Title: Mental Health in Rural America

NAICS Code: 611710 – Educational Support Services

Product Service Code: B542 Educational Studies

Description:

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background: The publication will provide an updated overview of the latest information and knowledge regarding mental health in rural America.  This compendium will include information from published research, policy reviews, and other literature that has focused on rural mental health issues including substance use and misuse.  The publication will also provide a comprehensive annotated bibliography of rural mental health literature.  The proposed publication would consist of approximately 120 pages.  The contractor will submit this publication electronically. 

The NIMH staff serving as point of contact along with the contractor will discuss phase one deliverable which will serve to form the framework for the literature review and gap analysis conducted in the second phase, which will constitute the second deliverable. The phase 2 deliverable is an  online publication that will provide a description of stakeholder input, a description of the current state of knowledge  and an outline of the gaps in information that can be addressed through research that will include the following. 

How to increase the number and/or reach of mental health care providers in rural and frontier areas and/or improve access to quality care

How to increase the utilization and impact of telehealth and telepsychiatry in rural areas

How to examine why rural areas are so vulnerable to substance use disorder (e.g., opioid crisis, methamphetamine, fentanyl) as well as suicide.

How to improve access to employment opportunities/reduce the disability rate of rural residents who are recovering from substance use disorder diagnosis and treatment, as well as mental health diagnosis treatment.

How to reduce the rates of trauma and adverse childhood events in rural areas and improve the care of rural children, who experience high rates of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders.

How to increase the use of effective, evidence-based interventions for mental health and substance use treatment available for rural communities.

How to enhance the use of effective screening and referral procedures for mental, developmental, and substance problems in rural healthcare settings.

How to examine the nature of the relationship between social determinants of health, mental health, and substance misuse in rural places.

How to determine the causal inter-relationships between rural culture, mental health, and substance use (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) and misuse.

How to empower the research community to conduct innovative research that is methodologically well-suited for rural settings and likely to yield interventions that would be adopted. 

How the above topics intersect with diverse populations, as well as additional challenges faced by under-represented and marginalized groups in rural places.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to provide a service contract to the contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the tasks and deliverables described above. The contractor shall provide a phase one deliverable that will consist of a comprehensive summary of the input from stakeholders collected by the contract and will describe the gaps in knowledge. The second deliverable will be an online publication.

Period of Performance:

Base Year:   9/1/2020 – 8/31/2021

Option Period 1: 9/1/2021 – 2/28/2022

Option Period 2: 3/1/2022 – 8/31/2022

Capability statement /information sought:

Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specified in this notice. This consists of not only the technical expertise in creating an online resource but 4esponses must detail with specificity the subject matter expertise in rural mental health, the extensive networks among the community of practice who work with indigenous communities in low-resource settings, and the history of relationship with mental health innovators.  

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent’s opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts that may be applicable.

Submission Instructions:

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Michelle Cecilia, Contract Specialist, NIH/NIDA at michellececilia.cecilia@nih.gov and Contract Officer, Valerie Whipple at vallerie.whipple@nih.gov.

The response must be received on or before August 11, 2020 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time.

“Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation

synopsis and solicitation may be published on Beta.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non- proprietary technical information in any resultant sol