SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Implementation and Evaluation of a Military-Based Intervention to Reduce Alcohol-Related HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors in the Rwandan Defense Force
- Notice Date
- 4/30/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Procurement and Grants Office (Atlanta), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341-4146
- ZIP Code
- 30341-4146
- Solicitation Number
- 2010-83023
- Archive Date
- 5/26/2010
- Point of Contact
- Kellie B. Sapp, Phone: 7704882501
- E-Mail Address
-
bin3@cdc.gov
(bin3@cdc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Sources Sought 2010-83023 The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), is seeking sources to address alcohol-related HIV sexual risk behaviors. The focus will be a military-based intervention in the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF). Project Objective The objective of the project is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a new leadership-focused structural intervention in the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF). The structural intervention is a 5-day leadership training for both junior and senior officers addressing how they may reduce alcohol and HIV-related risk behaviors among troops and how to best provide the resources and support for them to implement these changes. Leaders in the structural intervention condition will be provided with a set of obligatory structural changes required by central command that they make which include: • Enforcement of existing RDF policies • Modeling by senior RDF officers • Communication from RDF officers • Reduce availability of alcohol on or around RDF bases • Increasing availability and accessibility of condoms • Educating RDF troops on alcohol and HIV risk • Reduce advertisements/posters/billboards for alcohol on/around RDF bases The intervention also includes a set of optional structural changes that they can make depending upon the unique characteristics and needs of their base and troops which include: • Enhanced advertisement for reducing risk • Developing and instituting new rules and policies • Alternative activities to alcohol use The structural intervention described above will be evaluated using a group-randomized controlled trial and mixed methods. Study processes and outcomes will be assessed using both qualitative (semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions) and quantitative methods (structured questionnaire). The primary objective of the evaluation is to measure the effectiveness of the intervention in changing knowledge, norms, attitudes and behaviors of RDF personnel regarding alcohol consumption prior to sex with condoms, without condoms, and with transactional sex with commercial sex workers and other partners. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness the intervention in changing knowledge, norms, attitudes and behaviors regarding condom use, sex with multiple partners, and the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Scope of Work The contractor shall work under the direction of CDC-Atlanta and USG military attaché in Rwanda to implement and evaluate the RDF leadership-focused structural intervention over a 20-month period. The contractor will be responsible for the finalization of the evaluation protocol including sample size calculation, site selection and refinement of the data collection tools. The contractor will oversee implementation of the protocol which includes but not limited to ongoing discussions and involvement of key stakeholders including the military health division, recruitment of data collectors, implementation of the intervention, data collection of qualitative data and quantitative data using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) system, analysis and write-up and dissemination of the findings. Technical Requirements Contractor shall identify relevant experience in research protocol development, implementation of HIV interventions with military populations and rigorous evaluation of interventions using mixed methods (i.e. both qualitative and quantitative methods) in sub-Saharan Africa or other resource-limited settings. Experience working in Rwanda, particularly the RDF is preferred. To accomplish the scope of work, the contractor shall: 1) Provide significant input in finalizing the drafted evaluation protocol, including but not limited to: a) Finalization of study site locations (intervention and control) b) Finalization of the sample size c) Finalization of randomization procedures d) Assisting in the refinement of data collection instruments e) Translating the data collection instruments into country-specific languages as necessary. Back translate instruments as necessary to ensure consistency with intent of the research questions. f) Piloting the data collection instruments g) Working with CDC Atlanta and in-country colleagues to prepare IRB approval documents for both CDC and in-country IRB 2) Identify study team members a) Work with CDC Atlanta, CDC in Rwanda, and the CDC offices in other countries if appropriate, and other key stakeholders to identify qualified study team members to support intervention implementation and evaluation i) Study team members will have the skills needed to carry out qualitative and quantitative data collection using the ACASI system ii) Study team members will be able to interact with the target population b) Develop training plan for study team members with follow-up training as needed i) Translate and back translate the training materials into country-specific languages as necessary. 3) Oversee implementation of the evaluation protocol including but not limited to: a) Providing supervision and feedback to study team and data collectors and closely monitoring field activities b) Recruiting and enrolling eligible participants from selected study sites c) Ensure quality assurance and implement quality control procedures in all evaluation and data collection/management activities d) Conducting baseline data collection of participants e) Implementing the leadership-based structural intervention with select junior and senior officers from the intervention bases f) Implementing the education intervention with select junior and senior officers from control bases g) Conducting 6 and 12-month follow-up evaluation h) Conducting key informant interviews and focus group discussions i) Ensuring systems are in place to secure data in the field and maintain confidentiality j) Managing protocol implementation including but not limited to: i) Data management including development of secure data transfer and sharing procedures based on approved IRB protocol ii) Identifying spaces for interviews/focus groups iii) Management of recording and ACASI equipment 4) Prepare data for analysis including but not limited to: a) Identification of data analysis software, such as ATLAS TI, NVivo 8, STATA, SAS, etc, for each type of data source and analysis b) Ensuring all software must be compatible with Windows XP and is subject to approval by CDC c) Preparing qualitative data for transcription, translation and entry into designated software d) Cleaning and preparing survey data collected via ACASI for entry into designated software 5) Conduct data analysis including but not limited to: a) Analyzing qualitative data using meaning-based translation identifying key themes and patterns b) Analyzing quantitative data using summary, descriptive, and comparative statistics c) Writing-up the analysis findings 6) Produce a dissemination report including but not limited to the following activities: a) Integrate qualitative and quantitative data analysis findings b) Finalize dissemination report c) Disseminate to key stakeholders, participants, etc Reporting Schedule The contractor shall provide the following reports. 1. Bi-Weekly Progress Reports a. The contractor shall provide bi-weekly reports containing the progress of protocol implementation including but not limited to identification and training of study team members, intervention implementation, data collection, data management, and data analysis. 2. Analysis Report a. The contractor shall provide a draft report for review by CDC documenting the analysis findings from each quantitative data collection period (i.e. baseline, 6-month and 12-month) b. The contractor shall provide a draft report of qualitative analysis findings c. The contractor shall finalize the qualitative and quantitative analysis report incorporating CDC changes. 3. Dissemination Report a. The contractor shall provide a draft final report integrating qualitative and quantitative data analysis for review by CDC documenting the overall findings from the evaluation. b. The contractor shall finalize dissemination report incorporating CDC changes. Deliverables The contractor will provide the following deliverables to CDC-Atlanta and conduct the project within 20 months. Item Description and Delivery Date Work plan; within 14 calendar days after date of award. Provide documentation of roles and responsibilities with all persons affiliated with the project including local partners updated bi-weekly as needed; within in 14 calendar days after data of award. Final evaluation protocol submitted to IRB; within 60 days after date of award. Training materials for study team members; within 4 months days after date of task order. Bi-weekly progress reports; bi-weekly from date of award. Findings from initial qualitative data collection; within 30 days of completion of data collection. Findings from baseline data collection; within 30 days of completion of data collection. Findings from 6-month follow-up evaluation data collection; within 30 days of completion of data collection. Findings from 12-month follow-up evaluation data collection; within 30 days of completion of data collection. Findings from 12-month follow up qualitative data collection; within 30 days of completion of data collection. Dissemination report; within 45 days of completion of final 12-month evaluation data collection. The Period of Performance will be 20 months from Date of Award. This notification is intended to provide the Government with information on the availability of qualified sources, for the services described above. No quotes are needed at this time. Interested companies are welcome to submit information and capabilities for this requirement via email to bin3@cdc.gov. Please include reference number 2010-83023. Please respond by Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/CDCP/PGOA/2010-83023/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: US and Rwanda, United States
- Record
- SN02137690-W 20100502/100430235831-e69818ab2f7b64dd192be5b44c5f9592 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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