SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- National Surveys of Single Parent Caregivers
- Notice Date
- 6/3/2010
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Program Support Center, Division of Acquisition Management, Parklawn Building Room 5-101, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland, 20857
- ZIP Code
- 20857
- Solicitation Number
- OS32846
- Archive Date
- 7/1/2010
- Point of Contact
- Nora V Tyson, Phone: 301-443-5229
- E-Mail Address
-
ntyson@psc.gov
(ntyson@psc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The Office of the Secretary, Office on Women’s Health, through the Program Support Center, Division of Acquisitions Managements, is seeking sources from all small business to award a contract using simplified acquisition procedures. This is a 100 percent small business set-aside. PURPOSE: The purpose of this contract is to conduct a national survey of single parent caregivers based upon recommendations from OWH’s commissioned Literature Review on Existing Supports for Single Parent Caregivers. BACKGROUND Providing extended and/or short-term care to an aging or sick parent, sibling, child, a person with a disability, or assisting with the care of a neighbor or friend is a reality for millions of Americans. Serving as a caregiver to these individuals can lead to stress, depression, fatigue, overuse of medications, lack of exercise, lack of time for family and friends, and underutilization of preventive services. About 3.7 million Medicare enrollees received care from a paid or unpaid caregiver in 1999. Over 60% of caregivers are women who are married with children of their own and trying to manage two households. These women, along with their male counterparts, are referred to as the “Sandwich Generation,” and it is estimated that they cost American business $11-$33 billion dollars a year. Federal agencies and private sector organizations have facilitated the development of a caregiver support system, identified and published a compendium of resources, and conducted a survey on the needs of young caregivers; however, much remains to be done. The Office on Women’s Health is exploring the issues of single parent caregivers as a potential area of unmet need that might be addressed through future Federal policy and program activities. A literature review was conducted in 2009 with the recommendation for further examination of this subpopulation of caregivers (http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh/pub/SupportsforSingleParentCaregivers.pdf). The proposed survey will help to further identify this subpopulation of caregivers; define their demographic, socioeconomic, mental and physical health status and needs; describe the population they care for; identify their special needs as single parent caregivers; identify the gaps in services available to them; and identify barriers, including policies that impede their access to services. OWH will share information gleaned from this study with policymakers, Congress, general media and program staff to inform future initiatives/programs designed to support and assist this unique population of caregivers. STATEMENT OF WORK: The contractor shall conduct a nationally representative survey of the population of single parent caregivers and prepare a report documenting their demographic, socioeconomic, mental and physical health status and needs; describing the population they care for; identifying their special needs as single parent caregiver; identifying the gaps in services available to them as well as the barriers, including policies that impede their access to services. The Contractor shall work closely with the OWH in all phases of this work. The OWH shall furnish The Supports for Single Parent Caregivers: Review of Existing Literature and any other necessary reports/work products that may assist the Contractor in collecting data necessary to accomplish the following tasks: Task 1: “Kick Off” Meeting and Other In-Person Meetings Within one week after award of the contract, the contractor shall coordinate an initial “kick off” meeting with the Project Officer and other Federal staff to address any questions and/or concerns about the project objectives, scope of work, and/or deliverables. One week following the initial meeting, the contractor shall submit a memorandum summarizing the major points discussed during the initial meeting. The contractor shall coordinate additional in-person meetings over the course of the contract period of performance, as deemed necessary by the Project Officer (PO). Task 2: Methodology The contractor shall prepare a Draft and Final Survey Methodology. The Survey Methodology shall elaborate on the survey design, sampling plan, and describe the intended approach with attention to conceptual, methodological, and practical issues. Particular attention should be placed on how the chosen methodology will answer the Research Questions. The methodology shall address all components of the survey; including data collection instruments, participant recruitment, and plans for analysis. The Methodology shall include the sampling technique used to recruit study participants. The contractor shall clearly describe how the participants will be identified, contacted (e.g., phone, email, postal mail, etc.), and solicited for their participation. The sample size should allow for analysis by caregiver race, gender, age and income. All data collection instruments (e.g., screener, questionnaires, interview forms, etc.) shall be included in the Methodology. The Draft Methodology shall be submitted to the Project Officer no later than 6 weeks from the date of contract award. Upon incorporating comments from the Project Officer, the final methodology shall be submitted to the Project Officer no later than 8 weeks from the date of contract award. Task 3: Data Collection Instruments and OMB clearance. The contractor shall prepare all data collection instruments (i.e., screener, questionnaires, interview forms, etc.). These instruments shall also be included in the Survey Methodology. The contractor shall prepare the OMB clearance package. The variables to be measured in the survey shall be submitted to the Project Officer for review before data are entered. Task 4: Data Collection The Contractor shall commence data collection activities upon receiving OMB approval of the survey instrument(s) and Project Officer approval of the variables to be measured in the evaluation. At this time, the potential subjects identified in the Survey Methodology shall be contacted for their participation. Task 5: Data Analysis The Contractor shall analyze collected data, identify relevant themes, and generate other relevant findings to address, at a minimum, the following questions: -What are the demographics of single parent caregivers? -What caregiver stressors differentiate a single parent caregiver from dual parent caregivers? -What negative risk factors are involved in single parent caregiving? -Are single parents more vulnerable than the rest of the caregiving population? -When is help most needed for the single parent caregiver? -What can the health care system do to reduce the single parent caregiver’s burden? -What help is available to the caregiver and how can it be adapted to meet the special needs of single parent caregivers? -What help do caregivers routinely utilize and how might it be adapted to meet the special needs of single parent caregivers? Task 6: Prepare Draft and Final Report The Contractor shall submit a (508 Compliant) draft of the Final Report. The Project Officer shall provide feedback within 10 business days upon receiving the draft. The Final Report shall identify the characteristics of successfully sustained programs and the barriers that impede sustainability efforts. At a minimum, the report shall include chapters focusing on: -Introduction -Overview of Methodology -Key Findings: -Profile of single women caregivers -Identified gaps in services available to single parent caregivers -Identified barriers, including policies that impede their access to services -Recommended Programs and/or Policies to Address the Needs of Single Parent Caregivers -Summary and Conclusions Revise the report incorporating all approved changes/recommendations from the Project Officer Submit a Microsoft Office Word version of the text of the final document that is 508 compliant [HHS Acquisition Regulations require the posted electronic copy to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d)]. Task 9: Prepare 1 manuscript for publication The Contractor shall collaborate with the Project Officer to prepare 1 manuscript for publication in a peer reviewed journal. DESCRIPTION OF DELIVERABLES Deliverables 1. In Person Meetings: The Contractor shall prepare an agenda and submit to the Project Officer no later than 3 days before each in-person meeting. During the initial “kick off” meeting, the project objectives, scope of the work, and deliverables will be clarified. Any questions and/or concerns from either party shall also be raised. Subsequent meetings shall provide a forum for raising additional questions/concerns from either party. The Contractor shall also provide a summary of the main points discussed during each meeting in a memorandum. This memorandum shall be submitted to the Project Officer within 2 days of each meeting. In turn, the Project Officer shall confirm or provide further comments within 2 days of receiving the summary memorandum. 2. Quarterly Progress Reports: The reports shall include descriptions of the tasks performed, progress made, problems encountered and resolved, and planned activities/tasks for the following quarter. The contractor shall also describe how the tasks and/or budget in the monthly reports influence the overall period of performance. 3. Methodology (Draft and Final): The Methodology report shall include all components of the survey including but not limited to data collection instruments, participant recruitment, and data analyses. The survey methodology shall clearly support the purpose of the survey—identifying the characteristics of single parent caregivers and their needs. 4 OMB Clearance Documents: Drafts and final OMB clearance document for the proposed survey that adheres to OMB guidance for the preparation of the document. 5. Analyses Plan: Upon receiving OMB approval, the Contractor shall develop a plan detailing how the analyses will be conducted. Any feedback, instructions, and/or comments from OMB shall be incorporated in the analyses plan. 6. Data documentation: A list of variables measured in the survey and the layout of the dataset shall be submitted to the Project Officer for approval. The data shall be entered upon receipt of Project Officer Approval. 7. SAS statistical software dataset 8. Code book for dataset 9. Draft and Final Report: A report outlining the findings of the survey work examining single parent caregivers and documenting their demographic, socioeconomic, mental and physical health status and needs; describing the population they care for; identifying their special needs as single parent caregiver; identifying the gaps in services available to them as well as the barriers, including policies that impede their access to services. The report should include frequency tables on each question by the total sample, by race, gender, by caregivers’ age, by age of those they are caring for, by household income, and other relevant barriers. The report should also include the results of up to 10 regression models determined after the questionnaire is designed. 1.Draft article(s): 1 draft articles shall be prepared in collaboration with the Project Officer, suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal. EVALUATION CRITERIA All submitted proposals shall be evaluated based on the following criteria. The Approach and Personnel portions shall receive the highest priority. 1. Methodology/Approach (30 points) The proposal shall include detailed descriptions of the methodology/approach the offeror proposes to undertake. In this section, the following shall be included at a minimum: 1) factors considered in developing the survey plan and methodology and their importance in the decision-making process; 2) milestones, timelines or phasing charts indicating when each deliverable is submitted and activity executed; 3) methods for resolving potential barriers and issues; and 4) strengths and limitations of the proposed methodology 2. Staffing/Personnel (25 points) Personnel assigned to work on this project shall be listed. The proposed Project Director must have demonstrated leadership and management skills required to direct the survey project, prepare papers for publication, and work across multiple institutions/organizations and federal agencies. The staff must be competent and experienced in the issue caregiving and possess the skills required to complete the tasks delineated in the Statement of Work and the proposed methodology. The skills and experiences most needed for the successful completion of this project are in the areas of survey design, implementation, and analysis and examining a unique subpopulation of caregivers. Resumes of staff should reflect not only academic qualification but length and variety of experience. Resumes of all Key Personnel to be used on this project, and information about the percentage of time each staff member will contribute to the program shall be provided. Every effort shall be made to retain staff that was listed when the offeror is awarded the contract. The level of staff expertise and qualifications as initially proposed shall not be compromised in the event of staff turnover. 3. Understanding of the Problem (15 points) The Contractor shall demonstrate his/her complete understanding of the intent and requirements of this contract and any complex issues and potential problems that may be encountered in completing this project. The statement shall demonstrate the offeror’s experience with, and ability to assess the needs of a subpopulation of caregivers. 4. Past Experience (15 points) The Offeror shall provide demonstrated recent experiences in successfully managing work that is comparable in subject matter and complexity; his or her leadership abilities to develop and manage a project of this scope shall also be documented. The offeror shall provide references regarding previous evaluation work similar to the size and scope of work outlined in this request for proposal, and past experiences with similar institutions and evaluations. 5. Management Plan (15 points) The proposal shall provide a description of how the organization will manage the contract. How the offeror will comply with all requirements specified in the Statement of Work shall be addressed in the plan. An organizational chart listing the proposed staff shall be included in the plan. It shall describe the organizational structure for carrying out the tasks, lines of management authority, coordination of personnel, and how the reports and other deliverables will be submitted in a timely and acceptable manner.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/PSC/DAM/OS32846/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Contractor's place of business, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, United States
- Zip Code: 20005
- Zip Code: 20005
- Record
- SN02167235-W 20100605/100603234950-8afbb2d2bb42437095d194effa4e001d (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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