SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Context for Maternal Health Decisions: Web of Interaction Among Maternal Health Literacy, Child Development, and Other In-Home Life Conditions
- Notice Date
- 8/13/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541720
— Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- SSN-NIH-NLM-2012-485-SRE
- Archive Date
- 9/4/2012
- Point of Contact
- Sheila R. Edmonds, Phone: 3014966546
- E-Mail Address
-
sheila.edmonds@nih.gov
(sheila.edmonds@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government. This notice is intended strictly for Market Research. This is a Small Business Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service- disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541720-Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) is conducting a Market Survey to help determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and/or HUBZone small businesses capable of serving the needs identified below: Synopsis: The proposed research project assesses how maternal health literacy is linked to conditions in one's home, surrounding life conditions, and the immediate context in which health decisions are made. If successful, this research may help home visitation professionals intervene more precisely to assist at risk families. The research also could provide insights to home visitor-counselors on where to begin and how to proceed to assist at risk families. The research, which is a secondary analysis of existing data, will assess the extent that health literacy is associated with an array of other variables such as competencies in maternal relationships with children, other family members, friends, basic needs, education, health information seeking, mental health, depression, substance abuse, infant/toddler development and temperament. The study provides a quantitative web of interaction that analyzes relationships among the variables that influence maternal health behaviors in low income, medically underserved families. The research continues a web of interaction pilot study the Center for Health Literacy Promotion (CHLP) conducted for Health Literacy Missouri in 2011-12 and two assessments of the Life Skills Progression (LSP) dataset previously funded by the National Networks of Libraries of Medicine in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Health Literacy Missouri web of interaction study was based on a small population and the findings were generalizable only to a limited study population. However in the proposed project, the Contractor will assess a more comprehensive LSP dataset that may produce more generalizable findings. The findings should provide a basis for scholarly publications in addition to assisting in-home visitor-counselors intervene more efficaciously within low-income family situations. The project, a secondary analysis of CHLP's existing data (the LSP data set), is innovative because its intermediate measure (maternal health literacy) remains novel within the literature, as is assessing health literacy's impacts within a family and home setting. The current research project also assesses the statistical relationships (web of interaction) among maternal health literacy, child development, and an array of life conditions that have not been assessed simultaneously within a comprehensive population based on n=3476 mother/child dyads in 2,532 households. The proposed research project continues three studies of maternal health literacy research done by CHLP using the LSP data set. Two of the three studies (using the LSP data set) were funded by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years. In the 2010-11 study, CHLP became the first investigator to assess the associations between health literacy and maternal depression (Smith, 2011a). In the 2011-12 study, CHLP became the first investigator to assess the associations among health literacy, maternal depression, and child development (Smith, 2011b, 2011d, 2012c, 2012d). Prior to these two studies, CHLP used the LSP data set to demonstrate an association between scales of self-care literacy and scales of healthcare literacy (Smith, 2009). In the proposed 2012-13 study, the Contractor shall be the first investigator to assess the associations (or the web of interaction) among health literacy, maternal depression, child development, and an array of other life conditions within a home environment among low income, medically underserved mothers (n=3476 mother/child dyads in 2572 households). The proposed study's research methods are based on a web of interaction pilot assessment CHLP did for Health Literacy Missouri in 2011-12 (Smith, 2012e). CHLP's previous research projects use the aforementioned Life Skills Progression data set (LSP). The LSP data set originally was developed for a project funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality - National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (AHRQ-NICHD). It is considered one of the most comprehensive instruments ever developed to assess life conditions in home settings and their impacts on an array of maternal decisions, including health. It is approved for documentation of progress toward federal benchmarks of effectiveness in Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV). The Contractor shall conduct a secondary analysis of the existing LSP data set using aforementioned outcome variables that include: maternal health literacy, child development, mental health, depression, and an array of health, information seeking, parenting skills and competencies. The Contractor shall demonstrate how statistical interactions among the aforementioned variables create a web of interaction. The research should result in publications and presentations (that may occur after the completion of the contract). The Contractor shall provide a brief report of the primary findings in an executive summary to NLM (which should include a description of current and possible future steps to improve the methodological rigor of the study's instrument and scales), and will discuss how the findings, methods, and process might be used to further NLM's consumer health informatics and health literacy research. The primary responsibility for completion of the proposed work shall be the Contractor's. Background The proposed research project assesses how maternal health literacy is linked to conditions in one's home, surrounding life conditions, and the immediate context in which health decisions are made. The project also assesses the impacts (or web of interaction) among maternal health literacy and other life skills for health decision-making and health promoting actions, practices, and behaviors within low-income, medically underserved household settings. The current project uses the Life Skills Progression (LSP) data set compiled in 2006-08 for a project funded by the Agency for Health Research Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The LSP data set is based on the implementation of a life skills instrument in 2,532 households during home visitation and health education interventions for economically disadvantaged families. The LSP data set includes one to seven observations on each of 3,476 parent-child dyads that enable comparisons among maternal health literacy, depression, child development, and maternal life skills that are among the foci of the proposed study. Overall, the LSP (AHRQ-NICHD) data set measures 35 categories of life skills needed for adult and teen parents to provide for healthcare and healthy lifestyle, utilize resources and information, provide for basic needs (housing, transportation, nutrition), maintain nurturing relationships, raise children who have optimal health and development, complete a basic education, and seek full employment (Wollesen & Peifer, 2006). The LSP data set captures some of the complex interrelationships of multiple factors that affect a parent's ability to use information and services to understand and exert control over their personal and family health. The LSP data set captures the impact of systems level efforts to improve information and services along with health promotion efforts to improve family use of information and services. Home visitors implemented the LSP measures at each household at the initiation of service, six-month intervals, for up to 36 months. Sequential measures demonstrate progress/regression over time. To date, there have been three secondary analyses of maternal health literacy using the LSP data set - all pioneered by CHLP. The first study showed an association between scales of self-care literacy and scales of functional self-care literacy (Smith, 2009). The second study assessed the associations between depression and maternal health literacy and received support from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine during the 2010-11 fiscal year (Smith, 2011a). The third project assessed the associations among depression, child developmental outcomes, and maternal health literacy and received support from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine during the 2011-12 fiscal year (Smith, 2011b, 2011d, 2012c, 2012d). The proposed project continues the secondary analyses of CHLP's LSP data set and adds a more complex, hierarchical, relational analysis of pathways among variables, which are referred to as a web of interaction (Smith, 2012e, 2012f). The Center for Health Literacy Promotion and the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, pioneered work in assessing maternal health literacy and using the LSP data set. The maternal health literacy research was highlighted in the 2010, and 2011 Health Literacy Annual Research Conference [co-sponsored by NIH] (Smith 2010b, 2011b). The maternal health literacy research also has been recognized by Health Literacy Missouri (2011d), the American Association of Medical Informatics, 2010a), and Worldwide Universities Network (2012e). Maternal health literacy measures what parents do with health information (how they integrate health information into their lives and households) rather than how they score on reading tests or health-medical knowledge tests. While most health literacy research focuses on improving health information in order to boost patient understanding, maternal health literacy promotes parents' interactive and reflective skills in order to increase their ability to apply information in real-life contexts to enhance personal and child health. Maternal health literacy research has a significant gateway capacity to boost the health literacy literature as well as enhance consumer health informatics research at NLM. The proposed study's innovative variables and measures redefine how to assess health educational interventions especially within low income, economically disadvantaged households. Similarly, the study's variables and measures could be used to redefine NLM's future consumer health educational intervention studies using MedlinePlus.gov, Clinicaltrials.gov, Genetics Home Reference, Household Products Database, and ToxTown. In addition, the research may open a door for NLM to influence future home visitation research to include health educational interventions using NLM's consumer health informatics services. Overall, the project places NLM within the forefront of innovative health literacy research, takes advantage of underutilized existing research and data sets that are available to researchers, takes advantage of expertise in how to uses these resources, provides grounded and generalizable results, yields findings in a realistic, in-home setting, and opens a gateway to future research regarding health educational interventions using NLM consumer health informatics services. Proposed methods The proposed research project is a secondary analysis of the CHLP's existing, comprehensive LSP (AHRQ-NICHD) data set. The Contractor shall survey the literature of related disciplines, which may include: health literacy, public health, life skills research, health education, health promotion, consumer health informatics, and health disparities. The Contractor will prepare a research paper or papers for refereed academic meetings and refereed journals based on the web of interaction findings from the secondary analysis of the LSP data set. The emphasis in the manuscripts will assess if there is a statistical relationship among the aforementioned outcome variables (referred to as the web of interaction). Subsequent manuscripts should explain the reliability and validity of the LSP instrument and scales and the web of interaction's statistical rigor and gateway capacity for future research. The Contractor shall provide a brief report of the primary findings in an executive summary to NLM. The executive summary should briefly describe current and possible future steps to improve the methodological rigor of the study's instrument and scales as well as other research topics that may be generated by the LSP data set and web of interaction approach. Proposed tasks Based on the methods described above, the Contractor shall prepare a research paper or papers to refereed academic meetings and refereed journals based on a secondary analysis of the LSP (AHRQ-NICHD) data set. The emphasis in the manuscripts will be to assess the web of interaction among child development, maternal health literacy, and other variables mentioned in the Project Synopsis and Background section as well as explain the study's methodological rigor and limitations. The Contractor also shall briefly report the primary findings in an executive summary to NLM and discuss how the findings, methods, and process might be used to further NLM's consumer health informatics and health literacy research. This report shall include a description of current and possible future steps to improve the methodological rigor of the study's instrument and scales. All documents will be written in Microsoft Word compatible format. In addition, the Contractor shall provide a plan for the completion and sustainability to possibly continue assessment of the web of interaction among maternal health literacy and other variables that influence maternal health decision making within a home setting. Dissemination of findings The Contractor shall prepare a research paper or papers to refereed academic meetings and refereed medical/public health journals based on a secondary analysis of the LSP (AHRQ-NICHD) data set. The selection of academic meetings and journals to submit results should be a collaborative decision by the Contractor and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). It is possible the COR may participate in manuscript preparation at the Contractor and COR's discretion. The Contractor shall provide an executive summary of the primary findings to NLM and will discuss how the findings, methods, and process might be used to further NLM's consumer health informatics and health literacy research (as previously described). Required tasks The following tasks shall be completed as outlined. The professional services to be performed consist of the delivery of hours of professional services in support of the following tasks. All phases and subtasks, which are described under synopsis and proposed work above, shall be done in monthly, iterative stages with reports given to COR. Task Description: Phase 1: Subtask 1. The Contractor shall identify the specific outcome variables to complete the study. The Contractor shall identify the appropriate analytic software to accomplish the analysis. The Contractor shall apply for and obtain IRB approval (if needed), or ensure the continuation of existing IRB approval for the proposed research. Phase 2: Subtask 1. The Contractor shall complete the data analysis. The Contractor shall initiate a manuscript or manuscripts (based on the findings) for refereed academic meetings and refereed academic journals. Phase 3: Subtask 1. The Contractor shall submit a manuscript or manuscripts to refereed academic medical and/or public health meetings, refereed medical and/or public health journals. The Contractor shall make presentations about the findings to academic medical and/or public health and health professional meetings. Subtask 2. The Contractor shall provide an executive summary of the primary findings to NLM and will discuss how the primary findings, methods, and process might be used to further NLM's consumer health informatics and health literacy research. The executive summary shall be in written form with a recommended accompanying power point, keynote, or presentation. Mandatory Qualifying Criteria • The Contractor should be located in an interdisciplinary research setting-preferably to include health communication, health literacy, maternal health literacy, and consumer health informatics with experience in web of interaction statistical path analysis and assessments based on Life Skills Progression (LSP) data sets. • The Contractor should be part of an interdisciplinary research institution where the staff and credentialed scholars span the disciplines required for the current project. These disciplines include: health literacy, consumer health informatics, maternal health literacy, health communication research, health disparities, and health education research disciplines. • The Contractor's primary investigator should be in a leadership position within the research organization where the Contractor is located. • The contractor's headquarters and staff must be located within the United States. References: Sandra Smith S. Promoting Health Literacy: Concept, Measurement & Intervention. Ph.D. dissertation: Union Institute & University. Cincinnati, OH. 2009. Publication no: AAT 3375168. Sandra Smith. (2010a). Beginning with the Ends in Mind: Consumer Health Informatics to Improve Functional Health Literacy. American Medical Informatics Association Conference. May 25, 2010. Phoenix AZ. Sandra Smith. (2010b) Evaluation of a Health Promotion Model Health Literacy Intervention Health Literacy Annual Research Conference. November 19, 2010, Bethesda MD. Sandra Smith and Elizabeth Moore. (2011a). Health Literacy and Depression in the Context of Home Visitation. Maternal and Child Health Journal 2011. Open Access Full text online http://www.springer.com/home?SGWID=0-0-1003-0-0&aqId=2111233&download=1&checkval=ffd392d488b3752bf1d2e6a3e258b189 Sandra Smith. (2011b). Health Literacy and Depression in the Context of Home Visitation Health Literacy Annual Research Conference. October 18, 2011, Chicago IL. Sandra Smith (2011d). Integrating Health Literacy and Reflective Practice into Parent Education Parents as Teachers Annual Conference. November 7, 2011, St Louis MO. Sandra Smith. (2012c). Health Literacy: Beyond Better Information, Children's Environmental Health Work Group. Seattle WA., February 9, 2012. Sandra Smith (2012d). Promoting Health Literacy and Empowering Mothers WellPoint Community Advocates. Milwaukee WI., January 20, 2012. Sandra Smith. (2012e). Promoting Maternal Health Literacy. Speech to Global Public Health Challenge. Worldwide Universities Network, Southampton England, May 20, 2012. Calderon, J.L., Smith S. A. (2012f). Health Literacy. In: Sahler OJZ, Carr JE (eds.) The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care (3rd edition). Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe & Huber; 269-275. L Wollesen, K. Peifer. Life Skills Progression: An outcome and intervention planning instrument for use with families at risk. Baltimore, MD: Brookes, 2006. The proposed acquisition will be procured in accordance with the policies and procedures under FAR 13. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the National Library of Medicine. This Sources Sought Notice is not a Request for Quotes (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available. (a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain enough sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities; however, the statement should not exceed ten (10) pages. (b) The capability statement should include references, key personnel, and any teaming arrangements needed to fulfill the requirements. It must identify the responder's small business type and size; DUNS number; NAICS code; and technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. (c) All capability statements must be submitted electronically no later than 12:00 NOON on Monday, August 20, 2012 to Sheila Edmonds at sheila.edmonds@nih.gov. 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 pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. 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 solicitation(s).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/SSN-NIH-NLM-2012-485-SRE/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02837898-W 20120815/120814001251-397c267b6b4e9c7b64a18b75c3880486 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |