National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894

R -- INDEXING OF BIOMEDICAL LITERATURE SOL 97-100/DJH DUE 112896 POC Daniel J. Hartinger, Contract Specialist, 301/496-6546 The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking sources for indexing of the biomedical literature. NLM requires that approximately 423,000 biomedical journal articles be indexed for Index Medicus and MEDLINE in the base year; in subsequent option years it is anticipated the indexing of approximately 333,000 articles for Index Medicus and MEDLINE will be needed. Indexing is to be performed over a one year period (April 1, 1997 through March 31, 1998), with options to extend for three additional one-year periods. Options for additional quantities of up to 25,000 articles per year may also be exercised. The bulk of articles to be indexed are in English (over 83%), with lesser amounts in German (3%), Russian (3%), French (2%), Japanese (2%), Spanish (1%), and nineteen other foreign languages (less than 1% each). The articles to be indexed are in highly technical, scientific, biomedical subject areas (e.g., anesthesiology, biochemistry, cardiology, genetics, hematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurology, pharmacology, radiology, etc.) and are from journals selected by NLM for citation in Index Medicus, MEDLINE, and related databases. Indexing will be performed in accordance with policies and procedures set forth in NLM's published Indexing Manual. Indexers must analyze each journal article for subject content and apply appropriate subject headings drawn from NLM's controlled vocabulary, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Indexers who work on this project must complete the standard training regimen provided at NLM's facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The training regimen will begin with a formal two-week Indexing Class to be scheduled by NLM, followed by a period of informal one-on-one training and feedback. The informal training period requires trainees to work onsite at NLM for at least one month, depending on the proficiency of the individual. The minimum educational requirement for proposed trainees is a Bachelor's degree with a major in the biomedical services, or its equivalent in work experience in a biomedical field. Average production from trainee indexers in past years has been 50 articles per week during the first six months; average weekly production from individual trainees during the first six months has ranged from 25 to 82 articles per week. After six months, indexers are expected to produce four articles per hour, and to work at least half-time (20 hours per week) on this project. Journals to be indexed will be assigned by NLM to individual indexers in batches containing approximately one week's work capacity and based on the indexer's language and subject capabilities. NLM prefers that indexers work in the local Washington, DC metropolitan area and requires local work to be completed and returned within one week of pick-up at NLM. NLM will allow indexers to work outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area; however, the Contractor is responsible for pick-up, delivery, and return of journals between NLM and the indexers. Indexing of journals must be completed and received at NLM within fourteen days of pick-up. Rapid processing of work is required to ensure the currency of citations in Index Medicus, MEDLINE, and related databases. Upon completion of the training regimen, indexers will (whenever possible, as determined by NLM), perform work online using NLM's Online Indexing System. Online work for Index Medicus indexing will be performed using Government equipment loaned by NLM for installation at individual work sites. Equipment will consist of a modem and specially configured computer terminal or PC. NLM will reimburse the contractor for telecommunications costs related to online indexing. Online work outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area is possible. Indexing is also sought for (1) approximately 1,500 records per year of ongoing health services research projects for the HSRProj database of the National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology, (2) up to 1,500 items per year for the HealthSTAR (Health Services, Technology, Administration Research), database of the National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology, (3) up to 1,200 abstracts per year for the DENTALPROJ database of the National Institute for Dental Research, (4) for approximately 5,000 chemical queries to be indexed by chemical specialists, and (5) up to 8,200 abstracts from the International Conference on AIDS (tentatively scheduled for mid-1998 and mid-2000) and from other AIDS-related conferences. Government equipment will not be loaned for task numbers 1, 2, and 4 as described above. DENTALPROJ indexing (task 3 above) will be performed offline. Multiple awards are anticipated for this project. Awards will be based primarily on the merits of the proposed indexing personnel, ranked by experience with indexing biomedical literature or any form of indexing or work involving analysis of the biomedical literature, and subject and foreign language expertise. A pre-proposal conference for potential bidders will be held at the National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, on Friday, November 8, 1996 at 10:30 a.m. The conference will consist of (1) a briefing and question and answer session related to the biomedical indexing project at NLM and the essential elements required for a successful proposal, and (2) a demonstration of the online indexing system to be used to perform indexing for NLM. Written questions to be addressed at the conference will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, November 4, 1996 at the address listed below. Space considerations require a limit of two (02) attendees from each organization. Prior reservations are necessary to attend the pre-proposal conference. Attendees will be notified of the specific room for the conference at the time reservations are made. Please contact Mr. Daniel J. Hartinger on (301) 496-6546 for further information or to make reservations to attend the pre-proposal conference. Reservations will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, November 4, 1996. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. It is anticipated that Request for Proposals (RFP) Number NLM 97-100/DJH will be issued on or about October 28, 1996. Copies of the RFP may be obtained by writing to the National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38A, Room B1N17, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, Attention: Daniel J. Hartinger, Contract Specialist. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the National Library of Medicine. Telephone/FAX requests will not be honored. See numbered Note(s): 1 and 26. (0284)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0060 19961011\R-0001.SOL)