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R -- DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT OF TOOLS TO ASSESS CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN HMO'S SOL 97-OA-B34238 POC Sarah Bueter (301) 443-5352; fax (301) 443-6038 The Health Resources and Services Administration intends to negotiate on a SOLE-SOURCE basis with Miguel Tirado, PhD, 125 El Caminito Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 for the Development and Refinement of Tools to Assess Cultural Competence in HMO's. Specifically, a previously developed tool to measure cultural competence among providers, which has not been tested among large, "mainstream" HMO's will be refined with the assistance of several large HMO's with Medicaid contracts in the State of California. A second tool to assess cultural competence among the systems and administrative components of large HMO's will be developed with the assistance of several large HMO's with Medicaid contracts in the State of California. Also, a methodology for validating the two tools and determining their appropriateness, practicality, and usefulness as an industry standard among large HMO's will be formulated. Dr. Tirado is deemed the only responsible source capable of providing the required work and services. The period of performance is one year. A Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is on file. The award shall be made using simplified acquisition procedures. See Notes 22, 26. (0218)

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