Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Contracts Management Staff, Executive Office Center, Suite 601, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852

D -- ADP SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR COST AND FINANCING STUDIES (CCFS) DUE 082498 POC Sharon Williams, 301-594-1445, ext. 1174 The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research is seeking potential sources from qualified small business firms under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 7379 ($18 million) which have the capability to provide data processing and dissemination services in order to fulfill the scientific mission of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. The primary objective is to provide high quality database design, development, and management; and analytical and statistical programming for large-scale complex database manipulation and analysis for research conducted in various Centers and Divisions of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. The research of these Centers and Divisions is based on multiple large-scale, multi-user databases, containing numerous complex surveys, hundreds of millions of hospitals discharge records, potentially hundreds of millions of insurance claims records and medical patient records, and thousands of variables. The data development requires not only technicalexpertise in efficient database design, storage, and retrieval procedures but also knowledge of the best database features for broad analytical research purposes and multi-user access. The data development skills must include: the development of uniform databases from multiple and disparate sources to efficiently support a team of researchers studying widely differing topics; the development of analytical files from uniform data; the precise documentation of each step of the process so that revisions of analytical files can be made with minimal cost and specifications can be reapplied to multiple years of data; the production of public use files that protect the confidential nature of the data; and handling of requests for special data runs. Data management is not of a routine nature but rather requires sophistication in design, detail in documentation, protection from computer viruses and unauthorized use, and integrity of file storage and retrieval to protect the large investments in data that have been made by the AHCPR over the last 20 years. Analytical and statistical programming is required to support health services and health policy research on up to 200 differing research projects per year, with these projects based on state-of-the-art econometrics, micro-simulation modeling, complex survey weights, and complicated statistical programming rather than just application of standard statistical software packages. For this reason, programmers must be knowledgeable in mathematics, statistics, large database manipulation, and health services research, in addition to programming languages. Advanced technical skills are required to determine the most efficient software and hardware configurations for processing massive quantities of data; advances in computer technology must be monitored for their potential for efficient econometric and statistical analyses of large-scale multi-source, multi-year health databases and large administrative encounter-level data based on surveys and administrative records; systems for sharing data and statistics between Divisions within the Center and between the Center and other organizations must be evaluated in the context of simple and complex statistical analyses, micro-simulation modeling, and linkages to various off-site databases. Technical skills are also required for the design of security systems to protect the confidentiality of data. In addition to these activities, the contractor must develop a transition plan and implement a process for assuming all of the existing data processing support activities of the Center with full operation within 60 days of the start of this contract. The Offeror must have permanent staff with demonstrated experience in the areas set out above. That is, qualified Offerors will have a Project Director with at least 5 years of experience in each of the following: 1) directing the maintenance and analysis of a large, complex, hierarchical, multi-user survey database and large administrative encounter-level data in direct support of health services research; 2) data processing management, including responsibility for the recruitment and supervision of programming staff, fiscal controls, and technical oversight; 3) production of edited and imputed medical expenditure and other health-related variables from raw survey data; 4) production of public use data files and documentation, from large, complex, hierarchical, multi-user survey databases and large administrative encounter-level data, for independent use by persons not affiliated with the originating organization; 5) use of personal computers in health services research, including use of SAS, SUDAAN, techniques and software for imputing missing data (including weighted sequential hot-decking), estimation and hypothesis testing with data from a complex survey design, micro-simulation modeling, and econometric analysis of micro-level data; 6) analysis of health care quality, utilization and/or expenditure data; and 7) collaboration with health services researchers on statistical analyses and behavioral research appearing in government reports, in scholarly books or journals, or similar publications. The contractor should be able to devote a staff of at least 30 FTEs to this contract, at least two-thirds having each (but not necessarily all) of the following: 5 years or more of experience regularly programming in SAS and SUDAAN; 2 years or more of experience using health related survey data (which must include analysis of health care quality, utilization, and expenditures), or comparable formal education in a health-related field or social science; 3 years or more of experience: collaborating with health services researchers on statistical analyses and behavioral research appearing in government reports, in scholarly books or journals, or similar publications; creating edited and imputed medical expenditure and other health-related variables from raw survey data; in the development of documentation and preparation of data files from large, complex, hierarchical, multi-user survey databases and large administrative encounter-level data for independent use by persons not affiliated with the originating organization; in estimation and hypothesis testing with data from a complex health survey design; in linking large, complex, hierarchical, multi-user survey databases and large administrative encounter-level data to other large multi-user databases including but not limited to data from the National Health Interview Survey, Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Medicaid and Medicare claims and eligibility files, Area Resource File; and experience in using other large databases including but not limited to data from the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, Current Population Survey, American Hospital Association files, Survey on Income and Program Participation. Additionally, the qualified Offeror must be able to provide: at least one statistical programmer with 5 or more years experience in the creation of survey sampling weights and sampling frames for health surveys with a complex design; at least 3 statistical programmers each with 3 or more years experience in econometric analysis of micro-level data; at least one statistical programmer with 5 or more years experience in health policy micro-simulation modeling; at least one programmer with at least 1 year or more experience in working with the IBM facilities of CIT, NIH; and at least one programmer with 2 or more years experience in HTML programming and other web site support activities. The qualified Offeror must be able to provide: database management and file construction, especially procedures for cataloguing and documentation, for maintaining the integrity and security of the data files, and for assuring high quality programming and data, including state-of-the-art software configuration management ( version control management, software defects tracking, automated software build processes, and software concurrent development management), software requirements analysis, software testing, and software life-cycle documentation; programming support for statistical analysis and microsimulation modeling; and dissemination services, including production and documentation of data files for outside users. To qualify, the Offeror must possess the capability, experience, and technical skill to manage and analyze a large, multi-year, multi-source, and multi-user database and large administrative encounter-level data in support of health services research. The Offeror must show knowledge of health services research methods and experience collaborating with health services researchers in the analysis of large databases. The qualified Offeror will be evaluated for relevance and quality of at least 5 years of corporate experience as it relates to the requirements of this acquisition, including the following: management and analysis of a large, hierarchical, multi-user survey database and large administrative encounter-level data in direct support of health services research; development of formal systems for monitoring and maintaining efficiency in the use of computer and programmer resources; creation of edited and imputed medical expenditure and other health-related variables from raw survey data; analysis of health care quality, utilization and/or expenditures; complex statistical programming, including microsimulation modeling, use of PC-based and mainframe SAS, SPSS, STATA, LIMDEP, GAUSS, SURREGR, and SUDAAN, and the creation of survey sampling weights; use of spreadsheet packages including but not limited to EXCEL, Microsoft Access, Lotus and Quattro Pro; production of documentation and data files from large, complex, hierarchical, multi-user survey databases and large administrative encounter-level data for independent use by other organizations; and demonstrated ability to maintain and manage multiple complex activities concurrently at the highest level of professional and scientific quality. The qualified Offeror should demonstrate an appropriate organizational structure and management systems, including the management of subcontractors, the personnel assigned to each task and the labor hours proposed, the plan for ensuring the availability of adequate staff, the plan for reporting the required technical and cost information to the Government, the system for maintaining efficient use of computer and programmer resources, the plan for responding to special requests for programming on short notice, and planned methods for assuring the successful completion of all tasks within the time and budget allocated. The Offeror must also show sufficient staff with the skills and experience to be fully operational within 60 days of the start of a contract. Offerors will also be evaluated on their ability to organize the transition from the preceding contractor to this contractor-transferring complete responsibility for all files, documentation and software within 60 days and assuring that all of the ongoing activities listed above are fully staffed and operational within 60 days. Offerors will be evaluated as well on the degree to which they demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and objectives of this acquisition, and the problems that are likely to be encountered. There will be daily interaction between agency research staff and the Offeror's staff so suitable logistical plans to facilitate face to face meetings must be addressed, as well as management commitment to respond within one hour to requests for support. Offerors must demonstrate that they have suitable, high quality and cost-efficient computers and other facilities and equipment available for the performance of all requirements of this acquisition. This is not a formal solicitation. Concerns that respond to this notice must furnish concise responses directed specifically to the requirements mentioned above. Sources possessing experience and demonstrated capability to accomplish the above are to supply pertinent information in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to perform the required services. In particular, information about the number of staff currently employed by the firm who are available and are qualified to meet AHCPR's requirements should be provided according to the following labor categories: (1) data processing project managers; (2) database managers with experience collaborating with health services researchers on analyses appearing in government reports, scholarly books or journals, or similar publications; (4) other SAS programmers; (5) microsimulation programmers; and (6) documentation specialists. Information furnished must include background information, resumes, and proof of employment of qualified staff; a description of general and specific facilities; a description of corporate experience with similar projects (including title, sponsoring agency, contract number, and project officer name and telephone number); a list of publications and reports from those projects; a description of the Contractors' existing and proposed IT Hardware, Network and Software infrastructure, IT Security processes and procedures, IT Software Configuration Management processes and procedures, IT File and Data Base Management processes and procedures, IT Year 2000 Compliance processes and procedures, and IT Software Requirements Analysis, Software Development, Software Testing, Software Quality Assurance, and Software Life Cycle Documentation processes and procedures, and other available information needed for AHCPR staff to perform a proper evaluation. Interested small businesses may submit these tailored capability statements to the attention of the Contracting Officer at the address above no later than August 24, 1998. Posted 08/05/98 (W-SN233057). (0217)

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