Health Care Financing Administration 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD. 21244-1850

99 -- NATIONAL MEDICARE EDUCATION PROGRAM POC Lucille Fussell-Lee, Contract Specialists (410) 786-5447 The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) intends to award on a sole source basis, under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures a firm fixed price award to the American Medicare Education Program in Public Libraries, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795. HCFA will embark on a broad educational effort, which has been named the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP). This program is designed to ensure that beneficiaries receive accurate and unbiased information about their benefits, rights and health plan options. The American Library Association Reference and User Services Association presents a unique opportunity for HCFA to reach 16,250 public libraries. Through this contract, the Association will work with HCFA to design materials, develop and provide training to reference libraries across the country about NMEP, enabling the librarians to readily access resource to assist beneficiaries, their families, friends, and caregivers. The American Library Association Reference and User Services Association are responsible for the promotion and delivery of references to all age groups, including the elderly, throughout the country through direct access to 16,250 libraries. They are responsible for stimulating and supporting in every type of library, the delivery of reference information services to all groups, regardless of age, and of general library services and materials to adults. The contractor will facilitate the development and conduct of direct service to library users, the development of programs and guidelines for service to meet the needs of users and assisting libraries in reach potential users. The contractor must insure that a large number of public library reference librarians are educated about the NMEP and the health care options available to Medicare beneficiaries through a current-up-to-date database. It is mandatory that the contractor has the most effective and direct way to reach the target audience of approximately 39 million Medicare beneficiaries. Educating reference librarians about the NMEP is a critical element of this contract. All responsible sources may submit capability statements in consideration to the Agency at the above address. See Note(s): 22. Posted 01/06/99 (I-SN285523). (0006)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0335 19990108\99-0001.SOL)