Number range CHAPTEROMB 0990-0115

**PART I - THE SCHEDULE** Request for Proposal

**SECTION A - SOLICITATION FORM** No. AHRQ-05-0010

Date Issued: June 21, 2005

Date Questions Due: July 7, 2005

Date Proposals Due: July 21, 2005

Time Due: 12 noon local time

You are invited to submit a proposal to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) for Request for Proposal (RFP) No.
AHRQ-05-0010, entitled "Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about
Effectiveness: The DEcIDE Network." Your proposal must be developed and
submitted in accordance with the requirements and instructions of this
RFP.

A cost reimbursement, multiple-award, task order-type contract is
contemplated for a period of two years with 3 one year options.

The Government anticipates awarding 6-12 contracts from this one
solicitation. For this acquisition, the AHRQ recommended goal (as a
percentage of total planned subcontracting dollars for the base period)
is 23% for Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5% (as a
percentage of total contract value for the base period) for Small
Disadvantaged Businesses, at least 5% (as a percentage of total planned
subcontract dollars for the base period) for Women-Owned Small
Businesses, and at least 2% (as a percentage of total planned
subcontract dollars for the base period) for HUBZone Small Businesses
and at least 3% (as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars
for the base period) for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. These goals
represent AHRQ's expectation of the minimum level for subcontracting.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that best
describes the requirement is 541611. The small business size standard is
\$6.0 million.

Offerors shall submit the following:

A. Technical Proposal (See Section L.10) (Original and 12 copies)

B. Past Performance Information (See Section L.11) (Original and 5
copies)

C. Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan (See Section L.12)
(Original and 2 copies)

D. Business Proposal (See Section L.13) (Original and 5 copies)

The Small Business Subcontracting Plan should be submitted as a separate
section of the Business Proposal. (This does not apply to small business
concerns).

Your technical proposal must be concisely written and should be limited
to **125 typewritten pages** (double-spaced), exclusive of personnel
qualifications (i.e., resume, etc., see Section L.10 for additional
details). This limitation is for administrative purposes only and
exceeding the limitation shall not, of itself, be considered a basis for
rejection of your proposal.

As part of the business proposal, offerors shall provide an original and
five (5) copies of their cost/price proposal, only to the extent that it
shall include:

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature (Class Levels I through VI, see
Sections B.3 and L.10).

2\. Certified documentation indicating that the offeror has a cost
accounting system in place which allows for the collection, tracking and
reporting of all costs under a cost reimbursement-type contract.

3\. Certified documentation that the offeror has a current indirect cost
rate agreement in place with a federal agency or that is in the process
of obtaining or revising such an agreement. A copy of the indirect cost
rate agreement or the proposed rate agreement must be provided.

Your proposal must provide the full name of your company, the address,
including county, Tax Identification Number (TIN), DUN and Bradstreet
No., and if different, the address to which payment should be mailed.

**YOUR ATTENTION IS CALLED TO THE LATE PROPOSAL PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN
SECTION L.3 OF THIS RFP. YOUR ATTENTION IS ALSO DIRECTED TO THE
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN SECTION L.10 OF THE
SOLICITATION.**

If you intend to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation,
please inform the Contracting Officer of your intent by completing the
Proposal Intent Response Form (Attachment 3 to this solicitation) and
send it to the Contracting Officer no later than July 7, 2005. You may
send it to the address below or fax it to 301-427-1740.

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be received in this office
no later than July 7, 2005 (See Section L.7). It is preferred that all
questions be submitted electronically by e-mail to Jessica Alderton,
Contracting Officer at the following email address: <jalderto@ahrq.gov>.
Otherwise, please address your written questions to Jessica Alderton,
Contracting Officer, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540
Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850 and the envelope should be
marked "Proposal Questions RFP No. AHRQ-05-0010**."**

Answers to questions will be provided in the form of an Amendment to
this solicitation and will be posted on AHRQ's web page:
[[www.ahrq.gov]{.underline}](http://www.ahrq.gov/) under "Funding
Opportunities," "Contract Solicitations" and Federal Business
Opportunities web page:
[www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/). It is your
responsibility to monitor the web sites where the RFP will be posted to
learn about any amendments to the solicitation.

**[Discussions with any other individual outside the Division of
Contracts Management, may result in rejection of the potential offeror's
proposal]{.underline}.**

The proposal shall be signed by an authorized official to bind your
organization and must be received in our Contracts Office no later than
**12 noon**, local prevailing time, on **July 21, 2005**. Your proposal
must be mailed to the following address:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

Hand carried proposals may be dropped off at the above location.
However, please allow ample time as proposals cannot be accepted until
they have gone through security. We will not be held responsible for any
delays that may be incurred getting your proposal through security.

NOTE: The U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" [does not]{.underline}
deliver to our Rockville, Maryland address. Packages delivered via this
service will be held at a local post office for pick-up. [The Government
will not be responsible for picking up any mail at a local post
office]{.underline}. If a proposal is not received at the place, date,
and time specified herein, it will be considered a "late proposal."

The RFP does not commit the Government to pay any cost for the
preparation and submission of a proposal. It is also brought to your
attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can
legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in
connection with the proposed acquisition.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2001-16, all
contractors must be registered in the central contractor registration
(CCR) database in order to conduct business with the government \[See
Section I -  FAR clause 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (OCT
2003), Alternate 1 (Oct 2003)\] .  As stated in paragraph (h) of this
clause, additional information can be obtained at
[http://www.ccr.gov](http://www.ccr.gov/) or by calling 1-888-227-2423,
or 269-961-5757.

Requests for any information concerning this RFP should be referred to
Jessica Alderton,

\(301\) 427-1783.

Sincerely,

Jessica Alderton

> Contracting Officer
>
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

**[TABLE OF CONTENTS]{.underline}**

**[PART I]{.underline} [Pages]{.underline}**

Section A Solicitation 1-3

Table of Contents 4

Section B Supplies or Services & Prices/Costs 5-7

Section C Description/Specification/Work Statement 8-22

Section D Packaging and Marking 23

Section E Inspection and Acceptance 23

Section F Deliveries or Performance 24-25

Section G Contract Administration Data 26-28

Section H Special Contract Requirements 29-35

**[PART II]{.underline}**

Section I Contract Clauses 36-41

**[PART III]{.underline}**

Section J List of Attachments 42

**[PART IV]{.underline}**

Section K Representations and Instructions 43-49

Section L Instructions, Conditions & Notices to Offerors 50-72

Section M Evaluation Factors for Award 73-78

**[Attachments]{.underline}**

1\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form

2\. SF LLL-A, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

3\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet

4\. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

Number range CHAPTER

**[SECTION B-SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS]{.underline}**

**B.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES**

> "Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness: The
> DEcIDE Network." See Section C for a complete description.

**B.2 TASK ORDERS**

> This is a task order requirement for "Developing Evidence to Inform
> Decisions about Effectiveness: The DEcIDE Network." Services will be
> acquired on an as-needed basis through issuance of task orders. The
> minimum total amount to be awarded over the two year contract period
> will be \$50,000. It is anticipated that the maximum total amount will
> be \$1,500,000. Typical task orders are expected to range between
> \$50,000 and \$500,000.
>
> In consideration of the satisfactory performance of the work performed
> in Section C, the Contractor shall be reimbursed on a
> cost-reimbursement basis. Each task order awarded under this contract
> shall include one or more of the labor categories in Section B.3, and
> the Contractor shall be reimbursed for costs incurred for labor based
> on the following hourly rates. All other costs, i.e., travel,
> supplies, etc., shall be reimbursed in accordance with individual cost
> proposals received under task orders.

**B.3 PROPOSED LABOR RATES FOR TASK ORDERS**

**Note: The following labor rates are [NOT]{.underline} loaded rates.
(Ranges in rates may be provided)**

[Base Year 1]{.underline}

[LABOR CATEGORY]{.underline} [HOURLY RATE]{.underline}

Class I \$

Class II \$

Class III \$

Class IV \$

[Base Year 2]{.underline}

[LABOR CATEGORY]{.underline} [HOURLY RATE]{.underline}

Class I \$

Class II \$

Class III \$

Class IV \$

[Option Year 1]{.underline}

[LABOR CATEGORY]{.underline} [HOURLY RATE]{.underline}

Class I \$

Class II \$

Class III \$

Class IV \$

[Option Year 2]{.underline}

[LABOR CATEGORY]{.underline} [HOURLY RATE]{.underline}

Class I \$

Class II \$

Class III \$

Class IV \$

[Option Year 3]{.underline}

[LABOR CATEGORY]{.underline} [HOURLY RATE]{.underline}

Class I \$

Class II \$

Class III \$

Class IV \$

**B.4 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS**

a\. Items Unallowable Unless Otherwise Provided Notwithstanding the
clauses, ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT, and FIXED FEE, incorporated into
this contract, unless authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer,
the costs of the following items or activities shall be unallowable as
direct costs:

\(1\) Acquisition, by purchase or lease, of any interest in real
property;

\(2\) Rearrangement or alteration of facilities;

\(3\) Purchase or lease of any item of general purpose-office furniture
or office equipment regardless of dollar value. (General purpose
equipment is defined as any items of personal property which are usable
for purposes other than research, such as office equipment and
furnishings, pocket calculators, etc.);

\(4\) Accountable Government property (defined as both real and personal
property with an acquisition cost of \$1,000 or more, with a life
expectancy of more than two years) and \"sensitive items\" (defined and
listed in the Contractor\'s Guide for Control of Government Property,
1990, regardless of acquisition value;

\(5\) Travel to attend general scientific meetings;

\(6\) Foreign Travel;

\(7\) Any costs incurred prior to the contract\'s effective date;

\(8\) Rental of meeting rooms not otherwise expressly paid for by the
contract;

\(9\) Any formal subcontract arrangements not otherwise expressly
provided for in the contract

> \(10\) Consultant fees in excess of \$500/day; and

\(11\) Information Technology hardware or software.

b.  This contract is subject to the provisions of Public Law (P.L.)
    99-234 which amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to
    provide that contractor costs for travel, including lodging, other
    subsistence, and incidental expenses, shall be allowable only to the
    extent that they do not exceed the amount allowed for Federal
    employees. The Contractor, therefore, shall invoice and be
    reimbursed for all travel costs in accordance with Federal
    Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 31.205-46.

**[SECTION C/ STATEMENT OF WORK]{.underline}**

**DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT**

Number range CHAPTER

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is soliciting
proposals for research centers to participate in the "Developing
Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness" (DEcIDE) network. AHRQ
intends to award 6 to 12 contracts to create a collaborative research
and practice-based network program that will assist AHRQ and other
Federal Agencies with implementation of Section 1013 of the Medicare
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The DEcIDE network will provide a
variety of services and products to support the development of new
scientific knowledge through research on the outcomes of healthcare
items and services. Activities performed by the DEcIDE network will
reflect the general principle that clinicians and patients should have
the best available evidence upon which to make choices in health care
items and services. Hence, the network will rapidly develop scientific
evidence and new analytic tools to assist healthcare providers,
patients, and policy makers with making informed decisions about the
comparative effectiveness, appropriateness, safety, and outcomes of
healthcare items and services, particularly prescription medications and
medical devices. DEcIDE research centers will be expected to work
closely with other AHRQ programs^1^ involved with implementing Section
1013, including the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC's),^2^ the
Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs),^3^ the
Integrated Delivery System Research Network (IDSRN),^4^ the Primary Care
Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs),^5^ the Medical Expenditure
Panel Survey (MEPS),^6^ and the Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project
(HCUP).^7^ Sharing of expertise and other resources between DEcIDE
centers and across other relevant AHRQ programs is strongly encouraged.
Figure 1 below presents a general diagram of the initial MMA Section
1013 comparative effectiveness research, evidence synthesis, and
translation programs.

![](media/image1.wmf){width="6.4875in" height="4.997222222222222in"}

Figure 1: General Schematic of AHRQ Effectiveness Program for MMA
Section 1013

Services required by the Federal Government under this contract will be
obtained on an as-needed basis through issuance of Task Orders. Task
Orders may include multi-year periods of performance, incrementally
funded on an annual basis. Multi-year task orders may address a variety
of assignments involving observational investigations, methodological
research, interventional research, and studies employing prospective
designs. Task orders will be responsive to priorities and requests from
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the
Director of AHRQ, and the Section 1013 Steering Committee or its
successor. Assignments may have tight and/or overlapping deadlines by
which specific products or analyses will be required. In addition to
multi-year Task Orders, AHRQ may also award Task Orders that address
only single topics for development of special evidence, performance of a
unique analyses, etc.

Whether single topic-specific Task Orders or assignments made under a
multi-year Task Order, periods of performance will vary, ranging from 30
days up to the length of the contract, depending on the complexity of
the topic or depth of the activity requirements. Notably, a hallmark of
the DEcIDE program is rapid turnaround research that provides valid
results for healthcare decision-making. Therefore, DEcIDE research
centers will be expected to meet a variety of due dates without routine
need for extensions of time. In addition, research centers will also be
expected to have the methodological competence and management
flexibility to satisfy a range of tasks that need to be performed
concurrently.

As noted above, DEcIDE research centers may be tasked to provide a range
of related research projects related to comparative effectiveness,
safety, and outcomes research. The number of Task Orders to be awarded
to a DEcIDE research center will be determined by the Contracts Officer,
in consultation with the Project Officer of the DEcIDE network.

The following paragraphs outline the major activities a DEcIDE research
center may perform.

**1. Analyze administrative, survey, and clinical databases.** Examples
of the types of tasks include: a) secondary database analyses to compare
health outcomes (e.g., hospitalizations, deaths, patient costs,
morbidity) according to medication use within a class of drugs or
according to a particular therapeutic approach; b) evaluations of the
effects of insurance benefit and drug formulary structure on health
outcomes; c) clinical economic and cost studies; d) utilization review
evaluations including investigations of over-use, under-use, safety, and
inappropriate prescribing of therapies; e) epidemiologic studies to
identify the benefits and risks of prescription drug and device use; and
f) genetic studies to ascertain potential benefits of genetic tests in
reducing adverse events or improving efficacy of therapeutic
interventions*.*

**2. Develop and apply new methods, instruments, and methodologies.**
Examples of the types of tasks include: a) studies to develop new ways
of identifying over- and under-utilization of therapies; b) research to
develop computer algorithms for identifying inappropriate prescribing
patterns; c) statistical research to advance the scientific use of
disease registries, clinical repositories and health databases; d)
development of measurement and clinical monitoring instruments that can
be implemented in ambulatory clinics, pharmacies, or long-term care
facilities with minimal burden on patients and healthcare providers; and
e) simulations and modeling studies of clinical pathways and health
outcomes.

**3. Operate and analyze computerized surveillance and monitoring
systems.** Examples of the types of tasks include: a) creation and
analysis of device, disease, or therapeutic registries; b) development
of electronic surveillance systems to identify adverse drug reactions
and sentinel events; and c) post-market surveillance of new drugs and
devices.

**4. Conduct prospective observational and interventional studies.**
Examples of the types of tasks include: a) studying the comparative
effectiveness and safety of different therapeutic approaches including
use of medical devices; b) evaluating patient and prescriber
decision-making tools; c) performing accelerated studies comparing the
clinical effectiveness of common treatment options in the elderly; d)
carrying out evaluations of innovative healthcare services that reduce
inappropriate healthcare utilization; e) identifying optimal medical
management for varying levels of disease severity; f) designing and
implementation of prospective studies to examine health outcomes of
diagnostic tests and treatments.

**5. Provide technical assistance to AHRQ and other assignments as
requested.** DEcIDE centers will provide expertise and technical
assistance to AHRQ on topics relevant to Section 1013 of MMA.

A. [Background]{.underline}

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was established in
1989 as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Its
reauthorizing legislation (42 U.S.C. 299 et seq; "Healthcare Research
and Quality Act of 1999\") renamed the Agency as the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and established it as the lead
Federal agency for enhancing the quality, appropriateness, and
effectiveness of health services and access to such services.

To achieve these goals, the Agency conducts and supports a broad base of
scientific research and promotion of improvements in clinical and health
system practices, including the prevention of diseases and other health
conditions. AHRQ sponsors and conducts research that develops and
presents evidence-based information on healthcare outcomes, quality,
patient safety, cost, use and access. As a result, AHRQ's mission is to
improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health
care for all Americans. Included in AHRQ's mandate is support of
generation, synthesis, and dissemination of scientific evidence,
including effectiveness research and analytic methods. Table 1 below
lists the ten focus areas that AHRQ currently organizes its programmatic
activities.

> Table 1: 2005-2006 AHRQ Focus Areas

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Care management.

  Cost, organization, socio-economics.

  Data development.

  Health information technology.

  Long-term care.

  Pharmaceutical outcomes.

  Prevention.

  Quality and safety of patient care.

  System capacity & bio-terrorism.

  Training.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

AHRQ recognizes that a number of populations experience persistent
disparities in health status, access to care, quality of care, and poor
health outcomes. To address these disparities, AHRQ encourages research
projects, including work performed by DEcIDE research centers to include
special populations such as low-income groups, racial and ethnic
minority groups, women, children, the elderly, and individuals with
disabilities, low-literacy, and chronic health conditions.
AHRQ-supported research helps health care decision makers - patients and
clinicians, health system leaders, purchasers, and policymakers - make
more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care.

In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act (MMA) was enacted into law. This law brings the most dramatic and
innovative changes to the Medicare program since it began in 1965.^9^
Section 1013 of MMA authorizes AHRQ to conduct research, demonstrations,
and evaluations designed to improve the quality, effectiveness, and
efficiency of Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children\'s Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP). The essential goals of the Section 1013
mandate are to develop valid evidence, and make it easily accessible to
decision makers, about the comparative effectiveness of different
treatments and appropriate clinical approaches to difficult health
problems. Achieving these key goals will encompass reviewing,
synthesizing, and translating published and unpublished scientific
evidence as well as identifying important issues for which existing
scientific evidence is insufficient to inform decisions about health
care. Through the DEcIDE network, new scientific evidence will be
developed to address knowledge gaps that are essential to improving the
quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care delivered through
Medicaid, Medicare and the SCHIP programs. Hence, the research and other
activities performed by the DEcIDE network will focus on: a)
understanding the outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness, safety,
and appropriateness of health care items and services (including
prescription drugs); and b) developing strategies for improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP
programs.

In consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) undertook a priority setting process for
identifying important topics to initially address the MMA Section 1013
legislation. Recommendations for research made by stakeholders were
reviewed and prioritized by a steering committee composed of
representatives from different components of DHHS. The Department has
published a priority list of ten conditions under which research and
related activities will be initially undertaken. The ten conditions are
listed below in Table 2. It is anticipated that this list of priority
conditions will be reviewed annually and updated according to
programmatic needs, resources, and stakeholder input.

> Table 2: 2005-2006 MMA Priority Conditions

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Arthritis and non-traumatic joint disorders.

  Cancer.

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

  Diabetes mellitus.

  Dementia, including Alzheimer\'s disease.

  Depression and other mood disorders.

  Ischemic heart disease.

  Pneumonia.

  Peptic ulcer and dyspepsia.

  Stroke, including control of hypertension.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Scientific evidence produced by the DEcIDE network will have multiple
consumers include patients, providers, health care systems, provider
societies, health plans, public and private purchasers, States, Federal
Agencies, and others. DEcIDE reports on the comparative effectiveness or
appropriateness of specific health care items or services will be used
to inform decisions of this diverse group of consumers.

B. [Objectives]{.underline}

The overall aim of this Task Order contract is to create a collaborative
research program called the DEcIDE network for conducting studies in
support of MMA Section 1013 statutory mandates. The main purpose of the
DEcIDE network is to expeditiously develop valid scientific evidence and
methodologies about the outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness,
safety, and appropriateness of health care items and services for
improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of healthcare
delivered through the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs. The
network will be comprised of academic, clinic, and practice-based
organizations with access (or partners providing access) to electronic
health information databases and the capacity to conduct timely research
that meets the priorities and requests for evidence described in MMA
Section 1013. Examples of electronic health databases relevant to the
DEcIDE network include electronic medical record data, pharmacy records,
public or private health insurance data, long-term care data, and
special databases such as disease, medical procedure, or medical device
registries. Research will initially focus on the outcomes of
prescription drug use and other interventions for which randomized
controlled trials would not be feasible, timely, or raise ethical
concerns that are difficult to address. The scientific evidence
developed through this network will be widely disseminated to
policy-makers, health plans, health care providers, and the public for
broad adoption and appropriate implementation. Notably, neither AHRQ nor
the DEcIDE network will use the scientific evidence that is generated to
create national standards of clinical practice or quality health care
standards.

The primary objectives of the DEcIDE research network are to:

> 1\) conduct accelerated research that examines the a) outcomes, b)
> comparative clinical effectiveness, c) safety, and d) appropriateness
> of prescription medications and other therapies, using existing
> electronic health databases;
>
> 2\) establish, maintain, operate, and analyze specialized electronic
> registries that enroll participants based on characteristics such as
> demographics, disease status, drug exposure, or use of medical
> device(s);
>
> 3\) conduct retrospective analyses involving the collection of
> existing data through methods that include analyses of medical,
> pharmacy, and hospital discharge records; or study designs like
> case-control and retrospective cohort studies;
>
> 4\) test and evaluate data standards, controlled terminologies, and
> ontologies that enable information system interoperability, drug
> safety, registry development and knowledge sharing;
>
> 5\) develop valid methods, measures, and instruments that can be
> rapidly applied to facilitate comparative effectiveness research,
> clinical care, or program evaluation;
>
> 6\) conduct prospective observational or interventional studies that
> evaluate strategies for improving effectiveness and efficiency of the
> Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs, including ways in which
> medications are provided and pharmacy services are organized, managed,
> and delivered under such programs;
>
> 7\) conduct retrospective and prospective studies to assess the role
> of genetics in affecting drug effectiveness and patient health
> outcomes;
>
> 8\) provide technical assistance or consultative support to AHRQ on
> methods for conducting health outcomes research on the comparative
> effectiveness of medications and other healthcare interventions; and
>
> 9\) provide technical assistance in establishing, maintaining, and
> mining clinical repositories and databases for comparative
> effectiveness research;
>
> 10\) evaluate the feasibility of using administrative or claims data
> to a) improve oversight, b) support quality, safety, and efficiency
> initiatives, c) and estimate the fiscal and coverage impacts of
> program and policy changes on Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP.

Additionally, it is expected that research centers in the DECIDE network
will, in collaboration with AHRQ\'s Evidence-based Practice Centers and
other systematic-review entities undertake methodological research to
improve search, review, aggregation, evaluation, and synthesis of
existing scientific evidence, especially evidence about comparative
effectiveness.

To better understand the context of this solicitation, it is recommended
that offerors consult descriptions of the issues and definitions
contained in the MMA Section 1013 legislation (see
http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareReform/108s1013.pdf). This statute may
also be found in 42 USC 299b-7. In addition, literature cited in the
Bibliography section provide background information about effectiveness
research and offerors are encouraged to review these articles.

C. [Specific Requirements]{.underline}

Research conducted by the DEcIDE network will help address important
questions about the best clinical options for the treatment of
conditions where additional evidence will help health care providers and
patients make better decisions. Consequently, offerors are required to
have a multidisciplinary core team of investigators that includes
clinicians, pharmacists, statisticians and epidemiologists, and access
to clinical specialists, information technologists, and other research
experts. Offerors are encouraged to identify one or more areas of
expertise, for example in therapeutics, scientific methods or access to
unique patient populations. Furthermore, research conducted by DEcIDE
will be used to augment clinical trial evidence about the safety and
efficacy of existing therapies by evaluating medication effectiveness
across health care settings and in patient populations that are
representative of Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP enrollees. Thus,
offerors will need continuous access to therapeutic databases that can
be analytically linked with other applicable healthcare data such as
clinical, pharmacy, laboratory, diagnostic, medical device, survey,
surveillance, genetic, and administrative claims information. Databases
that include health outcomes information are preferred. Nonetheless, all
research performed by the DEcIDE network must comply with standards for
privacy of individually identifiable health information and protect the
rights of human subjects in research.

**Methodology Expertise.** DEcIDE research centers will be expected to
demonstrate methodological expertise in the assessment of a broad range
of scientific data, such as data from randomized controlled trials,
computerized pharmacy records, diagnostic studies, technology
assessments, epidemiologic and social sciences research (including but
not limited to economics, sociology, and behavioral research). To
evaluate offeror's methodological expertise, the information set out
below must be included in each proposal. Specifically, offeror's
processes for:

> 1\) Identifying scientific questions within a given topic that are of
> the greatest importance for patients, practice or policy;
>
> 2\) Identifying specific types of study designs that would be
> appropriate to answer important questions related to a given topic;
>
> 3\) Deriving measures of therapeutic use, prescription drug
> consumption, exposure, and utilization using electronic databases and
> epidemiologic techniques;
>
> 4\) Accessing and using drug or medical device information resources
> and compendia, including electronic drug information databases, drug
> classification systems, and drug coding nomenclatures such as the
> National Drug Coding (NDC), the HCFA Common Procedure Coding System
> (HCPCS), the National Drug File by the VHA, and the RxNorm project by
> the National Library of Medicine;
>
> 5\) Developing algorithms for identifying episodes of disease,
> episodes of care, and service utilization using standard coding
> systems such as the International Classification of Diseases
> (ICD-9-CM), clinical procedure coding (e.g, CPT codes) and
> professional services codes (e.g., Nursing Interventions
> Classification, PPAC\--Pharmacist Practice Activity Classification);
> and
>
> 6\) Defining health and drug insurance eligibility windows to examine
> the effects of insurance coverage on health outcomes.

**Core Teams.** The DEcIDE research centers are to be comprised of core
staff of experienced professionals in fields such as medicine, nursing,
pharmacy, epidemiology, statistics, computer science, information
science, health services research, behavioral research, public health,
social sciences, and science writing and editing. In the event that the
DEcIDE center's core staff does not include particular expertise needed
to accomplish a Task Order, the center is to obtain such expertise
through consultants and/or sub-contracts. Offerors may include
professional organizations with the capacity to conduct research or
partnerships with professional organizations. It is AHRQ's expectation
that at least one topic-specific content expert will be included as key
personnel for each Task Order.

D. [Tasks]{.underline}

Following designation of offerors as DEcIDE research centers, and as
resources permit, AHRQ plans to simultaneously compete among the DEcIDE
research centers a series of Requests For Task Order (RFTO) covering
multi-year periods of performance. Examples of multi-year task orders
that AHRQ is considering are set out below.

**Topics.** The topics for DEcIDE Task Orders may vary from comparing
treatment effectiveness within a drug class, to organization and
delivery of pharmaceutical services, to development of the scientific or
evidence base for informing decisions. Deliverables from the DEcIDE
network will be determined by the specific Task Order but at a minimum
will include a final, written report describing the background, research
methods, results, and conclusions of the research. Reports will be
released in a manner determined by AHRQ and generally made available in
multiple formats. For instance, a series of publications or periodicals
entitled, \"Developing Therapeutic Evidence\" is planned for
dissemination through the Center for Clinical Decision Sciences.

**Examples.** Examples of the types of research topics congruent with
the intent of DEcIDE network include, but are not limited to, the
following:

> • Examinations of the comparative effectiveness of atypical
> antipsychotic medications, with a particular focus on side effect
> profiles and idiosyncratic reactions.
>
> • Studies to examine the comparative benefits and safety of different
> medications used to treat Alzheimers-type dementia.
>
> • Investigations of the health outcomes of treatment associated with
> different combinations of lipid-lowering agents.
>
> • Studies assessing the relative effectiveness and safety of
> leukotriene modifiers, cromolyn, nedocromil and long acting
> beta2-agonists as adjunctive therapy or alternatives to inhaled
> corticosteroids for mild to moderate asthma.
>
> • Outcome studies examining differences associated with variation in
> medication adherence or persistence with treatment between comparative
> treatments.
>
> • Comparative effectiveness studies evaluating different agents for
> management of diabetics with proteinuria (including microalbuminuria).
>
> • Studies examining the comparative safety and effectiveness of
> different antidepressant drugs for elderly patients or those with
> common comorbid illnesses.

**Range of Activities.** Over the 2-year period of performance, AHRQ
anticipates that scientific evidence will be developed across a range of
diseases and health conditions. As discussed above, evidence developed
in 2005-2006 will be in the following topic areas: ischemic heart
disease; cancer; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma; stroke,
including control of hypertension; arthritis and non-traumatic joint
disorders; diabetes mellitus; dementia, including Alzheimer\'s disease;
pneumonia; peptic ulcer/dyspepsia; and depression and other mood
disorders. Furthermore, clinical economic analyses, analyses of care
delivery at micro-clinical systems level or organizational level if
appropriate, and development of patient and prescriber decision-making
tools, may also be required. While it is [not]{.underline} anticipated
that DEcIDE research centers will specialize in specific topic areas or
disease conditions, the centers must demonstrate ready and ongoing
availability of the necessary clinical, epidemiological, pharmaceutical,
pharmacogenetic, economic, and methodological expertise to successfully
undertake multiple Task Orders in any of topic areas relevant to the
Medicare, Medicaid or the SCHIP programs. To that end, offerors are
encouraged to describe their expertise.

Topics selected for research studies will be narrowly focused and will
generally require a rapid response by the DEcIDE network to scientific
inquires deemed to be of high priority. AHRQ and its affiliated resource
centers will work with the DEcIDE network to define the focus of topics
for research, so that databases can be searched, analyses performed, and
final scientific reports delivered to AHRQ within established and
possibly tight and overlapping due dates set to meet Client/Partner
needs (e.g., to make timely coverage decisions or develop timely
clinical pathways).

In the event that another Federal health agency requests on-going
technical or scientific support from a DEcIDE research center, AHRQ will
compete an RFTO for a multi-year task order for designated DEcIDE
network support to that agency.

The required level of time commitment for senior clinical and
methodological expertise will generally be consistent across the
multi-year awards. However, time commitments and work products may vary
to reflect discrete programmatic needs. DEcIDE research centers that are
awarded a multi-year task order will be required to maintain, throughout
the period of performance, core staff whose dedicated time is at the
required level specified in the particular multi-year task order. The
multi-year task orders require stable "teams" with substantial time
commitments to ensure rapid response and turnaround of assigned topics,
as well as continuity of effort over an extended period of time.

**Task Orders.** Specific requirements tailored to meet particular
program needs will be included in each of the RFTOs, including specific
deliverables and schedules for the deliverables. A common requirement
across all DEcIDE task orders, whether multi-year or single topic, will
be the DEcIDE research center needs to demonstrate the capacity,
capability and track record for delivering interim and final products to
AHRQ by established and agreed upon due dates, whether those dates are
within 30 days or within 24 months. Rapid turnaround, from assignment of
DEcIDE topics, completion of reports, to AHRQ's publication of the
reports, is a hallmark of the new DEcIDE Program.

AHRQ may consider more than one award of a multi-year task order to a
DEcIDE research center, in response to programmatic needs, but only if a
center has demonstrated the capacity and capability for adding
additional clinical and methodological expertise (i.e., not reducing
time commitments in place) plus a then-current performance record for
meeting or exceeding due dates. DEcIDE research centers may also receive
single-topic Task Orders in addition to multi-year task order(s).
Single-topic Task Orders may be competed or assigned, according to
programmatic need.

**Facilitating Communication.** Each DEcIDE center will be expected to
help AHRQ maintain a system of monitoring and tracking outcomes and
impact for its work. Centers will report outcomes and impact at regular
intervals to AHRQ for overall coordination of activities and project
management. In addition to regular emails, an annual face-to-face
invitational meeting and periodic phone conferences, AHRQ is
collaborating with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to enhance
communication using eHealthExpress, a web portal hosted by NCI. DEcIDE
may participate as one of several "communities of practice" in
eHealthExpress or similar systems to be named by AHRQ. This will provide
DEcIDE centers with an efficient means of communicating internally and
also with interested external audiences and stakeholders.

eHealthExpress or a similar system to be named by AHRQ will also provide
a means for the DEcIDE network to develop and maintain a comprehensive
knowledge repository and sharing tools/products for collaboration and
dissemination. The knowledge repository may include delivery system
literature, health data resources, evaluation instruments, templates and
project management resources. Electronic collaboration tools are
expected to include web conferencing, collaborative work spaces,
technical assistance request processes, online reporting and assessment,
a suggestion box and threaded discussion lists. In addition, an annual
workshop will be convened for AHRQ task order officers, the AHRQ
Contracting Officer, the Program Officer and DEcIDE network
administrative staff from each center to share insights on substantive
accomplishments in the work in which they are involved and strategies
they have developed to meet contractual requirements.

**NOTES**

1\. Information about the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ) programs is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/. Accessed June 4,
2005.

2\. Information about the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) program
is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epc/. Accessed June 4, 2005.

3\. Information about the Centers for Education and Research on
Therapeutics (CERTs) program is available at
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/certsovr.htm. Accessed June 4, 2005.

4\. Information about the Integrated Delivery System Research Network
(IDSRN) program is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/research/idsrn.htm.
Accessed June 4, 2005.

5\. Information about the Primary Care Practice-based Research Networks
(PBRNs) is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/research/pbrnfact.htm.
Accessed June 4, 2005.

6\. Information about the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is
available at http://www.ahrq.gov/data/mesix.htm. Accessed June 4, 2005.

7\. Information about the Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project (HCUP)
is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/data/hcup/. Accessed June 4, 2005.

8\. AHRQ update*. Health Services Research*. 2005; 40 (3), xi-xiv.

9\. Information about MMA is available at the Centers for Medicaid and
Medicare Services (CMS) website, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/.
Accessed June 4, 2005.

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Califf RM. Benefit the patient, manage the risk: a system goal.
*Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf*. 2004;13:269-76.

Clancy CM, Slutsky JR. Advancing excellence in health care: getting to
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Clancy CM, Cronin K. Evidence-based decision making: global evidence,
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Clancy CM, Lawrence W. Is outcomes research on cancer ready for prime
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Finkelstein JA, Lozano P, Streiff KA, et al. Clinical effectiveness
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Franciosa JA. The potential role of community-based registries to
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Freund D, Lave J, Clancy C, et al. Patient Outcomes Research Teams:
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Glasgow RE, Magid DJ, Beck A, Ritzwoller D, Estabrooks PA. Practical
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Glasgow RE, Lichtenstein E, Marcus AC. Why don\'t we see more
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Hamed A, Lee A, Ren XS, et al. Use of antidepressant medications: are
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Klungel OH, Martens EP, Psaty BM, et al. Methods to assess intended
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Kupersmith J, Sung N, Genel M, et al. Creating a new structure for
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Magid D, Naviaux N, Wears RL. Stroking the data: re-analysis of the
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March JS, Silva SG, Compton S, et al. The case for practical clinical
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Stryer DB, Siegel JE, Rodgers AB. Outcomes research: priorities for an
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Tunis SR, Stryer DB, Clancy CM. Practical clinical trials: increasing
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Tunis SR. A clinical research strategy to support shared decision
making. *Health Aff*. 2005;24:180-4.

**[SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING]{.underline}**

Not Applicable

**[SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE]{.underline}**

**E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE**

a\. The contracting officer or the duly authorized representative will
perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be
provided.

b\. For the purpose of this SECTION the Government Project Officer is
the authorized technical representative of the contracting officer.

c\. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**E.2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)**

> This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the
> same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request,
> the Contracting [Officer]{.underline} will make its full text
> available.

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

52.246-5 Inspection of Services-Cost Reimbursement (April 1984)

> **[SECTION F - PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
> SCHEDULE]{.underline}**

**F.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)**

> This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the
> same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon
> request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

**FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES**

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989)

Alternate I (APRIL 1984)

**F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE**

> The Government anticipates the period of performance shall begin on or
> about August 29, 2005 and run through August 28, 2007 with three one
> year options (if exercised) from August 29, 2007 through August 28,
> 2010.

**F.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

> Number range CHAPTERThe items specified for delivery below are subject
> to the review and approval of the Task Order Officer before final
> acceptance. The Contractor shall be required to make revisions deemed
> necessary by the Task Order Officer.
>
> The Contractor shall produce the following scheduled
> reports/deliverables in the amount, and within the time frame
> indicated. Complete delivery instructions will be provided with each
> Task Order awarded.
>
> The Contractor shall submit the following items in accordance with the
> stated delivery schedule:

+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| [ | [De                    | [Quantity/Delivery Date]{.underline}   |
| I | scription]{.underline} |                                        |
| t |                        |                                        |
| e |                        |                                        |
| m |                        |                                        |
| ] |                        |                                        |
| { |                        |                                        |
| . |                        |                                        |
| u |                        |                                        |
| n |                        |                                        |
| d |                        |                                        |
| e |                        |                                        |
| r |                        |                                        |
| l |                        |                                        |
| i |                        |                                        |
| n |                        |                                        |
| e |                        |                                        |
| } |                        |                                        |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 1 | Administrative,        | As specified in each task order        |
|   | progress, and          |                                        |
|   | financial              |                                        |
|   | reports**\***          |                                        |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 2 | All other deliverables | As specified in each task order        |
|   | identified in each     |                                        |
|   | task order             |                                        |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 3 | Subcontracting Report  | April 30 (annually)                    |
|   | for Individual         |                                        |
|   | Contracts (SF -294)    | October 30 (annually)                  |
|   |                        |                                        |
|   |                        | **(1 original and 2 copies to the      |
|   |                        | Contracting Officer)**                 |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 4 | Summary Subcontractor  | October 30 (annually)                  |
|   | Report (SF 295)**\***  |                                        |
|   |                        | (1 copy to the Office of Small and     |
|   |                        | Disadvantaged Business Utilization     |
|   |                        | (DHHS))                                |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 5 | Small Disadvantaged    | 1 copy at contract completion          |
|   | Business Participation |                                        |
|   | Report**\***           |                                        |
+---+------------------------+----------------------------------------+

The above items 1 and 2 shall be addressed and submitted as electronic
and hard copies, as requested, to the Government Task Order Officer. In
addition, one electronic and one hard copy of final reports and all
other deliverables shall be submitted Project Officer at the following
address:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ATTN: Scott R. Smith, M.S.P.H., Ph.D.

Center for Outcomes and Evidence

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**\* The Contracting Officer shall also receive [one copy]{.underline}
of each deliverable denoted by an asterisk.**

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ATTN: Jessica Alderton, Contracting Officer

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**[SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA]{.underline}**

**G.1 KEY PERSONNEL**

> Pursuant to the Key Personnel clause incorporated in Section I of this
> contract, the following individual(s) is/are considered to be
> essential to the work being performed hereunder:

[NAME]{.underline} [TITLE]{.underline}

**(TO BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)**

> The clause cited above contains a requirement for review and approval
> by the Contracting Officer of written requests for a change of Key
> Personnel reasonably in advance of diverting any of these individuals
> from this contract. Receipt of written requests at least 30 days prior
> to a proposed change is considered reasonable.

**G.2 PROJECT OFFICER & TASK ORDER OFFICER**

> Number range CHAPTERThe following Project Officer(s)and Task Order
> Officer(s) will represent the Government for the purpose of this
> contract:

**(TO BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)**

**(TASK ORDER OFFICER DESIGNATION PER TASK ORDER)**

> The Project Officer and Task Order Officer is/are responsible for: (1)
> monitoring the contractor\'s technical progress, including the
> surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the
> contracting officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the
> statement of work and any other technical performance requirements;
> (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing
> technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and
> (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered
> during performance.
>
> The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as an
> agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting
> Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the
> statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3)
> change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the
> contractor of any costs incurred during the performance of this
> contract; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this
> contract.
>
> The Government may unilaterally change its Project Officer or Task
> Order Officer designation

**G.3 INVOICE SUBMISSION**

a\. INVOICE SUBMISSION

> Billing Instructions are attached and made part of this contract.
> Instructions and the following directions for the submission of
> invoices must be followed to meet the requirements of a \"proper\"
> payment request pursuant to FAR 32.9, and must be in accordance with
> the General Provisions clause 52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003).

Invoices/financing requests shall be submitted in an original and three
copies to:

Contracting Officer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**G.4 INFORMATION ON VOUCHERS**

\(1\) The Contractor agrees to include the following minimum information
on vouchers:

\(a\) Contractor's name and invoice date;

\(b\) Contract Number;

\(c\) Description and price of services actually rendered;

\(d\) Other substantiating documentation or information as required by
the contract;

\(e\) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and complete
mailing address or responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;
and

\(f\) The Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Identification Number.

\(2\) The Contractor shall furnish the following [minimum]{.underline}
information in support of costs submitted:

\(a\) [Direct Labor]{.underline} - include all persons, listing the
person's name, title, number of hours or days worked, the total cost per
person and a total amount of this category;

\(b\) [Fringe Costs]{.underline} - show rate, base and total amount as
well as verification/allowability or rate changes (when applicable);

\(c\) [Overhead or Indirect Costs]{.underline} - show rate, base and
total amount as well as verification/allowability or rate changes (when
applicable);

\(d\) [Consultants]{.underline} - include the name, number of days or
hours worked, a total amount per consultant and a total amount for this
category;

\(e\) [Travel]{.underline} - include for each airplane or train trip
taken the name of the traveler, date of travel, destination, the
transportation costs including ground transportation, shown separately,
and per diem costs. Other travel costs shall also be listed. A total
amount for this category shall be provided;

\(f\) [Subcontractors]{.underline} - include for each subcontractor, the
same data that is being provided for the prime contractor. A total
number for this category shall be provided.

\(g\) [Data Processing]{.underline} - include all non-labor costs, i.e.,
computer time, equipment purchase, lease or rental, data tapes, etc. A
total amount for this category shall be provided.

\(h\) [Other]{.underline} - include a listing of all other direct
charges to the contract, i.e., office supplies, telephone, equipment
rental, duplication, etc.

\(i\) [Equipment Cost]{.underline} - itemize and identify separately
from material costs including reference to approval in all cases;

\(j\) [G&A]{.underline} - show rate, base and total as well as
verification/allowability of rate changes (when applicable); and

\(k\) [Fee]{.underline} - show rate, base and total.

\(3\) Payment shall be made by:

PSC Finance

Parklawn Building, Room 16-23

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, Maryland 20857

Telephone Number (301) 443-6766

**G.5 INDIRECT COST RATES and FEE**

> In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR
> Chapter 1) Clause 52.216-7(d)(2), [Allowable Cost and
> Payment]{.underline}, incorporated by reference in this contract, in
> Part II, Section I, the primary contact point responsible for
> negotiating provisional and/or final indirect cost rates is the
> cognizant contracting official as set forth in FAR Subpart 42.7 -
> Indirect Cost Rates.
>
> Reimbursement will be limited to the rates and time periods covered by
> the negotiated agreements. The rates, if negotiated, are hereby
> incorporated without further action of the contracting officer.

**G.6 ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER**

> Pursuant to FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer -
> Central Contractor Registration (OCT 2003), the Contractor shall
> designate a financial institution for receipt of electronic funds
> transfer payments. This designation shall be submitted, in writing, to
> the finance office designated in the contract.

**SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS**

**H.1** Number range CHAPTER**TASK ORDER SELECTION CRITERIA AND
PROCEDURES**

> All work required under this contract will be authorized through the
> issuance of task orders (TOs) signed by the Contracting Officer and
> accepted by the Contractor. TOs may be issued at any time within the
> contract period.
>
> TOs may often vary in terms of content, cost and duration. Task orders
> will normally be cost-reimbursement type contracts. However, depending
> on the nature of the task order, task orders may also be negotiated as
> fixed price, performance based, incentive type, etc.
>
> Each Contractor will be guaranteed a minimum of one task order during
> the 2-year contract. It is expected that TOs will average between
> \$50,000 and \$500,000 and last between six (6) to twenty-four (24)
> months with an average being twelve months. There may be circumstances
> where the amount and duration of task orders exceed these average
> amounts. It is also anticipated that several multi-year task orders
> will be awarded to some of the Contractors.
>
> The minimum dollar amount guaranteed per Contractor is \$50,000 and
> the maximum allowable will be \$1,500,000 for the contract period (NOT
> including option years). Once the total dollar value of all TOs issued
> to a contractor equals the not to exceed (NTE) amount of \$1,500,000,
> the Contractor will be ineligible to compete for additional work
> during the remainder of the contract period. However, the Government
> reserves the right to adjust the NTE amount by 15% for the purpose of
> accepting the lowest offer which would have been rejected solely
> because the total dollar value of all of a Contractor's TOs would
> exceed the NTE amount by this minimal amount.
>
> A Task Order Officer (TOO) will be designated for each TO issued under
> this contract. The TOO will function as principle technical liaison
> between the Contracting Officer and the Contractor\'s Project Manager.

Procedures for Issuance of TOs

1\. Each awardee will be provided a fair opportunity to be considered
for each TO. Factors such as past performance, quality of deliverables,
cost control, price, cost, or other factors that the Contracting Officer
believes are relevant to the placement of orders will be considered.

2\. When a TO is to be awarded, the Government will solicit proposals
from awardees based on those factors mentioned above. The TO Statement
of Work will be sent to those selected awardees and a cost proposal and
a brief discussion of technical approach shall be submitted within
twenty (20) calendar days. In unusual circumstances, contractors may be
requested to reply within a shorter amount of time. Oral proposals and
streamlined procedures may be used in selecting the TO awardee.

3\. The determination of award of the TO will be based on cost,
technical merit, and any other relevant factors.

> 4\. Awardees need not be given an opportunity to be considered for a
> particular TO if the Contracting Officer determines that:

A. The Agency need for such supplies or services is of such urgency that
providing such opportunity would result in unacceptable delays;

B. Only one such contractor is capable of providing such supplies or
services required at the level of quality required because the supplies
or services ordered are unique or highly specialized;

C. The order should be issued on a sole-source in the interest of
economy and efficiency as a logical follow-on to an order already issued
under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair
opportunity to be considered for the original order; or

D. It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

5\. Each TO proposal will be subject to review and negotiation and will
not be effective until signed by both parties.

Required content of TO proposals will usually include, but not
necessarily be limited to, the following:

\--offeror\'s understanding of TO objectives;

> \--proposed approach to solving the problem in terms of major steps or
> subtasks of the proposed study program;

\--types of final products anticipated;

> \--proposed staff by name and percentage of time each individual will
> be assigned to the work; and

\--management plan for conducting the TO.

6\. The cost and fee for each TO will be negotiated based on the fixed
maximum labor rates set forth in Section B - [Supplies or
Services]{.underline} and on other cost/fee issues.

7\. Upon negotiation and agreement on the proposal submitted, the
Contracting Officer shall issue for the signature of the Contractor a
formal TO. The Contractor shall not proceed with performance until the
Contracting Officer has signed the TO and provided written approval to
proceed.

> 8\. The Contractor\'s performance of the TO is subject to the terms
> and conditions in the contract, and the TO may be modified by the
> Contracting Officer and **ONLY** the Contracting Officer.

9\. Protests **ARE NOT** authorized in connection with the issuance or
proposed issuance of a TO except for a protest on the ground that the
order increases the scope, period, or maximum value of the contract
under which the order is issued.

10\. The Contractor is not required to compete for a particular TO if it
chooses not to do so, i.e., the Contractor may elect not to submit a
proposal on a particular TO. Such election will not preclude the
Contractor from an opportunity to submit proposals on future TOs.

**H.2 RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIAL DERIVED
FROM WORK PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT**

> Section 903(c) of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), 42 U.S.C.
> 299a-1, states in part that \"No information, if the establishment or
> person supplying the information or described in it is identifiable,
> obtained in the course of activities undertaken or supported under
> this title, may be used for any purpose other than the purpose for
> which it was supplied unless such establishment or person has
> consented\...to its use for such other purpose. Such information may
> not be published or released in other form if the person who supplied
> the information or who is described in it is identifiable unless such
> person has consented\...to its publication or release in other form.\"
>
> To ensure compliance with these requirements and to fulfill the
> mandate of 923(b)(1) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c-2(b)(1), to assure
> that statistics developed with AHRQ support are of high quality,
> comprehensive, timely, and adequately analyzed, except as otherwise
> provided in this contract, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
> Quality (AHRQ) must, prior to dissemination by the contractor, review
> all reports, presentations, or other disclosures that contain
> information, statistics, analytical material, or any other material,
> which is based on or derived from work performed under this contract.
> Accordingly:

\(a\) Except as provided in H.2(c), (e), and H.2(d), the contractor will
not publish, have published, or otherwise disseminate any material
resulting or derived from the work performed for AHRQ-funded research,
except in accordance with the terms or conditions required by the
Project Officer or until AHRQ has published the results of the research.

\(b\) AHRQ will, within three months of the receipt of any proposed
publication, presentation, or any other disclosure of materials derived
from information collected or produced for a particular task order, use
best effort to review the proposed report, presentation, or other text
to assure that (1) identifiable information is being used for the
purpose for which it was supplied; (2) the privacy of individuals
supplying the information or described in it is not violated; and (3)
the quality of statistical work meets the statutory standards cited
above.

\(c\) Except as provided in H.2(e)***,*** in the event no written
conditions or approval are received from the Project Officer by the end
of the three month period following submission of a request (that is
accompanied by the proposed text) to publish a report or to make a
presentation or other disclosure of material derived from work performed
for AHRQ-funded research, the contractor may publish, present, or
otherwise disclose this material subject to the restrictions of Section
903(c). However, the contractor must print prominently on the report or
any portion of it which is released, or state prior to any oral or other
disclosure of material derived from work performed under this contract,
the following disclaimer:

> \"THIS REPORT ***(or other appropriate description of publication)***
> HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY"

\(d\) Whether or not written approval of the Project Officer is
received, the contractor must:

**.** print the following statement prominently on written reports or
other forms of recorded data derived from work performed under this
contract which is to be released; or

**.** preceding any presentation or other oral disclosure of such
material make the following statement:

> \"IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ON WHICH THIS REPORT, PRESENTATION, OR
> OTHER FORM OF DISCLOSURE IS BASED, IS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY
> FEDERAL LAW, SECTION 903(c) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, 42
> U.S.C. 299a-1(c). ANY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION THAT IS KNOWINGLY
> DISCLOSED IS DISCLOSED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT HAS BEEN
> SUPPLIED. NO IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUPPLYING
> THE INFORMATION OR DESCRIBED IN IT WILL BE KNOWINGLY DISCLOSED EXCEPT
> WITH THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THAT INDIVIDUAL.\"

\(e\) In cases where the Contracting Officer has given written notice
that the Government intends to retain all rights in any particular data
produced under this contract, the contractor shall have no right without
prior written permission of the Contracting Officer to publish any of
those data or analyses based on those data, depending on the scope of
the Contracting Officer's notice.

> \(f\) Whenever data or analyses are to be developed by a subcontractor
> under this contract, the contractor must include the terms of H.2.(a),
> (b), (c), (d) and (e) in the subcontract, without substantive
> alteration, and with a prohibition on the subcontractor engaging in
> further assignment of its obligations to the contractor. No clause may
> be included to diminish the Government's restriction on publication
> and dissemination of work or material derived from work performed
> under this contract.

**H.3 DEBARMENT**

> Violation of the special provision of this contract entitled
> **RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIAL DERIVED
> FROM WORK PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT** will be viewed as a serious
> violation of the terms of this contract as the requirements in this
> provision reflect AHRQ statutory obligations and responsibilities.
> Such a violation, as well as other violations of the contract terms
> which are deemed serious, could result in the initiation of debarment
> proceedings in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations and
> the Department of Health and Human Services implementing regulations.

**H.4 SUBCONTRACTS**

> The contractor must include in any subcontracts executed or used to
> provide the support specified in this contract the terms of
> requirements H.2, H.3 and H.4. These requirements are to be included
> without substantive alteration, and no clause may be included to
> diminish these requirements.
>
> Award of any subcontract is subject to the written approval of the
> Contracting Officer upon review of the supporting documentation as
> required by FAR Clause 52.215-12, Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data,
> of the General Clauses incorporated into this contract. A copy of the
> signed subcontract shall be provided to the Contracting Officer.

**H.5 LATE PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT**

> Late payment of debts owed the Government by the Contractor, arising
> from whatever cause, under this contract/order shall bear interest at
> a rate or rates to be established in accordance with the Treasury
> Fiscal Requirements Manual. For purposes of this provision, late
> payments are defined as payments received by the Government more than
> 30 days after the Contractor has been notified in writing by the
> Contracting Officer of:

a\. The basis of indebtedness.

b\. The amount due.

c\. The fact that interest will be applied if payment is not received
within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice.

d\. The approximate interest rate that will be charged.

**H.6 PRIVACY ACT**

> The Privacy Act clauses cited in Section I (FAR 52.224-1 and 52.224-2)
> are applicable to the consultant records kept by the Contractor for
> the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
>
> You are hereby notified that the Contractor and its employees are
> subject to criminal penalties for violations of the Act (5 U.S.C.
> 552a(i)) to the same extent as employees of the Department. The
> Contractor shall assure that each Contractor employee is aware that
> he/she can be subjected to criminal penalties for violations of the
> Act. Disposition instructions: Records are to be destroyed after
> contract closeout is completed and final payment is made and in
> accordance with IRS regulations.

**H.7 PRO-CHILDREN ACT of 1994**

> The Pro-Children Act of 1994, P.L. 103-227, imposes restrictions on
> smoking where certain federally funded childrens' services are
> provided. P.L. 103-227 states in pertinent part:
>
> PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a
> smoke-free workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco
> products. In addition, P.L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994,
> prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion
> of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day
> care, health care or early childhood development services are provided
> to children."

**H.8** **SALARY CAP GUIDE NOTICE**

> Number range CHAPTERPursuant to P.L.108-447, no Fiscal Year 2005
> (October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005) funds may be used to pay the
> direct salary of an individual through this contract at a rate in
> excess of the direct salary rate for Executive Level I of the Federal
> Executive Pay Scale. That rate is \$180,100 per year for the period of
> January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. Direct salary is exclusive
> of overhead, fringe benefits, and general and administrative expenses.
> The salary limit also applies to individuals proposed under
> subcontracts. If this is a multi-year contract, it may be subject to
> unilateral modifications by the Government if any salary rate ceilings
> are established in future DHHS appropriation acts. P.L.108-447 states
> in pertinent part:
>
> None of the funds appropriated in this Act for the National Institutes
> of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the
> Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shall be
> used to pay the salary of an individual, through a grant or other
> extramural mechanism, at a rate in excess of Executive Level I.
>
> Contractors shall absorb that portion of an employee's salary (plus
> the dollar amount for fringe benefits and indirect costs associated
> with the excess) that exceeds a rate of \$180,100 a year.

**H.9** **PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS**

Number range CHAPTER**BACKGROUND**

> The Office of Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget,
> Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), requires that all DHHS
> employees and contractor employees (including subcontractors) who will
> be working in a DHHS-owned or leased space and/or who will have access
> to DHHS equipment, and non-public privileged, proprietary, or trade
> secret information, undergo a background investigation.

**GENERAL**

> Notwithstanding other submission requirements stated elsewhere in this
> contract, the contractor shall appoint and identify a Contractor
> Security Representative and submit the following information for each
> employee to the Contracting Officer within thirty (30) calendar days
> after contract award.

SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

HHS Credit Release (Attachment Number 3)

OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment

Current resume

*Note: Forms are available at:
[[http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/formslibrary.jsp]{.underline}](http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/formslibrary.jsp)*

> Within thirty (30) days after contract award each employee will be
> required to have electronic fingerprinting performed ----
> Fingerprinting services are available by appointment only through the
> Program Support Staff (PSC) and will be arranged by AHRQ.

Number range CHAPTER(01/05-DCM)

(FAC 2005-03)

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A COST-PLUS-A-FIXED-FEE CONTRACT

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEBRUARY 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the
same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request,
the Contracting Officer will make their full

text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed
electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/

I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

FAR Clause No. Title and Date

52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984)

52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fee (APR 1984)

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government

> (Jul 1995)

52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (JUL 1995)

52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal

or Improper Activity (JAN 1997)

52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (JAN
1997)

52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal
Transactions (JUN 2003)

52.204-4 Printing or Copying Double-Sided on Recycled Paper (AUG 2000)

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration. (OCT 2003)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government\'s Interest When Subcontracting With
Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JAN 2005)

52.215-2 Audit and Records - Negotiation (JUN 1999)

52.215-8 Order of Precedence-Uniform Contract Format (Oct 1997)

52.215-10 Price Reduction for Defective Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

> (applicable to contract actions over \$550,000)

52.215-12 Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

> (applicable to contract actions over \$550,000)

52.215-15 Pension Adjustments and Asset Reversions (OCT 2004)

52.215-17 Wavier of Facilities Capital Cost of Money (OCT 1997)

52.215-18 Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Postretirement Benefits
(PRB) Other Than Pensions (OCT 1997)

52.215-19 Notification of Ownership Changes (OCT 1997)

52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment (DEC 2002)

52.216-8 Fixed Fee (MAR 1997)

52.216-27   Single or Multiple Awards (OCT 1995)

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small
Business Concerns (OCT 2004)

52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004)

52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JAN 2002)

> (Applicable to contracts over \$500,000)

52.219-16 Liquidated Damages - Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999)

52.219-25 Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program -
Disadvantaged Status and Reporting ( OCT 1999)

52.222-2 Payment for Overtime Premiums (JUL 1990). The amount in

> paragraph (a) is \"zero\" unless different amount is separately
>
> stated elsewhere in contract.

52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2002)

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans. (DEC 2001)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers With Disabilities (JUNE 1998)

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans. (DEC 2001)

52.222-39 Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union
Dues or Fees (DEC 2004)

52.223-6 Drug Free Workplace (MAY 2001)

52.223-14 Toxic Chemical Release Reporting (AUG 2003)

52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification (APRIL 1984)

52.224-2 Privacy Act (APRIL 1984)

52.225-1 Buy American Act - Supplies (JUNE 2003)

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (DEC 2003)

52.227-1 Authorization and Consent (JULY 1995)

52.227-2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copy-

> Right Infringement (AUG 1996)

52.227-3 Patent Indemnity (APRIL 1984)

52.227-14 Rights in Data - General (JUNE 1987)

52.228-7 Insurance-Liability to Third Persons (MAR 1996)

52.230-2 Cost Accounting Standards (APR 1998)

52.230-3 Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices (APR
1998)

52.230-6 Administration of Cost Accounting Standards (APR 2005)

52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments (APRIL 1984)

52.232-17 Interest (JUNE 1996)

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (APRIL 1984)

52.232-20 Limitation of Cost (APR 1984)

52.232-22 Limitation of Funds (APR 1984) (This clause supersedes the
Limitation of Cost clause found in the General Clauses of this
contract.)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003)

52.233-1 Disputes (JULY 2002)

52.233-3 Protest After Award (AUG 1996) Alternate I (JUNE 1985)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)

52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime (Oct 1997)

52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996)

52.242-1 Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs (APRIL 1984)

52.242-3 Penalties for Unallowable Costs (MAY 2001)

52.242-4 Certification of Final Indirect Costs (Jan 1997)

52.242-13 Bankruptcy (JULY 1995)

52.243-2 Changes - Cost Reimbursement (AUG 1987) - Alternate II

> (APRIL 1984)

52.244-2 Subcontracts (AUGUST 1998)

52.244-5 Competition in Subcontracting (DEC 1996)

52.245-5 Government Property (Cost Reimbursement, Time-and-

> Material, or Labor-Hour Contract (MAY 2004)

52.246-5 Inspection of Services-Cost Reimbursement (APRIL 1984)

52.246-23 Limitation of Liability-(FEB 1997)

52.248-1 Value Engineering (FEB 2000)

52.249-6 Termination (Cost-Reimbursement) (MAY 2004)

52.249-14 Excusable Delays (APRIL 1984)

52.251-1 Government Supply Sources (APRIL 1984)

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms (JAN 1991)

II\. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION

REGULATION (HHSAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 3) CLAUSES

HHSAR

[Clause No]{.underline}. [Title and Date]{.underline}

352.202-1 Definitions (JAN 2001)

> Alternate h

352.223-70 Safety and Health (JAN 2001)

352.224-70 Confidentiality of Information (APRIL 1984)

352.228-7 Insurance - Liability to Third Persons (DEC 1991)

352.232-9 Withholding of Contract Payments (APRIL 1984)

352.233-70 Litigation and Claims (APR 1984)

352.242-71 Final Decisions on Audit Findings (APRIL 1984)

352.270-1 Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars to

> Persons with Disabilities (JAN 2001)

352.270-6 Publication and Publicity (JUL 1991)

352.270-7 Paperwork Reduction Act (JAN 2001)

352.270-8 Protection of Human Subjects (JAN 2001)

[Number range CHAPTERThe following clauses are applicable to this
contract and are provided in full text:]{.underline}

### ORDERING (OCT 1995) (FAR 52.216-18)

\(a\) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract
shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the
individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be
issued from the contract award date through the contract expiration
date.

\(b\) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and
conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery
order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

\(c\) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered "issued"
when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued
orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if
authorized in the Schedule.

(End of clause)

### ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995) (FAR 52.216-19)

(a) *Minimum order*. When the Government requires supplies or services
covered by this contract in an amount of less than \$10,000, the
Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated
to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

\(b\) *Maximum order*. The Contractor is not obligated to honor---

\(1\) Any order for a single item in excess of \$1,500,000;

\(2\) Any order for a combination of items in excess of \$ 1,725,000; or

\(3\) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 30 days
that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in
paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

\(c\) If this is a requirements contract (*i.e., *includes the
Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any
one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the
maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

\(d\) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the
Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations
in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the
ordering office within 5 days after issuance, with written notice
stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called
for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may
acquire the supplies or services from another source. (End of clause)

**INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995) (FAR 52.216-22)**

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services
specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The
quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are
estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

\(b\) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders
issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall
furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services
specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in
the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the
quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the
"minimum."

\(c\) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations
clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders
that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery
to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

\(d\) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and
not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor
within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the
Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to
that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the
contract's effective period; *provided*, that the Contractor shall not
be required to make any deliveries under this contract after12 months
after the contract expiration date.

(End of clause)

**Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000) 52.217-9  **

\(a\) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written
notice to the Contractor within 30 days of the expiration date of the
contract; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a
preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days
before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the
Government to an extension.

\(b\) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract
shall be considered to include this option clause.

\(c\) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any
options under this clause, shall not exceed 60 months.

(End of clause)

**KEY PERSONNEL (APR 1984) (HHSAR 352.270-5)**

The personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential
to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to diverting any of the
specified individuals to other programs, the Contractor shall notify the
Contracting Officer reasonably in advance and shall submit justification
(including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit
evaluation of the impact on the program. No diversion shall be made by
the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer;
provided, that the Contracting Officer may ratify in writing such
diversion and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the
Contracting Officer required by this clause. The contract may be amended
from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or
delete personnel, as appropriate.

(End of clause)

**PART III- LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS**

**SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS**

[Attachment]{.underline} [Pages]{.underline}

1\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form 5

2\. SF LLL-A, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 3

3\. Proposal Intent Form 1

4\. Small Business Subcontracting Plan 8

**NOTE: ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE LOCATED AT THE END OF THIS REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL**.

Number range CHAPTERNumber range CHAPTER (FAC 2005-03)

PART IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 HHSAR 315.204-5 Representations and Instructions

K.2. FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2005)

K.3. FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999)

K.4. FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification
(JUNE 2000)

K.5. FAR 15.406-2 Certificate of Current Cost and Pricing Data

K.6. P.L. 103-227 Certification Regarding Environmental

> Tobacco Smoke

K.l REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

\(a\) Section K, Representations, certifications, and other statements
of offerors.

\(1\) This section shall begin with the following and continue with the
applicable representations and certifications:

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE OFFEROR: (The Representations and Certifications
must be executed by an individual authorized to bind the Offeror.) The
Offeror makes the following Representations and Certifications as part
of its proposal. (Check or complete all appropriate boxes or blanks on
the following pages.)

(Name of Offeror) (RFP No.)

(Signature of Authorized Individual) (Date)

(Typed Name of Authorized Individual)

NOTE: The penalty for making false statements in offers is prescribed in
18 U.S.C. 1001.

K.2. ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2005) (FAR 52.204-8)

(a)(1) If the clause at 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration, is
included in this solicitation, paragraph (b) of this provision applies.

\(2\) If the clause at 52.204-7 is not included in this solicitation,
and the offeror is currently registered in CCR, and has completed the
ORCA electronically, the offeror may choose to use paragraph (b) instead
of completing the corresponding individual representations and
certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which
option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

\[ \] (i) Paragraph (b) applies

> \[ \] (ii) Paragraph (b) does not apply and the offeror has completed
> the individual representations and certification in the solicitation.

\(b\) The offeror has completed the annual representations and
certifications electronically via the Online Representations and
Certifications Application (ORCA) website at
[[http://orca/bpn.gov.]{.underline}](http://orca/bpn.gov.) After
reviewing the ORCA database information, the offeror verifies by
submission of the offer that the representations and certifications
currently posted electronically have been entered or updated within the
last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this
solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the
NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this
offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201);
except for the changes identified below (offeror to insert changes,
identifying change by clause number, title, date). These amended
representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this
offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this
offer.

FAR Clause# Title Date Change

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation
only, and do not result in an update to the representations and
certifications posted on ORCA.

(End of provision)

K.3. PROHIBITION OF SEGREGATED FACILITIES

(FEB 1999) (FAR 52.222-21)

\(a\) \"Segregated facilities,\" as used in this clause, means any
waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash rooms, restaurants and
other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage or
dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or
entertainment areas, transportation, and housing facilities provided for
employees, that are segregated by explicit directive or are in fact
segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin
because of written or oral policies or employee custom. The term does
not include separate or single-user rest rooms or necessary dressing or
sleeping areas provided to assure privacy between the sexes.

\(b\) The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain or
provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its
establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its employees
to perform their services at any location under its control where
segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor agrees that a
breach of this clause is a violation of the Equal Opportunity clause in
this contract.

\(c\) The Contractor shall include this clause in every subcontract and
purchase order that is subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this
contract.

(End of Clause)

K.4. COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND

CERTIFICATION

(FAR 52.230-1) (JUNE 2000)

NOTE: This notice does not apply to small businesses or foreign
governments. This notice is in three parts, identified by Roman numerals
I through III.

> Offerors shall examine each part and provide the requested information
> in order to determine Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) requirements
> applicable to any resultant contract.
>
> If the offeror is an educational institution, Part II does not apply
> unless the contemplated contract will be subject to full or modified
> CAS-coverage pursuant to 48CFR 9903.201-2(c)(5) or
> 9903.201-2(c)(6),respectively.

I. Disclosure Statement - Cost Accounting Practices and Certification

\(a\) Any contract in excess of \$500,000 resulting from this
solicitation, will be subject to the requirements of the Cost Accounting
Standards Board (48 CFR, Chapter 99), except for those contracts which
are exempt as specified in 48 CFR 9903.201-1.

\(b\) Any offeror submitting a proposal which, if accepted, will result
in a contract subject to the requirements of 48 CFR Chapter 99 must, as
a condition of contracting, submit a Disclosure Statement as required by
48 CFR 9903.202. When required, the Disclosure Statement must be
submitted as a part of the offeror\'s proposal under this solicitation
unless the offeror has already submitted a Disclosure Statement
disclosing the practices used in connection with the pricing of this
proposal. If an applicable Disclosure Statement has already been
submitted, the offeror may satisfy the requirement for submission by
providing the information requested in paragraph (c) of Part I of this
provision. Caution: In the absence of specific regulations or agreement,
a practice disclosed in a Disclosure Statement shall not, by virtue of
such disclosure, be deemed to be a proper, approved, or agreed-to
practice for pricing proposals or accumulating and reporting contract
performance cost data.

\(c\) Check the appropriate box below:

\[ \] (1) Certificate of Concurrent Submission of Disclosure Statement.

> The offeror hereby certifies that, as a part of the offer, copies of
> the Disclosure Statement have been submitted as follows: (i) original
> and one copy to the cognizant Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
> or cognizant Federal agency official authorized to act in that
> capacity, as applicable, and (ii) one copy to the cognizant Federal
> auditor.

(Disclosure must be on Form No. CASB DS-1 or CASB

> DS-2, as applicable. Forms may be obtained from the cognizant ACO or
> Federal official and/or from the loose-leaf version of the Federal
> Acquisition Regulation.)

Date of Disclosure
Statement:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Name and Address of Cognizant

ACO or Federal official where filed:

> The offeror further certifies that practices used in estimating costs
> in pricing this proposal are consistent with the cost accounting
> practices disclosed in the Disclosure Statement.

\[ \] (2) Certificate of Previously Submitted Disclosure Statement.

> The offeror hereby certifies that the required Disclosure Statement
> was filed as follows:
>
> Date of Disclosure
> Statement:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Name and Address of Cognizant

ACO or Federal official where filed:

> The offeror further certifies that the practices used in estimating
> costs in pricing this proposal are consistent with the cost accounting
> practices disclosed in the applicable Disclosure Statement.
>
> \[ \] (3) Certificate of Monetary Exemption.
>
> The offeror hereby certifies that the offeror together with all
> divisions, subsidiaries, and affiliates under common control, did not
> receive net awards of negotiated prime contracts and subcontracts
> subject to CAS totaling more than \$25 million in the cost accounting
> period immediately preceding the period in which this proposal was
> submitted. The offeror further certifies that if such status changes
> before an award resulting from this proposal, the offeror will advise
> the Contracting Officer immediately.
>
> \[ \] (4) Certificate of Interim Exemption.
>
> The offeror hereby certifies that (i) the offeror first exceeded the
> monetary exemption for disclosure, as defined in (3) of this
> subsection, in the cost accounting period immediately preceding the
> period in which this offer was submitted and (ii) in accordance with
> 48 CFR, Subpart 9903.202-1, the offeror is not yet required to submit
> a Disclosure Statement. The offeror further certifies that if an award
> resulting from this proposal has not been made within 90 days after
> the end of that period, the offeror will immediately submit a review
> certificate to the Contracting Officer, in the form specified under
> subparagraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of Part I of this provision, as
> appropriate, to verify submission of a completed Disclosure Statement.
>
> Caution: Offerors currently required to disclose because they were
> awarded a CAS-covered prime contract or subcontract of \$25 million or
> more in the current cost accounting period may not claim this
> exemption (4). Further, the exemption applies only in connection with
> proposals submitted before expiration of the 90-day period following
> the cost accounting period in which the monetary exemption was
> exceeded.

II\. Cost Accounting Standards - Eligibility for Modified Contract
Coverage

> If the offeror is eligible to use the modified provisions of 48 CFR,
> Subpart 9903.201-2(b) and elects to do so, the offeror shall indicate
> by checking the box below. Checking the box below shall mean that the
> resultant contract is subject to the Disclosure and Consistency of
> Cost Accounting Practices clause in lieu of the Cost Accounting
> Standards clause.
>
> \[ \] The offeror hereby claims an exemption from the Cost Accounting
> Standards clause under the provisions of 48 CFR, Subpart 9903.201-2(b)
> and certifies that the offeror is eligible for use of the Disclosure
> and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices clause because during the
> cost accounting period immediately preceding the period in which this
> proposal was submitted, the offeror received less than \$25 million in
> awards of CAS-covered prime contracts and subcontracts or the offeror
> did not receive a single CAS-covered award exceeding \$1 million. The
> offeror further certifies that if such status changes before an award
> resulting from this proposal, the offeror will advise the Contracting
> Officer immediately.

Caution: An offeror may not claim the above eligibility for modified
contract coverage if this proposal is expected to result in the award of
a CAS-covered contract of \$25 million or more or if, during its current
cost accounting period, the offeror has been awarded a single
CAS-covered prime contract or subcontract of \$25 million or more.

III\. Additional Cost Accounting Standards Applicable to Existing
Contracts

> The offeror shall indicate below whether award of the contemplated
> contract would, in accordance with subparagraph (a)(3) of the Cost
> Accounting Standards clause, require a change in established cost
> accounting practices affecting existing contracts and subcontracts.

\[ \] Yes \[ \] No

(End of Provision)

ALTERNATE I (APR 1996)

\[ \] (5) Certificate of Disclosure Statement Due Date by Educational
Institution.

> If the offeror is an educational institution that, under the
> transition provisions of 48 CFR 9903.202-1(f), is or will be required
> to submit a Disclosure Statement after receipt of this award, the
> offeror hereby certifies that (check one and complete):

\[\] (a) A Disclosure Statement filing Due Date of

> has been established with the cognizant Federal agency.
>
> \[\] (b) The Disclosure Statement will be submitted within the six
> month period ending months after receipt of this award.
>
> Name and Address of cognizant ACO or Federal Official where Disclosure
> Statement is to be filed:

**(END OF ALTERNATE I)**

K.5. CERTIFICATE OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

(FAR 15.406-2)

CERTIFICATE OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

When cost or pricing data are required, the contracting officer shall
require the contractor to execute a Certificate of Current Cost or
Pricing Data using the format in this paragraph, and shall include the
executed certificate in the contract file.

This is to certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the
cost or pricing data (as defined in Section 15.401 of the Federal
Acquisition Regulation(FAR) and required under FAR subsection 15.403-4)
submitted, either actually or by specific identification, in writing, to
the contracting officer or the contracting officer\'s representative in
support of \* are accurate, complete, and current as of \*\*.

This certification includes the cost or pricing data supporting any
advance agreements and forward pricing rate agreements between the
offeror and the Government that are part of the proposal.

FIRM

NAME Signature

TITLE

DATE OF EXECUTION\*\*\*

\* Identify the proposal, request for price adjustment, or other
submission involved, giving the appropriate identifying number (e.g.,
Request for Proposal number).

\*\* Insert the day, month, and year when price negotiations were
concluded and price agreement was reached or, if applicable, an earlier
date agreed upon between the parties that is as close as practicable to
the date of agreement on price.

\*\*\* Insert the day, month, and year of signing, which should be as
close as practicable to the date when the price negotiations were
concluded and the contract price agreed to.

End of Certificate

K.6. ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE

> The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant and contract
> recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote the nonuse
> of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the
> Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or
> in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine
> education, library, day care, health care or early childhood
> development services are provided to children.

[CERTIFICATION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE]{.underline}

Public Law 103-227, also known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Act),
requires that smoking not be permitted in any portion of any indoor
facility owned or leased or contracted for by an entity and used
routinely or regularly for the provision of health, day care, early
childhood development services, education or library services to
children under the age of 18, if the services are funded by Federal
programs either directly or through State or local governments, by
Federal grant, contract, loan, or loan guarantee. The law also applies
to children\'s services that are provided in indoor facilities that are
constructed, operated, or maintained with such federal funds. The law
does not apply to children\'s services provided in private residences;
portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment;
service providers whose sole source of applicable Federal funds is
Medicare or Medicaid; or facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may result in the
imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to \$1000 for each
violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order on
the responsible entity.

By signing this certification, the offeror/contractor certifies that the
submitted organization will comply with the requirements of the Act and
will not allow smoking within any portion of any indoor facility used
for the provision of services for children as defined by the Act.

The submitting organization agrees that it will require that the
language of this certification be included in any subawards which
contain provisions for children\'s services and that all subrecipients
shall certify accordingly.

Organization:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Signature\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Title\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS**

**L.1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) (FAR
52.252-1)**

> This solicitation incorporates the following solicitation provisions
> by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in
> full text. Upon request, the contracting officer will make the full
> text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be assessed
> electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/

a\. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) Solicitation
Provisions

\(1\) 52.215-16 Facilities Capital Cost of Money (OCT 1997)

> \(2\) 52.215-20 Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information
> Other Than Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

**L.2 DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING (DUNS) (OCT 2003) (FAR 52.204-6)**

\(a\) The offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on
the cover page of its offer, the annotation "DUNS" or "DUNS+4" followed
by the DUNS number or "DUNS+4" that identifies the offeror's name and
address exactly as stated in the offer. The DUNS number is a nine-digit
number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. The DUNS+4
is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the
discretion of the offeror to establish additional CCR records for
identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see
Subpart 32.11) for the same parent concern.

\(b\) If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun
and Bradstreet directly to obtain one.

\(1\) An offeror may obtain a DUNSnumber---

\(i\) If located within the United States, by calling Dun and Bradstreet
at 1-866-705-5711 or via the iInternet at
[*http://www.dnb.*com](http://www.dnb.com/); or

\(ii\) If located outside the United States, by contacting the local Dun
and Bradstreet office.

\(2\) The offeror should be prepared to provide the following
information:

\(i\) Company legal business name.

\(ii\) Tradestyle, doing business, or other name by which your entity is
commonly recognized.

\(iii\) Company physical street address, city, state and Zip Code.

\(iv\) Company mailing address, sity, state and Zip Code (if separate
from physical).

\(v\) Company telephone number.

\(vi\) Date the company was started.

\(vii\) Number of employees at your location.

\(viii\) Chief executive officer/ key manager.

\(ix\) Line of business (industry)

\(X\) Company Headquarters name and address (reporting relationship
within your entity).

(End of provision)

**L.3 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (MAY 2001)**

**ALTERNATE I (JAN 2004)(FAR 52.215-1)**

\(a\) Definitions. As used in this provision --

> "Discussions" are negotiations that occur after establishment of the
> competitive range that may, at the Contracting Officer's discretion,
> result in the offeror being allowed to revise its proposal.
>
> "In writing," "writing," or "written" means any worded or numbered
> expression that can be read, reproduced, and later communicated, and
> includes electronically transmitted and stored information.
>
> "Proposal modification" is a change made to a proposal before the
> solicitation's closing date and time, or made in response to an
> amendment, or made to correct a mistake at any time before award.
>
> "Proposal revision" is a change to a proposal made after the
> solicitation closing date, at the request of or as allowed by a
> Contracting Officer as the result of negotiations.
>
> "Time," if stated as a number of days, is calculated using calendar
> days, unless otherwise specified, and will include Saturdays, Sundays,
> and legal holidays. However, if the last day falls on a Saturday,
> Sunday or legal holiday, then the period shall include the next
> working day.

\(b\) Amendments to solicitations. If this solicitation is amended, all
terms and conditions that are not amended remain unchanged. Offerors
shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation by the
date and time specified in the amendment(s).

\(c\) Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals.

\(1\) Unless other methods (e.g., electronic commerce or facsimile) are
permitted in the solicitation, proposals and modifications to proposals
shall be submitted in paper media in sealed envelopes or packages (i)
addressed to the office specified in the solicitation, and (ii) showing
the time and date specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and
the name and address of the offeror. Offerors using commercial carriers
should ensure that the proposal is marked on the outermost wrapper with
the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) of this
provision.

\(2\) The first page of the proposal must show---

\(i\) The solicitation number;

\(ii\) The name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the
offeror (and electronic address if available);

\(iii\) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms,
conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to
furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set
opposite each item;

\(iv\) Names, titles, and telephone and facsimile numbers (and
electronic addresses if available) of persons authorized to negotiate on
the offeror's behalf with the Government in connection with this
solicitation; and

\(v\) Name, title, and signature of person authorized to sign the
proposal. Proposals signed by an agent shall be accompanied by evidence
of that agent's authority, unless that evidence has been previously
furnished to the issuing office.

\(3\) Submissions, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals.

\(i\) Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals, and any
modification or revisions, so as to reach the Government office
designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the
solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for
receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office
on the date that proposal or revision is due.

\(ii\) (A) Any proposal, modification, or revision received at the
Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time
specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered
unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer
determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the
acquisition; and -

\(1\) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method
authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of
entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one
working day prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals; or

\(2\) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at
the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was
under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of
offers; or

\(3\) It is the only proposal received.

\(B\) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful proposal
that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be
considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

\(iii\) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the
Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that
installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of
receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements
of Government personnel.

\(iv\) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal
Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the office
designated for receipt of proposals by the exact time specified in the
solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of
the solicitation, the time specified for receipt of proposals will be
deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the
solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes
resume.

\(v\) Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time
before award. Oral proposals in response to oral solicitations may be
withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile proposals,
proposals may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before
award, subject to the conditions specified in the provision at 52.215-5,
"Facsimile Proposals." Proposals may be withdrawn in person by an
offeror or an authorized representative, if the representative's
identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the
proposal before award.

\(4\) Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, the offeror may
propose to provide any item or combination of items.

\(5\) Offerors shall submit proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation in English, unless otherwise permitted by the solicitation,
and in U.S. dollars, unless the provision at FAR 52.225-17, Evaluation
of Foreign Currency Offers, is included in the solicitation.

\(6\) Offerors may submit modifications to their proposals at any time
before the solicitation closing date and time, and may submit
modifications in response to an amendment, or to correct a mistake at
any time before award.

\(7\) Offers may submit revised proposals only if requested or allowed
by the Contracting Officer.

\(8\) Proposals may be withdrawn at any time before award. Withdrawals
are effective upon receipt of notice by the Contracting Officer.

> \(d\) Offer expiration date. Proposals in response to this
> solicitation will be valid for the number of days specified on the
> solicitation cover sheet (unless a different period is proposed by the
> offeror).

\(e\) Restriction on disclosure and use of data. Offerors that include
in their proposals data that they do not want disclosed to the public
for any purpose, or used by the Government except for evaluation
purposes, shall ---

\(1\) Mark the title page with the following legend:

> This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the
> Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed--in whole
> or in part--for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. If,
> however, a contract is awarded to this offeror as a result of--or in
> connection with-- the submission of this data, the Government shall
> have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent
> provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit
> the Government's right to use information contained in this data if it
> is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject
> to this restriction are contained in sheets \[insert numbers or other
> identification of sheets\]; and

\(2\) Mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following
legend:

> Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the
> restriction on the title page of this proposal.

\(f\) Contract award.

\(1\) The Government intends to award a contract or contracts resulting
from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose proposal(s)
represents the best value after evaluation in accordance with the
factors and subfactors in the solicitation.

\(2\) The Government may reject any or all proposals if such action is
in the Government's interest.

\(3\) The Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities in
proposals received.

\(4\) The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract
after conducting discussions with offerors whose proposals have been
determined to be within the competitive range. If the Contracting
Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be
in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient
competition can be conducted, the Contracting

> Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to
> the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among
> the most highly rated proposals. Therefore, the offeror's initial
> proposal should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and
> technical standpoint.

\(5\) The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for
a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit cost or prices
offered, unless the offeror

specifies otherwise in the proposal.

\(6\) The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards if,
after considering the additional administrative costs, it is in the
Government's best interest to do so.

\(7\) Exchanges with offerors after receipt of a proposal do not
constitute a rejection or counteroffer by the Government.

\(8\) The Government may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if
the prices proposed are materially unbalanced between line items or
subline items.

> Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated
> price, the price of one or more contract line items is significantly
> overstated or understated as indicated by the application of cost or
> price analysis techniques. A proposal may be rejected if the
> Contracting Officer determines that the lack of balance

poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

\(9\) If a cost realism analysis is performed, cost realism may be
considered by the source selection authority in evaluating performance
or schedule risk.

\(10\) A written award or acceptance of proposal mailed or otherwise
furnished to the successful offeror within the time specified in the
proposal shall result in a binding contract without further action by
either party.

\(11\) If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the
Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

\(i\) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient
factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

\(ii\) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the
successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on
the debriefed offeror.

\(iii\) The overall raking of all offerors, when any ranking was
developed by the agency during source selection

(iv) A summary of the rationale for award

(v) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item
    to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(vi) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed
     offerors as to whether source-slection procedures set forth in the
     solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable
     authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of provision)

**L.4 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APRIL 1984)(FAR 52.216-1)**

> Number range CHAPTERThe Government contemplates award of a cost
> reimbursement, completion type, task order contract resulting from
> this solicitation.
>
> It is anticipated that 6-12 contract awards will be made from this
> solicitation and that the awards are estimated to be made in August
> 2005.

Number range CHAPTER**L.5 SINGLE OR MULTIPLE AWARDS (OCT 1995)(FAR
52.216-27)**

> The Government may elect to award a single delivery order contract or
> task order contract or to award multiple delivery order contracts or
> task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services to
> two or more sources under this solicitation.

**L.6 SERVICE OF PROTEST (AUG 1996)(FAR 52.233-2)**

\(a\) Protests, as defined in Section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any
protests that are filed with the General Accounting Office (GAO) shall
be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining
written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Director, Division of Contracts Management

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

\(b\) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated
above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

**L.7 POINT OF CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL INQUIRIES**

> The technical contact for additional information and answering
> inquiries is the Contracting Officer. All questions regarding this
> solicitation shall be in writing and received by the Contracting
> Officer no later than **July 7, 2005**. Number range CHAPTERIt is
> preferred that all questions be e-mailed to Jessica Alderton at
> <jalderto@ahrq.gov>. Number range CHAPTERHard copies can be sent to:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

OPART/Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, MD 20850

Attention: Jessica Alderton, Contracting Officer

> Fax: (301) 427-1740

Number range CHAPTER**L.8 REFERENCE MATERIALS**

> Offerors are directed to Section 1013 of the Medicare Modernization
> Act legislation. This statute may be found in 42 USC 299b-7. In
> addition, Section 1013 is available at
> http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareReform/108s1013.pdf. Failure of
> offerors to examine the reference material prior to proposal
> preparation and submission will be at the offeror's risk.

**L.9 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS**

[Introduction]{.underline}

> The following instructions will establish the acceptable minimum
> requirements for the format and contents of proposals. Special
> attention is directed to the requirements for technical and business
> proposals to be submitted in accordance with these instructions:

a\. [Contract Type and General Provisions]{.underline}: Number range
CHAPTERIt is contemplated that a cost-reimbursement, task order type
contract will be awarded. In addition to the special provisions of this
request for proposal (RFP), any resultant contract shall include the
general clauses applicable to the selected offeror\'s organization and
type of contract awarded. Any additional clauses required by Public Law,
Executive Order, or procurement regulations, in effect at the time of
execution of the proposed contract, will be included.

b\. [Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal]{.underline}: The
proposal shall be signed by an official authorized to bind your (the
offeror\'s) organization. Your proposal shall be submitted in the number
of copies, to the address, and marked as indicated in the cover letter
of this solicitation. Proposals will be typewritten, reproduced on
letter sized paper and will be legible in all required copies. To
expedite the proposal evaluation, all documents required for responding
to the RFP should be placed in the following order:

I. [TECHNICAL PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Technical Proposal Instructions
for recommended format (L.10). Please mark as original or copy.

II. [PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION]{.underline}: See Past Performance
    Information Instructions for format (L.11)

III. Number range CHAPTER[SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION
     PLAN:]{.underline} See Small Disadvantaged Business Plan
     Instructions for format (L.12)

IV. [BUSINESS PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Business Proposal Instructions
    for recommended format (L.13).

c\. [Separation of Technical, Past Performance Information, Small
Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan and Business
Proposal]{.underline}: The proposal shall be in 4 parts:

> \(1\) Technical Proposal; (2) Past Performance Information; (3) Small
> Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan and (4) Business Proposal
> (including the Small Business Subcontracting Plan). Each of the parts
> shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may
> be accomplished independently of, and concurrently with, evaluation of
> the other. [The technical proposal shall not contain reference to
> cost]{.underline}; however resources information, such as data
> concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc.,
> shall be contained in the technical proposal so that your
> understanding of the Statement of Work (SOW) may be evaluated. It must
> disclose your technical approach in as much detail as possible,
> including, but not limited to, the requirements of the technical
> proposal instructions.

d\. [Evaluation of Proposals]{.underline}: The Government will evaluate
technical proposals in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section
M, [Evaluation/Award Criteria]{.underline}.

e\. [Rejection of Proposals]{.underline}: The Government reserves the
right to reject any or all proposals received. It is understood that
your proposal will become part of the official contract file.

f\. [Unnecessarily Elaborate Proposals]{.underline}: Unnecessarily
elaborate brochures or other presentations beyond those sufficient to
present a complete and effective proposal are not desired and may be
construed as an indication of the offeror\'s lack of cost consciousness.
Elaborate art work, expensive visual and other presentation aids are
neither necessary nor wanted.

g\. [Privacy Act]{.underline}: The Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law
(P.L.) 93-579) requires that a Federal agency advise each individual
whom it asks to supply information: 1) the authority which authorized
the solicitation; 2) whether disclosure is voluntary or mandatory; (3)
the principal purpose or purposes for which the information is intended
to be used; (4) the uses outside the agency which may be made of the
information; and 4) the effects on the individual, if any, of not
providing all or any part of the requested information.

Therefore:

> \(1\) The Government is requesting the information called for in this
> RFP pursuant to the authority provided by Section 301(g) of the Public
> Health Service Act, as amended, and P.L. 92-218, as amended.

\(2\) Provisions of the information requested are entirely voluntary.

\(3\) The collection of this information is for the purpose of
conducting an accurate, fair, and adequate review prior to a discussion
as to whether to award a contract.

\(4\) Failure to provide any or all of the requested information may
result in a less than adequate review.

\(5\) The information provided by you may be routinely disclosed for the
following purposes:

> -to the cognizant audit agency and the General Accounting Officer for
> auditing;

-to the Department of Justice as required for litigation;

-to respond to Congressional inquiries; and

-to qualified experts, not within the definition of Department employees
for opinions as a part of the review process.

In addition, the Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579, Section 7) requires
that the following information be provided when individuals are
requested to disclose their social security number.

> Provision of the social security number is voluntary. Social security
> numbers are requested for the purpose of accurate and efficient
> identification, referral, review and management of AHRQ contracting
> programs. Authority for requesting this information is provided by
> Section 305 and Title IV of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

h\. The RFP does not commit the Government to pay any cost for the
preparation and submission of a proposal. It is also brought to your
attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can
legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in
connection with this or any acquisition action.

> The Government reserves the right to award a contract without
> discussions if the Contracting Officer determines that the initial
> prices are fair and reasonable and that discussions are not necessary.

**L.10 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS**

> The technical proposal shall contain an original and twelve (12)
> copies. The technical proposal described below shall be limited to
> **125 pages** not including resumes or bibliographies, with no less
> than a 11 point pitch, with the majority of the text double-spaced
> (lists of deliverables, person loading charts, and similar materials
> need not be double-spaced, so long as they are legible). Resumes or
> CVs are only required for key personnel. Brief biographic sketches of
> other personnel may be provided. Lengthy proposals and voluminous
> appendices are neither needed nor desired as they are difficult to
> read and evaluate and may indicate the offeror's inability to
> concisely state their proposal.

a\. [Recommended Technical Proposal Format]{.underline}

> The offeror's proposal should present sufficient information to
> reflect a thorough understanding of the work requirements and a
> detailed plan for achieving the objectives of the scope of work.
> Technical proposals shall not merely paraphrase the requirements of
> the Agency's scope of work or parts thereof, or use of phrases such as
> "will comply" or "standard techniques will be employed." The technical
> proposal must include a detailed description of the techniques and
> procedures to be used in achieving the proposed end results in
> compliance with the requirements of the Agency's scope of work.

\(1\) [Cover Page]{.underline}: The name of the proposing organization,
author(s) of the technical proposal, the RFP number and the title of the
RFP should appear on the cover. One (1) manually signed original copy of
the proposal and the number of copies specified in the RFP cover letter
are required.

\(2\) [Table of Contents]{.underline}: Provide sufficient detail so that
all important elements of the proposal can be located readily.

\(3\) [Introduction]{.underline}: This should be a one or two page
summary outlining the proposed work, your interest in submitting a
proposal, and the importance of this effort in relation to your overall
operation.

> \(4\) [Technical Discussion]{.underline}: The offeror shall prepare a
> technical discussion which addresses evaluation criteria A, B, C, D,
> E, F and G below. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

A. Understanding the Purpose and Objectives of the DEcIDE Network

B. Technical Approach

C. Management Plan

D. Oganizational Experience

E. Key Personnel

F Facilities and Database Characteristics

G. Past Performance (See Section L.11)

> **[Technical proposals submitted in response to this RFP shall address
> each of the items described below, and shall be organized in the same
> manner and within the page limitations specified. Proposals shall be
> prepared in double-spaced format, with numbered pages.]{.underline}**

**(A) [Understanding the Purpose and Objectives of the DEcIDE Research
Network]{.underline}**

> 1\. Briefly, but in sufficient detail to give an appropriate response
> to this evaluation criterion, the offeror shall provide a brief
> statement of the issue(s) which underscore the concept of and need for
> this task order contract to create the DEcIDE research network. The
> offeror shall describe the mission and objectives of the DEcIDE
> network, including how the network will fulfill the Medicare
> Modernization Act, Section 1013 mandates to conduct comparative
> effectiveness research and health outcomes studies.
>
> 2\. Additionally, the offeror shall demonstrate a general, but
> thorough, understanding of the objectives, organization, and operation
> of AHRQ including key programs such as the Evidence-based Practice
> Centers (EPC\'s), the Centers for Education and Research on
> Therapeutics (CERTs), and the Agency\'s portfolio of pharmaceutical
> outcomes research.
>
> 3\. Furthermore, the offeror shall show experience and understanding
> of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs, including demonstrating
> an understanding of the new Part D benefit and its potential effects
> on the healthcare of Medicare enrollees.

**(B) [Technical Approach]{.underline}**

Offeror shall submit a narrative that clearly addresses how he or she
plans to develop, design, and implement the statement of work. Within
the content of the narrative, the offeror shall address technical issues
related to conducting comparative effectiveness and health outcomes
research. Technical issues to address include:

> 1\. Design and implementation of rapid turnaround clinical and
> epidemiologic studies, particularly studies of the comparative
> effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and other therapies.
>
> 2\. Study design, internal and external validity, and statistical
> analyses, especially with longitudinal data.
>
> 3\. Data management, validation, and quality assurance.

**(C) [Management Plan]{.underline}**

Offeror shall demonstrate his/her ability to achieve the delivery of
performance requirements through the proposed use of corporate
management and other personnel resources as well as demonstrate that the
offeror\'s organizational structure and capabilities will meet the
project\'s milestones in a timely and expeditious manner.

> 1\. Offerors shall show understanding of the requirements in the
> Statement of Work from a managerial perspective. In doing so, offerors
> shall describe the overall plan for organizing, staffing, and managing
> the tasks required by this task order contract. The plan shall
> indicate how organizational roles and responsibilities will be
> divided, decisions made, work monitored, and quality and timeliness of
> products assured. It is suggested that flow diagrams be included to
> explain how tasks will be managed. In addition, submission of
> organizational diagram(s) are recommended. The narrative should at a
> minimum address the following topics:
>
> a\) labor skill mix determination (why you chose the skill mix for
> this project);
>
> b\) personnel selection and assignment (why you chose an individual
> person for an individual job);
>
> c\) the percentage of full time core personnel;
>
> d\) managerial problems offeror expects to encounter and methods you
> propose to solve these problems;
>
> f\) project management tools (including software); and
>
> g\) the ability and flexibility to respond rapidly to changes in
> budget, priorities, and schedule.
>
> 2\. The offeror shall explain how this management plan demonstrates
> offeror's capability to start projects quickly, ensure that qualified
> personnel are available for individual task orders, conduct more than
> one task order concurrently, complete complex tasks within narrow time
> frames, and assure quality of the products.
>
> 3\. The offeror shall describe in detail planned subcontracting and
> consulting relationships, and other special organizational
> relationships. In addition, Letters of Intent from proposed
> consultants should be provided. If the offeror proposes to use
> consultants or subcontractors to carry out work under this task order
> contract, the management plan shall specify how the contractor,
> consultants, and/or subcontractors will work together, how tasks will
> be divided, how decisions will be made and communicated, how
> activities will be coordinated, and how the relationships will be
> managed to assure quality, timeliness, and productivity.

**(D) [Organizational Experience]{.underline}**

> 1\. The offeror must have demonstrated experience as an organization
> in successfully conducting and managing large scale and complex
> research, evaluation, and/or development projects in the health care
> field. It is essential that the offeror demonstrate the capability to
> organize and manage resources and personnel effectively, and to
> successfully undertake and complete highly technical and, potentially,
> controversial projects within stipulated performance periods.
>
> 2\. The offeror shall describe its relevant organizational
> qualifications and experience, especially those that relate to review
> and analysis of prescription drug and therapeutic data, conducting
> therapeutic effectiveness or health outcomes research, including
> conducting epidemiology studies, analysis of secondary databases,
> creating disease registries, building clinical repositories,
> conducting decision analyses, and cost or cost-effectiveness analyses,
> and writing and editing technical or scientific reports.
>
> 3\. Offeror's descriptions shall delineate how these organizational
> experiences and processes are relevant to fulfilling the requirements
> of this proposed contract. In addition, the offeror shall submit, if
> available, two (2) examples of similar work that it has performed in
> the past five (5) years.
>
> 4\. Offer shall demonstrate extent and relevance of prior experience
> in successfully working with clinical organizations, such as
> professional societies, hospitals, health plans, payors, etc., in
> producing products which are responsive to user needs.

**(E) [Key Personnel]{.underline}**

The Technical Proposal shall include a Staffing Plan for the conduct of
the Statement of Work, including role descriptions and level of effort
of key scientific, technical and administrative personnel and, plans for
back-up scientific, technical and administrative staffing.

The offeror is expected to be specific in describing the proposed staff.
Highly qualified staff are considered critical to the successful
completion of short-term and long-term, high priority projects
envisioned under this task order contract. The offeror shall submit
resumes or CV's for personnel who may be utilized during this contract
period. Identified individuals should be readily available for
assignment to requirements which may arise.

Proposed staff, including consultants and subcontractors, shall reflect
diverse experience and skills. In addition to clinical training and
experience, relevant areas of staff expertise include, among others,
epidemiology, biostatistics, pharmaceutical research, social sciences,
behavioral research, decision analysis, cost and cost-effectiveness
analysis, economic analysis, health services research, health policy
analysis, organization and financing analysis, technical or scientific
writing and editing, and systematic searches of literature and other
data resources.

> 1\. Key Scientific and Technical Personnel: Describe the experience
> and qualifications, as well as the percentage of the total time each
> will be committed to the project. Identify the composition of the task
> or work group, its general qualifications and recent experience with
> similar efforts. As a minimum, this effort will require different
> staff/areas of expertise at different times over the course of the
> contract.
>
> The offeror's proposed Director shall be identified. This individual
> shall possess strong corporate level management experience. The
> Director is responsible for the overall management of this task order
> contract, including coordination and cooperation with Federal
> Government staff and policy officials, direction and oversight of all
> studies awarded under the task order contract, and assuring quality
> and timeliness of work performed. Please provide documentation to
> describe:
>
> a\. Key Scientific and Technical Personnel (limit CVs to 2-3 pages for
> non-scientific personnel) including doctoral level statistical
> analysts and epidemiologists, and one or more competent scientific
> writers, and data programmers;
>
> b\. Qualifications and relevant training as supported by academic
> degree(s) and demonstration of previous experience doing similar
> complex projects;
>
> c\. References to all publications;
>
> d\. Availability for the proposed project.
>
> e\. Summary of related activities.
>
> 2\. Other Personnel: Offerors should discuss the related experience
> and the role of other personnel as well as the ability to access and
> secure ad hoc clinical and scientific expertise as needed to address
> new scientific agendas in upcoming years. Other personnel may include
> non-key scientific, technical, and administrative personnel.
>
> The offeror shall identify proposed Project Managers. Project Managers
> are responsible for the day-to-day management of individual task
> orders. These individuals must be highly qualified, with significant
> leadership and communication skills, and demonstrated experience and
> competence in managing complex projects with similar or differing
> requirements. In most cases it is expected that Project Managers will
> have training and experience in critical evaluation of biomedical,
> social sciences, behavioral, and/or health services research (e.g.,
> epidemiology, biostatistics). In addition, it is highly desirable that
> the Project Manager have at least some general clinical training and
> experience.
>
> 3\. Offerors shall describe their access to general and specialized
> clinical, behavioral, social sciences, economic and management
> expertise. Contractors are not required to have all types of expertise
> available on a full-time basis with the DEcIDE\'s centers. To ensure
> adequate management of tasks required under typic task order, however,
> contractors should demonstrate that there will be personnel with
> general clinical training and experience, with basic knowledge of
> biostatistics and epidemiology, pharmaceutical research, and with
> scientific writing and editing expertise, available within the
> DEcIDE\'s centers and who will be involved in each task order.
>
> 4\. In concurrence with the narrative, provide an organizational chart
> for the staffing plan.
>
> Offerors shall provide appropriate staff for work on task orders,
> including personnel in the following labor classes:

**Class I**

> Senior management personnel, holding an advanced clinical, technical
> or professional degree, at the M.D., Ph.D., or Masters level, with a
> minimum of 10 years experience in analyzing biomedical, social
> sciences, behavioral, medical effectiveness, epidemiological or
> outcomes data, or similar scientific literature, research findings and
> data, preferably with significant experience related to development of
> clinical practice guidelines, medical review criteria, quality
> measures or indicators, or patient safety and other performance
> measures; biomedical or social sciences literature reviews and
> syntheses; meta-analysis; cost-effectiveness analysis; and/or
> experience in working with professional societies and healthcare
> delivery systems, such as hospitals and health plans. Class I
> personnel shall also have corporate level management experience that
> reflects an ability to command organizational resources and direct
> staff within the broader organization.

**Class II**

> Associate management or clinical/professional/technical personnel,
> holding as advanced degree, at the M.D., Ph.D., or Master level, with
> a minimum of 5 years experience in analyzing biomedical, social
> sciences, medical effectiveness, epidemiological data, or similar
> scientific literature, research findings and data.

**Class III**

> Intermediate clinical/technical personnel, holding a BS or BA degree
> and at least 3 years experience in technical activities of which 2
> years experience are directly related to analysis of biomedical,
> social sciences, and related scientific literature and other data. The
> individual is capable of carrying out independent assignments with
> minimum supervision or acting as leader of small projects. Class III
> personnel includes specialists in science writing and editing, as well
> as computer programming.

**Class IV**

> Data support, literature search and retrieval, report drafting, etc.
> at a research assistant level.

**(F) [Existing Facilities and Database Characteristics]{.underline}**

> The Technical Proposal shall document availability and adequacy of
> facilities, equipment, space and other resources necessary to carry
> out the Statement of Work, including:
>
> 1\. Proposals will be evaluated on the availability of adequate
> databases and data characteristics, including.
>
> a\. Population size/characteristics
>
> b\. Data availability, completeness, and generalizability,
>
> 2\. Proposals will be evaluated on the availability of adequate
> facilities, space, and equipment.

**L.11 PAST PERFORMANCE** **INFORMATION**

> Offerors shall submit the following information (original and 5
> copies) as part of their proposal for both the offeror and proposed
> major subcontractors:

\(1\) A list of the last five (5) contracts and subcontracts completed
during the past three years and all contracts and subcontracts currently
in process. Contracts listed may include those entered into by the
Federal Government, agencies of State and local governments and
commercial customers. Offerors that are newly formed entities without
prior contracts should list contracts and subcontracts as required for
all key personnel. Include the following information for each contract
and subcontract:

> a: Name of contracting activity
>
> b: Contract number
>
> c: Contract type
>
> d: Total contract value
>
> e: Contract work
>
> f: Contracting Officer and telephone number
>
> g: Program Manager and telephone number
>
> h: Administrative Contracting Officer, if different from item f, and
> telephone number
>
> i: List of major subcontracts

\(2\) The offeror may provide information on problems encountered on the
contracts and subcontracts identified in (1) above and corrective
actions taken to resolve those problems. Offerors should not provide
general information on their performance on the identified contracts.
General performance information will be obtained from the references.

\(3\) The offeror may describe any quality awards or certifications that
may indicate the offeror possesses a high-quality process for developing
and producing the product or service required. Identify what segment of
the company (one division or the entire company) that received the award
or certification. Describe when the award or certification was bestowed.
If the award or certification is over three years old, present evidence
that the qualifications still apply.

\(4\) Each offeror will be evaluated on his/her performance under
existing and prior contracts for similar products or services.
Performance information will be used for both responsibility
determinations and as an evaluation factor against which offeror's
relative rankings will be compared to assure best value to the
Government. The Government will focus on information that demonstrates
quality of performance relative to the size and complexity of the
procurement under consideration. References other than those identified
by the offeror may be contacted by the Government with the information
received used in the evaluation of the offeror's past performance.

> The attached Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance
> Form (Attachment 1) shall be completed by those contracting
> organizations listed in (1) above. The evaluation forms shall be
> completed and forwarded directly to the following:
>
> Jessica Alderton
>
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
>
> Division of Contracts Management
>
> 540 Gaither Road
>
> Rockville, Maryland 20850
>
> FAX: 301-427-1740

Number range CHAPTEREvaluation forms must be received by **[July 21,
2005]{.underline}** in order to be included in the review process. It is
the responsibility of the offeror to ensure that these documents are
forwarded to the Contracting Officer.

**L.12 SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION PLAN**

In accordance with FAR Part 15.304(c)4, the extent of participation of
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) concerns in performance of the
contract shall be evaluated in unrestricted acquisitions expected to
exceed a total estimated cost of \$500,000 (\$1,000,000 for
construction) subject to certain limitations (see FAR 19.201 and
19.1202).

A. All offerors, regardless of size, shall submit the following
information **in an original and 2 copies**.

A plan on the extent of participation of Small Disadvantaged Business
concerns in performance of the contract. Participation in performance of
the contract includes the work expected to be performed by SDB
concern(s). This can include SDB (as prime contractor), joint ventures,
teaming arrangements, and subcontracts. Include the following
information in SDB participation plans:

1\. The extent of an offeror's commitment to use SDB concerns.
Commitment should be as specific as possible, i.e., are subcontract
arrangements already in place, letters of commitment, etc. Enforceable
commitments will be weighted more heavily than non-enforceable ones.

2\. Specifically identify the SDB concerns with point of contact and
phone number.

3\. The complexity and variety of the work SDB concerns are to perform.

4\. Realism for the use of SDB in the proposal.

5\. Past performance of the Offeror in complying with subcontracting
plans for SDB concerns.

6\. Targets expressed as dollars and percentage of total contract value
for each participating SDB; which will be incorporated into and become
part of any resulting contract.

7\. The extent of participation of SDB concerns in terms of the total
acquisition.

B. SDB participation information will be used for both responsibility
determinations and as an evaluation factor against which offeror's
relative rankings will be compared to assure the best value to the
Government. The Government will focus on information that demonstrates
realistic commitments to use SDB concerns relative to the size and
complexity of the acquisition under consideration. The Government is not
required to contact all references provided by the offeror. Also,
references other than those identified by the offeror may be contacted
by the Government to obtain additional information that will be used in
the evaluation of the offeror's commitment to SDB participation.

**L.13 BUSINESS PROPOSAL**

> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal." The
> Business Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small
> Business Subcontracting Plan, and Other Administrative Data in
> accordance with the following:
>
> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal." The
> Business Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small
> Business Subcontracting Plan and Other Administrative Data in
> accordance with the following:

A. [Cost/Price Proposal]{.underline}

Number range CHAPTERA. Cost/Price Proposal

> A cost proposal, in the amount of an original and five (5) copies,
> shall be provided only to the extent that it shall include:

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature (Class Levels I through IV , see
Sections B.3 and L.10).

2\. Certified documentation indicating that the offeror has a cost
accounting system in place which allows for the collection, tracking and
reporting of all costs under a cost reimbursement-type contract.

3\. Certified documentation that the offeror has a current indirect cost
rate agreement in place with a federal agency or that is in the process
of obtaining or revising such an agreement. A copy of the indirect cost
rate agreement or the proposed rate agreement shall be provided.

B. [Small Business Subcontracting Plan:]{.underline} All offerors except
small businesses are required to submit a subcontracting plan in
accordance with the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, FAR 52.219-9,
incorporated in this solicitation. A copy of the AHRQ model
subcontracting plan is provided as an attachment to this solicitation.
If the model plan is not used, all elements outlined must be addressed
in the offeror's format. **If the offeror is not a small business and
fails to submit a subcontracting plan with the initial proposal, the
offeror will be considered nonresponsive and their proposal will be
returned without further consideration.**

> **[This provision does not apply to small business concerns. This
> provision does apply to all other offerors, including large business
> concerns, colleges, universities and non-profit
> organizations.]{.underline}**

The term "subcontract" means any agreement (other than one involving an
employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government
prime contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services
required for the performance of the original contract or subcontract.
This includes, but is not limited to, agreements/ purchase orders for
supplies and services such as equipment purchase, copying services, and
travel services.

The offeror understands that:

a\. No contract will be awarded unless and until an acceptable plan is
negotiated with the Contracting Officer. The plan will be incoroporated
in to the contract.

b\. An acceptable plan must, in the determination of the Contracting
officer, provide the maximum practicable opportunity for small business
concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially
and economically disadvantaged persons to participate in the performance
of the contract.

c\. If a subcontractin plan acceptable to the Contracting Officer is not
negotiated within the time limits prescribed by the contracting activity
and such failure arises out of causes within the contral and with the
fault or negligence of the offeror, the offeror shall be ineligible for
award. The Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor in writing of
the reasons for determining a subcontracting plan unacceptable early
enough in the negotiation process to allow the Contractor to modify the
plan within the time limits prescribed.

d\. Prior compliance of the offeror with other such subcontracting plans
under previous contracts will be considered by the Contracting Officer
in determining the responsibility of the offeror for award of the
contract.

e\. It is the offeror's responsibility to develop a satisfactory
subcontracting plan with respect to small business concerns and small
business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals, and women-owned small business concerns, and
that each such aspect of the offeror's plan will be judged independent
of the other.

f\. The offeror will submit, as required by the Contracting Officer,
subcontracting reports in accordance with the instructions thereon, and
as further directed by the Contracting Officer. Subcontractors will also
submit these reports to the Government Contracting Officer or as
otherwise directed, with a copy to the prime Contractor's designated
small and disadvantaged business liaison.

g\. For this particular acquisition, the AHRQ recommended goal (as a
percentage of total contract value for the base period) is **23% for
Small Businesses**, which shall included at least **5%** (as a
percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base period) for
**Small Disadvantaged Businesses**, at least **5%** (as a percentage of
total planned subcontract dollars total planned subcontract dollars for
the base period) for **Women-Owned Small Businesses**, and at least
**2%** (as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the
base period) for **HUBZone Small Businesses** and at least **3%** (as a
percentage of total planned subcontract dollars for the base period) for
**Veteran-Owned Small Businesses**. These goals represent AHRQ's
expectations of the minimum level for subcontracting with small business
at the prime contract level. Any goal stated less than the AHRQ
recommended goal shall be justified and is subject to negotiation.

C. Other Administrative Data

\(1\) [Terms and Conditions]{.underline}: The proposal shall stipulate
that it is predicated upon the terms and conditions of the RFP. In
addition, it shall contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for
a period of at least 120 days from the date of receipt thereof by the
Government.

> Minimum Bid Acceptance Period (April 1984)

\(a\) \"Acceptance period,\" as used in this provision, means the number
of calendar days available to the Government for awarding a contract
from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of bids.

\(b\) This provision supersedes any language pertaining to the
acceptance period that may appear elsewhere in this solicitation.

\(c\) The Government requires a minimum acceptance period of 120 days.

\(d\) A bid allowing less than the Government\'s minimum acceptance
period may be rejected.

\(e\) The bidder agrees to execute all that it has undertaken to do, in
compliance with its bid, if that bid is accepted in writing within (i)
the acceptance period stated in paragraph (3) above, or (ii) any longer
acceptance period stated in paragraph (4) above.

\(2\) [Authority to Conduct Negotiations]{.underline}: The proposal
shall list the names and telephone numbers of persons authorized to
conduct negotiations and to execute contracts.

> \(3\) [Property]{.underline}:

\(a\) It is HHS policy that contractors will provide all equipment and
facilities necessary for performance of contracts. Exception may be
granted to furnish Government-owned property, or to authorize purchase
with contract funds, only when approved by the contracting officer. If
additional equipment must be acquired, you shall include the
description, estimated cost of each item and whether you will furnish
such items with your own funds.

\(b\) You shall identify Government-owned property in your possession
and/or property acquired from Federal funds to which you have title,
that is proposed to be used in the performance of the prospective
contract.

\(c\) The management and control of any Government property shall be in
accordance with HHS Publication (OS) 74-115 entitled,
[Contractor\'s]{.underline}

> [Guide for Control of Government Property]{.underline}\" 1990, a copy
> of which will be provided upon request.

\(4\) [Royalties]{.underline}: You shall furnish information concerning
royalties which are

> anticipated to be paid in connection with the performance of work
> under the proposed contract.

\(5\) [Commitments]{.underline}: You shall list other commitments with
the Government relating to the specified work or services and indicate
whether these commitments will or will not interfere with the completion
of work and/or services contemplated under this proposal.

\(6\) [Financial Capacity]{.underline}: You shall provide sufficient
data to indicate that you have the necessary financial capacity, working
capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance
from any outside source. If not, indicate the amount required and the
anticipated source. (Financial data such as balance sheets, profit and
loss statements, cash forecasts, and financial histories of your
organization\'s affiliated concerns should be utilized.)

\(7\) [Performance Capability]{.underline}: You shall provide acceptable
evidence of your \"ability to obtain\" equipment, facilities, and
personnel necessary to perform the requirements of this project. If
these are not represented in your current operations, they should
normally be supported by commitment or explicit arrangement, which is in
existence at the time the contract is to be awarded, for the rental,
purchase, or other acquisition of such resources, equipment, facilities,
or personnel. In addition, you shall indicate your ability to comply
with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule taking
into consideration all existing business commitments, commercial as well
as Government.

\(8\) [Representations and Certifications]{.underline}: Section K,
\"Representations and Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors\"
shall be completed and signed by an official authorized to bind your
organization. **This section shall be made a part of the original
business proposal**

**L.14 SELECTION OF OFFERORS**

a\. The acceptability of the technical portion of each contract proposal
will be evaluated by the technical review committee. The committee will
evaluate each proposal in strict conformity with the evaluation criteria
of the RFP, utilizing point scores and written critiques. The committee
may suggest that the Contracting Officer request clarifying information
from an offeror.

b\. The business portion of each contract proposal will be subjected to
a limited cost review, management analysis, etc.

c\. Number range CHAPTERPast performance, Small Business Subcontracting
Plan and the Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan of the
technically acceptable offerors will be evaluated by AHRQ staff. A
competitive range will be determined. Oral or written discussions will
be conducted with all offerors in the competitive range, if necessary.
All aspects of the proposals are subject to discussions, including cost,
technical approach, past performance, Small Disadvantaged Business
Participation Plan and contractual terms and conditions. Final Proposal
Revisions will be requested with the reservation of the right to conduct
limited negotiations after submission of the Final Proposal Revisions.

d\. A final best-buy analysis will be performed taking into
consideration the results of the technical evaluation, cost analysis,
past performance, and ability to complete the work within the
Government's required schedule. The Government reserves the right to
make an award to the best advantage of the Government, technical merit,
cost, past performance, and other factors considered.

e\. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple
awards, or no award at all to the RFP.

Number range CHAPTER**L.15 PROPOSAL INTENT**

It is requested that if an offeror intends to submit a proposal to this
solicitation that the attached Proposal Intent Form (Attachment 3) be
completed and returned to the address indicated by July 7, 2005. The
submission of the intent form is not binding on an offeror to submit a
proposal, nor does the failure to submit the form prohibit an offeror
from submitting a proposal. The purpose is to provide us with an
estimated number of proposals to assist us in our planning and logistics
for proposal reviews. We have added a request to include your contact
information to a bidders list. The bidders list will be provided to
interested offerors for subcontracting opportunities. In order for AHRQ
to include your contact information on the bidders list, you must return
the Proposal Intent Form and check the box that grants permission to add
your name no later than the date listed above.

**[SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD]{.underline}**

**[TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA]{.underline}**

Number range CHAPTERSelection of an offeror for contract award will be
based on an evaluation of proposals against four factors and award will
be made to that responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous
to the Government. The four factors are: scientific technical merit,
cost, past performance, and the Small Disadvantaged Business
Participation Plan. The scientific technical merit of the proposals will
receive paramount consideration in the selection of the Contractor(s)
for this acquisition. Offerors that submit technically acceptable
proposals will then be evaluated for past performance and for their
Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan. Following these
evaluations a competitive range will be determined.

All evaluation factors, other than cost or price, when combined are
significantly more important than cost or price. However, cost/price may
become a critical factor in source selection in the event that two or
more offerors are determined to be essentially equal following the
evaluation of all factors other than cost or price. In any event, the
Government reserves the right to make an award to that offeror whose
proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. The
Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards,
or no award at all.

**THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO**

**MAKE AN AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSION**

All proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the governing
regulations and AHRQ policies and procedures. The technical proposal,
past performance information and Small Disadvantaged Business
Participation Plan will be evaluated in terms of the offeror's responses
to each of the evaluation factors. Each proposal will be evaluated on
the likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements. The evaluation
will be based on the technical and administrative capabilities in
relation to the needs of the program, anticipated tasks, and the
reasonableness of costs shown in relation to the work to be performed.
The Government reserves the right to make an award to the best advantage
of the Government.

The evaluation factors and assigned weights which will be used in the
overall review of the offeror's proposal are outlined below. The
technical proposal shall consist of the responses to evaluation criteria
A through F (including subcriteria). The offeror should show that the
objectives stated in the proposal are understood and offer a logical
program for their achievement. The following criteria will be used to
evaluate proposals and will be weighted as indicated in establishing a
numerical rating for all proposals submitted. Factors facilitating the
evaluation of each criteria below are referenced in the corresponding
criteria found in Section L of this solicitation:

> **[Evaluation Criteria]{.underline} [Weight]{.underline}**

A. [Understanding the Purpose and Objectives of the DEcIDE
Program]{.underline} [10 points]{.underline}

> The proposal shall be evaluated on the completeness of the proposal
> and the offeror\'s demonstrated understanding of the problems of the
> contract in its response to the objectives and tasks and solution
> approach thereto.
>
> 1\. Understanding of the mission and objectives of the DEcIDE network,
> including how the network will implement Section 1013 of the Medicare
> Modernization Act to conduct comparative effectiveness research and
> health outcomes studies.
>
> 2\. Understanding of the mission and objectives of AHRQ and its key
> programs such as the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC\'s) and the
> Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs).
>
> 3\. Experience and understanding of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP
> programs, including a demonstrated understanding of the new Part D
> benefit sponsored by Medicare.

B. [Technical Approach]{.underline} [15 points]{.underline}

> Demonstrated understanding of the scope and objectives of the contract
> as evidenced by the soundness and practicality of the technical
> approach.

Executing the requirements specified in the Statement of Work, with
adequate explanation, substantiation and justification for the proposed
methods for meeting the projected needs, including:

> 1\. Designing and implementing rapid turnaround clinical and
> epidemiologic studies, particularly for comparative effectiveness
> studies of pharmaceuticals and other therapies.
>
> 2\. Statistical design and analysis, including the capacity to develop
> and rapidly apply innovative epidemiologic and statistical methods in
> longitudinal data analyses that are internally and externally valid.
>
> 3\. Establishing and administering reliable, efficient and responsive
> data management, validation, and quality assurance systems.

C. [Management Plan]{.underline} [10 points]{.underline}

Demonstrated ability to achieve the delivery of performance requirements
through the proposed use of appropriate management techniques and the
ability to complete projects within a timely period shall be evaluated.

> 1\. Demonstrated effective procedures for managing multiple tasks,
> including: ensuring availability of qualified personnel; plans for
> organizing, managing, and coordinating the respective roles and
> responsibilities of personnel; quality control processes; procedures
> to assure timely start-up and completion of work; plans for
> identifying and procuring appropriate senior subcontracting and
> consultant personnel with experience and expertise required for
> individual tasks; and plans to involve, where appropriate, qualified
> personnel from postgraduate training programs, to acquire experience
> in conducting research by participation in work envisioned under this
> RFP.
>
> 2\. Demonstrated appropriate and efficient use of staff and other
> resources to accomplish required tasks, including clarity and
> appropriateness of lines of communication and authority for
> coordination and management of the project.
>
> 3\. Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple simultaneous studies
> of varying complexities and availability of varied scientific
> resources to ensure timely completion of projects.

D. [Organizational Experience]{.underline} [20 points]{.underline}

> 1\. Extent and relevance of prior experience in conducting therapeutic
> effectiveness or health outcomes research, including conducting
> epidemiology studies, analysis of secondary databases, creating
> disease registries, building clinical repositories, conducting
> decision analyses, and cost or cost-effectiveness analyses, and
> writing and editing technical or scientific reports.
>
> 2\. Extent and relevance of prior experience in conducting comparative
> effectiveness and health outcomes research, particularly studies of
> prescription drugs and other therapies.
>
> 3\. Extent and relevance of prior experience in successfully
> completing projects of a similar nature and scale as those envisioned
> under this RFP, within the required time and budgetary constraints.
>
> 4\. Extent and relevance of prior experience in successfully working
> with patients and clinical organizations, such as professional
> societies, pharmacies, hospitals, health plans, payors, etc., in
> producing products which are responsive to user needs.

E. [Key Personnel]{.underline} [20 points]{.underline}

The background, skills, professional experience and education of key
personnel shall be evaluated. Proposals will be evaluated on the degree
to which the offeror is able to provide personnel possessing the
qualifications listed on pages 65-67 of Section L.

> 1\. Demonstrated availability of scientific staff with breadth and
> depth of methodological, technical, and clinical expertise required to
> support the work of the DEcIDE program as described in the RFP.
>
> 2\. Principal Investigator/Co-Investigators including:
>
> a\. Documented availability, training, qualifications, expertise,
> relevant experience, education, and leadership/management skills of
> the Principal Investigator and the co-investigators to successfully
> plan and manage the contract;
>
> b\. Expertise in the design of health outcomes or epidemiologic
> studies involving prescription medications and other therapies;
>
> c\. Expertise in the implementation of research; and
>
> d\. Managerial ability to achieve delivery or performance
> requirements, drawing upon the resources of the primary contractor,
> and subcontractors/consultants as necessary.
>
> 3\. Other Personnel
>
> a\. Documented availability, training, qualifications, expertise,
> relevant experience, education and competence of the scientific,
> clinical, technical and administrative staff and any other proposed
> personnel \[including proposed subcontractors and consultants\], to
> perform the requirements of the Statement of Work; and
>
> b\. Expertise in the successful development and implementation of
> computerized databases and data management systems.

F. [Facilities and Database Characteristics]{.underline} [25
points]{.underline}

> 1\. Proposals will be evaluated on the availability of adequate
> databases and data characteristics, including.
>
> a\. *Population size/characteristics/representativeness* such as the
> number of individual participants or covered lives; geographic
> diversity of participants; demographic distribution of participants;
> representation of special populations of interest to the AHRQ,
> including children and the elderly; turnover rate for participation in
> health plans, if applicable; description of coverage or inclusion
> policies of pharmaceutical products under health care plans providing
> data, if applicable; and enrollment data, if applicable.
>
> b\. *Data availability and completeness* such as the total number of
> years of data available; the amount of analytic data available online
> or rapidly accessible; and the lag time between date of service and
> online availability.
>
> 2\. Proposals will be evaluated on the availability of adequate
> facilities, space, and equipment (personal computers, laptop
> computers, word-processing, telecommunications and conferencing
> capabilities) for accomplishing the project goals and objectives. In
> addition to computer hardware, the contractor must provide necessary
> computer software capability.

G. [Past Performance]{.underline} [20 points]{.underline}

> (TO BE RATED ONLY AFTER A DETERMINATION OF TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY OF
> THE OFFEROR'S PROPOSAL, BASED ON THE ABOVE TECHNICAL EVALUATION
> CRITERIA)
>
> The offeror's past performance will be evaluated after completion of
> the technical evaluation. Only those offerors determined to be
> technically acceptable will be evaluated. Each offeror will be
> evaluated on its performance under existing and prior contracts for
> similar products or services. Performance information will be used for
> both responsibility determinations and as an evaluation factor against
> which offeror's relative rankings will be compared.
>
> The Government reserves the right to evaluate relevant past
> performance information not specifically provided by the offeror.
>
> The Government will assess the relative risks associated with each
> offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror's
> likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as
> indicated by the offeror's record of past performance.
>
> If the offeror or the proposed employees for the offeror, do not have
> a past performance history relative to this acquisition, or past
> performance not relative to this acquisition, the offeror will not be
> evaluated favorably or unfavorably on this factor. A neutral rating
> will be determined.
>
> In evaluating past performance the Government, will consider the
> offeror's effectiveness in quality of products or services; timeliness
> of performance; cost control; business practices; customer
> satisfaction, and key personnel past performance.
>
> Number range CHAPTER[NOTICE: Past Performance questionnaires are to be
> provided to the contracting office NO LATER than the closing date and
> time of this solicitation. It is the offeror's responsibility to
> ensure that these documents are forwarded to the contracting
> office.]{.underline}

H. Number range CHAPTER[Small Disadvantaged Business Participation
Plan]{.underline}................................. [5
points]{.underline}

> The evaluation will be based on information obtained from the plan
> provided by the offeror, the realism of the proposal, other relevant
> information obtained from named SDB concerns, and any information
> supplied by the offeror concerning problems encountered in SDB
> participation.
>
> Evaluation of the SDB Participation Plan will be a subjective
> assessment based on a consideration of all relevant facts and
> circumstances. It will not be based on absolute standards of
> acceptable performance. The Government is seeking to determine whether
> the offeror has demonstrated a commitment to use SDB concerns for the
> work that it intends to perform as the prime contractor.
>
> The assessment of the offeror's SDB Participation Plan will be used as
> a means of evaluating the relative capability and commitment of the
> offeror and the other competitors. Thus, an offeror with an
> exceptional record of participation with SDB concerns may receive more
> points and a more favorable evaluation than another whose record is
> acceptable, even though both may have acceptable technical proposals.
>
> SDB participation will be scored with offerors receiving points from 0
> to 5, with 5 being the most favorable.

**TOTAL AVAILABLE POINTS [125]{.underline}**

**ATTACHMENT 1**

**PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE**

**PART ONE: INSTRUCTIONS**

The offeror listed below has submitted a proposal in response to the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Solicitation No.
AHRQ-05-0010, entitled "Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about
Effectiveness: The DEcIDE Network." Past performance is an important
part of the evaluation criteria for this acquisition, so input from
previous customers of the offeror is important. This office would
greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete this form. **This
information is to be provided to Jessica Alderton, the AHRQ Contracting
Officer and is NOT to be disclosed to the offeror either verbally or in
writing.** Please provide an honest assessment and return to AHRQ to the
address shown below, no later than **July 21, 2005**. If you have any
questions, please contact Ms. Jessica Alderton at (301) 427-1783.

Ms. Jessica Alderton

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

NAME OF
OFFEROR:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

ADDRESS:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**[Contractor Performance Form]{.underline}**

1\. Name of
Contractor:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

2\.
Address:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

3\. Contract/Grant Number:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

4\. Contract/Grant Value (Base Plus Options):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

5\. Contract/Grant Award Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

6\. Contract/Grant Completion Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

7\. Type of Contract/Grant: (Check all that apply) ( )FP ( )FPI (
)FP-EPA

( ) Award Fee ( ) CPFF-Completion ( ) CPFF-Term ( ) CPIF ( ) CPAF

( ) IO/IQ ( ) BOA ( ) Requirements ( ) Labor-Hour ( )T&M ( ) SBSA

( )8(a) ( )SBIR ( ) Sealed Bid( )Negotiated( )Competitive (
)Non-Competitive

8\. Description of Requirement:

**[CONTRACTOR'S PERFORMANCE RATING]{.underline}**

Ratings: Summarize contractor performance and circle in the column on
the right the number which corresponds to the performance rating for
each rating category. Please see reverse page for explanation of rating
scale.

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Quality of       | Comments                                      | 0 |
| Product or       |                                               |   |
| Service          |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Cost             | Comments                                      | 0 |
|                  |                                               |   |
| Control          |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Timeliness of    | Comments                                      | 0 |
|                  |                                               |   |
| Performance      |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Business         | Comments                                      | 0 |
| Relations        |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
|                  |                                               |   |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+

Customer Satisfaction - Is/was the Contractor committed to customer
satisfaction? Yes No ; Would

you use this Contractor again? Yes No

Reason:

**NAME OF EVALUATOR:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**TITLE OF EVALUATOR:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**SIGNATURE OF
EVALUATOR:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**DATE:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**MAILING ADDRESS:**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**PHONE
#:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Rating Guidelines:** Summarize contractor performance in each of the
rating areas. Assign each area a rating 0(Unsatisfactory), 1(Poor),
2(Fair), 3(Good), 4(Excellent) 5(Outstanding). Use the following
instructions as guidance in making these evaluations.

+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
|            | **Quality** | **Cost    | **         | **Business     |
|            |             | Control** | Timeliness | Relation**     |
|            |             |           | of**       |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             |           | **Per      |                |
|            |             |           | formance** |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
|            | -Compliance | -Within   | -Met       | -Effective     |
|            | with        | bud       | interim    | management     |
|            | contract    | get(over/ | milestones |                |
|            |             |           |            | -Businesslike  |
|            | r           | under     | -Reliable  | correspondence |
|            | equirements | target    |            |                |
|            |             | costs)    | -          | -Responsive to |
|            | -Accuracy   |           | Responsive | contract       |
|            | of reports  | -Current, | to         |                |
|            |             | accurate, | technical  | requirements   |
|            | -Technical  | and       |            |                |
|            | excellence  |           | direction  | -Prompt        |
|            |             | complete  |            | notification   |
|            |             | billings  | -Completed | of problems    |
|            |             |           | on time,   |                |
|            |             | -Rel      |            | -Reasonab      |
|            |             | ationship | including  | le/cooperative |
|            |             | of        | wrap-up    |                |
|            |             |           | and        | -Flexible      |
|            |             | n         |            |                |
|            |             | egotiated | contract   | -Pro-active    |
|            |             | costs to  | adm        |                |
|            |             |           |            | -Effective     |
|            |             | actual    | -No        | small/small    |
|            |             |           | liquidated |                |
|            |             | -Cost     | damages    | disadvantaged  |
|            |             | eff       |            | business sub-  |
|            |             | iciencies | assessed   |                |
|            |             |           |            | contracting    |
|            |             | -Change   |            | program        |
|            |             | orders    |            |                |
|            |             | issue     |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 0-unsa     | Nonc        | Ability   | Delays are | Response to    |
| tisfactory | onformances | to manage | je         | inquiries,     |
|            | are         | cost      | opardizing |                |
|            |             |           |            | tech           |
|            | j           | issues is | the        | nical/service/ |
|            | eopardizing | jeo       | a          | administrative |
|            | the         | pardizing | chievement |                |
|            |             |           | of         | issues is not  |
|            | achievement | pe        |            | effective      |
|            | of contract | rformance | contract   |                |
|            |             | of        | req        |                |
|            | re          | contract  | uirements, |                |
|            | quirements, |           |            |                |
|            | despite use | requ      | despite    |                |
|            |             | irements, | use of     |                |
|            | of Agency   | despite   | Agency's   |                |
|            | resources   |           |            |                |
|            |             | use of    | resources  |                |
|            |             | Agency    |            |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | resources |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 1-Poor     | Overall     | Ability   | Delays     | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | to manage | require    | inquiries,     |
|            |             | cost      | major      |                |
|            | requires    |           |            | tech           |
|            | major       | issues    | Agency     | nical/service/ |
|            | Agency      | requires  | resources  | administrative |
|            |             | major     | to         |                |
|            | resources   |           |            | issues is      |
|            | to ensure   | Agency    | ensure     | marginally     |
|            |             | resources | a          | effective      |
|            | achievement | to        | chievement |                |
|            | of contract |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | contract   |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 2-Fair     | Overall     | Ability   | Delays     | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | to manage | require    | inquiries,     |
|            |             | cost      | minor      |                |
|            | requires    |           |            | tech           |
|            | minor       | issues    | Agency     | nical/service/ |
|            | Agency      | requires  | resources  | administrative |
|            |             | minor     | to         |                |
|            | resources   |           |            | issues is      |
|            | to ensure   | Agency    | ensure     | somewhat       |
|            |             | resources | a          | effective      |
|            | achievement | to        | chievement |                |
|            | of contract |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | contract   |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 3-Good     | Overall     | M         | Delays do  | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | anagement | not impact | inquiries,     |
|            | does        | of cost   |            |                |
|            |             |           | a          | tech           |
|            | not impact  | issues    | chievement | nical/service/ |
|            | achievement | does not  | of         | administrative |
|            | of          | impact    | contract   |                |
|            |             |           |            | issues is      |
|            | contract    | ac        | re         | usually        |
|            | r           | hievement | quirements | effective      |
|            | equirements | of        |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 4          | There are   | There are | There are  | Response to    |
| -Excellent | no quality  | no cost   | no delays  | inquiries,     |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            | problems    | m         |            | tech           |
|            |             | anagement |            | nical/service/ |
|            |             | issues    |            | administrative |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             |           |            | issues is      |
|            |             |           |            | effective      |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+

5-Outstanding. The Contractor has demonstrated an outstanding
performance level that justifies adding a point to the score. It is
expected that this rating

will be used in those rare circumstances where Contractor performance
clearly exceeds the performance levels described as "Excellent."

**ATTACHMENT 2 0348-0046**

Complete this form to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C.
1352

(See reverse for public burden disclosure.)

+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| 1\. Type of Federal   | 2\. Status of Federal | 3\. Report Type:     |
| Action:               | Action:               |                      |
|                       |                       | > a\. initial filing |
| > a\. contract        | a\.                   | >                    |
| >                     | bid/offer/application | > b\. material       |
| > b\. grant           |                       | > change             |
| >                     | b\. Initial award     | >                    |
| > c\. cooperative     |                       | > For Material       |
| > agreement           | c\. post-award        | > Change Only:       |
| >                     |                       | >                    |
| > d\. loan            |                       | > year \_\_\_\_\_\_  |
| >                     |                       | > quarter            |
| > e\. loan guarantee  |                       | > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_     |
| >                     |                       | >                    |
| > f\. loan insurance  |                       | > date of last       |
|                       |                       | > re                 |
|                       |                       | port\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 4\. Name and Address of          | 5\. If Reporting Entity in No. 4  |
| Reporting Entity:                | is Subawardee, Enter Name and     |
|                                  | Address of Prime                  |
| G Prime G Subawardee             |                                   |
|                                  | Congressional District, if known: |
| Tier\_\_\_\_\_, if known:        |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| Congressional District, if       |                                   |
| known:                           |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 6\. Federal Department/Agency:   | 7\. Federal Program               |
|                                  | Name/Description                  |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | CFDA Number, if applicable:       |
|                                  | \_\                               |
|                                  | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 8\. Federal Action Number, if    | 9\. Award Amount, if known:       |
| known:                           |                                   |
|                                  | \$                                |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 10\. a. Name and Address of      | b\. Individual Performing         |
| Lobbying Entity                  | Services (including address if    |
|                                  | different from No. 10a)           |
| (if individual, last name, first |                                   |
| name, MI):                       | (last name, first name, MI)       |
|                                  |                                   |
| (attach Continuation Sheet(s)    | SF-LLL-A, if necessary)           |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 11\. Amount of Payment (check    | 13\. Type of Payment (check all   |
| all that apply):                 | that apply):                      |
|                                  |                                   |
| \$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ G actual  | G a. retainer                     |
| G planned                        |                                   |
|                                  | G b. one-time fee                 |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G c. commission                   |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G d. contingent fee               |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G e. deferred                     |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G f. other; specify:              |
|                                  | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\         |
|                                  | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 12\. Form of Payment (check all  |                                   |
| that apply):                     |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| G a. cash                        |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| G b. in-kind; specify:           |                                   |
| nature\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| v                                |                                   |
| alue\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+
| 14\. Brief Description of    |      |                                |
| Services Performed or to be  |      |                                |
| Performed and Date(s) of     |      |                                |
| Service, including           |      |                                |
| officer(s), employee(s), or  |      |                                |
| Member(s) contacted, for     |      |                                |
| payment indicated in Item    |      |                                |
| 11:                          |      |                                |
|                              |      |                                |
| (attach Continuation         |      |                                |
| Sheet(s) SF-LLL-A, if        |      |                                |
| necessary)                   |      |                                |
+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+
| 15\. Continuation Sheet(s)   | Yes  | No                             |
| SF-LLL-A attached:           |      |                                |
+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+
| 16\. Information requested through this | Signature:\_\_\_\_\_       |
| form is authorized by title 31 U.S.C.   | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| section 1352. This disclosure of        | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| lobbying activities is a material       |                            |
| representation of fact upon which       | Print                      |
| reliance was placed by the tier above   | Name:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  |
| when this transaction was made or       | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| entered into. This disclosure is        | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| required pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1352.    |                            |
| This information will be reported to    | Title:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_   |
| the Congress semi-annually and will be  | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| available for public inspection. Any    | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| person who fails to file the required   |                            |
| disclosure shall be subject to a civil  | Telephone                  |
| penalty of not less than \$10,000 and   | No.:\_\_\_\_\_\            |
| not more than \$100,000 for each        | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Dat |
| failure.                                | e:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+

**DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES**

**CONTINUATION SHEET**

Approved by OMB

0348-0046

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Reporting
  Entity:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
  Page \_\_\_\_\_ of \_\_\_\_\_

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authorized for Local Reproduction

Standard Form\--LLL-A

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether
subawardee of prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a
covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing,
pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is
required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying
entity for influencing of attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress,
or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered
Federal action. Use the SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet for additional
information if the space on the form is inadequate. Complete all items
that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer
to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and
Budget for additional information.

1\. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying
activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a
covered Federal action.

2\. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.

3\. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a
follow-up report caused by a material change to the information
previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change
occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this
reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4\. Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the
reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the
appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it
is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier
of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st
tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants
and contract awards under grants.

5\. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks
\"Subawardee,\" then enter the full name, address, city, state and zip
code of the prime Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if
known.

6\. Enter the name of the Federal agency making the award or loan
commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name,
if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast
Guard.

7\. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered
Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements,
loans, and loan commitments.

8\. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for
the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal
(RFP) number, Invitation for Bid (IFB) number, grant announcement
number, the contract, grant, or loan award number, the
application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency).
Include prefixes, e.g., \"RFP-DE-90-001.\"

9\. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan
commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the
award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.

10\. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the
lobbying entity engaged by the reporting entity identified in item 4 to
influence the covered Federal action.

\(b\) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and
include full address if different from 10(a); Enter Last Name, First
Name, and Middle Initial (MI).

11\. Enter the amount of compensation paid or reasonably expected to be
paid by the reporting entity (item 4) to the lobbying entity (item 10).
Indicate whether the payment has been made (actual) or will be made
(planned). Check all boxes that apply. If this is a material charge
report, enter the cumulative amount of payment made or planned to be
made.

12\. Check the appropriate box(es). Check all boxes that apply. If
payment is made through an in-kind contribution, specify the nature and
value of the in-kind payment.

13\. Check the appropriate box(es). Check all boxes that apply. If
other, specify nature.

14\. Provide a specific and detailed description of the services that
the lobbyist has performed, or will be expected to perform, and the
date(s) of any services rendered. Include all preparatory and related
activity, not just time spent in actual contact with Federal officials.
Identify the Federal official(s) or employee(s) contacted or the
officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) of Congress that were contacted.

15\. Check whether or not a SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet(s) is attached.

16\. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her
name, title and telephone number.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Public reporting burden for this collection of information is       |
| > estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for    |
| > reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering  |
| > and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the   |
| > collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden       |
| > estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,     |
| > including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of    |
| > Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046),     |
| > Washington, D.C. 20503.                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

> Number range CHAPTER**ATTACHMENT 3**
>
> ***PROPOSAL INTENT RESPONSE SHEET***
>
> **[RFP No. AHRQ-05-0010]{.underline}**
>
> **Please review the attached request for proposal. Furnish the
> information requested below and return this page by July 7, 2005. Your
> expression of intent is not binding but will greatly assist us in
> planning for the proposal evaluation.**
>
> **\[ \] INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL**
>
> **\[ \] DO NOT INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING
> REASONS:**
>
> **\[ \] I GRANT PERMISSION TO THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY, CONTRACTS OFFICE TO ADD THE CONTACT INFORMAION BELOW TO A
> BIDDERS LIST TO PROVIDE TO OTHER INTERESTED OFFERORS FOR
> SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES. (\*MUST INCLUDE AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)**
>
> **COMPANY/INSTITUTION NAME:**
>
> **\*AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:**
>
> **TYPED NAME AND TITLE:**
>
> **DATE:**
>
> **\[ \] PLEASE [DO NOT]{.underline} RELEASE THE CONTACT INFORMATION.**
>
> **Please return to:**
>
> **Jessica Alderton**
>
> **Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality**
>
> **Contracts Management**
>
> **540 Gaither Road**
>
> **Rockville, Maryland 20850**

**Attachment 4**

**SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN**

**DATE OF PLAN**: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTRACTOR
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

ADDRESS:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

DUNN & BRADSTREET NUMBER:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

SOLICITATION OR CONTRACT NUMBER:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

ITEM/SERVICE (Description):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT: \$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Total contract or Option #1

> Base-Year, if options (if applicable)

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Option #2 Option #3 Option #4

(if applicable) (if applicable) (if applicable)

TOTAL MODIFICATION AMOUNT, IF APPLICABLE \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

TOTAL TASK ORDER AMOUNT, IF APPLICABLE\$ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

PERIOD OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE (Month, Day & Year):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

The following outline meets the minimum requirements of section 8(d) of
the Small Business Act, as amended, and implemented by Federal
Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 19.7. While this outline has been
designed to be consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements,
other formats of a subcontracting plan may be acceptable. It is not
intended to replace any existing corporate plan that is more extensive.
Failure to include the essential information of FAR Subpart 19.7 may be
cause for either a delay in acceptance or the rejection of a bid or
offer when a subcontracting plan is required. "SUBCONTRACT," as used in
this clause, means any agreement (other than one involving an
employer‑employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government
prime contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services
required for performance of the contract or subcontract. **If assistance
is needed to locate small business sources, contact the Office of Small
and Disadvantage Business Utilization (OSDBU) at (202) 690-7300 or the
OPDIV Small Business Specialist at
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**. **Sources may also be obtained
from SBA's PRONET website**. Please note that the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) has subcontracting goals of \_30\_\_% for small
business (SB), \_11\_% for small disadvantaged business (SDB), \_3\_\_%
for HubZone businesses (HUBZone), \_\_\_5\_\_% for women-owned business
(WOSB), \_\_3\_\_% for veteran-owned business (VOSB), and service
disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns for fiscal year
\_\_\_\_\_. For this procurement, HHS expects all proposed
subcontracting plans to contain the following goals, at a minimum,
\_\_\_\_\_% for small business, \_\_\_\_% small disadvantaged business,
\_\_\_\_% for HubZone businesses, \_\_\_\_\_\_% for woman owned
businesses, and \_\_\_\_\_\_% for veteran-owned businesses. These
percentages shall be expressed as percentages of the total estimated
subcontracting dollars. **The offeror is required to include an
explanation for a category that has zero as a goal.**

**NOTE TO CONTRACTORS:** Please provide your CCS number with your Dun &
Bradstreet number.

**1. Type of Plan (check one)**

> \_\_\_\_\_ ***Individual plan*** (all elements developed specifically
> for this contract and applicable for the full term of this contract).
>
> \_\_\_\_\_ ***Master plan*** (goals developed for this contract) all
> other elements standardized and approved by a lead agency Federal
> Official; must be renewed every three years and contractor must
> provide copy of lead agency approval.
>
> \_\_\_\_\_ ***Commercial products/service plan*** This plan is used
> when the contractor sells products and services customarily used for
> non-government purposes. Plan/goals are negotiated with the initial
> agency on a company-wide basis rather than for individual contracts.
> The plan is effective only during the year approved. The contractor
> must provide a copy of the initial agency approval, and must submit an
> annual SF 295 to HHS with a breakout of subcontracting prorated for
> HHS (with a OPDIV breakdown, if possible.)

**2. Goals**

State separate dollar and percentage goals for Small Business (SB),
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman‑owned Small Business (WOSB),
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business,
Veteran‑owned (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business
(SDVOSB) and "Other than small business" (Other) as subcontractors, for
the base year and each option year, as specified in FAR 19.704 (break
out and append option year goals, if the contract contains option years)
or project annual subcontracting base and goals under commercial plans.

a.  Total estimated dollar value of ALL planned subcontracting, i.e.,
    with ALL types of concerns under this contract is \$
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (b + h = a) (Base
    Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

b.  Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting
    with SMALL BUSINESSES (including SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and
    VOSB): (% of "a") \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_%

> (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

c.  Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting
    with SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES: (% of "a") \$
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

d.  Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting
    with WOMAN‑OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES: (% of "a") \$
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

e.  Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
    HUBZone SMALL BUSINESSES:

> (% of "a") \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
VETERAN SMALL BUSINESSES: (% of "a") \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

g.  Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
    Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business: (% of "a)
    \$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

h.  Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
    "OTHER THAN SMALL BUSINESSES":

> (% of "a") \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_% (Base Year)

FY \_\_\_1^st^ Option FY \_\_\_2^nd^ Option FY \_\_\_3^rd^ Option FY
\_\_\_4^th^ Option

\$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \$ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> **Notes:** 1. Federal prime contract goals are:
>
> SB equals 30%; SDB equals 11%; HUBZone equals 3%, WOSB equals 5% and
> SDVOSB equals 3%, VOSB equals 3% and can serve as objectives for
> subcontracting goal development.

2.  SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB goals are subsets of SB and
    should be counted and reported in multiple categories, as
    appropriate.

3.  If any contract has more four options, please attach additional
    sheets showing dollar amounts and percentages.

Provide a description of ALL the products and/or services to be
subcontracted under this contract, and indicate the size and type of
business supplying them (check all that apply).

  ------------------- ------- ------ ------ ------- ---------- ------ --------
  Product/Service     Other   SB     SDB    WOSB    HUBZone    VOSB   SDVOSB

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      
  ------------------- ------- ------ ------ ------- ---------- ------ --------

> i\. Provide a description of the method used to develop the
> subcontracting goals for SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB concerns.
> Address efforts made to ensure that maximum practicable subcontracting
> opportunities have been made available for those concerns and explain
> the method used to identify potential sources for solicitation
> purposes. Explain the method and state the quantitative basis (in
> dollars) used to establish the percentage goals. Also, explain how the
> areas to be subcontracted to SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB concerns
> were determined, how the capabilities of these concerns were
> considered contract opportunities and how such data comports with the
> cost proposal. Identify any source lists or other resources used in
> the determination process. (Attach additional sheets, if necessary.)
>
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> j\. Indirect costs have \_\_\_\_ have not \_\_\_\_ been included in
> the dollar and percentage subcontracting goals above (check one).

k.  If indirect costs have been included, explain the method used to
    determine the proportionate share of such costs to be allocated as
    subcontracts to SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB concerns.

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**3.** **Program Administrator:**

> NAME/TITLE:
>
> ADDRESS:
>
> TELEPHONE/E-MAIL:

**Duties**: Does the individual named above have general overall
responsibility for the company's subcontracting program, i.e.,
developing, preparing, and executing subcontracting plans and monitoring
performance relative to the requirements of those subcontracting plans
and perform the following duties? (If NO is checked, please indicate who
in the company performs those duties, or indicate why the duties are not
performed in your company.)

> Developing and promoting company‑wide policy initiatives that
> demonstrate the company's support for awarding contracts and
> subcontracts to SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB concerns; and
> for assuring that these concerns are included on the source lists for
> solicitations for products and services they are capable of providing.
> \_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_ no
>
> Developing and maintaining bidder source lists of SB, SDB, WOSB,
> HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB concerns from all possible sources;
> \_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ no

a.  Ensuring periodic rotation of potential subcontractors on bidder's
    lists; \_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_ no

b.  Assuring that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZONE, SDVOSB and VOSB businesses are
    included on the bidders' list for every subcontract solicitation for
    products and services that they are capable of providing.

> \_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ no

c.  Ensuring that requests for proposals (RFPs) are designed to permit
    the maximum practicable participation of SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone,
    SDVOSB and VOSB concerns. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_ no

d.  Reviewing subcontract solicitations to remove statements, clauses,
    etc., which might tend to restrict or prohibit small, HubZone small,
    small disadvantaged, and women-owned small business participation.

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_ no

e.  Accessing various sources for the identification of SB, SDB, WOSB,
    HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB concerns to include the SBA's PRO-Net and
    SUB-Net Systems, ([http://www.sba.gov](http://www.sba.gov/)), the
    National Minority Purchasing Council Vendor Information Service,
    the Office of Minority Business Data Center in the Department of
    Commerce, local small business and minority associations, contact
    with local chambers of commerce and Federal agencies' Small Business
    Offices; \_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ no

f.  Establishing and maintaining contract and subcontract award records;
    \_\_\_\_\_\_ yes \_\_\_\_\_\_ no

g.  Participating in Business Opportunity Workshops, Minority Business
    Enterprise Seminars, Trade Fairs, Procurement Conferences, etc;

h.  Ensuring that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB concerns are made
    aware of subcontracting opportunities and assisting concerns in
    preparing responsive bids to the company;

i.  Conducting or arranging for the conduct of training for purchasing
    personnel regarding the intent and impact of Section 8(d) of the
    Small Business Act, as amended;

j.  Monitoring the company's subcontracting program performance and
    making any adjustments necessary to achieve the subcontract plan
    goals;

k.  Preparing, and submitting timely, required subcontract reports;

l.  Conducting or arranging training for purchasing personnel regarding
    the intent and impact of 8(d) of the Small Business Act on
    purchasing procedures.

m.  Coordinating the company's activities during the conduct of
    compliance reviews by Federal agencies; and

n.  Other duties:
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**4.** **Equitable Opportunity**

Describe efforts the offeror will Describe efforts Describe efforts the
offeror will make to ensure that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB
concerns will have an equitable opportunity to compete for subcontracts.
These efforts include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

a.  Outreach efforts to obtain sources:

    1.  Contacting minority and small business trade associations; 2)
        contacting business development organizations and local chambers
        of commerce; 3) attending SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB
        procurement conferences and trade fairs; 4) requesting sources
        from the Small Business Administrations (SBA) PRO-Net and
        SUB-Net Systems, (<http://www.sba.gov/>) and other SBA and
        Federal agency resources. Contractors may also conduct market
        surveys to identify new sources, to include, accessing the NIH
        e-Portals in Commerce, (e-PIC), (<http://epic.od.nih.gov/>). The
        NIH e-Portals in Commerce is not a mandatory source and may be
        used at the offeror's discretion.

b\. Internal efforts to guide and encourage purchasing personnel:

1.  Conducting workshops, seminars, and training programs;

2.  Establishing, maintaining, and utilizing SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and
    VOSB source lists, guides, and other data for soliciting
    subcontractors; and

3.  Monitoring activities to evaluate compliance with the subcontracting
    plan.

> Additional efforts:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**5.** **Flow Down Clause**

The contractor agrees to include the provisions under FAR 52.219‑8,
"Utilization of Small Business Concerns," in all acquisitions exceeding
the simplified acquisition threshold that offers further subcontracting
opportunities. All subcontractors, except small business concerns, that
receive subcontracts in excess of \$500,000 (\$1,000,000 for
construction) must adopt and comply with a plan similar to the plan
required by FAR 52.219‑9, "Small Business Subcontracting Plan." (Flow
down is not applicable for commercial items/services as described in
52.212-5(e) and

52.244-6(c).)

**6.** **Reporting and Cooperation**

The contractor gives assurance of (1) cooperation in any studies or
surveys that may be required; (2) submission of periodic reports which
show compliance with the subcontracting plan; (3) submission of Standard
Form (SF) 294, "Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts," and
attendant Optional Form 312, SDB Participation Report, if applicable,
(required only for contracts containing the clause 52.219-25) and SF
295, "Summary Subcontract Report," in accordance with the instructions
on the forms; and (4) ensuring that subcontractors agree to submit
Standard Forms 294 and 295.

  --------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------
  Reporting Period            Report Due                Due Date

  Oct 1 - Mar 31              SF 294                    4/30

  Apr 1 - Sept 30             SF 294                    10/30

  Oct 1 - Sept 30             SF 295                    10/30

  Contract Completion         OF 312                    30 days after
                                                        completion
  --------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------

Special instructions for commercial plan: SF 295 Report is due on 10/30
each year for the previous fiscal year ending 9/30.

a.  Submit SF 294 to cognizant Awarding Contracting Officer.

> b\. Submit Optional Form 312, (OF-312), if applicable, to cognizant
> Awarding Contracting Officer.
>
> c\. Submit SF 295 to cognizant Awarding Contracting Officer and to
> the:
>
> Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
>
> Department of Health and Human Services
>
> 200 Independence Avenue, SW
>
> Humphrey H. Building, Room 517‑D
>
> Washington, D.C. 20201
>
> d\. Submit "information" copy of the SF 295 and the SF 294 upon
> request to the SBA Commercial Market Representative (CMR); visit the
> SBA at <http://www.sba.gov/gc> and click on assistance directory to
> locate your nearest CMR.

**7. Record keeping**

FAR 19.704(a) (11) requires a list of the types of records your company
will maintain to demonstrate the procedures adopted to comply with the
requirements and goals in the subcontracting plan. The following is a
recitation of the types of records the contractor will maintain to
demonstrate the procedures adopted to comply with the requirements and
goals in the subcontracting plan. These records will include, but not be
limited to, the following:

a.  SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB source lists, guides and other data
    identifying such vendors;

b.  Organizations contacted in an attempt to locate SB, SDB, WOSB,
    HUBZone, and VOSB sources;

c.  On a contract‑by‑contract basis, records on all subcontract
    solicitations over \$100,000, which indicate for each
    solicitation (1) whether SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and/or VOSB
    concerns were solicited, if not, why not and the reasons solicited
    concerns did not receive subcontract awards.

d.  Records to support other outreach efforts, e.g., contacts with
    minority and small business trade associations, attendance at small
    and minority business procurement conferences and trade fairs;

e.  Records to support internal guidance and encouragement provided to
    buyers through (1) workshops, seminars, training programs, incentive
    awards; and (2) monitoring performance to evaluate compliance with
    the program and requirements; and

f.  On a contract‑by‑contract basis, records to support subcontract
    award data including the name, address, and business type and size
    of each subcontractor. (This item is not required on a *contract --
    by -- contract basis* for company or division‑wide commercial
    plans.)

g.  Other records to support your compliance with the subcontracting
    plan: (Please describe)

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**8. Timely Payments to Subcontractors**

FAR 19.702 requires your company to establish and use procedures to
ensure the timely payment of amounts due pursuant to the terms of your
subcontracts with small business concerns, HubZone small business
concerns, small disadvantaged small business concerns, veteran-owned
small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns.

Your company has established and uses such procedures: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
yes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ no

**9. Description of Good Faith Effort**

Maximum practicable utilization of small, HubZone small, small
disadvantaged, veteran-owned, and women-owned small business concerns as
subcontractors in Government contracts is a matter of national interest
with both social and economic benefits**. When a contractor fails to
make a good faith effort to comply with a subcontracting plan, these
objectives are not achieved, and 15 U.S.C. 637(d) (4) (F) directs that
liquidated damages shall be paid by the contractor.** In order to
demonstrate your compliance with a good faith effort to achieve the
small, HubZone, small disadvantaged, veteran-owned and women-owned small
business subcontracting goals, outline the steps your company plans to
take. These steps will be negotiated with the contracting officer prior
to approval of the plan.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**SIGNATURE PAGE**

Signatures Required:

This subcontracting plan was submitted by:

**Signature:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Typed Name:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Title:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

This plan was reviewed by:

**Signature:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Typed Name:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Title: [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Contracting
Officer\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

This plan was reviewed by:

**Signature:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Typed Name:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Title: [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Small Business
Specialist\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

This plan was reviewed by:

**Signature:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Typed Name:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Title: [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_SBA Procurement Center
Representative\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**And Is Accepted By:**

**OPDIV:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Typed Name:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Title:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**Date:
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

> Number range CHAPTER