Number range CHAPTEROMB 0990-0115

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

**SECTION A - SOLICITATION FORM** No. AHRQ-08-10009

Date Issued: January 18, 2008

Date Questions Due: January 31 2008

Date Notice of Intent Due: February 15, 2008

Date Proposals Due: March 13, 2008

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-08-10009, entitled "Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Support --
Medical Provider Component (MEPS MPC)." Your proposal must be developed
and submitted in accordance with the requirements and instructions of
this RFP. This proposal is for full and open competition.

It is anticipated that one award will be made. Contract type is Cost
Plus Award Fee, Performance-Based Service. The period of performance
will be forty-four (44) months with three thirty-six (36) month options.
All options are to be priced and will be evaluated.

[Small Business Goals]{.underline}: The AHRQ recommended goal (as a
percentage of total planned subcontracting dollars for the base period)
is 19% for Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5.5% (as a
percentage of total planned subcontracting dollars 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 3% (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 Service-Disabled 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 541720. The
small business size standard is \$6.5 million.

Offerors shall submit the following:

A. Technical Proposal (See Section L.9) (Original and **12 hard copies
plus two electronic copies on CD)**

B. Past Performance Information (See Section L.10) (Original and 3 hard
copies)

C. Business Proposal (See Section L.11), including Small Business
Subcontracting Plan (See Section L.13) (Original and 5 hard copies plus
two electronic copies on CD)

D. Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan (See Section L.12)
(Original and one hard copy)

Your technical proposal must be concisely written and should be limited
to **100 typewritten 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). This
limitation is for administrative purposes only and exceeding the
limitation shall not, of itself, be considered a basis for rejection of
your proposal. Following instructions, however, is important.

Your proposal must provide the full name of your company, the address,
including county, phone number, Tax Identification Number (TIN), DUN and
Bradstreet No., and two points of contact with contact information. The
proposal must also list the primary proposal authors and the names and
addresses of subcontractors.

**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.9 OF THE
SOLICITATION.**

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be received in this office
no later than **January 31, 2008** (See Section L.6). All questions
should be submitted in writing by e-mail to Mary Haines, Contracting
Officer at the following email address: <mary.haines@ahrq.hhs.gov> .

**[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 **March 13, 2008**. 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 must be referred to
Mary Haines, 301-427-1786.

Sincerely,

Mary Haines

> 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 8-41

Section D Packaging and Marking 41

Section E Inspection and Acceptance 41

Section F Deliveries or Performance 42-62

Section G Contract Administration Data 63-65

Section H Special Contract Requirements 66-72

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

Section I Contract Clauses 73-77

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

Section J List of Attachments 78

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

Section K Representations and Instructions 79-85

Section L Instructions, Conditions & Notices to Offerors 86-113

Section M Evaluation Factors for Award 114-118

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

1\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form 5 pgs

2\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet 1 pg

3\. Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Cost and Labor Hours 2 pgs

4\. Appendix 3-F Web Site Deployment checklist, available at the
following web site:

[http://intranet.ahrq.gov/ohci/pub-com%20guidelines/Appendixes/Guidebook%20Appendix%203-F%20Web%20Site%20Deployment%20Checklist.doc](http://intranet.ahrq.gov/ohci/pub-com guidelines/Appendixes/Guidebook Appendix 3-F Web Site Deployment Checklist.doc)

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

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

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

> "Medical Expenditure Panel Survey -- Medical Provider Component"

**B.2 ESTIMATED COSTS**

**NOTE: the Government's estimate for the Base Period is approximately
\$13 million.**

**The estimate for Option 1 is approximately \$12.7 million.**

**The estimate for Option 2 is approximately \$12.3 million**

**The estimate for Option 3 is approximately \$12.8 million**

a.  The estimated cost, fixed fee and maximum amount of award fee for
    performance of the work under this forty-four (44) month contract
    are TO BE NEGOTIATED

b.  The fixed fee shall be paid in installments based on the percentage
    of completion of work, as determined by the Contracting Officer.
    Payment shall be subject to the withholding provisions of the clause
    ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT and FIXED FEE TO BE NEGOTIATED.

c.  Award fee earned shall be based upon an evaluation and determination
    by the Government as to the Contractor's level of performance in
    accordance with the following procedures:

    1.  The Contractor's performance shall be evaluated at twice
        annually. The award periods and maximum amounts for each are
        listed in Section H, Special Contract Requirements, H.1
        Performance Evaluation and Award.

    2.  The criteria set forth in the Performance Requirements Summary,
        Attachment 1, shall be used to evaluate the Contractor's
        performance.

    3.  The Contractor further agrees that the final determination as to
        the amount of Award Fee earned will be made by the Contracting
        Officer, taking into consideration an analysis and evaluation of
        the Contractor's performance made by the Evaluation Group
        described in Section H.1, and shall not be subject to the terms
        of the "Disputes" clause of this contract. The Contractor shall
        be advised in writing of the decision setting forth reasons why
        the Award Fee was earned or why it was not earned.

    4.  Nothwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the fee
        for performing this contract shall not exceed the statutory
        limitations prescribed in the first sentence of Section 304(b)
        of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (41 USC
        254(b) for services other than research, development or
        experimental work.

    5.  Authorization to claim and be reimbursed for award fee under
        this contract will be accomplished by a signed Contracting
        Officer's Authorization (COA) letter, issued when the award fee
        is determined to be due. The COA letter shall set forth the
        amount of award fee to be paid and shall indicate the
        performance period evaluated. Upon receipt of the COA letter,
        the Contractor may submit a public voucher for payment of the
        total award fee earned for the period evaluated. Payment of the
        award fee shall be subject to the withholding provision of the
        clause entitled "Fixed Fee."

d.  The Government's maximum obligation, represented by the sum of the
    estimated cost plus the fixed fee and award fee obtainable for the
    contract period is as follows:

(TO BE NEGOTIATED)

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Period of   | Estimated   | Fixed       | Maximum     | Total       |
|             |             |             |             | Estimated   |
| Performance | Cost        | Fee         | Award Fee   | Cost Plus   |
|             |             |             |             | All Fees    |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Base 44     |             |             |             |             |
| months      |             |             |             |             |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

**B.3 OPTIONS**

a\. **OPTION PERIODS TO CONTINUE THE BASE EFFORT**

In the event that the option period(s) are exercised, the total
estimated cost, fixed fee and award fee will be increased by the
following amounts:

(TO BE NEGOTIATED)

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Period of   | Estimated   | Fixed       | Maximum     | Total       |
|             |             |             |             | Estimated   |
| Performance | Cost        | Fee         | Award Fee   | Cost Plus   |
|             |             |             |             | All Fees    |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Option      |             |             |             |             |
| Period 1 36 |             |             |             |             |
| months      |             |             |             |             |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Option      |             |             |             |             |
| Period 2 36 |             |             |             |             |
| months      |             |             |             |             |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Option      |             |             |             |             |
| Period 3 36 |             |             |             |             |
| months      |             |             |             |             |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

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

a\. Unless otherwise provided by this contract or 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 \$1000/day; and

(11) Information Technology hardware or software.

(12) Food and/ or beverages.

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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 -- MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY (MEPS)
SUPPORT]{.underline}**

**[PROVIDER COMPONENT]{.underline}**

** **

**1.0       Introduction**

The MEPS Medical Provider Component (MPC) collects data from all
hospitals, emergency rooms, home health care agencies, outpatient
departments, long term health care facilities and pharmacies reported by
MEPS Household Component (HC) respondents as well as all physicians who
provide services for patients in hospitals but bill separately from the
hospital. Office based medical providers where the provider is either a
doctor of medicine (MD) or Osteopathy (DO) or practices under the direct
supervision of an MD or DO are included in the MPC as well. For this
contract, long term health care facilities include nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities, as well as any
health care facility providing medical care to those reporting such care
in the HC of the MEPS. Jails, prisons, and medical facilities or
pharmacies outside the United States are considered out of scope for the
MPC.

The primary objective of the MPC is to collect data from medical
providers (hospitals, physicians, home health agencies, pharmacies, long
term health care facilities) on expenditures for medical services
provided to MEPS sample persons. MPC data serve as an imputation source
for item nonresponse to reduce the level of bias in survey estimates of
medical expenditures. They also serve as source of expenditure
information on physician charges that are associated with hospital care
but not billed by the hospital, as well as serving the primary source of
expenditure information for Medicaid recipients. The sample for the MPC
is chosen from medical providers identified in the HC as having provided
care to the sample person during the year. Only providers for whom the
respondent completed a signed permission form authorizing contact are
candidates for the MPC.

The MPC sample includes all hospitals, emergency rooms, home health care
agencies, outpatient departments, pharmacies, and long term health care
facilities reported by HC respondents, as well as all physicians who
provide services for patients in hospitals but bill separately from the
hospital (these physicians are identified by the hospitals not the HC
respondents). Office based medical providers (including those in HMOs)
where the provider is either a doctor of medicine (MD) or Osteopathy
(DO) or practices under the direct supervision of an MD or DO are
included in the MPC as well.

Home health care providers which include all home health care agencies,
hospitals, social service agencies, and other places identified as
providing home health care to the sample person are included in the MPC.
However, self-employed and unpaid persons providing home health care
services are not considered in scope for the MPC.

Providers for the MPC sample for one year are identified based on three
rounds of HC data collection for two HC panels. (The MEPS HC is a
separate requirement that is not covered under this solicitation.) The
panel design of the survey, which features five core rounds of
interviewing, covers two full calendar years. The MEPS HC collects data
from a sample of families and individuals in selected communities across
the United States, drawn from a nationally representative subsample of
households that participated in the prior year\'s [National Health
Interview Survey](http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm) (conducted by the
National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention). During the household interviews, the MEPS HC collects
the following detailed information for each person in the household:
demographic characteristics, health conditions, health status, use of
medical services, charges and source of payments, access to care,
satisfaction with care, health insurance coverage, income, and
employment.

There will be significant integration of work activities between the HC
and MPC contractors. The two contractors must work harmoniously and
integrated work activities can not have a negative impact on work
products or product deliverable schedules.

**1.1 Background Statement/Project History - MEPS**

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (HC), Medical
Provider Component (MPC)), and Insurance Component (IC), which began in
1996, is a set of large-scale surveys of families and individuals
(MEPS-HC), their medical providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies,
etc.) (MEPS-MPC), and employers across the United States (MEPS-IC). MEPS
collects data on the specific health services that Americans use, how
frequently they use them, the cost of these services, and how they are
paid for, as well as data on the cost, scope, and breadth of health
insurance held by and available to U.S. workers.

Surveys collecting data on medical expenditures began in the 1970s, at a
time when the structure of health care services, private insurance,
Federal health care programs and the characteristics of the U.S.
population were undergoing enormous change. The first of these surveys,
the National Medical Care Expenditure Surveys (NMCES), was conducted in
1977. Similar to the MEPS-HC survey, NMCES had three main components: a
household survey, a survey of physicians utilized by the household
members, and a health insurance employer component. Approximately 14,000
households participated in five rounds of interviews over a 14-month
period.

In 1987, the National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES) was conducted.
Approximately 16,000 households participated in NMES, including 2,000
American Indian and Alaskan Native households. Once again, the household
information was supplemented by surveys of medical and health insurance
providers utilized by respondents.

In 1996, the current MEPS-HC was designed to provide more timely
information about the nation\'s changing health care system. MEPS-HC
introduces a new panel or sample of households into the survey every
year and is conducted continually rather than once every 10 years.
MEPS-HC households are a subsample of households that participate in the
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted by the National Center
for Health Statistics approximately six months to a year prior to MEPS.
Like the earlier surveys, the information collected in MEPS-HC from
households is supplemented by surveys of medical providers (MEPS-MPC)
and health insurance providers (MEPS-IC).

The contractor supporting MEPS HC and MEPS MPC survey work from 1995 to
present has been Westat, located at 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville,
MD, 20850, 301-252-1500.

**2.0       Scope**

** **

**2.1       Types of Services**

** **

The contractor shall perform the following types of services under this
contract:

> **\*         ** Survey/project management

 

> \*          Continue operation of MEPS MPC
>
> \*          Preparation of MEPS MPC documentation
>
> \*          Liaison and cooperation with MEPS principals
>
> \*          Cooperation and liaison with the HC contractor assuring
> timely, accurate and complete file transfers so the HC contractor can
> complete editing/imputation work (for all files but prescribed
> medicines) and public use file development for all MEPS event files
>
> \*          Cooperation with AHRQ to obtain clearances
>
> \*          Meeting arrangements
>
> \*          Project closeout/transfer of operations
>
> \*          Reporting, work planning, management meetings

 

> **\*         ** Data Collection

 

> \*          Receiving and receipting permission forms that establishes
> the sample for the MPC
>
> \*          Implementing and documenting sample
>
> \*          Maintaining MPC provider directory including SBDs and
> pharmacies
>
> \*          Unduplicating the sample
>
> \*          Identifying hospital physicians
>
> \*          Producing data collection forms, advance letters, and
> other respondent and supporting materials
>
> \*          Recruiting, training, and managing data collection
> specialists
>
> \*          Collecting data from medical and billing offices of
> providers
>
> \*          Coding of ICD-9-CM, verbatim medical conditions, CPT-4,
> verbatim medical procedures and supplies and prescribed medicines

 

> **\*         ** Data Processing

 

> \*          Providing data security
>
> \*          Forms control and receipt
>
> \*          Data entry
>
> \*          Recruiting and conducting training program for coders,
> verifiers and supervisors 
>
> \*          Recruiting and conducting training program for
> abstractors, verifiers and supervisors 
>
> \*          Data matching (for all MPC provider types)
>
> \* Editing and Imputation of Prescribed Medicines
>
> \*          Producing matched files for use in the production of
> edited/imputed analytic files
>
> \*          Producing fully edited and imputed prescribed medicine
> files for use in the production of public use files
>
> \*          Benchmarking to outside data sources and previous years
> MEPS estimates
>
> \*          Developing MPC internal files (include matched and
> unmatched data)
>
> \*          Quality control

 

2.  **Resources**

The contractor shall furnish all the necessary qualified personnel,
materials, supplies, equipment, services and facilities necessary to
perform the work described below unless otherwise stated in a specific
task order.

The contractor shall maintain a list of all items, both expendable and
non-expendable, which are unique or in excess of regular office needs
normally captured in an indirect cost pool.  These items are considered
Government property and are cost of goods inventory deliverable to the
Government at the end of the contract.

1.  **Travel**

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.

**2.2.2 Shipping/Packaging**

The Contractor shall mark each delivery with the organization's name,
contract number, item number, and quantity (indicating partial, full or
final shipment).  As appropriate, note on the face page of the report
and when feasible on the binding (1) \"one volume only\" or (2) \"volume
1 of 2, volume 2 of 2\" etc. Deliveries of confidential data must be
done in a secure manner and must be approved by the government.

**2.2.3 Storage**

The contractor shall store all necessary materials for a period of time
determined by the Government and will investigate available technology
and use the most efficient means to store all the necessary materials
and documents that will include medical and billing records and
sensitive data. With the Government's interest in reduction of paper,
alternative to current storage strategies are encouraged.

The contractor shall also set up and maintain a secure encrypted data
transmission line so that confidential data and documents can be
transmitted from the contractor to AHRQ. The Government will provide
hardware to the contractor for the encrypted line.

In accordance with the **Federal Register** (Vol. 57, No. 167, August
27, 1992, pp:38845-38848) the contractor is to provide for secure and
confidential storage, retrieval access, maintenance, and disposition of
data and other information used in the work performed under the
contract.

**2.2.4 Printing.**

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the
same force and effect as if they were given in full text. 

**FAR Clause No.    **52.204-4  Printing/Copying Double-Sided on
Recycled Paper (AUG 2000) is applicable (see Section I).

5.  **Audiovisual Materials, Publications, and Public Affairs
    Services.**

Audiovisual materials (including CDs) are prepared for training and
respondent materials. All such materials are property of the government
and the government has all rights to them.

**2.3 Data Development, Data Rights and Data**

**2.3.1 Data Rights**

> **2.3.1.1         Definitions**

 

> \"Computer software\", as used in this clause, means computer
> programs, computer data bases, and documentation thereof.

 

> \"Data\", as used in this clause, means recorded information,
> regardless of form or media on which it may be recorded (e.g.,
> reports, tabulations, questionnaires, punch cards, data tapes, data
> files, tables, data processing and computer programs, graphic
> representations, sound recordings, form, work flow charts, equipment
> descriptions, and works of any similar nature).  The term does not
> include information incidental to contract administration, such as
> financial, administrative, cost or pricing, or management information.

 

> \"Form, fit, and function data\", as used in this clause, means data
> relating to items, components, or processes that are sufficient to
> enable physical and functional interchangeability, as well as data
> identifying source, size, configuration, mating, and attachment
> characteristics, functional characteristics, and performance
> requirements; except that for computer software it means data
> identifying source, functional characteristics, and performance
> requirements, but specifically excludes the source code, algorithm,
> process, formulae, and flow charts of the software.

 

> \"Unlimited rights\", as used in this clause, means the right of the
> Government to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works,
> distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display
> publicly, in any manner and for Agency for Healthcare Research and
> Quality (AHRQ) purposes, and to have or permit others to do so for
> AHRQ purposes.

 

> **2.3.1.2         Allocation of Rights**

 

> (1)        The Government shall have:

 

> (i)        Unlimited rights in all data delivered under this contract,
> and in all data first produced in the performance of this contract,
> except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause for copyright.

 

> (ii)       The right to limit exercise of claim to copyright in data
> first produced in the performance of this contract, and to obtain
> assignment of copyright in such data, in accordance with subparagraph
> (c)(1) of this clause.

 

> (iii)      The right to limit the release and use of certain data in
> accordance with paragraph (d) of this clause.

 

> (2)        The contractor shall have, to the extent permission is
> granted in accordance with subparagraph (c)(1) of this clause, the
> right to establish claim to copyright subsisting in data first
> produced in the performance of this contact.

 

> **2.3.1.3         Copyright**

 

> (1)        Data first produced in the performance of this contract

 

> (i)         The contractor agrees not to assert, establish, or
> authorize other to assert or establish, any claim to copyright
> subsisting in any data first produced in the performance of the
> contract without prior written permission of the contracting officer. 
> When claim to copyright is made, the contractor shall affix the
> appropriate copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402 and
> acknowledgment of Government sponsorship (including contract number)to
> such data when delivered to the Government, as well as when the data
> are published or deposited for registration as a published work in the
> U.S. Copyright Office.

 

> The contractor grants to the Government and the Government\'s
> licensees, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license for
> all such data to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute
> copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, for
> Government purposes.

 

> (ii)        If the Government desires to obtain copyright in data
> first produced in the performance of this contract and permission has
> not been granted as set forth in subdivision (c)(1)(i) of this clause,
> the contracting officer may direct the contractor to establish, or
> authorize the establishment of, claim to copyright in such data and to
> assign, or obtain the assignment of, such copyright to the Government
> or its designated assignee.

 

> 2)         Data not first produced in the performance of this
> contract.

 

> The contractor shall not, without prior written permission of the
> contracting officer, incorporate in the data delivered under this
> contract any data not first produced in the performance of this
> contract and which contain the copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or
> 402, unless the contractor identifies such data and grants to the
> government, or acquires on its behalf, a license of the same scope as
> set forth in subparagraph (c)(1) of this clause.

 

> **2.3.1.4         Release and Use Restrictions**

 

> Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this contract (e.g.,
> Section 2.3.3 in SOW), the contractor shall not use for purposes other
> than the performance of this contract, nor shall the contractor
> release, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced in
> the performance of this contract, nor authorize others to do so,
> without prior written permission of the Project Officer or until AHRQ
> has published the research for which the data were first produced.
>
> The contractor must release all required deliverables under this
> contract solely in accordance with the reporting requirements of this
> contract.

 

> **2.3.1.5      ****   Indemnity**

 

> The contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers,
> agents, and employees acting for the Government against any liability,
> included costs and expenses, incurred as the result of the violation
> of trade secrets, copyrights, or right of privacy or publicity,
> arising out of the creation, delivery, publication, or use of any data
> furnished under this contract; or any libelous or other unlawful
> matter contained in such data. 

 

> The provisions of this paragraph do not apply unless the Government
> provides notice to the contractor as soon as practicable of any claim
> or suit, affords the contractor an opportunity under applicable laws,
> rules, or regulations to participate in the defense thereof, and
> obtains the contractor\'s consent to the settlement of any suit or
> claim other than as required by final decree of a court of competent
> jurisdiction***. *** Further, these provisions do not apply to
> material furnished to the contractor by the Government and
> incorporated in data to which this clause applies, nor in cases where
> Government officers, agents, and employees are solely at fault.

 

2.  **Future Acquisitions**

Since MEPS MPC is an ongoing data capture and matching activity and
future procurements will be necessary, all programs, data,
documentation, specifications and materials needed to perform these
tasks will be provided to the Government. This will ensure that all
future procurements are competitive and in the best interest and value
to the government.

3.  **Disposition**

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.3(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.

Violation of the special provisions of this contract Section 2.3
entitled, **DATA DEVELOPMENT, DATA RIGHTS AND DATA,** 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 violations, 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.

**2.3.4 Location of Performance**

** **

The primary location for the performance of this work under this
contract shall be at the contractor's facility.

4.  **RESERVED**

5.  **Special Clauses (see Section I)**

**2.5.1 Paperwork Reduction Act**

**HHSAR Clause No.**352.270‑7 Paperwork Reduction Act (APR 1984) is
applicable (see Section I).

The contractor will need to assist AHRQ in PRA activities and ensuring
PRA compliance of the contract.

To date, public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 5 minutes per patient. Any comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden should be sent to:
AHRQ/MEPS Reports Clearance Officer, John M. Eisenberg Building, Room
5036, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, Attention: PRA Paperwork
Reduction Project (0935-0118).

 

**3.0       Applicable Documents**

 

The MEPS website (<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/>) provides
substantial information on MEPS data collection and data files. 
Currently, the MEPS web site is maintained and updated by the
contractor, Social and Scientific Systems. Web site maintenance and
development is not a part of this contract. However, the MPC Contractor
will provide AHRQ with updated information necessary for Participant's
Corner on the MEPS web site, each year's MPC data collection instrument
for each event type, and any additional MPC related items that may be
necessary to be made available on the MEPS web site
(<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/>). All materials that the MPC
contractor will provide to AHRQ that will be made available on the MEPS
web site must be 508 compliant.

Currently, the Medical Provider Component data is collected via mail,
phone and fax with paper and pencil questionnaires.  The current
questionnaires can be located on the MEPS web site at:
<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/survey_comp/survey_questionnaires.jsp>.

**4.0       Scope of Work**

 

**4.1       Survey/Project Management Requirements**

A Certified Project Manger must be part of the management team of the
contractor.

-   The Contractor shall use an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) in
    the management of this contract that is consistent with
    ANSI/EIA-STD-748 guidelines.

-   The Contractor shall report earned value monthly based on actual
    data from (or reconciliable with) its accounting systems. The
    Government and the Contractor shall negotiate the level of the WBS
    at which earned value shall be reported. If subcontractors are used,
    the Contractor shall develop and implement a system to ensure that
    its subcontractors comply with this requirement, and each monthly
    progress report must address performance at the prime and
    subcontractor level.

-   The Contractor shall deliver with the Project Work Plan a
    contract-level Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) that rolls up all
    time-phased WBSs for the individual tasks. This IMS shall include
    the dependencies that exist between tasks.

-   The Contractor shall deliver with the Project Work Plan a Critical
    Path at the contract-level.

-   The Contractor shall report EVM data for the entire project and
    specific deliverables/milestones in the monthly report in the form
    of a Contract Performance Report (CPR) (copy available).  This
    report should contain all of the elements of the typical CPR to
    include: 

-   Budget at Completion (BAC) -- total planned cost of the total
    project or specified deliverable/ milestone at completion

-   Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS) -- cumulative expected
    planned cost for activities planned to be completed by the end of
    the reporting month

-   Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) -- cumulative amount actually
    spent on activities performed as of the end of the reporting month

-   Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (BCWP) -- cumulative planned costs
    of the activities actually performed as of the end of the reporting
    month. (This is Earned Value.)

-   Cost and Schedule Variance -- in the form of a %.

-   The Contractor shall provide a corrective action plan with the
    monthly earned value report in cases where cost or schedule, as
    measured by Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance
    Index (SPI), exceeds performance thresholds. The Government and the
    Contractor shall negotiate the performance thresholds. The
    corrective action plan shall address the following items.

-   Brief description of the issue (identify the nature of the issue as
    cost, schedule, performance or resources and explain why the issue
    came to be)

-   Impact on project completion

-   Brief description of the corrective action plan strategy

-   Corrective tasks/actions that are required to eliminate or mitigate
    the issue, including task/action number, point of contact, start and
    end dates and comments

-   If the corrective action plan requires rebaselining (the performance
    baseline), the corrective action plan also shall address the
    following items.

-   The proposed new baseline

-   The reason(s) why re-baselining is required

-   Documentation of the reasonableness of the proposed new baselines
    and the accuracy of any new cost estimates

-   The Performance Baseline, WBS, BCWS, Integrated Master Schedule, and
    monthly earned value report shall clearly breakout the deliverables
    and activities related to the development and maintenance of
    systems, software, databases, and websites.  It shall also clearly
    separate development, modernization and enhancement (DME)
    deliverables and activities from operations and maintenance
    deliverables and activities.

**4.1.1 Subcontractors**

Subcontractors are required to meet the socio-economic goals of the DHHS
for subcontracting. The proposal must describe how the work of the
subcontracts must be integrated, with specific lines of authority and
duties and responsibilities clearly delineated.

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 52.244-2, 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.

Whenever any data is to be developed by a subcontractor under this
contract, the contractor must include the terms of SOW, 2.3.3
Disposition in the subcontract, without substantive alteration, and with
a prohibition on the subcontractor engaging in further assignment of its
obligations to the contractor, and no clause may be included to diminish
the Government\' rights in those data.

**4.1.2 Continue operation of the MEPS MPC**

 

The contractor shall begin operation of the Medical Provider Component
(MPC) in 2010 to collect data on 2009 expenditures for the 2009
Household Component.  The transition period between contracts is
critical to the MEPS. Measures at various stages of the MPC data
collection and abstraction efforts will be compared to ensure the
transition of work will not negatively affect the work progress or the
data itself. It is critical that continuity be maintained and that any
changes between the old and new contracts be transparent to respondents
(as much as possible) and data users.

Half of the 2009 sample for the MPC will be provided by the current MEPS
HC contractor. The remaining half of the 2009 MPC sample will be
provided by the contractor that wins the MEPS HC solicitation
anticipated to be in Spring 2008. The complete 2009 MPC sample will be
provided to the MPC contractor by the Government. 

The AHRQ will maintain strong supervision over the expenditures,
management and operations of this contract.  The contractor shall
maintain communication and reporting mechanisms to facilitate such
supervision.  The contractor shall anticipate and plan for periodic
in-person observation of data collection and processing activities by
AHRQ staff at the Project Officer's discretion. 

**4.1.3 MEPS MPC Documentation**

 

Options considered and decisions reached regarding survey methodological
issues shall be documented in written memoranda or reports to the
Project Officer.  Upon approval by AHRQ, the contractor will make
necessary revisions to survey instruments and procedures which will be
clearly documented as well. This documentation shall be delivered within
30 days of reaching decisions. 

The contractor shall maintain and update a Management Plan.  The
Management Plan which is described in detail in Section L shall detail
major milestones in data collection, data processing and data
delivery.   The Management Plan will also include staffing, field timing
and quality milestones. The Management Plan will include a person
loading chart which presents the number of person-days allocated to each
task and subtask for each category of staff for each year of the
contract and for the total contract.  The chart(s) should also delineate
critical milestones and the deliverables for each. The management plan
should also include an organizational chart (s) which presents the
placement of the project within the offeror's organization and the
organization of the staff proposed for this project.  The chart(s) shall
show clear lines of authority and function. The Management Plan should
include a schedule for completion of the work and delivery of items
specified in the statement of work.  Particular attention should be paid
to the most important milestones in the medical provider data
collection. The Management Plan should detail major and intermediate
milestones for each of the subtasks for Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the
SOW.  The management plan should also be specified how the work to
construct the matched internal files for all provider types and the
fully edited and imputed prescribed medicines file will be completed and
managed - what tasks will be assigned to which group of persons.  Key
dates for the production of each file should be specified along with the
proposed method(s) of quality control and benchmarking the estimates. 
Performance or delivery schedules shall be indicated for phases or
segments or tasks, as applicable, as well as for the overall program.
The Management Plan shall affirm the delivery dates for files as
specified in Section F for the base period of the contract, and if the
option period(s) are exercised, the delivery dates specified in the
delivery schedule for parallel data files in the option period(s)
specified in Section F, as well.  The proposed completion tasks for the
milestones shall remain fixed, but on a bi-annual basis the Plan shall
be updated with actual dates. At each update to the Management Plan,
expected deviation from the contractually specified dates should be
noted, along with any reason for deviation.  Should the deviation be
such that a later date is anticipated, potential corrective actions and
their implications should be noted. Schedules should be shown in terms
of calendar months from the effective date of the contract or, where
applicable, from the date of a stated event, as for example, receipt of
a required approval by the Contracting Officer.   Discrepancies between
proposed and actual dates shall be noted and their implications for
final data delivery fully described. 

An annual report documenting survey progress on each major task within
the Medical Provider Component including Survey Management, Data
Collection and Data Processing, Matching, Editing and Imputation of
Prescribed Drug Data, Data Delivery, Quality Control and archival copies
of decision memos shall be delivered to the Project Officer by March 1
of each year, referring to the previous calendar year's activities.

 

**4.1.4 Liaison with MEPS principals**

 

The contractor shall make every effort to make the overlap between the
current MEPS contract and this award as smooth as possible in the
interest of maintaining respondent participation and data
comparability.  The contractor should establish cooperative
staff-to-staff relationships in pursuit of this objective.

 

**4.1.5 Integration of HC and MPC Contractor Tasks**

There must be timely and accurate data and documentation deliverables
between the MPC and HC contractors (which will go through AHRQ). These
deliverables will include MEPS HC data and matching variables and
documentation necessary to link the HC and MPC files, as well matched HC
and MPC files and documentation for use in the production of
edited/imputed analytic files. The MPC Contractor also will deliver a
fully edited and imputed prescribed medicines file with documentation
that will be ready for public use file development. All raw MPC files
which will include matched and unmatched data and detailed documentation
will be delivered to AHRQ as well. There will also have to be discussion
between the two contractors (with AHRQ oversight) that ensures all
changes made in one component of the MEPS processes that has an affect
on the other component's processes are known well in advance and are
well documented.

**4.1.6 Cooperate with AHRQ in obtaining required OMB clearances**

 

The contractor shall assist the Project Officer in preparing materials
required for any and all clearance actions during the course of the
contract.  OMB clearance will be necessary to obtain. This assistance
shall include preparing burden estimates, written descriptions of the
survey and sample design, the design of any special experiments, and
electronic (PDF) reproduction of survey questionnaires and respondent
materials.  The contractor shall anticipate one clearance per year.

 

**4.1.7    Project closeout/transfer of operations**

 

Within 90 days of a request by the Project Officer, but no later than
the conclusion of the contract, the contractor shall turn over all
files, computer programs, tabulations, documentation and other items
requested by the Project Officer in such form (electronic and paper) so
the project may be continued by a successor.

 

**4.1.8    Reporting, work planning, management meetings**

 

**4.1.8.1 Monthly progress reports**

Beginning on the tenth calendar day of the second month of contract
performance and on the tenth calendar day of every month of contract
performance thereafter, the Contractor shall submit to the AHRQ
Contracts Office and to the Project Officer a monthly progress report in
electronic format, via e-mail as attachments or secure ftp or extranet
site with e-mail notification that reports are available for download. 
When the 10^th^ calendar day falls on the weekend, the EVM report shall
be provided to the PO and AHRQ EVM Specialist on the preceding Friday or
closest week day. The rest of the monthly reports may be provided after
the weekend, if necessary.

> At a minimum, the monthly progress report shall:
>
>  

-   summarize the progress of work performed during the reporting
    period, note milestones, describe past problems (including a concise
    statement of success or lack thereof in solving the problems
    encountered)

-   describe anticipated problems and proposed solutions

-   describe work planned for the next reporting period, compare
    progress and resource expenditures to the original schedule and
    budget and provide explanations for any variances

-   assess whether the current total estimated contract cost is
    sufficient to complete the contract

-   describe significant changes in the Contractor\'s operational
    personnel

-   summarize all additions, modifications, and configuration changes to
    all project software and database designs, specifications, testing,
    quality assurance efforts, maintenance and operational solutions and
    associated work efforts accomplished during the month

-   provide the earned value information requested in 4.1

-   include the monthly reports identified in 4.1

>  

The monthly progress report shall not exceed ten (10) pages and also
shall include disclosure of any new work products, computer databases or
programs, or any other inventions that may be subject to intellectual
property protection, together with a description of how the Contractor
intends to manage intellectual property rights to these inventions under
the terms and conditions of the contract.

 

**4.1.8.2 Bi-monthly management meetings**

During the project the Contractor shall hold, at a minimum, a bi-monthly
management meeting at AHRQ or the contractor's office during which the
project will be discussed.  The contractor shall submit an agenda, and
any materials to be used for discussion, five working days in advance of
the meetings. The participants in the management meetings will include
the Project Officer (in person or via telephone) and other Agency staff
as deemed appropriate by the Project Officer, the Project Director, and
relevant project staff as selected by the Contractor with AHRQ approval.
There will be core staff that will attend these meetings and additional
staff will be asked to participate on an as needed basis.  Progress will
be reviewed, milestones discussed, problems examined, solutions
explored, and short-range and long-range plans made.  Action items and
minutes resulting from this meeting shall be prepared by the Contractor
and submitted electronically to the Project Officer within ten days
after completion of the meeting.  If corrections are necessary, revised
replacement minutes shall be submitted within two (2) days after receipt
of the Project Officer's comments.

The contractor shall keep minutes of all management meetings, and any
other decision making meetings with AHRQ.  The minutes shall include the
contract number, project director, a list of attendees, a description of
the issues discussed, action items, assignments and due dates.

All deliverables to AHRQ should be sent as separate PDF files and as
agreed upon, by AHRQ and the Contractor, and recognizable naming
convention will be used for all files.

 

**4.2 Data Collection**

**4.2.1 Implementing and documenting the sample**

 

The contractor will be required to maintain the sample including
documentation of any splits, merges and determinations of "out of scope"
(outside the U.S., prisons, jails) providers.

The sample for the 2010 MEPS MPC will be drawn from medical providers
reported by HC respondents in the 2009 MEPS HC, and for providers that
HC respondents signed authorization forms allowing contacting of their
medical providers. To be eligible for the MPC, authorization forms are
necessary for each provider for each respondent.

 

**4.2.2 Unduplicating the sample**

 

Although the provider - the office, clinic, physician, hospital,
pharmacy, home health care provider, long term health care facility - is
the "case" for the purpose of data collection operations, each MPC case
may represent one or more household respondents mentioning the same
provider.

 

To prepare for the fielding of the MPC, the Contractor shall consolidate
all duplications in the medical provider lists generated by household
respondents.  Using the most efficient means, the contractor shall
review the provider sample generated by the household survey and assign
unique provider identification numbers to each provider or group of
providers that represent a single MPC respondent.  These unique
identifiers shall be constructed in a way that allows the MPC provider
to be linked to the person-events recorded in the household survey that
generated the provider.  This unduplication shall occur within and
across households, primary sampling units (PSUs) (e.g., counties) and
rounds. (The panel design of the survey, which features five core rounds
of interviewing, covers two full calendar years. Each year, providers
for the MPC sample are identified based on three rounds of HC data
collection (the HC data collection is covered under a separate
procurement).  The resulting unique list of medical providers shall
constitute the field sample for the MPC.  The schedule for data
collection requires that unduplication be conducted in an ongoing
manner. 

**4.2.3 Provider Directory**

The contractor will develop a mechanism that results in the provider
directory remaining current in order to maintain functionality for data
collection purposes. All separately billing doctors (SBDs) and
pharmacies must be included in this directory as well as other provider
types eligible for the MPC data collection. From year to year, the
contractor will maintain contact information at the provider level as
well as for the respondent within the provider organization who provided
the data. This will include not only name, title and division, but
telephone, fax, and email address information for the individual and the
provider. The contractor shall review existing provider directory
methodology and propose alternative methodologies which would support
analytic goals and improve data quality.

**4.2.4 Identifying hospital physicians**

 

For each hospital event (outpatient, inpatient, emergency room), the MPC
abstractor, using MPC data collection methods, shall elicit from the
hospital records the names of physicians providing care to the patient
during the event and who received payments not included in the
accounting of charges and payment for the main hospital bill or summary
of payments.  These newly identified patient provider pairs become part
of the MPC sample either as new cases or as additional pairs to existing
cases in an ongoing manner throughout the fielding of the hospital
cases. Separately billing doctors are elicited from the MPC provider or
the MPC provider's medical records. Separately billing doctors are not
household reported.

The Contractor shall evaluate the method of collecting this information
in the previous contract relative to alternative options and will
produce and send to the government their findings in a Methodology
Report.

 

**4.2.5 Provide data collection forms, advance letters, other respondent
materials**

 

Materials for MPC data collection, including data collection forms,
brochures and other respondent materials have been prepared for previous
MEPS MPC data collection. Copies of those materials will be provided on
award. Examples of these materials can be found at the following link:
http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/survey_comp/survey.jsp#MPC

 

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining, revising and
adapting all questionnaires, computer programs, specifications, manuals,
respondent materials and other MPC documents intrinsic to the conduct of
the MPC survey.  The contractor may rely on already developed MEPS MPC
products for these materials, but shall modify them as necessary. The
Government is open to new formats/alternative for these materials. All
documents delivered to AHRQ shall be in electronic form readable by
AHRQ, and in hard copy form, when requested.  All final deliveries of
instrument documentation, training materials, and reports shall be
delivered in PDF format.  

 

On occasion, the Project Officer may request modifications to survey
instruments and/or materials.

  

**4.2.6 Recruiting, training and managing data collection specialists**

 

The contractor shall develop procedures and materials to efficiently
train all data collection staff.  Some training shall occur before each
year of data collection.  Training programs shall be designed so that
all data collection staff performing the same function have the same
training in content and in method. The initial training session for all
new data collection specialists shall be face to face.  Training manuals
and materials may be adapted from those used in the current MEPS
contract.

The contractor shall develop and conduct a training program for data
collection specialists.  The contractor shall develop procedures and
materials to train all data collection staff before the beginning of
data collection, as appropriate.  Training programs shall be designed to
ensure that all data collection specialist staff performing the same
function receive the same training, in both content and in method.  
Training manuals and materials can be adapted from those used in the
current MEPS MPC.

 

Following training, data collection specialists should be able, at a
minimum to: a) identify and reach appropriate respondents in physician
offices and other medical facilities; b) explain the nature and purpose
of the survey and answer questions commonly asked by medical and billing
staff in deciding whether or not to cooperate with data collection; c)
arrange with medical and billing staff any of a variety of methods for
obtaining the required data; d) collect the data, if appropriate, and
know procedures for probing for data; e) know how to handle difficult
respondents and potential refusals; f) know when and how to correctly
use manuals, references and guides; g) know how to completely,
accurately and in a timely manner process all administrative forms.

In addition to the capabilities described above, supervisory personnel
shall be able to perform the following functions: a) observe data
collection specialists, recording instances of appropriate and
inappropriate behavior and conveying these observations to the data
collections specialist in a constructive fashion; b) counsel data
collection specialists on appropriate handling of unusual situations; c)
monitor data collection specialist production, time and expense and keep
these and other performance measures at appropriate levels; d) conduct
data collection specialist training sessions so that all data collection
specialists shall receive, in substance and quality, the same training;
e) convert difficult refusals; f) identify errors of data collection
staff they supervise and convey to them the results of this review in a
constructive manner.

The contractor shall define and implement methods for selecting data
collection staff, both supervisory and non-supervisory, which will
reliably predict quality performance of all data collection activities. 
The criteria will include previous work experience, work samples, and
education. 

 

The contractor shall also propose a staffing plan that will account for
cyclical retention and work flow issues.

The contractor shall develop and implement detailed data collection
instructions, rules and verification procedures with adjudication
procedures specified.  The contractor will develop and maintain
procedural manuals. In concert with AHRQ, a decision log will be
maintained and followed as issues arise and decisions are made in how to
handle different data collection situations. The decision log will be
made available to all data collection specialists and all data
collection specialists will know how to use the decision log. This will
ensure consistent data collection procedures. On a regular basis as
determined by the contractor in consultation with AHRQ, the decision log
will be incorporated into the procedural manual.

Each data collection specialist's work shall be checked at 100 percent
during the first two weeks of data collection. Each data collection
specialist must achieve an error of 2 percent or lower for each group of
data elements (charge and payment data being one group, medical
condition data being another group, etc.) with charge and payment data
being the most important group. Currently, the error rate is calculated
as the number of collected variables for which there is disagreement
and/or the number of variables that are missing as the numerator and the
total number of collected variables generated by the data collection
specialist as the denominator.  As each data collection specialist
achieves the target error rate or better, verification can be reduced to
a ten percent batch sample of each data collection specialist's work. 
Batches exceeding the target error rate based on the sample shall be
subjected to 100 percent verification.  Verification and adjudication
shall occur within 2 working days of the end of a batch to provide
feedback to the data collection specialist. Data collection specialists
who cannot achieve and/or maintain an acceptable error rate shall be
released from the project.

The error rate percentage and methodology can be modified in
consultation with and approval by AHRQ. When requested, error rate
reports will be provided to the Government.

**4.2.7** **Recruiting, training and managing abstraction staff**

 

The contractor shall develop procedures and materials to efficiently
train all abstraction staff.  Some training shall occur before each year
of abstraction.  Training programs shall be designed so that all
abstraction staff performing the same function will have the same
training in content and in method. The initial training session for all
new data abstractors shall be face to face.  Training manuals and
materials may be adapted from those used in the current MEPS contract,
if deemed appropriate.

The contractor shall develop and conduct a training program for
abstractors.  The contractor shall have the option of adapting already
developed procedures and materials used in the current MPC or developing
new procedures and materials to train all abstraction staff before the
beginning of data collection.  Training programs shall be designed to
ensure that all abstraction staff performing the same function receive
the same training, in both content and in method.  

 

Following training, abstractors should be able, at a minimum to: a)
abstract data items of interest to MEPS from medical and billing records
at an acceptable error rate as determined by the Government, b) identify
and reach appropriate respondents in hospitals and physician offices and
other medical facilities; c) explain the nature and purpose of the MEPS
MPC and answer questions commonly asked by medical and billing staff in
terms of follow up phone calls and in deciding whether or not to
participate; d) if necessary, be able to arrange with medical and
billing staff any of a variety of methods for obtaining the data sought;
e) collect the data, if appropriate and know procedures for probing for
data; f) know how to handle difficult respondents and potential
refusals; g) know when and how to correctly use manuals, references and
guides; h) know how to completely, accurately and in a timely manner
process all administrative forms.

In addition to the capabilities described above, supervisory personnel
shall be able to perform the following functions: a) observe
abstractors, recording instances of appropriate and inappropriate
abstraction and/or general behavior and conveying these observations to
the abstractors in a constructive fashion; b) counsel abstractors on
appropriate handling of unusual situations; c) monitor abstraction
production, time and expense and keep these and other performance
measures at appropriate levels; d) conduct abstraction training sessions
so that all abstractors shall receive, in substance and quality, the
same training; e) identify errors of abstraction staff they supervise
and convey to them the results of this review in a constructive manner,
f) know in general the abstraction rules that apply in abstracting the
data elements of interest to MEPS and be able to explain them to
abstractors they supervise.

The contractor shall define and implement methods for selecting
abstraction staff, both supervisory and non-supervisory, which will
reliably predict quality performance of all abstraction activities.  The
criteria will include previous work experience, work samples, and
education.

The contractor shall also propose a staffing plan that will account for
cyclical retention and work flow issues. 

 

The contractor shall develop and implement detailed abstraction
instructions, rules and verification procedures with adjudication
procedures specified.  The contractor will develop and maintain
procedural manuals. In concert with AHRQ, a decision log will be
maintained and followed as issues arise and decisions are made in how to
handle different data collection situations. The decision log will be
made available to all data abstractors and all data abstractors will
know how to use the decision log. This will ensure consistent data
collection procedures. On a regular basis as determined by the
contractor in consultation with AHRQ, the decision log will be
incorporated into the procedural manual.

Each data abstractor's work shall be checked at 100 percent during the
first two weeks of data collection. Each abstractor must achieve an
error of 2 percent or lower for each group of data elements (charge and
payment data being one group, medical condition data being another
group, etc.) with charge and payment data being the most important
group. Currently, the error rate is calculated as the number of
abstracted variables for which there is disagreement and/or the number
of variables that are missing as the numerator and the total number of
collected variables generated by the abstractor as the denominator.  As
each abstractor achieves the target error rate or better, verification
can be reduced to a ten percent batch sample of each abstractor's work. 
Batches exceeding the target error rate based on the sample shall be
subjected to 100 percent verification.  Verification and adjudication
shall occur within 2 working days of the end of a batch to provide
feedback to the abstractor. Abstractors who cannot achieve and/or
maintain an acceptable error rate shall be released from the project.

The error rate percentage and methodology can be modified in
consultation with and approval by AHRQ. When requested, error rate
reports will be provided to the Government.

**4.2.8 Collecting data from medical providers including billing staff**

The sample of the MEPS MPC is designed to provide data on events for
which household respondents are less likely to be fully aware of the
financial transactions regarding the medical care received, to enrich
the sample of events available as donors for imputation, and to provide
a basis for methodological analysis of household reported payments for
all types of events.  The MPC sample consists of providers specifically
identified in the MEPS HC as having provided medical care to MEPS
sampled persons. The MPC sample can be split into the following groups
for data collection operations:

\(1\) Hospitals.  All hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals,
reported as the site of care for inpatient stays, outpatient department
visits and emergency room encounters shall be included in the MPC
sample.

 

\(2\) Hospital physicians.  Physicians identified by hospitals as
providing care to sampled persons during the course of a hospital event
(inpatient stay, outpatient visit, emergency room visit) who render
bills apart from the hospital facility shall be included in the MPC
sample.

 

\(3\) Office based sample. All office based physicians providing care to
HC sampled persons shall be eligible for the MPC sample.  HMOs are
included in this data collection effort.

 

(4)       Home health care providers.  All agency home health care
providers providing care to MEPS HC sampled persons shall be included in
the MPC sample.

 

\(5\) Pharmacies.  All pharmacies that have dispensed prescribed
medicines to sampled persons shall be included in the MPC sample.

\(6\) Long term health care facilities - all long term health care
facilities (nursing home, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation
facilities, etc.) providing care to MEPS HC sampled persons shall be
included in the MPC sample.

 

All hospitals, home health care agencies and pharmacies and long term
health care health facilities (including nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, etc.) are "in scope" for the MPC.  Other providers and sites
of care are in-scope for MPC (office based sample) if the provider is a
doctor of medicine or osteopathy, or if the provider works under the
direction and/or supervision of a MD or DO.  For example, physician
assistants and nurse practitioners working in clinics are medical
providers considered in scope for the MPC.  Chiropractors and dentists
are out of scope (unless practicing in a hospital). Medical care
received in prisons and jails and medical care received outside the
United States is considered out of scope for the MPC.

 

Based on historical sample projections, AHRQ anticipates the eligible
MPC sample for 2009 to be as identified in Table 4.2.8(A):

 

+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
|                                 **Table 4.2.8(A) -** **MPC    |      |
| sample size assumptions: pair level**                         |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               | Esti |
|                                                               | mate |
| Activity                                                      | for  |
|                                                               | 2009 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| Household Completes                                           | 14   |
|                                                               | ,500 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Hospitals**                                                 |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 12   |
|                                                               | ,022 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.83  x HC completes)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 10   |
|                                                               | ,820 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **HMO**                                                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 550  |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.04 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 495  |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Long term care**                                            |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 98   |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.01 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 88   |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Home health**                                               |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 580  |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.04 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 522  |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Office Based Physicians**                                   |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 24   |
|                                                               | ,560 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 2)                         |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 22   |
|                                                               | ,104 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 90% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Hospital Identified Physicians**                            |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 19   |
|                                                               | ,405 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 1.34)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 17   |
|                                                               | ,465 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 90% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Pharmacy**                                                  |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 20   |
|                                                               | ,660 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 1.42)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 17   |
|                                                               | ,561 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 85% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+

                                             

                                                                  

The MPC sample to provide data for 2009 estimates is composed of two
parts - - providers associated with 2009 events for persons enrolled in
MEPS beginning in 2008 and providers associated with 2009 events for
persons enrolled in MEPS beginning in 2009.  The sample for the 2009
MEPS households associated with the 2009 panel will be identified under
the MEPS HC contract issued in tandem with this contract.  The sample of
providers associated with the 2008 panel is identified under the current
MEPS contract.  For 2009 events encountered by persons/ households in
the 2008 HC panel and the 2009 HC panel, the Government will provide
sample frame materials and appropriate hard copy materials, including
permission forms, to the contractor.

 

Data collection methods may include phone, fax, mail, self
administration, and electronic transmission (including CD-ROMS and
secure transmission on line or via the Internet). Each year of the MPC,
all providers shall be screened to ascertain their eligibility, their
association with the MEPS household respondent, and to obtain
information to facilitate the conduct of the core MPC interview. 
Historically, a paper and pencil method of data collection has been
used. The Government is open to alternatives to the current data
collection methods being used in the MPC data collection. The data
collection method chosen for a provider will be the method that results
in the most complete and accurate data with least burden to the
provider. Technology for data capture from medical providers is
continually evolving and monitoring of this technology and maintaining
compatibility with these systems is critical. Response rates for the MPC
medical providers are expected to be at least 90 percent for medical
care providers and for pharmacies at least 85 percent.

 

The schedule for data collection and data delivery will be dependent on
dates the HC contract has in terms of producing the public use files.
There may be different data collection schedules, data collection
methods, and data delivery schedules for different MPC provider types.
For all provider types except prescribed medicines, the MPC contractor
will deliver the post-matched (not disguised) files and other required
materials to AHRQ four months prior to public use file release of the
files. For prescribed medicines, the post-matched, post-edited and
post-imputed file and other required materials will be delivered two and
one half months prior to public use file release of the prescribed
medicine file.

At a minimum a data collection schedule similar to the one currently
followed will have to be met: data collection for all event types except
separately billing doctors will begin in late February following the
data collection year of interest and will end in mid-November. For
separately billing doctors, data collection will begin in mid-November
following the data collection year of interest and will end in
mid-March. The Government is open to alternatives to the data collection
schedule and method. The method of data collection is now done in waves,
e.g., the Contractor organizes several provider-pair requests for data
in one data collection effort. This happens for 2-3 waves and then
providers are followed up with again as necessary.

For each provider type, official notification in the form of a
deliverable must be provided to the Government indicating to the
Government that the data collection task is complete and the date it was
completed, as well as all necessary QC and final results of the data
collection.

 

During field operations, field progress will be reported bi-weekly to
the Project officer and cost reports shall be reported monthly to the
Project Officer.  An agreed upon format for the field progress and cost
reports will be agreed upon by the Contractor and the AHRQ Project
Officer. This schedule may vary at certain times during data collection
and requests for this must either be generated from the Project Officer
or by approval of the Project Officer. Supervision through supervised
data collection and abstraction, reviews of individual data collection
and abstraction and other means of observation and verifications shall
be maintained to assure the quality of the data.  The contractor shall
arrange for systematic and timely reporting of quality control data to
the Project Officer.  The contractor shall maintain toll-free telephone
communications for respondents (and data collection specialists and
abstractors, if necessary) with the central office so that all questions
can be answered efficiently, and problems anticipated will be dealt with
proactively.

 

**4.3 Data Processing**

**4.3.1 Providing data security**

 

The Contractor shall provide for the secure and confidential storage of
all hardcopy materials and computer files, as specified by the Project
Officer.  In addition, the Contractor shall provide for the secure and
confidential transmission of data between the central office, data
collection staff and abstractors, as well as for the secure storage of
information residing on the MPC staff computers or laptops, if
necessary.  The contractor shall also set up and maintain a secure
encrypted data transmission line so that confidential data and documents
can be transmitted from the contractor to AHRQ. The Government will
provide hardware to the contractor for the encrypted line. Within 30
days of award, the contractor shall submit a draft, and within 90 days a
final plan and implementation schedule for data security.  The plan and
actual implementation for data security shall conform to all current
government regulations for the use and storage of confidential data.

1.  **Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)**

Contractors eligible for this contract more than likely routinely
collect sensitive data. Although the data collected under this contract
are not covered under HIPAA (AHRQ is not a covered entity because it is
not a: health plan; health care clearinghouse; or a health care provider
that electronically transmits health information), many providers of the
data will want to be assured HIPAA like standards being followed.
Contractors are expected to protect the security and confidentiality of
data, databases, project files, and any individually identifiable
information associated with the project using procedures that would
address these concerns.

**4.3.1.2 Privacy Act**

-   The Contractor shall be responsible for the security and the privacy
    of the system. All Federal public web sites must comply with Section
    207(f)(1)(b)(iv) of the E-Gov Act of 2002, which requires
    organizations to have security protocols to protect information.

-   The Contractor shall comply with all Federal and HHS security
    guidelines that are in effect at the time of the award of this
    contract. U.S. Laws, Office of Management and Budget requirements,
    HHS Policies and Guides, and Federal Government Computer Security
    Policy and Guides are provided via the Internet:
    [[http://www.hhs.gov/ocio/security/docs.html]{.underline}](http://www.hhs.gov/ocio/security/docs.html)

-   The Contractor shall insure that the Web sites and data are secured
    behind appropriate perimeter defense technologies and that these
    technologies are programmatically monitored for anomalous traffic
    behavior(s).

-   The Contractor shall immediately report any unauthorized access to
    the Project Officer and or System Owner.

-   The Contractor shall insure that PII (Personally Identifiable
    Information, defined by FOIA II) data is never allowed on a system
    with public (Internet) access unless given expressed permission from
    the contracting officer.

-   The Contractor shall conduct and maintain a Privacy Impact
    Assessment (PIA) as defined by Section 208 of the E-Government Act
    of 2002 and FAR Clause 52-239-1. Periodic reviews shall be conducted
    to determine if a major change to the system has occurred, and if a
    PIA update is needed.

    -   Contractor shall abide by all requirements of the Privacy Act of
        1974 and FAR Clause 52-239-1. Pursuant to those requirements,
        contractor will publish a System of Record (SOR) notice in the
        Federal Register when a new System of Records is to be created
        and will publish an updated SOR notice following a "major
        change" as defined by Office of Memorandum and Budget Memorandum
        03-22 or subsequent replacement guidance. 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.

(a) **Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).**

-   The Contractor shall conduct a Federal Information Security
    Management Act (FISMA)-conforming Certification &Accreditation
    process of the System prior to the System being placed into
    production. Such C&A will be compliant to all PL-107-347
    requirements, Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
    mandates
    ([[http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/]{.underline}](http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/)),
    and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance.
    This guidance includes, but is not limited to NIST 800-18, 800-30,
    800-37, 800-53 (with appropriate baseline control sets), and 800-60,
    FIPS 199, FIPS 200 and is available on the Internet:
    [[http://csrc.nist.gov/]{.underline}](http://csrc.nist.gov/).

-   The System Security Plan (SSP) produced for the C&A will, at a
    minimum, contain provisions for:

    -   A Tested Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

    -   Computer Incident Response Capability (CIRC)

    -   Access Controls containing i.) Rules of Behavior, and ii.)
        Appropriate Use Policies

    -   Annual Security Awareness Training requirement

    -   PIA (Privacy Impact Analysis)

    -   CCP (Change Control Procedures)

    -   Appropriate NIST 800-53 Control Set with an appropriate
        Supplemental Control Set. Control Sets will be appropriate to
        the SC (Security Classification) determined by using FIPS-199
        and NIST 800-60 requirements and guidance.

> At the conclusion of the C&A process the contractor shall provide an
> out-brief to the System Owner (SO, who will be the Project Officer)
> and Information Owner(s) that will describe in detail the requirements
> of the Continuous Monitoring Phase for the succeeding calendar year
> (from the date of the Accreditation letter from the Designated
> Approval Authority \[DAA\]). Further, the Contractor will identify to
> the SO all known requirements of FISMA compliance to include
> reporting, continuing Risk Analyses, Plan of Action and Milestones
> (P.O.A.&M) completion, and a discussion that imparts a clear
> understanding to the SO of the Risk Profile (including Residual Risk)
> of the System covered in the C&A process.

-   Information Systems Security Training:

    AHRQ and HHS policy requires contractors receive security training
    commensurate with their responsibilities for performing work under
    the terms and conditions of their contractual agreements.

    The contractor will be responsible for assuring that each contractor
    employee has completed the AHRQ Security Awareness Training as
    required by AHRQ prior to performing any contract work, and on an
    annual basis thereafter, during the period of performance of the
    contract. The contractor shall maintain a listing of all individuals
    who have completed this training and shall submit this listing to
    the Project Officer.

-   Additional security training requirements commensurate with the
    position may be required as defined in NIST Special Publication
    800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements
    ([http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-16/800-16.pdf](../(http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-16/800-16.pdf)).
    The document above provides information about information security
    training that may be useful to potential offerors. The contractor
    shall maintain a list of all individuals who have significant
    security responsibilities that have completed the
    AHRQ_Combined_Security_Training and submit the list to the Project
    Officer.

-   Access to HHS electronic mail:

> All Contractor staff that have access to and use of HHS electronic
> mail (e-mail) must identify themselves as contractors on all outgoing
> e-mail messages, including those that are sent in reply or are
> forwarded to another user. To best comply with this requirement, the
> contractor staff shall set up an e-mail signature (\"AutoSignature\")
> or an electronic business card (\"V-card\") on each contractor
> employee\'s computer system and/or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
> that will automatically display \"Contractor\" in the signature area
> of all e-mails sent.

-   Commitment to Protect Departmental Information Systems and Data

    Contractor Agreement:

    The Contractor shall not release, publish, or disclose Departmental
    information to unauthorized personnel, and shall protect such
    information in accordance with provisions of the following laws and
    any other pertinent laws and regulations governing the
    confidentiality of sensitive information:

    -   18 U.S.C. 641 (Criminal Code: Public Money, Property or Records)

    -   18 U.S.C. 1905 (Criminal Code: Disclosure of Confidential
        Information)

    -   Public Law 96-511 (Paperwork Reduction Act)

    -   Contractor-Employee Non-Disclosure Agreements:

        Each contractor employee who may have access to sensitive
        Department information under this contract shall complete
        Commitment to Protect Non-Public Information - Contractor
        Agreement. A copy of each signed and witnessed Non-Disclosure
        agreement shall be submitted to the Project Officer prior to
        performing any work under the contract.

```{=html}
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-   Encryption:

> The contractor shall: (a) encrypt all of its laptop computers and
> other mobile devices and portable media which store or process
> sensitive HHS data using Federal Information Processing Standard
> (FIPS) 140-2 compliant encryption; (b) verify that encryption products
> have been validated under the Cryptographic Module Validation Program
> (<http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/>) to confirm compliance with FIPS
> 140-2; (c) establish key recovery mechanisms to ensure the ability to
> decrypt and recover sensitive information by authorized personnel; and
> (d) generate and manage encryption keys securely to prevent
> unauthorized decryption of information.
>
> For purposes of this contract, information is considered sensitive if
> *the loss of confidentiality or integrity could be expected to have a
> **serious, severe or catastrophic** adverse effect on organizational
> operations, organizational assets, or individuals.*[^1]
>
> Further, the loss of sensitive information confidentiality or
> integrity might: (i) cause a significant or severe degradation in
> mission capability to an extent and duration that the organization is
> unable to perform its primary functions or the effectiveness of the
> functions is significantly reduced; (ii) result in significant or
> major damage to organizational assets; (iii) result in significant or
> major financial loss; or (iv) result in significant, severe or
> catastrophic harm to individuals.

-   Security Configurations:

> The provider of information technology shall certify applications are
> fully functional and operate correctly as intended on systems using
> the HHS Core Configurations. These standard configurations will be
> published and maintained at:
> <http://intranet.hhs.gov/infosec/docs/policies_guides/MCS/smcs_toc.htm>.
> Being that this is located on the HHS intranet and can only be viewed
> by those connected to the HHS network. However, the template will be
> made available when needed. As standard configurations may change
> frequently, providers must ensure applications meet the most recent
> set of security configurations at the time of acquisition or contract
> initiation.
>
> The standard installation, operation, maintenance, updates, and/or
> patching of software shall not alter the configuration settings from
> the approved HHS Core Configurations.
>
> Applications designed for normal end users shall run in the standard
> user context without elevated system administration privileges.
>
> Exceptions to the HHS Core Configurations must be noted and approved
> by the HHS Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and the OPDIV
> CISO in advance of implementation.

[References]{.underline}

> \(1\) HHS Information Security Program Policy:

<http://www.hhs.gov/ohr/manual/pssh.pdf>

\(2\) HHS Personnel Security/Suitability Handbook:

<http://www.hhs.gov/ohr/manual/pssh.pdf>

\(3\) NIST Special Publication 800-16, Information Technology Security
Training Requirements:

<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-16/800-16.pdf>

Appendix A-D:
<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-16/AppendixA-D.pdf>

\(4\) NIST SP 800-18, Guide for Developing Security Plans for
Information Technology Systems:
<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/index.html>

\(5\) NIST SP 800-60, Guide for Mapping Types of Information and
Information Systems to Security Categories, Volume I:
<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60/SP800-60V1-final.pdf>

\(6\) NIST SP 800-60, Guide for Mapping Types of Information and
Information Systems to Security Categories, Volume II:
[http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60/SP800-60V2-final.pdf](http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60/SP800-60V1-final.pdf)

\(7\) NIST SP 800-37, Guide for Security Certification and Accreditation
of Federal Information Systems:

<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-37/SP800-37-final.pdf>

\(8\) Recommended Security Controls for a Federal Information System:

<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-53/SP800-53.pdf>

\(9\) NIST SP 800-26, Security Self Assessment Guide for Information
Technology Systems:

<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-26/sp800-26.pdf>

\(10\) NIST SP 800-64, Security Considerations in the Information System
Development Life Cycle:

> <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-64/NIST-SP800-64.pdf>

\(11\) Federal Information Processing Standards, Standards for Security
Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems:

<http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips199/FIPS-PUB-199-final.pdf>

(12) Federal Information Processing Standards, Minimum Security

> Requirements for a Federal Information System:
>
> <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips200/FIPS-200-final-march.pdf>

(13) Cryptographic Module Validation Program:

> <http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/>

**4.3.1.4 IT Acquisitions**

The Contractor will assist the Government in production of Exhibit 300
materials.

If an offeror decides to automate all or pieces of the MPC operations
and processes, IT acquisitions may be necessary.

**4.3.1.5 Research Involving Human Subjects.**

Federal policy for the protection of human research subjects -- 45CFR46.
Regulation applies to all research conducted or supported by the Federal
government. Except for exempt projects, all Federal research involving
human subjects or identifiable private information about a living
individual must be subject to Institutional Review Board (IRB) review
and approval. It is anticipated that the data collection activities for
this contract will require an IRB review. Completely anonymous or
de-identified public use datasets, like the MEPS Public Use Data Files,
may request this exemption. Federal Statute requires without exception
that the confidentiality of personally identifiable information will be
maintained throughout the research and thereafter.

**4.3.2 Forms control and receipt**

 

The contractor shall develop and implement data and forms receipt
procedures that achieve the greatest efficiency.  These procedures shall
include the monitoring and quality control of each stage of data
receipt, procedures for identifying and handling data collection
instruments, procedures for insuring transmission of data and other
communication between the central office and data collection and
abstraction staff.  The means for tracking the receipt of electronic and
hard copy materials (such as medical and billing records) and flagging
overdue or outstanding materials, electronic or hardcopy documents
related to a case shall be provided.

 

**4.3.3 Data entry**

 

If the data is collected in hard copy, the contractor shall develop,
reproduce and implement detailed scanning and keying, training and
verification procedures.  Verification shall begin at a rate of 100
percent and continue until a specific rate of one percent or less is
consistently achieved.  Once the one percent error rate is achieved,
verification shall be reduced to a ten percent sample of each day's work
for each scanner or keyer.  Batches with error rates in the sample of
greater than one percent shall be subject to 100 percent verification. 
Keyers who cannot achieve and/or maintain an error rate below one
percent shall be released.

The government is open to revisions to the current process. If a
different data collection method or separate data entry is proposed, the
contractor shall develop and define that process.

When requested, error rate reports will be provided to the Government.

 

**4.3.4 Conducting training program for coders and verifiers to the
extent this activity is not performed in data capture activity**

 

The MEPS MPC data collection instrument contains a number of text fields
that need to be converted to numeric form.  These include.

(1)        Sources of payment information reported in the MPC according
to the memoranda in the exhibits. Source of payment specification will
be provided to the contractor after awarding of the contract.

 

(2)       All conditions including verbatim conditions reported during
the MPC data collection - these shall be classified using the ICD-9-CM
classification scheme.

 

(3)       All prescribed drugs reported in the MPC data collection.  Any
verbatim mentions shall be converted into NDC codes, to the extent
possible, or to an appropriate disaggregated code when NDC coding is not
possible. All NDC codes will further be coded using a coding scheme
which will allow matching between household drug mentions and MPC drug
mentions.

 

(4)        All supplies identified in the MPC shall be coded using BETOS
coding specifications

 

The contractor shall develop and conduct a training program for coders
and verifiers.  The contractor shall develop and implement detailed
coding instructions, rules and verification procedures with adjudication
procedures specified. A procedural manual will be developed and
maintained for coders and verifiers. This will ensure consistent coding
for all coders. Each coder's work shall be checked at 100 percent during
the first two weeks of coding or until the error rate is less than 2
percent, where the error rate is calculated as the number of codes for
which there is disagreement as the numerator and the total number of
codes generated by the coder as the denominator.  As each coder achieves
the target error rate or better, verification can be reduced to a ten
percent batch sample of each coder's work.  Batches exceeding the target
error rate based on the sample shall be subjected to 100 percent
verification.  Verification and adjudication shall occur within 2
working days of the end of a batch to provide feedback to the coder.
Coders who cannot achieve and/or maintain an acceptable error rate shall
be released from the project.

The contractor will develop and maintain a coding and verifying
procedural manual(s). In concert with AHRQ, a decision log will be
maintained and followed as issues arise and decisions are made in how to
handle different coding situations. The decision log will be made
available to all coders and verifiers and all coders and verifiers will
know how to use the decision log. This will ensure consistent coding and
verification procedures. On a regular basis as determined by the
contractor in consultation with AHRQ, the decision log will be
incorporated into the procedural manual.

When requested, error rate reports will be provided to the Government.

All coding mechanisms employed in the MPC will need to mirror those used
on the HC of the MEPS contract to ensure appropriate linkages and
matching between the files as the files will be used by each contractor.

**4.3.5 Matching**

 

The contractor shall develop specifications for matching data collected
in the Medical Provider Component with complementary data collected in
the Household Component.  These specifications will include step by step
delineation of the method to be used for matching individual household
and medical provider reported events and a complete detailed listing of
the variables that will be needed from the household survey to implement
that process. The specification of the matching methodology will include
identification of the process for rolling up and de-duplicating the raw
MPC data so that each record is a unique medical event, MPC pre-matching
consistency checks and logical edits, the specific matching procedure to
be used for each event type (hospital, office based, separately billing
doctor, home health, pharmacy and long term health care), the post
matching quality control process, and the structure of the matched
files. The list of needed household variables will be forwarded to the
household data collection contractor, who will then provide the
requested variables and appropriate documentation. The MPC contractor
will deliver copies of the raw MPC files for each event type to AHRQ,
and copies of the matched files to AHRQ (which will go to the HC
contractor via AHRQ). The matched files must also include necessary
matching and linking variables.

The MPC contractor will use existing 2005 HC and MPC data which will be
provided by the Government to develop and test the matching procedures
and methodology before the production of the 2010 files.  Currently, for
all medical provider event types but prescribed medicines, a
probabilistic statistical procedure based on the Automatch program is
used to link household and medical provider events.  Detailed
specifications for this method and the prescribed drug method will be
provided on award.  Enhancements or revisions to improve matching are
encouraged, subject to review and approval by the Project Officer. 
Within 9 months of the award of this contract the contractor will
provide the Project Officer with a methodological report containing
detailed specifications for the contractors proposed matching process
and for the production of the linked HC-MPC data files.

Available for review are: 1) Probability matching of medical events, M.
Winglee, et.al., Journal of Economic and Social Measurement 23 (1999)
pp. 1-12; 2) draft report, Probability matching of medical events for
the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 3) MEPS Prescribed Drug
Editing and Analytic Specifications and 4) Methodology Report,
Outpatient Prescription Drugs: Data Collection and Editing in the 1996
Medical Expenditure Survey (HC-010A).

**4.3.6 Developing internal MPC data files, matched HC and MPC files and
an edited and imputed prescribed medicines files**

 

> The main goal of this procurement is the delivery of high quality,
> timely and accurate data to AHRQ which will then go to the MEPS HC
> contractor. To this end, AHRQ requires the development of internal
> (non public) MPC files for all MPC event types (hospital stays,
> emergency room visits, outpatient visits, separately billing doctors,
> office based provider visits, home health care, prescribed medicines,
> and long term health care) and documentation.  The MPC Contractor will
> receive the MPC sample from which these files will be prepared from
> the HC contractor as well as all necessary authorization forms via
> AHRQ. The contractor will also receive from the HC contractor (via
> AHRQ) the necessary data and linking variables to perform the matching
> process between MPC and HC events. The MPC contractor will provide
> documentation for the files as well as for the matching process used
> in the MPC to HC matching. Matched HC and MPC files will be provided
> with detailed documentation.

The MPC contractor will use existing 2005 HC and MPC data which will be
provided by the Government to develop and test the matching procedures
and methodology before the production of the 2010 files.  Currently for
all medical provider event types but prescribed medicines, a
probabilistic statistical procedure based on the Automatch program is
used to link household and medical provider events.  Detailed
specifications for this method and the prescribed drug method will be
provided on award.  Enhancements or revisions to improve matching are
encouraged, subject to review and approval by the Project Officer. 
Within 9 months of the award of this contract, the contractor will
provide the Project Officer with a methodological report containing
detailed specifications for the contractor's proposed matching process
and for the production of the linked HC-MPC data files

**4.3.6.1 Prescribed Medicines**

As part of the analytic file efforts, for the prescribed medicines file
only, the MPC contractor shall complete all of the following:  (1)
design, test and implement procedures to edit, raw data, including
resolution of inconsistencies (2) perform imputations of prescribed
medicines expenditure data using weighted sequential hotdeck and/or
other appropriate statistical methods, (3) perform quality control
checks on final versions of files.  These checks shall entail at a
minimum producing population-weighted frequencies of selected variables
and benchmarking the results against other sources of similar
information; editing data to conform to the standards and specifications
for prescribed medicines; implementing methods (using data collected
through the Medical Provider Component) to replace missing data for all
payment sources for each acquisition; and HC -- MPC matching activities.

Pharmacy data also will have to be reviewed for confidentiality concerns
prior to final file development. Drugs can be considered so rare or used
for such a specific condition that they need to be disguised prior to
public release. There are procedures in place in the current MEPS
activities where these types of reviews are performed. Upon award, the
Government will provide output for these types of reviews as well as the
current specifications/rules that are followed. The Government is open
to suggestions by the MPC contractor for possible alternatives to the
current confidentiality review process. In addition, certain Cerner
Multum variables will have to be merged onto the fully edited and
imputed prescribed medicines files. Again, upon award, the Government
will provide the Contractor with the current programs to do such
merging.

Detailed quality control runs will be performed for prescribed medicines
estimates that will help in the QC and benchmarking process.

Each year, AHRQ will provide Veteran's Administration price data to be
used in the prescribed drug editing and imputation.

The MPC contractor will use existing 2005 HC and MPC data which will be
provided by the Government to develop and test the editing and
imputation procedures and methodology before the production of the 2010
files.   Detailed specifications for the current prescribed medicines
editing and imputation will be provided on award. Enhancements or
revisions to improve matching are encouraged, subject to review and
approval by the Project Officer.  Within 10 months of the award of this
contract, the contractor will provide the Project Officer with a
methodological report containing detailed specifications for the
contractor's proposed editing and imputation process and for the
production of the edited, imputed, and matched prescribed medicines
internal non-public file that will be in a state ready for public use
development.

 **4.3.7 Internal Files Production and Deliveries**

As part of its efforts, the contractor shall:  (1) design, test and
implement procedures to clean raw data, including resolution
of inconsistencies, (2) perform quality control checks on final version
of matched files, (3) produce and deliver internal MPC files that
include matched and unmatched data (4) produce matched files and
necessary matching variables and documentation, (5) produce fully edited
and imputed prescribed medicines file, that is ready for public use file
development, and documentation (this will file will include merged on
Cerner Multum variables).

** **

The Contractor shall organize the data collected in the MPC into data
files usable with the SAS

statistical software package with documentation.

 

All data file deliveries shall include the following:

>  
>
> **\*          ** The original uncleaned flat file and complete
> documentation for the file.**  **
>
> **\*          ** The final rolled up matched version of each event
> file (cleaned version) with: 
>
> **\* **A codebook containing variable names, labels, and formats, as
> well as weighted and unweighted frequencies for each formatted
> variable. Totals will also be provided. Positional information will be
> provided as will variable length and variable type.
>
> **\*** Documentation containing variable names and descriptions.
>
> **\*           For prescribed medicines only**, the final rolled up
> matched, edited and imputed version of the event file (cleaned
> version) with: 
>
> **\* **A codebook containing variable names, labels, and formats, as
> well as weighted and unweighted frequencies for each formatted
> variable. Totals will also be provided. Positional information will be
> provided as will variable length and variable type.
>
> **\*** Documentation containing variable names and descriptions.
>
> **\***          Variable formats and a crosswalk between the data
> collection instrument and the variables produced shall also be
> included.  
>
> **\***          Matching specifications, and matching variables and
> documentation
>
> **\***          Editing and imputation specifications for prescribed
> medicines and editing and imputation variables and documentation
>
> **\***          Appropriate, timely and QC'd deliveries and matched
> data files to go to HC contractor (through AHRQ) that will include
> detailed documentation. This deliverable will also include matching
> variables as well MPC variables needed for editing and imputation. For
> prescribed drug file, AHRQ will receive edited, matched pre-imputation
> and post imputation files, all matching and editing and imputation
> variables as well as the consolidated post imputation file that will
> be ready for public use file development.  

**4.3.8 Quality Control**

The contractor shall develop a quality control plan that provides
details of how quality control will be addressed for all major
deliverables and tasks. The plan shall detail how they shall monitor and
control the services provided in terms of: timeliness, accuracy,
relevance, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, technical requirements and
contract provisions.

This plan shall identify which quality standards are relevant to the
project and determine how to satisfy them. The contractor will apply the
quality control activities identified in the plan and monitor specific
project results to determine whether they comply with relevant quality
standards. The contractor will identify ways to eliminate causes of
unsatisfactory performance. At a minimum this plan shall address:

> \* Overall project quality control including any proposed evaluations
> addressing efforts to reduce errors, data collection specialist,
> abstractor and coder monitoring, training and retraining of staff,
> change control process, planning for cyclical changes in staffing and
> workload.
>
> \* Identification of major data quality indicators that require weekly
> monitoring during data collection (missing data, response rate)
>
> \* Data capture instrument change - question development, programming,
> if needed, testing and evaluation
>
> \* Version control for documentation, forms, and memos, and design
> changes
>
> \* A check list of items to be verified for all data deliverables (is
> the number of records correct, has benchmarking been completed and if
> so, what were the results of the benchmarking), has the documentation
> and cover memo been checked for accuracy)
>
> \* Adequate and timely documentation to assure repeatability of all
> data capture and matching, as well as prescribed medicines editing and
> imputation activities
>
> \* Adequate and timely review of prescribed medicines for potential
> confidentiality risks
>
> \* The development and maintenance of decision logs and procedural
> manuals for all data coding, data entry, data collection, data
> editing, data abstraction, and verification activities
>
> \* Benchmarking to external and previous year MEPS estimates for key
> data elements as defined by AHRQ, with particular emphasis on
> expenditure and source of payment variables
>
> \* Plan to enumerate abstraction standards and monitor abstraction
> error rates
>
> \* Plan to enumerate coding standards and monitor coding error rates
>
> \* Setting up a structure in which responses to requests by providers
> can be immediate when necessary and will not have a 24-48 hour lag
>
> \* Setting up 1-800 or 1-888 number standards and procedures for
> monitoring responses for response time and technical accuracy
>
> \* Quality of advanced information (information sent to the respondent
> organization prior to requesting the data)- impact changes have on
> participation, procedures for producing and updating advanced
> information, evaluation of contact and follow up procedures
>
> \* Supervisor related QC activities

**4.4 Government-furnished Property**

The contractor shall also set up and maintain a secure encrypted data
transmission line so that confidential data and documents can be
transmitted from the contractor to AHRQ. The Government will provide
hardware to the contractor for the encrypted line.

**5.0 Options and Incremental Funding**

Unless the Government exercises its option(s) pursuant to the Option
Clause, the contract will consist only of the Base Period of the
Statement of Work as defined in Attachment 1 and Section F of the
contract. Pursuant to FAR clause 52.217-8, the Government may, by
unilateral contract modification, require the Contractor to perform
Option Periods 1, 2, and/or 3 of the Statement of Work as also defined
in Attachment 1 and Section F of this contract. If the Government
exercises any option, notice must be given at least 60 days prior to the
expiration date of this contract, and the estimated cost (plus any fees)
of the contract will be increased as set forth by the budget.

> **Option Period 1**

 

> The contractor shall continue all tasks and shall be repeated for the
> 2010 MPC with the sample specified below. 

 

> **Option Period 2**

 

> The contractor shall continue all tasks and shall be repeated for the
> 2011 MPC with the sample specified below.  

**Option Period 3**

> The contractor shall continue all tasks and shall be repeated for the
> 2012 MPC with the sample specified below.

Based on historical sample projections, AHRQ anticipates the eligible
MPC sample for the option years to be:

+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
|                                      **MPC sample size        |      |
| assumption for option years: pair level**                     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               | Esti |
|                                                               | mate |
| Activity                                                      | for  |
|                                                               | 2    |
|                                                               | 010, |
|                                                               | 2    |
|                                                               | 011, |
|                                                               | 2012 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| Household Completes                                           | 14   |
|                                                               | ,500 |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Hospitals**                                                 |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 12   |
|                                                               | ,022 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.83  x HC completes)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 10   |
|                                                               | ,820 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **HMO**                                                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 550  |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.04 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 495  |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Long term care**                                            |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 98   |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.01 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 88   |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Home health**                                               |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 580  |
|                                                               |      |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (.04 x HC completes)                       |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 522  |
|                                                               |      |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x response rate of 90%)     |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Office Based Physicians**                                   |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 24   |
|                                                               | ,560 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 2)                         |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 22   |
|                                                               | ,104 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 90% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Hospital Identified Physicians**                            |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 19   |
|                                                               | ,405 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 1.34)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 17   |
|                                                               | ,465 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 90% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               |      |
|                                                               |      |
| **Pharmacy**                                                  |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 20   |
|                                                               | ,660 |
| Initial sample for which permission to contact is available   |      |
| minus out of scope (HC completes x 1.42)                      |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+
|                                                               | 17   |
|                                                               | ,561 |
| Expected completed pairs (final n x 85% response rate)        |      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------+

**6.0 MEPS MPC** **Reference Materials see Section L**

**[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)

>  

 

**F.2.        DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

 

> The items specified for delivery below are subject to the review and
> approval of the Project Officer before final acceptance.  The
> Contractor shall be required to make revisions deemed necessary by the
> Project Officer.

 

> The Contractor shall produce the following scheduled
> reports/deliverables in the amount, and within the time frame
> indicated.  Deliverables shall be submitted to the Project Officer,
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Financing,
> Access and Cost Trends, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850
> (Phone: **To Be Completed at Time of Contract Award**). 
>
> For all plans and specifications a draft will be submitted to the
> Project Officer for review and approval at least 6 weeks prior to the
> final deliverable is due. If after review the Project Offeror finds
> any of the dates provided as unacceptable, an alternative schedule
> should be proposed.  Final deliverables are those incorporating
> changes requested by the Project Officer.  Survey questionnaires refer
> to both hard copy representations as well as executable computer
> software that can be reviewed by the Government.

 

> Each deliverable shall include a machine readable copy in the word
> processing package supported by AHRQ (current version of Word). In
> addition, the Contractor will submit to the Project Officer a naming
> and numbering convention that aids in the identification of the
> deliverables.

 

> Dates are in months (M) or weeks (W)s or days (Ds)  from the effective
> date of the contract unless otherwise specified.

 

> The Contractor shall submit the following items in accordance with the
> stated delivery schedule (where a month is specified this is to be
> interpreted as the 15^th^ of the month or the business day closest to
> the 15^th^):
>
> The Contractor shall also submit the following items to the
> Contracting Officer: Management Meeting Minutes, Annual Methodology
> Report and Final Report.

**F.2        PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE**

 

The period of performance for the Base Period of the contract shall be
from the

effective date of the contract through 42 months (3 ½ years) thereafter
with 3

Option Periods. The period of performance of each Option Period, if
exercised, shall be for 42 months (3 ½ years). The total time period for
the base period and all option years is 80 months.

Option Period 1 may be exercised anytime after completion of the first
year of the

> Base Period. It is anticipated that Option Period 2 shall be exercised
> around July/August 2010. It is anticipated that Option Period 3 shall
> be exercised around July/August 2011.

 

**F.3        DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

 

> The items specified for delivery below are subject to the review and
> approval of the Project Officer before final acceptance.  The
> Contractor shall be required to make revisions deemed necessary by the
> Project Officer.

 

> The Contractor shall produce the following scheduled
> reports/deliverables in the amount, and within the time frame
> indicated.  Deliverables shall be submitted to the Project Officer,
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Financing,
> Access, and Cost Trends, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850
> (Phone: **To Be Completed at Time of Contract Award**). 
>
> For all plans and specifications a draft will be submitted to the
> Project Officer for review and approval at least 6 weeks prior to the
> final deliverable due date. Final deliverables are those incorporating
> changes requested by the Project Officer. If after review of the
> offeror finds any of the dates provided unacceptable, an alternative
> schedule should be provided. ** **

 

> Each deliverable shall include a machine readable copy in PDF (unless
> directed otherwise by the Project Officer). In addition, the
> Contractor in consultation with the Project Officer will develop a
> naming convention that aids in the identification of the deliverables.

 

> Dates are in months (M) or weeks (W)s or days (Ds)  from the effective
> date of the contract unless otherwise specified.

 

> The Contractor shall submit the following items in accordance with the
> stated delivery schedule:

MEPS MPC Deliverables -- Base Period

+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Del      | Title                             | Date                  |
| iverable |                                   |                       |
| Number   |                                   | Panel 14, 2009        |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Project Management Plan           | 30 Ds after effective |
|          |                                   | date of contract      |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Management meeting agenda         | 5 Ds before meeting   |
|          | including reports that will be    |                       |
|          | discussed/reviewed at meeting     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Management meeting minutes        | 10 Ds after meeting   |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Documentation of key decisions    | 10 Ds after decision  |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Annual Methodology Report 2009    | February 2010         |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Methodology report on data        | 9 Ms after effective  |
|          | collection for hospital           | date of contract      |
|          | physicians not included in the    |                       |
|          | hospital bill                     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Methodology report on matching    | 9 Ms after effective  |
|          | (which will include results of    | date of contract      |
|          | matching demonstration)           |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Develop and test the matching     | 9 Ms after effective  |
|          | procedures and methodology on     | date of contract      |
|          | 2005 MEPS data and delivery of    |                       |
|          | these matched files               |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Specifications for sample         | October 2008          |
|          | preparation -2009 MEPS MPC        |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Methodology report on prescribed  | 10 Ms after effective |
|          | drug editing and imputation       | date of contract      |
|          | (which will include results of    |                       |
|          | prescribed drug editing and       |                       |
|          | imputation)                       |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Develop and test the editing and  | 10 Ms after effective |
|          | imputation procedures and         | date of contract      |
|          | methodology on 2005 MEPS data and |                       |
|          | delivery of this file             |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for prescribed drug editing  | February 2009         |
|          | and imputation                    |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC training plan                 | September 2008        |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for receipting and           | 9 Ms after effective  |
|          | cataloging medical provider       | date of contract      |
|          | permission forms from HC          |                       |
|          | contractor                        |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for establishing the frame   | September 2008        |
|          | for the MPC sample, including     |                       |
|          | unduplication                     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for preparing MPC files for  | September 2008        |
|          | fielding and back-linkage         |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for maintaining the frame    | October 2008          |
|          | for the MPC during fielding,      |                       |
|          | including procedures for splits   |                       |
|          | and merges                        |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for the identification of    | October 2008          |
|          | hospital physicians, preparing    |                       |
|          | the files for fielding and        |                       |
|          | back-linkage                      |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for data collection of       | October 2008          |
|          | hospital physicians not included  |                       |
|          | in the hospital bill (include     |                       |
|          | mock tables)                      |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Draft data collection instruments | 8 Ms before use       |
|          | and respondent materials suitable |                       |
|          | for OMB clearance                 |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Final respondent materials --     | November 2009         |
|          | (e.g., letters, brochures) for    |                       |
|          | the MPC                           |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Final MPC data collection         | November 2009         |
|          | instruments                       |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Overall MPC data collection plan, | October 2008          |
|          | including staffing plan,          |                       |
|          | abstraction plan, quality control |                       |
|          | procedures, electronic            |                       |
|          | communication and transmission    |                       |
|          | arrangements, field cost and      |                       |
|          | production reports (samples),     |                       |
|          | response rate reports, and plan   |                       |
|          | for multi-mode data collection    |                       |
|          | (include mock tables)             |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC staffing, recruitment and     | October 2008          |
|          | retention plan (include           |                       |
|          | management in plan)               |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Report on MPC data collection     | January 2011          |
|          | evaluating the overall MPC data   |                       |
|          | collection plan (post data        |                       |
|          | collection)                       |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC data collection specialist -- | 2 Ms before use       |
|          | training materials including a    |                       |
|          | schedule, verbatim scripts,       |                       |
|          | trainer, supervisor and data      |                       |
|          | collection specialist manuals,    |                       |
|          | mock examples and home study      |                       |
|          | packages                          |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC data collection specialist    | October 2008          |
|          | work processes plan which will    |                       |
|          | include QC plan, and procedural   |                       |
|          | manual                            |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC abstractor training materials | 2 Ms before use       |
|          | including a schedule, verbatim    |                       |
|          | scripts, trainer, supervisor and  |                       |
|          | abstractor manuals, mock examples |                       |
|          | and home study packages           |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC abstraction work processes    | October 2008          |
|          | plan which will include QC plan   |                       |
|          | and procedural manual             |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC cost and progress data        | Bi-weekly for data    |
|          | collection reports                | collection progress,  |
|          |                                   | and monthly for cost  |
|          |                                   | reports while in      |
|          |                                   | field                 |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC response rate reports (pair   | Bi-weekly while in    |
|          | and provider level)               | field                 |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC data collection completed     | November 30 2010      |
|          | field period official             |                       |
|          | notification with completion date |                       |
|          | and QC and final results (all     |                       |
|          | provider types except separately  |                       |
|          | billing doctors)                  |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC data collection completed     | March 30 2011         |
|          | field period official             |                       |
|          | notification with completion date |                       |
|          | and QC and final results -        |                       |
|          | separately billing doctors only   |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Data processing plan -- MPC       | July 2008             |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Draft data security plan -- MPC   | 4 Ws after contract   |
|          |                                   | award                 |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Final data security plan -- MPC   | 3 Ms after contract   |
|          |                                   | award, updated yearly |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC data quality control plan --  | August 2008           |
|          | MPC                               |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for forms control and        | 1 M before field      |
|          | receipt -- MPC                    | period                |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for data entry -- MPC        | September 2008        |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Plan for matching MPC to HC       | January 2009          |
|          | events                            |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC coder training materials      | 2 Ms before use       |
|          | including a schedule, trainer,    |                       |
|          | supervisor and coder manuals,     |                       |
|          | mock examples and home study      |                       |
|          | packages                          |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | MPC coder work processes plan     | October 2008          |
|          | which will include QC plan and    |                       |
|          | procedural manual                 |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Coding plan for drugs,            | October 2008          |
|          | conditions/diagnoses, medical     |                       |
|          | procedures and supplies including |                       |
|          | training materials and quality    |                       |
|          | control specifications - MPC      |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Coding plan for sources of        | October 2008          |
|          | payment including training        |                       |
|          | materials and quality control     |                       |
|          | specifications -- MPC             |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Separately billing doctors coding | October 2008          |
|          | including training materials and  |                       |
|          | quality control specifications    |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Pharmacy provider, medical        | October 2008          |
|          | provider, and separately billing  |                       |
|          | doctors provider coding plan      |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | The MPC files flattened to the    | November 2010         |
|          | event level, with provider        |                       |
|          | characteristics and event type    |                       |
|          | identification on each record     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Matching MPC to HC events         | December 2010         |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Editing and Imputation of         | February 2011         |
|          | Prescribed Medicines Data         |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Pre-imputation, post cleaning,    | March 2011            |
|          | post matching Home Health Care    |                       |
|          | internal event file development   |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of pre-imputation,   | March 15 2011         |
|          | post cleaning, post matching Home |                       |
|          | Health Care internal event file   |                       |
|          | and documentation                 |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of raw unedited,     | March 15 2011         |
|          | unmatched Home Health Care MPC    |                       |
|          | file and documentation            |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Pre-imputation, post cleaning,    | April 2011            |
|          | post matching Office Based        |                       |
|          | Provider (includes HMOs),         |                       |
|          | Hospital Stay, Emergency Room,    |                       |
|          | and Outpatient internal event     |                       |
|          | files development                 |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of pre-imputation,   | April 15 2011         |
|          | post cleaning, post matching      |                       |
|          | Office Based Provider (includes   |                       |
|          | HMOs), Hospital Stay, Emergency   |                       |
|          | Room, and Outpatient internal     |                       |
|          | event files and documentation     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of raw unedited,     | April 15 2011         |
|          | unmatched Office Based Provider   |                       |
|          | (includes HMOs), Hospital Stay,   |                       |
|          | Emergency Room, and Outpatient    |                       |
|          | MPC files and documentation       |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Pre-imputation, post cleaning,    | April 2011            |
|          | post matching Separately Billing  |                       |
|          | Doctors internal event file       |                       |
|          | created                           |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of pre-imputation,   | April 15 2011         |
|          | post cleaning, post matching      |                       |
|          | Separately Billing Doctors        |                       |
|          | internal event file and           |                       |
|          | documentation                     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of raw unedited,     | April 15 2011         |
|          | unmatched Separately Billing      |                       |
|          | Doctors MPC file and              |                       |
|          | documentation                     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Post imputation, post editing,    | June 2011             |
|          | post matching, post imputation    |                       |
|          | Prescribed Medicines event file   |                       |
|          | development                       |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of post editing,     | June 30 2011          |
|          | post matching, post imputation    |                       |
|          | Prescribed Medicines internal     |                       |
|          | event file and documentation      |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Transferring of raw unedited,     | June 30 2011          |
|          | unmatched, non-imputed Prescribed |                       |
|          | Medicines MPC file and            |                       |
|          | documentation                     |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Subcontracting Report for         | October 30 annually   |
|          | Individual Contracts via ESRS     | and April 1 annually  |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Summary Subcontractor Report via  | October 30 annually   |
|          | ESRS                              |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+
|          | Small Disadvantaged Business      | 1 copy at completion  |
|          | Participation Report              |                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------+

MEPS MPC Deliverables -- Option Periods 1,2,3

+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
| Deli    | Title             | Date        | Panel 16   | Panel 17   |
| verable |                   |             | 2011       | 2012       |
| Number  |                   | Panel 15,   |            |            |
|         |                   | 2010        |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Project           | May 2009    | May 2010   | May 2011   |
|         | Management Plan   |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Management        | 5 Ds before | 5 Ds       | 5 Ds       |
|         | meeting agenda    | meeting     | before     | before     |
|         | including reports |             | meeting    | meeting    |
|         | that will be      |             |            |            |
|         | d                 |             |            |            |
|         | iscussed/reviewed |             |            |            |
|         | at meeting        |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Management        | 10 Ds after | 10 Ds      | 10 Ds      |
|         | meeting minutes   | meeting     | after      | after      |
|         |                   |             | meeting    | meeting    |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Documentation of  | 10 Ds after | 10 Ds      | 10 Ds      |
|         | key decisions     | decision    | after      | after      |
|         |                   |             | decision   | decision   |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Annual            | February    | February   | February   |
|         | Methodology       | 2011        | 2012       | 2013       |
|         | Report            |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Pharmacy          | October     | October    | October    |
|         | provider, medical | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | provider, and     |             |            |            |
|         | separately        |             |            |            |
|         | billing doctors   |             |            |            |
|         | provider coding   |             |            |            |
|         | plan              |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for matching | October     | October    | October    |
|         | MPC to HC events  | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Specifications    | October     | October    | October    |
|         | for sample        | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | preparation -     |             |            |            |
|         | MEPS MPC          |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for          | November    | November   | November   |
|         | prescribed drug   | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | editing and       |             |            |            |
|         | imputation        |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC training plan | September   | September  | September  |
|         |                   | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for          | September   | September  | September  |
|         | receipting and    | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | cataloging        |             |            |            |
|         | medical provider  |             |            |            |
|         | permission forms  |             |            |            |
|         | from HC           |             |            |            |
|         | contractor        |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for          | September   | September  | September  |
|         | establishing the  | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | frame for the MPC |             |            |            |
|         | sample, including |             |            |            |
|         | unduplication     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for          | September   | September  | September  |
|         | preparing MPC     | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | files for         |             |            |            |
|         | fielding and      |             |            |            |
|         | back-linkage      |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for          | October     | October    | October    |
|         | maintaining the   | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | frame for the MPC |             |            |            |
|         | during fielding,  |             |            |            |
|         | including         |             |            |            |
|         | procedures for    |             |            |            |
|         | splits and merges |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for the      | October     | October    | October    |
|         | identification of | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | hospital          |             |            |            |
|         | physicians,       |             |            |            |
|         | preparing the     |             |            |            |
|         | files for         |             |            |            |
|         | fielding and      |             |            |            |
|         | back-linkage      |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for data     | October     | October    | October    |
|         | collection of     | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | hospital          |             |            |            |
|         | physicians not    |             |            |            |
|         | included in the   |             |            |            |
|         | hospital bill     |             |            |            |
|         | (include          |             |            |            |
|         | necessary tables) |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Draft data        | 8 Ms before | 8 Ms       | 8 Ms       |
|         | collection        | use         | before use | before use |
|         | instruments and   |             |            |            |
|         | respondent        |             |            |            |
|         | materials         |             |            |            |
|         | suitable for OMB  |             |            |            |
|         | clearance         |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Final respondent  | November    | November   | November   |
|         | materials --      | 2010        | 2011       | 2012       |
|         | (e.g., letters,   |             |            |            |
|         | brochures) for    |             |            |            |
|         | the MPC           |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Final MPC data    | November    | November   | November   |
|         | collection        | 2010        | 2011       | 2012       |
|         | instruments       |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Overall MPC data  | October     | October    | October    |
|         | collection plan,  | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | including         |             |            |            |
|         | staffing plan,    |             |            |            |
|         | abstraction plan, |             |            |            |
|         | quality control   |             |            |            |
|         | procedures,       |             |            |            |
|         | electronic        |             |            |            |
|         | communication and |             |            |            |
|         | transmission      |             |            |            |
|         | arrangements,     |             |            |            |
|         | field cost and    |             |            |            |
|         | production        |             |            |            |
|         | reports           |             |            |            |
|         | (samples),        |             |            |            |
|         | response rate     |             |            |            |
|         | reports, and plan |             |            |            |
|         | for multi-mode    |             |            |            |
|         | data collection   |             |            |            |
|         | (include all      |             |            |            |
|         | necessary tables) |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC staffing,     | October     | October    | October    |
|         | recruitment and   | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | retention plan    |             |            |            |
|         | (include          |             |            |            |
|         | management in     |             |            |            |
|         | plan)             |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Report on MPC     | January     | January    | January    |
|         | data collection   | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | evaluating the    |             |            |            |
|         | overall MPC data  |             |            |            |
|         | collection plan   |             |            |            |
|         | (post data        |             |            |            |
|         | collection)       |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC data          | 2 Ms before | 2 Ms       | 2 Ms       |
|         | collection        | use         | before use | before use |
|         | specialist --     |             |            |            |
|         | training          |             |            |            |
|         | materials         |             |            |            |
|         | including a       |             |            |            |
|         | schedule,         |             |            |            |
|         | verbatim scripts, |             |            |            |
|         | trainer,          |             |            |            |
|         | supervisor and    |             |            |            |
|         | data collection   |             |            |            |
|         | specialist        |             |            |            |
|         | manuals, mock     |             |            |            |
|         | interviews and    |             |            |            |
|         | home study        |             |            |            |
|         | packages          |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC data          | October     | October    | October    |
|         | collection        | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | specialist work   |             |            |            |
|         | processes plan    |             |            |            |
|         | which will        |             |            |            |
|         | include QC plan   |             |            |            |
|         | and procedural    |             |            |            |
|         | manual            |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC abstractor    | 2 Ms before | 2 Ms       | 2 Ms       |
|         | training          | use         | before use | before use |
|         | materials         |             |            |            |
|         | including a       |             |            |            |
|         | schedule,         |             |            |            |
|         | verbatim scripts, |             |            |            |
|         | trainer,          |             |            |            |
|         | supervisor and    |             |            |            |
|         | abstractor        |             |            |            |
|         | manuals, mock     |             |            |            |
|         | interviews and    |             |            |            |
|         | home study        |             |            |            |
|         | packages          |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC abstraction   | October     | October    | October    |
|         | work processes    | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | plan which will   |             |            |            |
|         | include QC plan   |             |            |            |
|         | and procedural    |             |            |            |
|         | manual            |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC cost and      | Bi-weekly   | Bi-weekly  | Bi-weekly  |
|         | progress data     | for data    | for data   | for data   |
|         | collection        | collection  | collection | collection |
|         | reports           | progress,   | progress,  | progress,  |
|         |                   | and monthly | and        | and        |
|         |                   | for cost    | monthly    | monthly    |
|         |                   | reports     | for cost   | for cost   |
|         |                   | while in    | reports    | reports    |
|         |                   | field       | while in   | while in   |
|         |                   |             | field      | field      |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC response rate | Weekly      | Weekly     | Weekly     |
|         | reports (pair and | while in    | while in   | while in   |
|         | provider level)   | field       | field      | field      |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC data          | November 30 | November   | November   |
|         | collection        | 2011        | 30 2012    | 30 2013    |
|         | completed field   |             |            |            |
|         | period official   |             |            |            |
|         | notification with |             |            |            |
|         | completion date   |             |            |            |
|         | and QC and final  |             |            |            |
|         | results (all      |             |            |            |
|         | provider types    |             |            |            |
|         | except separately |             |            |            |
|         | billing doctors)  |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC data          | March 30    | March 30   | March 30   |
|         | collection        | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | completed field   |             |            |            |
|         | period official   |             |            |            |
|         | notification with |             |            |            |
|         | completion date   |             |            |            |
|         | and QC and final  |             |            |            |
|         | results -         |             |            |            |
|         | separately        |             |            |            |
|         | billing doctors   |             |            |            |
|         | only              |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Data processing   | July 2009   | July 2010  | July 2011  |
|         | plan -- MPC       |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Final data        | April 2009  | April 2010 | April 2011 |
|         | security plan --  |             |            |            |
|         | MPC               |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC data quality  | August 2009 | August     | August     |
|         | control plan --   |             | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | MPC               |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for forms    | 1 M before  | 1 M before | 1 M before |
|         | control and       | field       | field      | field      |
|         | receipt -- MPC    | period      | period     | period     |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Plan for data     | September   | September  | September  |
|         | entry -- MPC      | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC coder         | 2 Ms before | 2 Ms       | 2 Ms       |
|         | training          | use         | before use | before use |
|         | materials         |             |            |            |
|         | including a       |             |            |            |
|         | schedule,         |             |            |            |
|         | trainer,          |             |            |            |
|         | supervisor and    |             |            |            |
|         | coder manuals,    |             |            |            |
|         | mock examples and |             |            |            |
|         | home study        |             |            |            |
|         | packages          |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | MPC coder work    | October     | October    | October    |
|         | processes plan    | 2009        | 2009       | 2009       |
|         | which will        |             |            |            |
|         | include QC plan   |             |            |            |
|         | and procedural    |             |            |            |
|         | manual            |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Coding plan for   | October     | October    | October    |
|         | drugs,            | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | cond              |             |            |            |
|         | itions/diagnoses, |             |            |            |
|         | medical           |             |            |            |
|         | procedures and    |             |            |            |
|         | supplies          |             |            |            |
|         | including         |             |            |            |
|         | training          |             |            |            |
|         | materials and     |             |            |            |
|         | quality control   |             |            |            |
|         | specifications -  |             |            |            |
|         | MPC               |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Coding plan for   | October     | October    | October    |
|         | sources of        | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | payment including |             |            |            |
|         | training          |             |            |            |
|         | materials and     |             |            |            |
|         | quality control   |             |            |            |
|         | specifications -- |             |            |            |
|         | MPC               |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Separately        | October     | October    | October    |
|         | billing doctors   | 2009        | 2010       | 2011       |
|         | coding including  |             |            |            |
|         | training          |             |            |            |
|         | materials and     |             |            |            |
|         | quality control   |             |            |            |
|         | specifications    |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | The MPC files     | October     | October    | October    |
|         | flattened to the  | 2011        | 2012       | 2013       |
|         | event level, with |             |            |            |
|         | provider          |             |            |            |
|         | characteristics   |             |            |            |
|         | and event type    |             |            |            |
|         | identification on |             |            |            |
|         | each record for   |             |            |            |
|         | each              |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Matching MPC to   | November    | November   | November   |
|         | HC events         | 2011        | 2012       | 2013       |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Editing and       | January     | January    | January    |
|         | Imputation of     | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | Prescribed        |             |            |            |
|         | Medicines Data    |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Pre-imputation,   | February    | February   | February   |
|         | post cleaning,    | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Home Health Care  |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file development  |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | February 15 | February   | February   |
|         | pre-imputation,   | 2012        | 15 2013    | 15 2014    |
|         | post cleaning,    |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Home Health Care  |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file and          |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | February 15 | February   | February   |
|         | raw unedited,     | 2012        | 15 2013    | 15 2014    |
|         | unmatched Home    |             |            |            |
|         | Health Care MPC   |             |            |            |
|         | file and          |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Pre-imputation,   | March 2012  | March 2013 | March 2014 |
|         | post cleaning,    |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Office Based      |             |            |            |
|         | Provider          |             |            |            |
|         | (includes HMOs),  |             |            |            |
|         | Hospital Stay,    |             |            |            |
|         | Emergency Room,   |             |            |            |
|         | and Outpatient    |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | files development |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | March 15    | March 15   | March 15   |
|         | pre-imputation,   | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | post cleaning,    |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Office Based      |             |            |            |
|         | Provider          |             |            |            |
|         | (includes HMOs),  |             |            |            |
|         | Hospital Stay     |             |            |            |
|         | (includes         |             |            |            |
|         | separately        |             |            |            |
|         | billing doctors), |             |            |            |
|         | Emergency Room,   |             |            |            |
|         | and Outpatient    |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | files and         |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | March 15    | March 15   | March 15   |
|         | raw unedited,     | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | unmatched Office  |             |            |            |
|         | Based Provider    |             |            |            |
|         | (includes HMOs),  |             |            |            |
|         | Hospital Stay,    |             |            |            |
|         | Emergency Room,   |             |            |            |
|         | and Outpatient    |             |            |            |
|         | files and         |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Pre-imputation,   | March 2012  | March 2013 | March 2014 |
|         | post cleaning,    |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Separately        |             |            |            |
|         | Billing Doctors   |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file development  |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | March 15    | March 15   | March 15   |
|         | pre-imputation,   | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | post cleaning,    |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Separately        |             |            |            |
|         | Billing Doctors   |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file and          |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | March 15    | March 15   | March 15   |
|         | raw unedited,     | 2012        | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | unmatched MPC     |             |            |            |
|         | Separately        |             |            |            |
|         | Billing Doctors   |             |            |            |
|         | file and          |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Post imputation,  | May 2012    | May 2013   | May 2014   |
|         | post editing,     |             |            |            |
|         | post matching     |             |            |            |
|         | Prescribed        |             |            |            |
|         | Medicines         |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file development  |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | May 31 2012 | May 31     | May 31     |
|         | post editing,     |             | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | post matching,    |             |            |            |
|         | post imputation   |             |            |            |
|         | Prescribed        |             |            |            |
|         | Medicines         |             |            |            |
|         | internal event    |             |            |            |
|         | file and          |             |            |            |
|         | documentation     |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Transferring of   | May 31 2012 | May 31     | May 31     |
|         | raw unedited,     |             | 2013       | 2014       |
|         | unmatched,        |             |            |            |
|         | non-imputed MPC   |             |            |            |
|         | Prescribed        |             |            |            |
|         | Medicines file    |             |            |            |
|         | and documentation |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Subcontracting    | October 30  |            |            |
|         | Report for        | annually    |            |            |
|         | Individual        | and April   |            |            |
|         | Contracts via     | 30 annually |            |            |
|         | ESRS              |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Summary           | October 30  |            |            |
|         | Subcontractor     | (annually)  |            |            |
|         | Report via ESRS   |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+
|         | Small             | 1 copy at   |            |            |
|         | Disadvantaged     | completion  |            |            |
|         | Business          |             |            |            |
|         | Participation     |             |            |            |
|         | Report            |             |            |            |
+---------+-------------------+-------------+------------+------------+

**[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**

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

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

> The Project Officer(s) 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
> 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 is required 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.

\(g\) Contact person and contact information for questions on voucher

\(2\) The Contractor shall furnish the following [minimum]{.underline}
information in support of costs submitted for cost-reimbursement task
orders. Less information is required for firm fixed-price task order
vouchers.

> \(a\) Direct Labor -- include all persons, listing the person's name,
> title, number of hours or days worked, hourly rate (unburdened), 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);

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

> \(l\) Current amount billed by individual cost element and total
> dollar amount and cumulative amount billed by individual cost element
> and total dollar amount.

\(3\) 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 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION AND AWARD FEE**

The main goal of this procurement is to provide timely, quality data to
AHRQ. The data files identified in sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the SOW are
the key products of this activity.  It is the Government's experience
that successful completion of this task requires quality work on all
tasks in this contract.   The requirements and standards below are
designed with the goal of promoting timely, quality end products. 
Evaluation of the Contractor's performance is based on the Contractor's
actual performance relative to the Contractor's proposed Management
Plan.  Updates to the Management Plan which detail the Contractor's
actual performance relative to the Management Plan contained in their
proposal are due every 6 months from the effective date of the contract
throughout life of the contract (Deliverable 3 for the Base Period and
each of the option periods).

The Agency's decision to pay or not pay Award fee in no way alters the
contractor's responsibility to perform any function or produce any
deliverables required by this contract. 

**ANNUAL AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR AWARD FEE (to be evaluated and paid
semi-**

**annually):**

+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Performance   |                |                |                |
| Requirements    |                |                |                |
| and             |                |                |                |
| Evaluation**    |                |                |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Performance     | Performance    | Surveillance   | **Award Fee    |
|                 | Standards      |                | Available for  |
| Requirements    |                |                | Distribution** |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Timeliness and  | Contractor     | The            | Years 1 and 2, |
| quality of      | completion of  | Contractor's   | 50% of         |
| field           | key field      | performance    | available      |
| activities for  | activities for | (completion    | award fee      |
| the MPC         | Sections 4.2   | dates for key  |                |
|                 | and 4.3 in SOW | field          | Years 3 and    |
|                 | by dates in    | activities and | beyond 25% of  |
|                 | Management     | response rate  | available      |
|                 | Plan. Overall  | targets) will  | award fee      |
|                 | response rates | be compared by |                |
|                 | match those in | the Award Fee  |                |
|                 | SOW            | Evaluation     |                |
|                 |                | Group to those |                |
|                 |                | dates and      |                |
|                 |                | targets        |                |
|                 |                | specified in   |                |
|                 |                | the Proposed   |                |
|                 |                | Management and |                |
|                 |                | Quality        |                |
|                 |                | Control Plans  |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Intermediate    | Contractor     | The            | Years 1 and 2, |
| data process    | meets dates    | Contractor's   | 50% of         |
| milestones met  | for key data   | performance    | available      |
|                 | processing     | (completion    | award fee      |
| Quality         | milestones     | dates for key  |                |
| standards met   | specified in   | data           | Years 3 and    |
|                 | Management     | processing     | beyond 25% of  |
|                 | Plan           | milestones)    | available      |
|                 |                | will be        | award fee      |
|                 |                | compared by    |                |
|                 |                | the Award Fee  |                |
|                 |                | Evaluation     |                |
|                 |                | Group to those |                |
|                 |                | dates and      |                |
|                 |                | targets        |                |
|                 |                | specified in   |                |
|                 |                | the Proposed   |                |
|                 |                | Management and |                |
|                 |                | Quality        |                |
|                 |                | Control Plans  |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Data delivery   | Products       | Comparison of  | Years 3 and    |
| schedule met    | identified in  | delivery       | beyond 25% of  |
|                 | Sections 4.2   | schedule dates | available      |
| Quality         | and 4.3 of the | to actual      | award fee      |
| standards met   | SOW delivered  | receipt data   |                |
|                 | on time        | and Quality    |                |
|                 |                | Control error  |                |
|                 |                | rates to       |                |
|                 |                | standards      |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+

Twice annually, upon receipt of the updated Management Plan, the
contract products will be evaluated for quality by an Award Fee
Evaluation Group (AFEG).  The AFEG will consist of the Project Officer,
the Contracting Officer and 3 other government officials specified by
the Project Officer subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer. 
The composition of the group may change from time to time.  Each member
of the group will evaluate the quality of each requirement specified
above using a numerical rating scale of 0 to 100.  The scale will be
defined as follows.

  

  ---------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------
  **Rating scale for award fee                                      
  determination**                                                   

  Definition of rating         Adjective rating   Numerical Rating  Award fee %

  [Superior]{.underline} --    Superior           90-100            100%
  Contractor's performance                                          
  exceeds standards (quality                                        
  of product or timeliness of                                       
  product) by a substantial                                         
  margin, GPO and CO can cite                                       
  few areas for improvement,                                        
  all of which are minor                                            

  [Excellent]{.underline} -    Excellent          80-89             80%
  Contractor's performance                                          
  exceeds standards (quality                                        
  or timeliness), and although                                      
  there may be several areas                                        
  for improvement, these are                                        
  more than offset by better                                        
  performance in other areas                                        

  [Satisfactory]{.underline}   Satisfactory       79-60             50%
  -- Contractor's performance                                       
  is standard and areas for                                         
  improvement are                                                   
  approximately offset by                                           
  better performance in other                                       
  areas                                                             

  [Unacceptable]{.underline}   Unacceptable       Below 60          0
  -- Contractor's performance                                       
  is less than standard by a                                        
  substantial margin and the                                        
  GPO/CO cite many areas for                                        
  improvement that are not                                          
  offset by better performance                                      
  in other areas. Less                                              
  satisfactory performance                                          
  would be unacceptable                                             
  ---------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------

Each member of the group will give the contracto'=s performance on each
requirement a numerical rating and those ratings will be averaged.  An
average of below 60 (Unacceptable) will result in no award fee.  An
average between 60 and 79 (Satisfactory) will result in receipt of 50
percent of the available award fee.   An average of between 80 and 89
(Excellent) will result in receipt of 80 percent of the available award
fee.  An average of between 90 and 100 (Superior) would result in
receipt of 100 percent of the available award fee.  **The Award
determinations are not subject to the disputes clause.**

**H.2 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.5 and Section 2.3 of the Statement of Work, Data Development,
Data Rights and Data. 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 52.244-2 Subcontracts, of the General Clauses
incorporated into this contract. A copy of the signed subcontract shall
be provided to the Contracting Officer.

**H.3 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.4 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.5 SALARY RATE LIMITATION LEGISLATION PROVISION**

Pursuant to P.L. 110-161, no fiscal Year 2008 (October 1, 2007 --
September 30, 2008) 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 \$191,300 per year for the period of January 1, 2008
through December 31, 2008. 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 110-161 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 the direct salary rate for Executive Level I of the
Federal Executive

**H.6 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS**

The following equipment will be provided to the Contractor after
Contract award:

The Government shall set up and maintain a secure encrypted data
transmission line so that confidential data and documents can be
transmitted from the Contractor to AHRQ. The Government will provide
hardware to the contractor for the encrypted line.

**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 children's 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 HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)**

Contractors eligible for this contract more than likely routinely
collect sensitive data. Although the data collected under this contract
are not covered under HIPAA (AHRQ is not a covered entity because it is
not a: health plan; health care clearinghouse; or a health care provider
that electronically transmits health information), many providers of the
data will want to be assured HIPAA like standards are being followed.
Contractors are expected to provide the security and confidentiality of
data, databases, project files, and any individually identified
information associated with the project using procedures that would
address these concerns.

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES (9/07 DCM)

**(FAC 2005- 20)**

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

> (SEPT 2006)

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 (SEP 2007

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

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration. (JULY 2006)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government\'s Interest When Subcontracting With
Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (SEPT 2006)

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)

52.215-18 Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Postretirement Benefits
(PRB) Other Than Pensions (JUL 2005)

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)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004

52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2007) (Applicable to
Contracts over \$550,000)

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. (SEPT 2006)

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. (SEPT 2006)

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 (APR 1984)

52.224-2 Privacy Act (APR 1984)

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

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2006)

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)

52.227-17 Rights in Data -- Special Works (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)

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

52.232-17 Interest (JUNE 1996)

52.232-20 Limitation of Cost (APR 1984)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Center Contractor
Registration (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)

52.242-1 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. Title and Date

352.202-1 Definitions (JAN 2006)

> Alternate h

352.228-7 Insurance - Liability to Third Persons (DEC 2006)

352.232-9 Withholding of Contract Payments (JAN 2006)

352.233-70 Litigation and Claims (JAN 2006)

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

352.270-5 Key Personnel (JAN 2006)

352.270-6 Publication and Publicity (JAN 2006)

7.  Paperwork Reduction Act (JAN 2006)

**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 (JAN 2006) (HHSAR 352.270-5)**

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be
essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to diverting any
of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts (or as soon
as possible, if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result
of leaving the employ of the Contractor), the Contractor shall notify
the Contracting Officer and shall submit comprehensive justification for
the diversion or replacement request (including proposed substitutions
for key personnel) to permit evaluation by the Government of the impact
on performance under this contract. The Contractor shall not divert or
otherwise replace any key personnel without the written consent of the
Contracting Officer. The Government may modify the contract to add or
delete key personnel at the request of the Contractor or Government.

(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 pgs

2\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet 1 pg

3\. Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Cost and Labor Hours 2 pgs

4\. Appendix 3-F Web Site Deployment checklist, available at the
following web site:

[http://intranet.ahrq.gov/ohci/pub-com%20guidelines/Appendixes/Guidebook%20Appendix%203-F%20Web%20Site%20Deployment%20Checklist.doc](http://intranet.ahrq.gov/ohci/pub-com guidelines/Appendixes/Guidebook Appendix 3-F Web Site Deployment Checklist.doc)

 

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

Number range CHAPTERNumber range CHAPTER 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 2006)

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 2006) (FAR 52.204-8)

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
for this acquisition is \_\_\_\_541990\_\_\_\_ \[*insert NAICS code*\].

\(2\) The small business size standard is \_\$6.5 million\_ \[*insert
size standard*\].

\(3\) The small business size standard for a concern which submits an
offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract,
but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself
manufacture, is 500 employees.

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

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

\(c\) 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]{.smallcaps}

        \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_        \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_       \_\_\_\_\_      \_\_\_\_\_\_\_
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)
>
> \(3\) 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (OCT 1995)

**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 DUNS number---

\(i\) If located within the United States, by calling Dun and Bradstreet
at 1-866-705-5711 or via the Internet 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.

\(ii\) Trade style, 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, city, 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 ranking 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-selection 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 plus award fee, performance based service contract
> resulting from this solicitation. Award is estimated to be made by
> April 2008.

Number range CHAPTER**L.5 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)(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.6 POINT OF CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL INQUIRIES**

> The technical contact for additional information and answering
> inquiries is the Contracting Officer. All questions regarding this
> solicitation Number range CHAPTERshall be e-mailed to Mary Haines at
> <mary.haines@ahrq.hhs.gov> no later than **January 31, 2008**. Number
> range CHAPTER Answers to questions shall be posted as an Amendment to
> the RFP at Federal Business Opportunities at
> [www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/). It is the
> responsibility of each offeror to periodically check this website for
> amendments or changes to this solicitation.

Number range CHAPTER**L.7 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 one contract will be awarded. This will
be a performance based service contract. It will be cost reimbursement
with a small base fee and an award fee. The performance of the
contractor will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine the amount
of award fee to be paid. 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.9). Please mark as original or copy.

II. [PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION]{.underline}: See Past Performance
    Information Instructions for format (L.10)

III. [BUSINESS PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Business Proposal Instructions
     for recommended format (L.11). A Small Business Subcontracting Plan
     shall be completed and included in the Business Proposal volume.

IV. [SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION PLAN:]{.underline} See
    Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan Instructions for
    additional information (L.12).

V.  [SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN:]{.underline} See Small Business
    Subcontracting Plan Instructions for additional information (L.13).
    The Small Business Subcontracting Plan shall be included in the
    Business Proposal volume.

c\. [Separation of Technical, Past Performance Information, Business
Proposal (including Small Business Subcontracting Plan) and Small
Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan:]{.underline}

> The proposal shall be in four (4) parts: (1) Technical Proposal; (2)
> Past Performance Information; (3) Business Proposal, including the
> Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and (4) Small Disadvantaged
> Business Participation 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.8 INSTRUCTIONS TO OBTAIN MEPS MEDICAL PROVIDER COMPONENTS REFERENCE
MATERIALS**

This section identifies materials mentioned in the scope of work, as
well as other materials that may be useful to potential offerors.  The
majority of these materials are available online at
[http://www.meps.ahrq.gov]{.underline}.

Some of the materials are available by request only and may be obtained
on CD-ROM by making a request by email to Mary Haines, Contracting
Officer at <Mary.Haines@ahrq.hhs.gov>. Please reference Solicitation
Number/RFP Number in written requests. Telephone requests will not be
honored.

 

***The following is a list of the Reference Materials available online
only:***

*Survey questionnaires*

A complete set of HC and MPC survey questionnaires can be located on the
MEPS web site at:

[http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/survey_comp/survey_questionnaires.jsp]{.underline}.
The complete set of questionnaires, which is available as programming
specifications is nearly 1,000 pages long, and is divided into many
sections on the MEPS web site.  We regret that we cannot provide hard
copy documents.

 

*Data files* 

All MEPS data files and documentation are available on the web, free of
charge.  The index page is:

<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/download_data_files.jsp>.

 

*General Information* 

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.  Inquiry.  This report is
available at:

[http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Journa%20Articles&opt=3&i](http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/Pub_ProdResults_Details.jsp?pt=Journa Articles&opt=3&i)[d=324.]{.underline}

 

General information can also be obtained by reading the documentation
for MEPS data files (see above) and from the on-line MEPS workshop
materials (which are available at

<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/about_meps/workshops_events.jsp>).

>  

*Methodological Reports*

Design, Methods and Field Results of the 1996 Medical Provider
Component.   The report is available at:

<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/mr9/mr9.pdf>

 

Sample Design of the 1997 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household
Component.  This report is available at:

[http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/mr11/mr11.pdf]{.underline}

 

Estimation Procedures in the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Household Component.  This report is available at:

[http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/mr5/mr5.pdf]{.underline}

Outpatient Prescription Drugs: Data Collection and Editing in the 1996
Medical Expenditure Survey (HC-010A). This report is available at:

<http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/mr12/mr12.pdf>.

***The following is a list of the Reference Materials available on
CD-ROM only by making a request by email to Mary Haines, Contracting
Officer at <Mary.Haines@ahrq.hhs.gov>. Please reference Solicitation
Number/RFP Number AHRQ-08-10004 in written requests. Telephone requests
will not be honored.:***

*General Information*

Cohen, S. Design Strategies and Innovations in the Medical Expenditure
Panel Survey. *Medical Care*, July 2003: 41(7) Supplement:
III-5--III-12. A reprint of this article is available.

*Methodological Reports*

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Plan for Overall Data
Processing (Draft Report)

MEPS Medical Provider Component Annual Methodology Report

MEPS Annual Methodology Report

*Matching*

Winglee, M, Valliant, R., Brick, J.M., et.al., Probability matching of
medical events. *Journal of Economic and Social Measurement*, 1999:23:
pp. 1-12.

Probability matching of medical events for the 1996 Medical Expenditure
Panel Survey (Draft Report)

*Editing and Imputation*

MEPS Plans for: Editing and Imputation, 2007 Full Year (FY) Use and
Insurance File, and 2007 Event Files

2004 MEPS Prescription Drug Editing and Analytic Specifications
(includes specifications for matching and imputation as well as editing)

*Coding*

MEPS Inter-Round Processing and Source of Payment (SOP) Coding (Draft
Report)

Coding Plan for 2007 Conditions and Procedures and Prescribed Medicines
Coding

**L.9 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS**

The technical proposal shall contain an original and 12 copies. The
number of pages shall not exceed 100 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).

 

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

 

> To assist in the expeditious and comprehensive evaluation of your
> proposal, the Government desires that you follow the guidelines and
> format listed below:

 

> (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 1,
> 2, 3, and 4 below (including their subcriteria).  Evaluation criteria
> 5 and 6 are to be prepared in accordance with Sections L.10 and L.12. 
> The offeror shall further state that no deviations or exceptions to
> the SOW are taken.   The evaluation criteria (and their respective
> subcriteria) are as follows:

 

> 1.         Technical Approach
>
> a.  Technical Discussion
>
> b.  Matching, Imputation and Estimation Discussion
>
> c.  Quality Assurance Plan
>
> 2.         Management Plan
>
> 3.         Personnel
>
> 4.         Facilities and Equipment and Corporate Resources     
>
> 5.         Past Performance
>
> 6.         Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan

** **

> **[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}**
>
> **1.          Technical Approach**

** **

> **a.         Technical Discussion**
>
> ** **
>
> The offeror shall describe in detail the methodologies they will use
> for this project, indicating their level of experience with each,
> areas of anticipated difficulties, and any unusual problems they
> anticipate.  The offeror shall also address each of the following as
> they pertain to the tasks below described in the statement of work:

 

> (1)       How the listing of providers generated on an ongoing basis
> from the HC will be unduplicated and the methods that will be used to
> construct a complete but unduplicated list of providers to minimize
> the number of providers receiving multiple data requests.        
>            

 

> (2)       A discussion of what methods will be used to minimize
> inevitable multiple contacts on response rates, especially in the
> context of an ongoing, longitudinal survey.

 

(3) A description of the methods that will be used to insure that all
    possible sources of medical records within a hospital are uncovered
    by the MPC interviewers.

(4) A plan for mode of data capture including why the mode decided upon
    was chosen.

 

(5) The facilities available for the coordination of receipt of data
    through multiple media

> \(6\) The procedures that will be used to minimize the need for data
> retrieval from providers.
>
> \(7\) A description of how offeror will monitor response rates
> proactively and develop a plan of action for potential response rate
> problems.
>
> \(8\) A plan on how the offeror will manage version control of data
> files and documents.
>
> \(9\) A plan which describes MPC processes and how offeror will manage
> the maintenance/updating of these processes.
>
> \(10\) A document describing the cost efficiencies of the proposed
> trainings.
>
> \(11\) A description of the offeror's data management plan including
> the soundness of the plan.
>
> \(12\) A plan describing data delivery and coordination with AHRQ and
> the HC contractor.

 

(13) A description of the systems for conducting data collection and
     abstraction activities.

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(14) A description of the data security procedures that will be used and
     their conformity with the appropriate Federal standards.

(15) Procedures for back up of data files.

 

> \(16\) A description of the offerer's experience in processing complex
> data.

 

> *The offeror should assume the following:*
>
> · At the provider level, approximately 85 percent of hospital
> providers and 50 percent of office based provider providers will
> require abstraction. These percentages will increase at the
> provider/pair level.

 

> · Approximately 9,000 prescribed medicine strings will require coding.
>
> · Approximately 22,500 procedure text strings will require coding.
>
> · Approximately 8,500 condition text strings will require coding.

b.  **Matching, Imputation, and Estimation Discussion**

> The offeror will show successful demonstration of the statistical and
> substantive soundness of the data matching techniques proposed for
> non-prescribed medicines event types.
>
> The offeror will display successful demonstration of the soundness of
> the prescribed drug matching, editing, and imputation techniques
> proposed.
>
> The offeror will demonstrate a plan for addressing innovation and
> technological advancements and capability to maintain compatibility
> with industry mechanisms.
>
> **c.   Quality Assurance Plan**

 

> The offeror shall provide a quality assurance plan that details how
> they shall monitor and control the following: technical quality,
> responsiveness, cost control, and effective and efficient resources
> utilization as well as compliance with the technical requirements and
> contract provisions.  It should clearly show a proposed system for
> quality of work performed including documents to be produced, and a
> proposed system for management and version control.  The offeror
> should describe managerial problems they may encounter and the methods
> to be used in solving these problems.  The offeror shall also
> demonstrate the ability and flexibility to respond rapidly to changes
> in budget, priorities and the schedule.

  **2.         Management Plan**

 

> The offeror shall provide a detailed plan as to how they shall staff
> and manage the contract throughout the period of performance including
> the option years.  The Management Plan shall be included in the
> offeror's proposal and be updated at six month intervals from the
> effective date of the contract through the life of the project.  These
> updates to the Management Plan shall include accomplishments relative
> to the originally proposed plan.   The Management Plan shall include
> staffing, field timing and quality, data collection and data
> processing and data delivery milestones.

 

> *Staffing*
>
> At a minimum, the Project Director and Directors for all major tasks
> should be considered key staff. Upon award of the contract, final
> determination of key staff will be made by AHRQ in consultation with
> the contractor. Prime contractor and subcontractor staffing should be
> clearly delineated.

 

> The management plan should include a person-loading chart which
> presents the number of person-days allocated to each task and subtask
> for each category of staff for each year of the contract and for the
> total contract.  The chart(s) should also delineate critical
> milestones and the deliverables for each.  
>
> Below is an outline of tasks for be used for the Person-Loading Chart
> for the Medical Provider Component

 

> 1\) Management and General Requirements which will include an Earned
> Value Management System (EVMS)

 

> 2\) Receipt Control of Permission Forms (which establish MPC sample)
>
> 3\) Implement and Document the Sample
>
> 4\) Unduplication
>
> 5\) Identification of Hospital Physicians
>
> 6\) Maintenance of Provider Directory
>
> 7\) Maintenance of Survey data Collection Instruments and Materials
>
> 8\) Recruit, Manage and Train Data Collection Staff
>
> 9\) Recruit, Manage and Train Abstraction Staff
>
> 10\) Recruit, Manage and Train Coding/Verification Staff
>
> 11\) Data Collection
>
> (a)      Hospitals (Emergency room, Outpatient and Overnight stays)
>
> (b)      Hospital identified physicians
>
> (c)      Office based sample (includes HMOs)
>
> (d)      Home health care agency providers
>
> (e)      Pharmacies

  (f) Long term health care (LTC) facilities

12\) Data Processing

> 13\) Development of Security Plan
>
> 14\) Forms Control and Receipt
>
> 15\) Data Entry
>
> 16\) Coding and Cleaning
>
> 17\) Matching (for all MPC Provider Types)
>
> 18\) Editing and Imputing Prescribed Medicines Data
>
> 19\) Preparation and Delivery of Internal MPC Files and Matched Files
> for All Provider Types (include Unmatched Data in Delivery), and for
> Prescribed Medicines Fully Imputed and Edited Files
>
> (a) Archival versions of the full operational database
>
> (b) Event file - hospital stays (includes hospital identified
> physician and their payments and can be identified as such)
>
> (c) Event file - emergency room visits
>
> (d) Event file - outpatient department visits
>
> \(e\) Event file - medical provider visits (includes HMOs)
>
> \(f\) Event file - home health care
>
> (g) Event File - long term health care (includes assisted living
> facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, etc.)
>
> \(h\) Event File - pharmacies

20\) Benchmarking and Quality Control

 

> *Option Periods 1 and 2*

 

> The Option Periods should mirror the person loading chart for the base
> period proposal, reflecting the incremental cost of option Period 1,
> given the base period award and then the incremental cost of option
> period 2, given the award of option period 1.
>
>  
>
> The management plan should also include an organizational chart (s)
> which presents the placement of the project within the offeror's
> organization and the organization of the staff proposed for this
> project.  The chart(s) shall show clear lines of authority and
> function.

 

> *Field Activities*

 

> The Management Plan should include a schedule for completion of the
> work and delivery of items specified in the statement of work. 
> Particular attention should be paid to the most important milestones
> in the medical provider data collection.

 

> \(1\) Beginning and end dates of MPC data collection
>
> \(2\) Field performance relative to response rates as indicated in
> Table 4.2.8(A).

 

> *Data Processing   *

 

> The Management Plan should detail major and intermediate milestones
> for each of the subtasks for Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the SOW.  The
> management plan should also be specified how the work to construct the
> matched internal files for all provider types and the fully edited and
> imputed prescribed medicines file will be completed and managed - what
> tasks will be assigned to which group of persons.  Key dates for the
> production of each file should be specified along with the proposed
> method(s) of quality control and benchmarking the estimates. 
> Performance or delivery schedules shall be indicated for phases or
> segments or tasks, as applicable, as well as for the overall program.

 

> *Data Delivery*

 

> The Management Plan shall affirm the delivery dates for files as
> specified in Section F for the base period of the contract, and if the
> option period(s) are exercised, the delivery dates specified in the
> delivery schedule for parallel data files in the option period(s)
> specified in Section F, as well.  At each update to the Management
> Plan, expected deviation from the contractually specified dates should
> be noted, along with any reason for deviation.  Should the deviation
> be such that a later date is anticipated, potential corrective actions
> and their implications should be noted.

 

> Schedules should be shown in terms of calendar months from the
> effective date of the contract or, where applicable, from the date of
> a stated event, as for example, receipt of a required approval by the
> Contracting Officer.  Unless the offeror's proposal indicates that the
> stipulated schedules are mandatory, they shall be treated as desired
> or recommended schedules.  In this event, proposals based upon the
> offeror's best alternative schedule, involving no overtime, extra
> shift or other premium, will be accepted for consideration.
>
> Separate from the Project Plan, the offeror must describe the
> relationship with all subcontractors and consultants including
> monitoring of their performance. Subcontract information must be
> provided for each year of the contract including a summary for the
> entire project performance. The offeror must demonstrate that the
> subcontracting plan meets the DHHS/ AHRQ subcontracting goals. The
> AHRQ recommended goal (as a percentage of planned subcontracting
> dollars for the base period) is 19% for Small businesses, which
> include at least 5% for Small disadvantaged Businesses, 5% for
> women-owned small businesses, 3% for HUBZone small businesses and 3%
> for Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses.

 

  

> **3.          Personnel**

** **

> Describe the experience and qualifications of personnel who will be
> assigned for direct work on this program.  Information is required
> which will show the composition of the task or work group, its general
> qualifications, and recent experience with similar equipment or
> programs.  Special mention shall be made of direct technical
> supervisors and key personnel, and the approximate percentage of the
> total time each will be available for this contract.

 

> **OFFERORS SHOULD ASSURE THAT THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, AND ALL
> OTHER PERSONNEL PROPOSED, SHALL NOT BE COMMITTED ON FEDERAL GRANTS AND
> CONTRACTS FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL OF 100% OF THEIR TIME.  IF THE
> SITUATION ARISES WHERE IT IS DETERMINED THAT A PROPOSED EMPLOYEE IS
> COMMITTED FOR MORE THAN 100% OF HIS OR HER TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL
> REQUIRE ACTION ON THE PART OF THE OFFEROR TO CORRECT THE TIME
> COMMITMENT.**

 

> a.         [Principal Investigator/Project Director]{.underline}

 

> List the name of the Principal Investigator/Project Director
> responsible for overall implementation of the contract as well as the
> key contact for technical aspects of the project.  Discuss the
> qualifications, experience and accomplishments of the Principal
> Investigator/Project Director.  State the estimated time to be spent
> on the project, his/her proposed duties, and the areas or phases for
> which he/she will be responsible.

 

> b.         [Other Investigators]{.underline}

 

> List all other investigators/professional personnel who will be
> participating in the project.  Discuss their qualifications,
> experience, and accomplishments.  State the estimated time to be spent
> on the project, his/her proposed duties, and the areas or phases for
> which he/she will be responsible.

 

> c.         [Additional Personnel]{.underline}

 

> List names, titles, and proposed duties of additional personnel, if
> any, who will be required for full-time employment, or on a
> subcontract or consultant basis.  The technical areas, character, and
> extent of subcontract or consultant activity should be indicated and
> their qualifications described.  For all proposed personnel who are
> not currently members of the offeror=s staff, a letter of commitment
> or other evidence of availability is required.  A resume does not meet
> this requirement.  Commitment letters for use of consultants and other
> personnel to be hired must include:

 

> -           The specific items or expertise they will provide.
>
> -           Their availability to the project and the amount of time
> anticipated.
>
> -           Willingness to act as a consultant.
>
> -           How rights to publications and patents will be handled.

 

> d.         [Resumes]{.underline}

 

> Resumes of all key personnel are required.  Each much indicate
> educational background, recent experience, specific or technical
> accomplishments, and a listing of relevant publications.

 

> **4.          Facilities, Equipment and Corporate Resources**

 

> The offeror shall describe the suitability, quality and
> cost-efficiency of their facilities and equipment available for the
> performance of all requirements of this acquisition.  There will be
> daily interaction between AHRQ staff and the Offeror\'s staff so
> suitable logistical plans to facilitate communications and meetings
> must be addressed. Offerors should describe the adequacy of any
> additional corporate resources available to complete the requirements
> of this acquisition. Any additional corporate resources discussion
> should include a brief description of how the resource is relevant to
> the procurement solicitation.

5\. Past Performance see L.10 below

6. Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan See L.12

**L.10 PAST PERFORMANCE** **INFORMATION**

> Offerors shall submit the following information (original and 3 hard
> 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 that are [directly related]{.underline} to the type of work
being requested by this solicitation. 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\. Contracting Officer and telephone number

f\. Program Manager and telephone number

\(2\) 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 their 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 requested to be completed by those
> contracting organizations listed in (1) above. The evaluation forms
> shall be completed and forwarded directly to the following:
>
> Mary Haines
>
> 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 **March 13,
2008** 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.11 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: **Note: The Business Proposal must be
> submitted in Cost-Plus Award Fee format.  A base fee and an award fee
> must be proposed.** Attachment 3 Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Cost
> and Labor hours is provided for your use in preparation of the
> business proposal.

 

> A.         Cost/Price Proposal
>
>  
>
> 1.         The cost/price proposal must contain sufficient information
> to allow the Government to perform a basic cost analysis of the
> proposed cost or price of the work.  This information shall include
> the amounts of the basic elements of the proposed cost or price.  The
> proposal costs should be provided by task, per period, for the Base
> three and one-half (3 ½ ) years. The proposal should also include
> costs broken down and summarized by contract period, government fiscal
> year and cumulative costs for each period and government fiscal year.

 

> A cost proposal, in the amount of an original and five (5) copies,
> shall be provided.  As appropriate, cost breakdowns shall be provided
> for the following cost elements:
>
>  
>
> (a)        Direct Labor

 

> The estimated cost for all personnel who will be assigned for direct
> work on this project shall be included.  Give the name, title, percent
> of effort or time, salary and fringe benefits, for each employee.

 

> Salary increases that are anticipated during performance of a
> resultant contract should be proposed as a cost.  If escalation is
> included, state the degree (percent) and methodology, e.g., annual
> flat rate applied to a base rate as of a specific date or a
> mid-pointed rate for the period of performance.  State whether any
> additional direct labor (new hires) will be required during the
> performance period of this procurement.  If so, state the number
> required and anticipated date of hire.  Also, specify the month and
> day on which your fiscal year commences.

 

> (b)        Supplies and Equipment

 

> Include description, unit price, quantity, total price, justification
> for purchasing or leasing items and the basis for pricing (vendor
> quotes, invoice prices, etc.).

 

> (c)        Travel

 

> The amount proposed for travel shall be supported with a breakdown
> which includes purpose, destination, duration, and estimated cost
> (transportation and per diem) for each proposed trip.  If travel costs
> are proposed on the basis of your organization\'s established travel
> policy, a copy of the policy must be provided. Included for each
> airplane or train trip taken are 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.
>
> (d)        Consultants

 

> This element should include names(s) of consultant, number of days,
> and daily rate.  The method of obtaining each consultant, either sole
> source or competitive, and the degree of competition or the rationale
> for sole source shall be explained.

 

> (e)        Subcontractors

 

> Subcontractor costs shall be broken down in sufficient detail adequate
> to establish the reasonableness of the proposed amount.  Support
> documentation should include degree of subcontract competition and
> basis for selecting source.

 

> (f)         Other Direct Costs

 

> Any proposed other direct costs shall be supported with breakdown
> outlining the separate costs proposed and details supporting the
> formulation of the costs proposed.  A signed agreement between the
> offeror and any personnel other than direct employees that includes
> dates of employment, salary, and specific tasks to be performed should
> be included.
>
>   
>
> **Note:** Offerors should assume the following:

 

> Respondents who request compensation for staff time or copying fees
> will be reimbursed at a rate not to exceed \$50.00 per patient
> provider pair and the total such compensation will not exceed
> \$200,000.

 

> (g)        Indirect Costs

 

> Indicate how you have computed and applied indirect costs, and provide
> a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of the proposed rates. 
> Where a rate agreement exists, provide a copy.

 

> 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.         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

 

> (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.  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.
>
> The offeror shall describe the suitability, quality and
> cost-efficiency of their facilities and equipment available for the
> performance of all requirements of this acquisition.  There will be
> daily interaction between agency research staff and the Offeror\'s
> staff so suitable logistical plans to facilitate communications and
> meetings must be addressed.
>
> The contractor shall maintain a list of all items, both expendable and
> non-expendable, which are unique or in excess of regular office needs
> normally captured in an indirect cost pool.  These items are
> considered Government property and are cost of goods inventory
> deliverable to the Government at the end of the contract

 

> (8)         Representations and Certifications:  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.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 (an original and one copy).

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 SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN**

> 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 available at
> <http://www.knownet.hhs.gov/smallbus/small_business_programs_manual/APPENDIX.pdf>
> (Appendix 4-1 of the Small Business Program Handbook). 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. The offeror is expected to provide a
> plan that meets the minimum subcontracting levels specified elsewhere
> in this solicitation.**
>
> **[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 incorporated
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 subcontracting 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 control 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 30% for
    Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5.5% (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 3%
    (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 Service-Disabled 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.

**L.14 SELECTION OF OFFEROR**

a\. The acceptability of the technical portion of the contract proposal
will be evaluated by the technical review committee. The committee will
evaluate the 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\. A Cost Advisory Report may be performed on the business portion of
the contract proposal.

c\. Number range CHAPTERPast performance of the technically acceptable
offeror will be evaluated by AHRQ staff. A competitive range will be
determined. Oral or written discussions will be conducted with the
offerors in the competitive range, if necessary. All aspects of the
proposals are subject to discussions, including cost, technical
approach, past performance, 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.

**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 be completed
> and returned to the address indicated by **February 15, 2008.** 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 of the form is to provide us
> with an estimated number of proposals to assist us in our planning and
> logistics for the proposal review meeting. The intent form also asks
> if an offeror would like to have their names placed on a bidders list
> for posting to Federal Business Opportunities so partnering efforts
> can be facilitated by interested parties.

**[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. The four
factors are: scientific technical merit, past performance, small
disadvantaged business participation plan and cost. The scientific
technical merit of the proposals will receive paramount consideration
for this acquisition.

**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 and
past performance will be evaluated in terms of the offeror's responses
to each of the evaluation factors. The 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 and anticipated tasks. 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
1 through 4 (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 the proposal 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:

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. 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.

                                                                            

> ***OFFERORS PLEASE NOTE:*** Evaluation Criteria 1 through 4, for a
> total of 100 points, will be evaluated by a peer review technical
> committee, who will also recommend technical acceptability or
> unacceptability of the proposal.  Agency staff and contracting
> personnel will review and evaluate Criteria 5 and 6, for a total of 25
> points.  The total possible points for Evaluation Criteria 1 through 6
> is 125 points.

 

> **1.          Technical Approach**
>
>  **a.         Technical Discussion (20 points)**

** **

> The proposal shall be evaluated on the reasonableness, clarity and
> feasibility of the technical approach, including:

 

> \*          provide evidence of overall plan for coordinating
> deliverables including data files and materials between the HC and MPC
> contractors, particularly those occurring concurrently or in a linked
> manner;

 

> \*  provide evidence of integration of data collection methods and
> processing, and data cleaning, data abstraction and matching tasks;
> and
>
> \* provide evidence of the soundness of the data management plan.
>
> **b. Matching, Imputation and Estimation Discussion (15 points)**

 

> \*  successful demonstration of the statistical and substantive
> soundness of the data matching techniques proposed for non-prescribed
> medicines event types;
>
> \*  successful demonstration of the soundness of the prescribed drug
> matching, editing, and imputation techniques proposed; and

 

> \* provide evidence of a plan for addressing innovation and
> technological advancements and capability to maintain compatibility
> with industry mechanisms.
>
> **c.         Quality Assurance Plan (20 points)**

** **

> The offeror's Quality Assurance Plan shall be evaluated as to the
> degree that the offeror has control systems available to ensure at a
> minimum satisfactory performance under the contract.

**2. Management Plan (20 points)**

** **

> The management plan will be evaluated on the appropriateness of the
> organizational structure and management systems, their management of
> subcontractors/consultants, and/or other vendors their ability to
> handle multiple simultaneous tasks with competing needs, the personnel
> assigned to each task and the person-days proposed, the plan for
> ensuring availability of adequate staff, and the planned methods for
> assuring the successful completion of all tasks within the time and
> budget allocated.
>
> Naming conventions for documents and file deliveries should be
> developed so that all persons will have an understanding of what the
> deliverable includes.
>
> The management plan should have built in the necessary integration of
> work and compatibility of data files and other materials with AHRQ for
> the HC contractor as the two projects are intertwined.

**                                                                        **

> The Contractor shall use an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) in
> the management of this contract that is consistent with
> ANSI/EIA-STD-748 guidelines.**     **
>
> **3.          Personnel Plan (20 points)**

** **

> A Certified Project Manger must be part of the management team of the
> contractor.
>
> The contractor shall define and implement methods for selecting
> abstraction staff, both supervisory and non-supervisory, which will
> reliably predict quality performance of all abstraction activities. 
> The criteria will include previous work experience, work samples, and
> education.
>
> The contractor shall define and implement methods for selecting data
> collection staff, both supervisory and non-supervisory, which will
> reliably predict quality performance of all data collection
> activities.  The criteria will include previous work experience, work
> samples, and education. 
>
> The contractor shall define and implement methods for selecting data
> coding and verification staff, both supervisory and non-supervisory,
> which will reliably predict quality performance of all data collection
> activities.  The criteria will include previous work experience, work
> samples, and education. 
>
> The resumes of proposed key personnel and consultants will be
> evaluated for documented experience, educational background and
> training as they relate to the requirements of this acquisition.  The
> availability of proposed staff and their designated responsibility on
> the project will be evaluated. Proposed staff expertise needs to match
> the criteria described in the Statement of Work. After award of the
> contract, all change in key staff have to be disclosed to the
> government and all key staff new hires have to be approved by the
> government.

** **

> **4.          Facilities, Equipment and Corporate Resources (5
> points)**

 

> Offerors will evaluated on the adequacy of the resources available to
> complete the requirements of this acquisition including the adequacy
> of corporate resources, computer hardware and software, the
> availability of a staff trained in the necessary expertise for the
> complexity of this contract, and the availability of facilities to
> support this effort.
>
> **5.          Past Performance (20 points)**
>
> (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.
>
> Attached to this solicitation is a questionnaire which is to be copied
> and provided to customers for current and recently completed (within
> the past year) projects for work related to this requirement. Please
> provide this questionnaire to your customers to complete and return to
> AHRQ no later than **March 13, 2008.** Offerors should also send this
> questionnaire to proposed major subcontractors so that they may also
> have their clients submit completed questionnaire to AHRQ for
> evaluation.
>
> The Government reserves the right to evaluate relevant past
> performance information not specifically provided by the offeror.
>
> Assessment of the offeror's past performance for AHRQ, as well as
> other agencies and organizations, will be one means of evaluating the
> credibility of the offeror's proposal and relative capability to meet
> performance requirements. The past performance evaluation will be
> conducting using information gathered from questionnaires and
> information received from the offeror's previous and current clients.
> Evaluation of past performance will often be subjective based on the
> consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances. Information
> utilized will be obtained from the questionnaires received and from
> the references listed in the offeror's proposal, other clients known
> to AHRQ and others who may have useful and relevant information. Past
> performance will also be considered regarding subcontractors and key
> personnel.
>
> 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.
>
> Past performance will be scored on a range from 0 to 20, with 20 being
> the most favorable.
>
> 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}
>
> **6.          Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan (5
> points)**
>
> (TO BE RATED ONLY AFTER A DETERMINATION OF TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY OF
> THE OFFEROR'S PROPOSAL, BASED ON THE ABOVE TECHNICAL EVALUATION
> CRITERIA)

The evaluation will be based on information obtained from the Small
Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan provided by the offeror, the
realism of the proposal, other relevant information 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 EVALUATION
POINTS.............................................125 points

**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-08-10009, entitled "Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Medical
Providers Component (MEPS MPC) Support."** 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 Mary Haines, 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 **March 13, 2008, 12 Noon Local
Time.** If you have any questions, please contact Mary Haines via e-mail
at <mary.haines@ahrq.hhs.gov>.

Mary Haines

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

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

**(Name of Organization, which is being evaluated,**

**Please print or type)**

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

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

**INCLUDE THIS PAGE WHEN PROVIDING PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TO AHRQ**

**[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

Key: FP=Fixed Price, FPI=Fixed Price with Incentive, CPFF=Cost Plus
Fixed Fee

T&M=Time and Materials

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 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
|                  |                                               |   |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+

(Please complete all items must in chart above

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

you use this Contractor again? Yes No

Reason:

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

**(Please Print)**

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

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

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

**MAILING ADDRESS:** **Include name of organization/ federal agency**

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

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

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

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

**E-MAIL
:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**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."

***ATTACHMEMNT 2***

> ***PROPOSAL INTENT RESPONSE & APPROVAL TO RELEASE NAME FOR
> SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES ( 1 PAGE, 2 PURPOSES!)***
>
> **[RFP No. AHRQ-08-10009]{.underline}**
>
> ***[MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY MEDICAL PROVIDERS COMPONENET
> (MEPS MPC) SUPPORT]{.underline}***
>
> **Your expression of intent is not binding but will greatly assist us
> in planning for the proposal evaluation. Furnish the information
> requested below and return this page by FEBRUARY 15, 2008 TWO-PART
> FORM**
>
> ***PART I***
>
> **\[ \] INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL**
>
> **\[ \] DO NOT INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING
> REASONS:**
>
> ***PART II***
>
> **\[ \] I GRANT PERMISSION TO THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY, CONTRACTS OFFICE TO ADD THE CONTACT INFORMATION 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: Mary Haines**
>
> **Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality**
>
> **Contracts Management**
>
> **540 Gaither Road**
>
> **Rockville, Maryland 20850**
>
> **FAX: 301.427.1740**
>
>  

**Attachment 3**

Number range CHAPTER**[BREAKDOWN OF PROPOSED ESTIMATED COST (PLUS FEE)
AND LABOR HOURS]{.underline}**

**[INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THE FORMAT]{.underline}**

**1. Refer to Business Proposal Instructions, Section L of this
solicitation. The Instructions contain the requirements for proper
submission of cost/price data which must be adhered to.**

**2. This sample format has been prepared as a universal guideline for
all solicitations. It may require amending to meet the specific
requirements of this solicitation. For example, this solicitation may
require the submission of cost/price data for three years listed on this
form. (See Section L, Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors,
for the estimated duration of this project.) If this solicitation is
phased, identify each phase in addition to each year. Total each year,
phase, and sub-element.**

**3. This format must be used to submit the breakdown of all proposed
estimated cost elements. List each cost element and sub-element for
direct costs, indirect costs and fee, if applicable. In addition,
provide detailed calculations for all items. For example:**

> **a. For all personnel, list the name, title, rate per hour and number
> of hours proposed. If a pool of personnel is proposed, list the
> composition of the pool and how the cost proposed was calculated. List
> the factor used for prorating Year One and the escalation rate applied
> between years.**
>
> **Offeror\'s proposal should be stated in the same terms as will be
> used to account for and record direct labor under a contract (i.e.
> percentage of effort is used for most faculty and professional
> employees at educational institutions). If percentages of effort are
> used, the basis to which such percentages are applied
> [must]{.underline} also be submitted by the offeror. The attached
> format should be revised to accommodate direct labor proposed as a
> percentage of effort.**
>
> **b. For all materials, supplies, and other direct costs, list all
> unit prices, etc., to detail how the calculations were made.**
>
> **c. For all indirect costs, list the rates applied and the base the
> rate is applied to.**
>
> **d. For all travel, list the specifics for each trip.**
>
> **e. For any subcontract proposed, submit a separate breakdown
> format.**
>
> **f. Justification for the need of some cost elements may be listed as
> an attachment, i.e., special equipment, above average consultant fees,
> etc.**

**4. If the Government has provided \"uniform pricing assumptions\" for
this solicitation, the offeror must comply with and identify each
item.**

**Attachment 3**

**RFP Number:**

**Organization:**

**Date:**

**[BREAKDOWN OF PROPOSED ESTIMATED COST (PLUS FEE) AND LABOR
HOURS]{.underline}**

**Option OptionOption**

**[COST ELEMENT]{.underline} [Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 1 Year 2 Yr 3
Total]{.underline}**

**[DIRECT LABOR:]{.underline}**

**[Hours]{.underline} [Hours]{.underline} [Hours]{.underline}
[Hours]{.underline} [Hours]{.underline} [Hours Hours]{.underline}**

**[Labor Category]{.underline} [Rate]{.underline} [Amt]{.underline}
[Amt]{.underline} [Amt]{.underline} [Amt]{.underline} [Amt]{.underline}
[Amt]{.underline} Amt**

**(Title and Name\--**

**use additional**

**pages as necessary)**

**[DIRECT LABOR COST]{.underline}: \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$\_\_\_\_ [etc
]{.underline}**

**[MATERIAL COST]{.underline}: \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[TRAVEL COST]{.underline}: \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[OTHER (Specify)]{.underline} \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[OTHER (Specify)]{.underline} \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**TOTAL [DIRECT]{.underline} COST: \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[FRINGE BENEFIT COST]{.underline}:**

**(if applicable)**

**% of Direct Labor Cost \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[INDIRECT COST]{.underline}:**

**% of Total Direct Cost \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[TOTAL COST]{.underline}: \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[FEE]{.underline}:**

**(if applicable)**

**% of Total Est. Cost \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

**[GRAND TOTAL EST COST]{.underline} \$ \$ \$ \$ \$ \$**

[^1]: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 1999, *Standards
    for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information
    Systems*, February 2004.