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

**SECTION A - SOLICITATION FORM** No. AHRQ-07-10021

Date Issued: March 23, 2007

Date Questions Due: April 11, 2007

Date Proposal Intent Due: May 1, 2007

Date Proposals Due: May 22, 2007

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-07-10021, entitled "Evidence-based Practice Centers III." Your
proposal must be developed and submitted in accordance with the
requirements and instructions of this RFP.

It is anticipated that multiple awards will be made. Contract type is
task order (indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity). Task orders
(delivery orders) written against the base contract may be firm fixed
price or cost reimbursement. The period of performance will be three
years with 2 one-year options.

The following information is only applicable if and when a task order
award is made over the \$550,000 threshold. The AHRQ recommended goal
(as a percentage of total planned subcontracting dollars for the base
period) is 20% for Small Businesses, which shall include at least 5.5%
(as a percentage of total contract value for the base period) for Small
Disadvantaged Businesses, at least 5.05% (as a percentage of total
planned subcontract dollars for the base period) for Women-Owned Small
Businesses, and at least 3.03% (as a percentage of total planned
subcontract dollars for the base period) for HUBZone Small Businesses
and at least 3% (as a percentage of total planned subcontract dollars
for the base period) for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses**. THESE GOALS
REPRESENT AHRQ'S EXPECTATION OF THE MINIMUM LEVEL FOR SUBCONTRACTING.**

Offerors shall submit the following:

A. Technical Proposal (See Section L.9) (Original and 16 hard copies
plus two electronic copies on CD)

B. Past Performance Information (See Section L.10) (Original and 2 hard
copies plus two electronic copies on CD)

C. Business Proposal (See Section L.11) (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 plus one electronic copy on CD)

Your technical proposal must be concisely written and should be limited
to **125 typewritten pages** (double-spaced), exclusive of personnel
qualifications (i.e., resume, etc., see Section L.9 for additional
details). This limitation is for administrative purposes only and
exceeding the limitation shall not, of itself, be considered a basis for
rejection of your proposal.

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

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature (Class Levels I through VI, see
Section L.11).

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

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

**YOUR ATTENTION IS CALLED TO THE LATE PROPOSAL PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN
SECTION L.3 OF THIS RFP. YOUR ATTENTION IS ALSO DIRECTED TO THE
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN SECTION L.9 OF THE
SOLICITATION.**

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be received in this office
no later than **April 11, 2007** (See Section L.6). All questions should
be submitted in writing by e-mail to Sharon Williams, Contracting
Officer at the following email address: sharon.williams@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 **May 22, 2007**. Your proposal
must be mailed to the following address:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

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

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

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

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

Requests for any information concerning this RFP should be referred to
Sharon Williams,

\(301\) 427-1781.

Sincerely,

Sharon Williams

> 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 5-6

Section C Description/Specification/Work Statement 7-23

Section D Packaging and Marking 24

Section E Inspection and Acceptance 24

Section F Deliveries or Performance 25

Section G Contract Administration Data 26-29

Section H Special Contract Requirements 30-35

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

Section I Contract Clauses 36-41

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

Section J List of Attachments 42

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

Section K Representations and Instructions 43-49

Section L Instructions, Conditions & Notices to Offerors 50-71

Section M Evaluation Factors for Award 72-76

**[Attachments]{.underline}**

1\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form 77-81

2\. SF LLL-A, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 82-84

3\. Small Business Subcontracting Plan (for information purposes only)
85-92

4\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet 93

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

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

> "Evidence-based Practice Centers III (EPC III)." See Section C for a
> complete description.

**B.2 PRICE/COSTS**

> This is a task order requirement for "Evidence-based Practice Centers
> III." Services will be acquired on an as-needed basis through issuance
> of task orders. The minimum total amount to be awarded over the two
> year contract period will be \$50,000. It is anticipated that the
> maximum total amount will be \$5,000,000. Typical task orders are
> expected to range between \$50,000 and \$300,000.

Prices/costs will be negotiated individually for each task order awarded
under this contract. Specific terms and conditions regarding
reimbursement and payment will be specifically delineated in each task
order. Task orders may be cost-reimbursement or firm fixed-price.

**B.3 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.

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

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

**DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT**

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Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor
shall furnish all the

necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and
facilities, not otherwise

provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work
below:

A.  Background Information

## The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality {#the-agency-for-healthcare-research-and-quality .Section-Header-2}

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

To achieve these goals, the Agency conducts and supports a broad base of
scientific research and promotion of improvements in clinical and health
systems practices, including the prevention of diseases and other health
conditions. AHRQ sponsors and conducts research that develops and
presents evidence-based information on healthcare outcomes, quality,
patient safety, cost, use and access. Included in AHRQ's mandate is
support of synthesis and dissemination of available scientific evidence,
including dissemination research and analytic methods or systems for
rating the strength of scientific evidence. AHRQ sponsors and conducts
research on existing as well as innovating technologies, and conducts
research on methods for measuring quality and strategies for improving
quality. AHRQ also recognizes that a number of populations experience
persistent disparities in health status, access to care, quality of
care, and poor health outcomes. To address these disparities, ARHQ
encourages research projects to include special populations such as
low-income groups, racial and ethnic minority groups, women, children,
the elderly, and individuals with disabilities and chronic health
conditions.

## AHRQ Effective Health Care Program {#ahrq-effective-health-care-program .Section-Header-2}

AHRQ-supported research helps health care decision-makers -- patients
and clinicians, health system leaders, purchasers, and policy-makers --
make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care.
Informed healthcare decisions are best made within a context of
scientific evidence. AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program provides an
organizing framework for this context through a comprehensive approach
with three primary components. The three approaches are a.) Synthesize
scientific evidence; b.) Generate new scientific evidence and analytic
tools and c.) Translate the scientific findings for different audiences.

Initial work in the Effective Health Care Program originated from
Section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003. Section 1013 authorized AHRQ to conduct
and support research with a focus on outcomes, comparative clinical
effectiveness, and appropriateness of pharmaceuticals, devices, and
health care services. Research is informed by the needs of the Medicare,
Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP).
Research may include strategies for how these items and services are
organized, managed, and delivered. The organizing framework of the
Effective Health Care Program is applied to consider the needs of other
government and private programs to support evidence-based practice and
informed decision-making for additional users.

## [Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program]{.underline} {#evidence-based-practice-centers-epc-program .Section-Header-3}

The cornerstone of the Effective Health Care Program is the component
that synthesizes scientific evidence -- the Evidence-based Practice
Centers Program. The EPCs were created in 1997 to synthesize existing
scientific literature about important health care topics and promote
evidence-based practice and decision-making. These reviews use the
research methodology of systematic review to systematically and
critically appraise existing research and synthesize knowledge on a
particular topic. These are systematic reviews based on rigorous,
comprehensive methods, emphasizing explicitly detailed documentation of
methods rationale and assumptions.

The ultimate goal of EPC work is to present the "state of the science"
on a given topic in a manner that can be directly applied to decisions
made by users of health care information. These users include
clinicians, patients, policy-makers, and payers, and may be individuals
or their related organizations. Topics cover all health care clinical
and therapeutic areas of focus, from preventative services to
implementation of medical devices. Clinical areas may focus on
traditional therapeutics as well as complementary, alternative,
nutritional, and other emerging areas such as genomics. Topics will
focus on effectiveness, often with an analysis of comparative
effectiveness. Topics may also include a focus on implementation,
delivery and systems of care, effectiveness and efficiency of health
care, and the group or organizational unit of analysis.

Since 1997, the EPCs have developed more than 120 evidence reports and
technology assessments on a wide spectrum of topics, both clinical and
policy-oriented. A list of EPC evidence reports that have been published
can be reviewed at
[www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm](http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm)[.]{.underline}
The expertise of the EPCs is used for comparative and effectiveness
reviews (CERs) on medications, devices, and other relevant
interventions, funded under MMA Section 1013. A list of published EPC
comparative and effectiveness reviews can be reviewed at
[www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.]{.underline}

The EPC systematic reviews have been used by systems of care, provider
societies, health plans, public and private purchasers, advocacy groups,
professional organizations, States, Federal research, policy and
regulatory agencies and others. In general, the evidence in the
systematic review is used to inform decisions on a variety of issues. A
set of key questions is used to focus the review to provide a summary of
the best available scientific evidence on a particular topic.
Specifically, evidence reports and technology assessments have been used
as a scientific foundation for development and implementation of
clinical practice guidelines, clinical pathways, review criteria,
performance measures, and other clinical quality improvements tools,
individual treatment decisions, coverage or reimbursement policies, and
to develop research agendas. An important aspect of the systematic
reviews is the identification of research gaps, as well as
recommendations for studies and approaches to fill those gaps. These
identified gaps are used to generate topics for new research, such as
that conducted by the Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about
Effectiveness (DEcIDE) Research Network, the other scientific component
of the Effective Health Care Program and other research funding
agencies.

Recently, the EPCs have focused their systematic review efforts on one
of three areas for base funding. Three EPCs have focused on technology
assessments that concentrated on specific technologies as requested by
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Technology
Assessment (TA) Program. One EPC has focused on evidence reviews on
preventative topics for the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Program. The remaining have functioned within the Generalist Program to
produce evidence reports on topics in collaboration with private
partners. It is anticipated that this sort of focus will continue with
the following modifications. The number of EPCs assigned to a particular
focus may differ from past experience and the work from each program
will not be reserved exclusively for the designated EPCs. Some work in
each program will be reserved for possible assignment to EPCs across the
Program.

An additional focus for assignment to one EPC will be as a Scientific
Resource Center (SRC) to provide scientific and methodologic technical
support to the Generalist Program and MMA 1013 Projects, including the
DEcIDE Network. To avoid potential or perceived conflicts of interest,
the SRC will not be assigned to Generalist Program or MMA 1013
systematic reviews. The SRC may also be assigned to work in the USPSTF
or TA Programs.

In addition to base funding, supplementary resources may be applied to
EPC work. It is anticipated that, as in the past, supplemental resources
will be available for additional EPC work in future years. For example:
efforts with Federal Partners produce systematic reviews to inform
policy and/or research agenda. In this approach, AHRQ acts as a science
partner through the EPC to produce evidence reviews for panels making
recommendations, to develop research agendas and to build coalitions of
interest in advancing the science in a focused area research. Another
example: comparative and effectiveness reviews (CERs) are funded under
MMA Section 1013. CERs focus on outcomes, comparative clinical
effectiveness, and appropriateness of pharmaceuticals, devices, and
health care services. Research is informed by the needs of the Medicare,
Medicaid, and SCHIP.

## [Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness (DEcIDE) Research Network]{.underline} {#developing-evidence-to-inform-decisions-about-effectiveness-decide-research-network .Section-Header-3}

The other scientific component of the Effective Health Care Program
seeks to generate new scientific evidence and analytic tools. The DEcIDE
Research Network was created in 2005 to focus on the program component
that generates new knowledge. The main purpose of the DEcIDE Research
Network is to expeditiously develop valid scientific evidence and
methodologies about the outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness,
safety, and appropriateness of health care items and services. The
DEcIDE Network is comprised of academic, clinic, and practice-based
organizations with access (or partners providing access) to electronic
health information databases and the capacity to conduct timely
research. Examples of electronic health databases relevant to the DEcIDE
Research Network include electronic medical record data, pharmacy
records, public or private health insurance data, long-term care data,
and special databases such as disease, medical procedure, or medical
device registries.

Initial research focused on individual research projects on the outcomes
of prescription drug use and other interventions for which randomized
controlled trials would not be feasible or timely, or would raise
ethical concerns that are difficult to address. Other DEcIDE Research
Network projects may focus on electronic registries, methods for
analyzing health databases, and prospective observational or
interventional studies. The first examples of reports generated by the
DEcIDE Research Network are available around the time of this
Solicitation and may be found at
[http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov](http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/)[.]{.underline}

As a new entity, the DEcIDE Research Network is developing its capacity
to exercise the full potential of its resources as an integrated
network. Future studies will be collaborative across the Network and
will fully test the relevant methods of outcomes research to generate
new knowledge. The primary objectives of the DEcIDE Research Network are
to:

1.  conduct accelerated research that examines the a) outcomes, b)
    comparative clinical effectiveness, c) safety, and d)
    appropriateness of therapies, using existing electronic health
    databases;

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1.  establish, maintain, operate, and analyze specialized electronic
    registries that enroll participants based on characteristics such as
    demographics, disease status, drug exposure, or use of medical
    device(s);

2.  conduct retrospective analyses involving the collection of existing
    data through methods that include analyses of medical, pharmacy, and
    hospital discharge records; or study designs like case-control and
    retrospective cohort studies;

3.  test and evaluate data standards, controlled terminologies, and
    ontologies that enhance information system interoperability, drug
    safety, registry development and knowledge sharing;

4.  develop valid methods, measures, and instruments that can be rapidly
    applied to facilitate comparative effectiveness research, clinical
    care, or program evaluation;

5.  conduct prospective observational or interventional studies that
    evaluate strategies for improving effectiveness and efficiency of
    the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP programs, including ways in which
    medications are provided and pharmacy services are organized,
    managed, and delivered under such programs;

6.  conduct retrospective and prospective studies to assess the role of
    genetics in affecting drug effectiveness and patient health
    outcomes;

7.  provide technical assistance or consultative support to AHRQ on
    methods for conducting health outcomes research on the comparative
    effectiveness of medications and other healthcare interventions;

8.  provide technical assistance in establishing, maintaining, and
    mining clinical repositories and databases for comparative
    effectiveness research; and

9.  evaluate the feasibility of using administrative or claims data
    to a) improve oversight, b) support quality, safety, and efficiency
    initiatives, c) and estimate the fiscal and coverage impacts of
    program and policy changes.

## [John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center]{.underline} {#john-m.-eisenberg-clinical-decisions-and-communications-science-center .Section-Header-3}

The John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science
Center, also referred to as the Eisenberg Center, takes a systematic
approach to translate scientific knowledge about effective health care
into understandable, actionable language for all decision-makers. As
scientific evidence about effectiveness is synthesized by the EPC
program and generated by the DEcIDE Research Network, the Eisenberg
Center then translates the scientific knowledge into targeted products
for all stakeholders -- including patients, providers, and
policy-makers. Stakeholders can use this knowledge to maximize benefits
from their health care, minimize harm, and optimize the use of health
care resources. An important function of the Eisenberg Center is to
present the often complex scientific information in a format that
stakeholders and the public can easily understand.

## [Other Programs Associated with the Effective Health Care Program]{.underline} {#other-programs-associated-with-the-effective-health-care-program .Section-Header-3}

Other programs at AHRQ share goals with the Effective Health Care
Program. These programs generally include other mechanisms for
scientific support within their structures. At the time of this
Solicitation, the Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics
(CERTs) have collaborated with the Effective Health Care Program on some
relevant projects. CERTs is a national initiative to conduct research
and provide education that advances the optimal use of therapeutics
(i.e., drugs, medical devices, and biological products). The cooperative
agreement program consists of 11 research centers and a Coordinating
Center. CERTs projects for the Effective Health Care Program may be
found at <http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/decide/activeDecide.cfm>.

B.  Objectives

The EPCs will implement a collective mission to meet the following
objectives:

-   Conduct rigorous systematic reviews of relevant scientific
    literature. Systematic reviews will implement methods for horizon
    scans, advanced systematic reviews/general evidence reports,
    comparative and effectiveness reviews, abbreviated focused
    reviews/technology assessments, and systematic review updates and
    other substantive reports of evidence to be developed during the
    course of the contract.

-   Synthesize results of systematic reviews and report the findings
    with high transparency; i.e., explicitly detailed methods,
    rationales, and assumptions in a format(s) appropriate to the topic
    and intended audience.

-   Advance the methodology of systematic review in organized projects
    which include manuscript-style reports or white papers.

-   Collaborate with partners, including other EPCs and AHRQ programs,
    to promote relevant, consistent, transparent and valuable
    implementation of the systematic review process, dissemination of
    findings from systematic reviews and methodology projects, and the
    EPC Program as a whole.

-   Other EPC- related activities that support the conduct of systematic
    reviews and research synthesis of literature data.

C.  Specific Requirements

EPCs will conduct rigorous systematic reviews, synthesize results of
systematic reviews and report the findings, advance the methodology of
systematic review, collaborate with partners and perform other related
EPC activities. Successful execution of each of these essential
activities will require an effective and efficient team of
multidisciplinary individuals with a high level of consistent
functioning at both the individual and collective levels.

Key Personnel and Core Team

The EPCs are to be comprised of core staff of seasoned professionals in
fields such as medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, epidemiology,
statistics and data analysis, health services research, behavioral
research, public health, social sciences, library science, science
writing and editing. In the event that the EPC core staff does not
include particular expertise needed to accomplish a Task Order, the EPC
is to obtain such expertise through consultants and/or sub-contracts. It
is AHRQ's expectation that at least one topic-specific content expert
will be included as key personnel for each Task Order. Key personnel who
are constant across EPC projects should include:

EPC Director

The EPC Director's main responsibility shall be to provide strong and
consistent programmatic leadership at the EPC levels and across task
order assignments. It is the responsibility of the EPC Director to
evaluate and assert performance expectations of all staff to produce
top-quality contributions of such individuals. This responsibility
includes declaring her/his own conflicts of interest, as well as
documentation and review of outside activities of all staff and
consultants for substantial financial, business and professional
conflicts of interest.

The EPC Director shall have documented training and extensive direct
experience in evidence-based practice methods. The Director shall also
have demonstrated methodological expertise in systematic review, and the
assessment of a broad range of scientific data supportive of outcomes
research, such as data from randomized controlled trials, computerized
pharmacy records, diagnostic studies, technology assessments,
epidemiologic and social sciences research (including but not limited to
economics, sociology, and behavioral research).

This individual shall also direct and encourage the EPC's collegial work
on EPC program-wide initiatives, such as EPC meetings, interactions with
the SRC, trans-EPC collaborative reviews or methodology projects. The
EPC Director shall mentor new staff as they participate in EPC projects.

Leadership by example suggests that the EPC Director shall function as a
project lead on a semi-regular basis, but at a minimum, s/he must attest
to the integrity and quality of each deliverable prior to submission to
AHRQ.

Senior leadership is a key feature of the administrative structure
within each EPC. It is expected that senior leadership will be available
at a minimum and consistent availability of 70% fulltime equivalent. At
a practical level, this senior leadership may be shared with the EPC
Associate Director, but the EPC Director shall consistently contribute a
minimum of 20% FTE and explicit, strategic sharing of the leadership
role must be obvious. Regardless of percent FTE, the EPC Director holds
the ultimate responsibility for functioning of the EPC under her/his
directorship.

EPC Associate Director

The Associate Director shall assist the Director with promoting
successful and consistent EPC work and provide continuity of leadership
in the Director's absence. The Associate Director often has a dual
function as Lead Investigator on EPC projects. In collaboration with the
EPC Director, the EPC Associate Director shall supervise and evaluate
the work of Lead Investigators and other scientific functions.

EPC Project Manager

The EPC Project Manager shall assist the Director by promoting
successful and consistent EPC work. It is expected that this shall be a
full-time position. The EPC Project Manager may directly supervise and
evaluate the work of research assistants and like roles. The EPC Project
Manager will be responsible for preparation and submission of on-going
status reports.

On a day-to-day basis, the EPC Project Manager shall supervise all
activities across the EPC to maintain efficient and effective
functioning across multiple concurrent tasks and projects. The Project
Manager is responsible for identifying problems or challenges and
initiating solutions quickly. Likewise, the Project Manager is expected
to be responsive to problems or issues identified by the AHRQ Program
Officer.

EPC Lead Investigators

EPC Lead Investigators shall apply their scientific and content
expertise in conducting systematic review methodology and managing the
progress of individual systematic reviews. It is expected that at least
one topic-specific content expert will be included as key personnel if
that expertise is not held by the Lead Investigator. Examples of
scientific expertise includes meta-analysis or systematic review methods
with non-randomized study literature or research on devices. Examples of
clinical expertise include primary care, women's health, heart disease
or diabetology. These are examples only and should not be interpreted by
Offerors as preferred areas of expertise. It is understood that lead
investigators may be assisted by less experienced researchers. It is the
responsibility of the EPC Director and/or Associate EPC Director to
evaluate and assert performance expectations to produce top-quality
contributions of such individuals. Similarly, if there are novice staff
on a particular project, it the responsibility of the Lead Investigator
and EPC Director to evaluate and assert performance expectations to
produce top-quality contributions of such individuals.

Librarian, Statistician/Data analyst, Editor

These roles are also anticipated to be consistent roles across projects.
However, due to the seasonal nature of such work, it is understood that
these individuals may be used on retainer or a subcontract mechanism. As
described previously, the EPC Director, Associate Director and Project
Director hold important supervisory and leadership roles to ensure
successful and efficient integration of these members of the team.

Conduct Rigorous Systematic Reviews

The ultimate goal of EPC work is to present the "state of the science"
on a given topic in a manner that can be directly applied to decisions
made by users of health care information. These users include
clinicians, patients, policy-makers, and payers, and may be individuals
or their related organizations. EPCs are expected to use consistent,
precise and transparent methods. As methods are developed and
fine-tuned, EPCs are expected to implement these methods in the same
manner.

Topics are expected to cover all health care clinical and therapeutic
areas of focus, including prevention. Clinical areas may focus on
traditional therapeutics as well as complementary, alternative,
nutritional, and other emerging areas such as genomics. Topics may also
include a focus on implementation, delivery and systems of care,
effectiveness and efficiency of health care and the group or
organizational unit of analysis. While it is not anticipated that EPCs
will specialize in specific topic areas, EPCs must demonstrate ready and
ongoing availability of the necessary clinical, epidemiological,
economic, and methodological expertise to successfully undertake
multiple Task Orders in any of these topic areas. AHRQ will work with
the EPCs and nominating organizations or other stakeholders to define
the focus of topics for systematic reviews. Once a particular topic is
developed, the EPCs may be asked to work with the Partner(s) on proposed
key questions or issues that will be the basis for a particular evidence
report or technology assessment, modifying or replacing questions as
appropriate. Thereafter, explicit systematic review methods can be
implemented such that databases are searched, the evidence reviewed and
evaluated, supplemental analyses performed, and final evidence reports
and technology assessments delivered to AHRQ within established and
possibly tight and overlapping due dates.

Recently, the EPCs have focused their systematic review efforts on one
of three areas for base funding. Three EPCs have focused on technology
assessments that concentrated on specific technologies as requested by
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Technology
Assessment (TA) Program. One EPC has focused on evidence reviews on
preventative topics for the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Program. And the remaining have functioned within the Generalist Program
to produce evidence reports on topics in collaboration with private
partners. It is anticipated that this sort of focus will continue with
the following modifications. The number of EPCs assigned to a particular
focus may differ from past experience and the work from each program
will not be reserved exclusively for the designated EPCs. Some work in
each program will be reserved for possible assignment to EPCs across the
Program. In addition, one EPC will be designated as a Scientific
Resource Center, to provide scientific and methodologic technical
support to the Generalist Program, as well as MMA 1013 Comparative
Effectiveness Reviews (CERs) and DEcIDE Research Network projects.

In addition to base funding, supplementary resources may be applied to
EPC work. It is anticipated that, as in the past, supplemental resources
will be available for additional EPC work in future years. Two specific
areas are anticipated.

1.  Systematic reviews for Federal Partners are used to inform policy
    and/or research agendas. In this approach, AHRQ acts as a science
    partner through the EPC to produce evidence reviews for panels
    making recommendations, to develop research agendas and to build
    coalitions of interest in advancing the science in a focused area
    research.

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10. Comparative and Effectiveness Reviews (CERs) are funded under MMA
    Section 1013 focus on outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness,
    and appropriateness of pharmaceuticals, devices, and health care
    services. Research is informed by the needs of the Medicare,
    Medicaid, and SCHIP.

Synthesize Results of Systematic reviews and Report the Findings

The primary outcome for a systematic review is the evidence report. The
type of report depends on the scope of work and needs of the Program and
Partner. It is anticipated that a limited number of common formats will
be used or developed, although alternations may be expected to accompany
advances in the field of systematic review. EPCs are expected to
contribute to the development of report formats and comply to formats as
they alter. For the purposes of this Solicitation, common formats are
identified as follows.

-   Horizon Scan

    \- Preliminary searches of the literature with descriptive level
    analysis to assess the adequacy of scientific literature on a
    particular topic for the express purpose of deciding whether to
    pursue study of the topic and if so, how to structure a systematic
    review or research study.

    \- Preliminary searches of the literature, including grey
    literature, lay press and databases such as ClinicalTrials.gov, with
    the purpose of assessing current activity and identifying emerging
    bodies of knowledge in need of systematic review.

    \- Comprehensive searches of the research literature with minimal or
    no analysis to identify activity in the field, or "proof of
    concept". Such scans are usually used with emerging technologies or
    interventions in small, highly selective, specialty populations.

    \- A review of reviews to evaluate the landscape of the topic with a
    different methodology.

-   Advanced Systematic Review

    \- Comprehensive, systematic reviews of public partner-nominated
    topics which are broadly focused and typically are used for Partner
    decision-making such as development of clinical guidelines or policy
    documents. NOTE: Public partner-nominated systematic reviews via the
    Generalist Program will not be conducted by the Scientific Resource
    Center.

    \- Comprehensive, systematic reviews of Federal partner-supported
    topics which are broadly focused to assist with policy-making or
    research agenda setting.

    \- Advanced systematic reviews use an explicit and reproducible
    methodology to synthesize knowledge on an often broad or complex
    topic. An important aspect of the report is the identification of
    pertinent research gaps, as well as recommendations for studies and
    approaches to fill those gaps.

-   Comparative and Effectiveness Review (CER)

    \- A type of advanced systematic review that focuses closely on
    questions of effectiveness for specific therapies or policies or
    organizational interventions, that are often, but not always
    comparative in nature.

    \- Reviews of publicly nominated topics funded by MMA Section 1013.

    \- Reviews use a transparent methodology to synthesize knowledge
    about effectiveness of medications, devices, and other relevant
    interventions. An important aspect of the report is the
    identification of research gaps, as well as recommendations for
    studies and approaches to fill those gaps.

    NOTE: CERs will not be conducted by the Scientific Resource Center.

-   Abbreviated, Focused Review

    \- Technology assessments that concentrate on specific technologies
    as requested by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in
    the Technology Assessment (TA) Program, usually to provide
    scientific evidence for coverage decisions.

    \- Reports in follow-up to advanced systematic reviews that
    identified circumscribed areas of scientific literature that were
    not included in a previous review.

    \- Reviews of a very circumscribed body of literature. Typically
    this is a topic with high public interest, but limited scientific
    studies and/or inconsistent study of the topic.

-   Manuscript-style Report or White Paper

    \- Summary report on a key question or issue from an advanced or
    abbreviated systematic review.

    \- Summary report on a topic across systematic reviews.

    \- Descriptive report of a methodologic project or issue.

-   Update

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-   A revision or extension of an older systematic review to incorporate
    studies since publication of the previous systematic review, likely
    using the same search strategies and analyses as were implemented in
    the older review.

    NOTE: Updates will not be conducted by the Scientific Resource
    Center for the Generalist or MMA 1013 Programs.

As mentioned above, topics for all formats will cover a variety of
issues. Topics are expected to cover all health care clinical and
therapeutic areas of focus. Clinical areas may focus on traditional
therapeutics as well as complementary, alternative, nutritional, and
other emerging areas such as genomics. Topics may also include a focus
on implementation, delivery and

systems of care, effectiveness and efficiency of health care and the
group or organizational unit of analysis. Additional information about
topics may be found on the AHRQ EPC Web site at:
[www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epc/epctopicn.htm]{.underline}.

**Elements of EPC Reports**

EPC evidence reports and studies are to include core elements set out
below. These are technical elements and assume application of
scientifically sound and transparent methods, as described subsequently.
Note that technical elements vary according to the format of systematic
review (described previously) and templates and style instructions will
be made available. Resource materials, including a current example of a
template and style instructions may be found at:
[www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcpartner/epcresmat.htm]{.underline}. Examples of
completed reports using differing formats may be reviewed as follows:

-   Advanced Systematic Reviews for EPC Program:
    [www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm]{.underline}.

-   Advanced Systematic Reviews for USPSTF:
    [www.ahrq.gov/clinic/serfiles.htm.]{.underline}

-   CERs for MMA Section 1013:
    [www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/synthesize/reports/final.cfm.]{.underline}

-   Abbreviated, Focused Reviews for TA Program:
    [www.ahrq.gov/clinic/techix.htm.]{.underline}

In general, each report will include a Summary, Technical Report,
Bibliography, and Appendices. The Summary will include synopsis of the
scientific evidence on each key question, strength of the evidence on
each question, a discussion, conclusions and recommendations for future
research. The Technical Report will include a description of the topic,
the population of interest (including subgroups with disproportionate
impact) and specific questions that were addressed; description of the
methodologic process used, including search strategies, method for
reviewing of the studies, criteria for assigning the quality rating for
the studies and the quality grading of the quality of the studies and
the overall body of evidence, methods of analysis, and synthesis of the
evidence. The Bibliography will include all studies abstracted, whether
used or rejected, for the report, rationale for excluded studies, and a
complete reference list.

-   Peer Review

The EPCs will be required to have external peer review of draft reports,
with reviewers reflecting the wide range of audiences, such as content
and methods experts, professional societies, providers, payors,
consumers, etc. Following receipt of reviewer comments, the EPCs will
modify the reports to incorporate substantive comments, as appropriate.
A disposition of comments will describe the EPCs response to the
comments and changes made as a result of those comments. The disposition
of comments is a routine deliverable that accompanies the submission of
each EPC report.

-   Public Review

Some EPC reports and products will include public review and comment of
draft reports via the Web. Following receipt of public comments, the
EPCs will modify the reports to incorporate substantive comments, as
appropriate. A disposition of comments will describe the EPCs response
to the comments and changes made as a result of those comments. The
disposition of comments is a routine deliverable that accompanies the
submission of each EPC report.

-   Assessing EPC Reports

Each report or deliverable submitted will be carefully evaluated by AHRQ
Staff and others as requested. Corrections, editions or changes based on
errors or scientific concerns (including unclear scientific writing) may
be requested at any point in a report by AHRQ. EPCs are expected to be
flexible to accommodate changes in the literature and science during the
course of the systematic review. While adhering to the required elements
outlined above, EPCs are expected to use an EPC Methods Manual to guide
the method or approach by which its final evidence reports will be
produced. Subsequent task orders will be awarded, in part, on the basis
of each EPC's successful performance of prior assignments.

-   Publication of EPC Reports and Other Products

AHRQ will make EPC Summaries and Technical Reports available on AHRQ's
Web site and in some cases, hard copy. It is AHRQ's policy to promptly
publish and otherwise disseminate research developed with AHRQ support.
Consistent with this policy, AHRQ will make final evidence reports and
technology assessments available as soon as possible. AHRQ anticipates
release of Technical Reports within 90 days of their receipt. All
reports will be accessible on AHRQ's Web site. Availability of hard
copies of reports will vary by format of report. AHRQ does not
anticipate routine "holding" the release of Technical Reports for the
convenience of publication of manuscripts. If not adverse to the
Public's welfare and basic tenets of transparency, AHRQ may allow a
short a short delay in the release date of a Technical Report to
accommodate, for example, near-term peer reviewed journal publication.
Such cases will be negotiated on an individual basis. Specific
procedures will be implemented under EPC Program policy.

Each EPC will have primary responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and
completeness of their reports and studies developed under the Task
Orders. Each EPC will be responsible for obtaining permission to include
copyrighted materials in any part of the systematic review or other
deliverable; and for ensuring that all copyrighted material includes
attribution to source.

AHRQ will not provide extensive editing of EPC reports prior to their
publication in hard copy and placement on AHRQ's website. It will be the
EPCs' responsibility to submit all deliverables in publishable
condition. Therefore, the EPCs will be expected to include a science
writer and/or editor as part of their core staff, at a sufficiently high
percentage of dedicated time to ensure acceptability of the EPC reports.

**Optional EPC Report Products**

Additional deliverables may be requested depending on the topic and
format of the systematic review, and/or the needs of AHRQ or the Partner
organization. Examples may include:

-   Slides

Short slide sets in plain language that convey the essence of the
systematic review, including implications for audiences such as
policy-makers, professional societies and patient groups.

-   Presentations

Short presentations of about 30 minutes at professional meetings,
conferences or training workshops, including slide set described above.

-   Manuscript

A traditional manuscript suitable for journal publication that
summarizes the findings of the systematic review.

Advance the Methodology of Systematic Review

EPCs will be expected to demonstrate methodological expertise in the
assessment of a broad range of scientific data. These data include, but
are not limited to, those from randomized controlled trials,
observational studies, diagnostic studies, previously-done systematic
reviews and technology assessments, epidemiologic and social sciences
research (including but not limited to economics, sociology, and
behavioral research). For each assigned topic, EPCs will be expected to
apply sophisticated methods of systematic review in a sound, explicit
and transparent fashion.

Individual expertise is expected, but the strength and utility of the
EPC Program lies in harmonization of methods and being a standard bearer
of systematic review methodology. Therefore, collaboration between EPCs
to advance and apply systematic review methods will be encouraged. This
will occur via several venues. Regular meetings (anticipated to be
biannual) will include interactive, educational and working sessions on
methodology. Agenda will be developed with EPC input and include action
items for follow-up after the meeting. Collaboration, in the form of
technical support by the SRC will occur on all CERs and potentially,
other topics developed by the SRC or designated by AHRQ. Individual Task
Orders or Work Assignments on methodology topics, both individual and
collaborative, will be assigned based on program needs.

Application of a consistent, sound and sophisticated methodology will
result in EPC reports that:

-   Identify and prioritize scientific questions within a given topic
    that are of the greatest importance with respect to policy, clinical
    practice or other relevant decision-making process;

-   Identify specific types of evidence that would be appropriate to
    answer important questions related to a given topic;

-   Identify criteria for selecting or excluding sources of evidence
    (e.g., English language studies, foreign language studies, published
    and/or unpublished studies), including strategies to describe
    explicit details of the literature review to facilitate future
    updates of the report;

-   Evaluate individual studies for issues that may affect the validity
    of individual study results, including considerations of both
    internal and external validity;

-   Synthesize results of data from multiple individual studies; and

-   Convey results from synthesis in ways that communicate readily to
    the relevant audiences for each evidence report or technology
    assessment

-   Identify pertinent gaps in knowledge, as well as recommend research
    studies and approaches to fill those gaps.

Collaborate with Partners

EPCs will be expected to work closely with a variety of partners, both
internal and external to AHRQ. The regular example of AHRQ partnership
will include the DEcIDE Research Network and the Eisenberg Center, both
within the Effective Health Care program, as well as AHRQ's Office of
Communication and Knowledge Transfer, particularly the Divisions of
Publishing and Public Affairs. Currently, there is no formal
relationship with other programs, but EPCs should remain open to future
collaborations.

Examples of external collaborations are through Partners and
stakeholders when conducting systematic reviews, technical experts for
systematic review, methodology and horizon scanning efforts, peer review
and public review activities. As Partnerships develop, on-going tasks
may be assigned to support Partners.

At the time of this Solicitation, two specific areas of on-going
collaboration occur with Partners.

1.  Technical and educational support to the USPSTF by the EPC assigned
    to that area of focus.

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11. Technical and educational support to a Stakeholder Group for
    Effective Health Care by the EPC assigned as SRC.

Other Related EPC Activities:

In support of systematic review and research synthesis of literature
data, EPCs may be tasked to provide a range of related services. In
addition to tasks related to the conduct of systematic literature
reviews, an EPC may:

-   Perform special analyses, such as meta-analyses, cost effectiveness
    analyses, decision analyses, or individual patient-level data
    analysis.

-   Collaborate with public and private partners in specific educational
    or training projects; for example, developing evidence-based
    curricula, providing training opportunities in systematic reviews,
    or in conducting educational sessions on interpretation and
    understanding of research studies.

-   Collaborate with other programs within AHRQ and the Federal
    government, where a systematic review may be supportive of that
    program mission.

-   Provide technical assistance to organizations that seek to use EPC
    reports as a basis for decision-making; for example, producing tools
    to enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care, etc.

-   Evaluate the use and impact of EPC evidence reports;

-   Other assignments as requested.

D.  Mechanisms for Assigning Work

Types of Task Orders

First, following designation of Offerors as Evidence-based Practice
Centers (EPCs), and as resources permit, AHRQ plans to simultaneously
compete among the EPCs a series of Requests for Task Order (RFTO)
covering multi-year periods of performance. Examples of multi-year task
orders that AHRQ is considering are set out below.

-   RFTO for two (2) or three (3) EPCs to conduct systematic reviews and
    provide technical support to AHRQ's Technology Assessment Program.

-   RFTO for one (1) or two (2) EPCs to provide conduct systematic
    reviews and technical support to the U.S. Preventive Services Task
    Force (USPSTF).

-   RFTO to identify 9-11 EPCs to develop evidence reports and technical
    support on a variety of topics that are requested by AHRQ, by
    private-sector Partners (the EPC Generalist Program)

-   RFTO for one (1) EPC to be designated as Scientific Resource Center
    (SRC) and provide scientific technical support to the Generalist
    Program and scientific components of MMA 1013; namely the EPC CERs
    and DEcIDE Network research projects. Tasks will include maintenance
    of a methods manual, horizon scanning and topic development. This
    RFTO will not be awarded to an EPC designated as a "Generalist" EPC.

Work funded under MMA Section 1013 will be assigned under a separate,
multiyear RFTO, dependent on availability of funding. Under these
multi-year task orders, an EPC will receive work assignments from AHRQ
that may include the equivalent of one or two advanced systematic
reviews per year. This may include a single advanced systematic review
or a mix of systematic reviews; targeted methodological studies and
horizon scans; or other combination of assignments. The EPC designated
as the SRC may receive work assignments for the TA and USPSTF Programs,
but not the Programs where it will be assigned tasks to develop topics,
i.e., the Generalist Program and MMA Section 1013 Projects.

Additional work will be assigned under additional RFTOs with
individualized periods of performance as requested by Federal partners.
In the event that another Federal health agency requests on-going
technical support from an EPC, AHRQ will compete an RFTO for a
multi-year task order for designated EPC support to that agency. RFTOs
will primarily be firm, fixed-price. Some cost-reimbursement assignments
may be made, contingent on the type of project and availability of
funding.

As described previously, deliverables for assignments will depend on the
topic and format of the work. A sample delivery schedule is provided
below. All assignments will include an expectation of regular progress
reports and notification of publications, presentation and other
EPC-related activities, even after the delivery of the last deliverable.

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

Sample Delivery Schedule for an Advanced Systematic Review Work
Assignment

+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Task {#task .RFC-delivery-1}     | #         | ###              |
|                                       | ### Forma | # Work Interval  |
|                                       | t {#forma | from Award Date  |
|                                       | t .RFC-de | {#work-interval- |
|                                       | livery-1} | from-award-date  |
|                                       |           | .RFC-delivery-1} |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Kick-off                         |           |                  |
| Call {#kick-off-call .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Hold call with TOO and Partner to |           | 2 weeks after    |
|     discuss objectives of project,    |           | award date       |
|     key questions, etc.               |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit summary of call\'s         | E         | 1 week after     |
|     discussion decisions, to call     | lectronic | kick-off call    |
|     participants 1 week from kick-off |           |                  |
|     call.                             |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### W                                |           |                  |
| ork Plan {#work-plan .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit draft work plan to TOO for | E         | 2 weeks after    |
|     approval, with a copy to          | lectronic | kick-off call    |
|     EPC@ahrq.gov                      |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Budget                           |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit budget to TOO for AHRQ     | E         | 2 weeks after    |
|     approval, with a copy to          | lectronic | kick-off call    |
|     EPC@ahrq.gov                      |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Technical Experts                |           |                  |
|  {#technical-experts .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit names and CVs of proposed  | E         | 1 month after    |
|     TEP members to TOO.               | lectronic | award date       |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Send signed Disclosure Statements | 1 copy of | prior to TEP     |
|     for each member of the TEP to the | each      | call             |
|     TOO.                              |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Send signed Disclosure Statements | each      | prior to TEP     |
|     for each member of the TEP to the | original  | call             |
|     CO.                               |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### TEP                              |           |                  |
| Call #1 {#tep-call-1 .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Hold TEP call #1                  |           | 1 month after    |
|                                       |           | award date       |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit summary of TEP call        | E         | 1 weeks after    |
|     discussion and decisions to call  | lectronic | TEP call         |
|     participants, TEP members who     |           |                  |
|     could not participate, and TOO    |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### TEP                              |           |                  |
| Call #2 {#tep-call-2 .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Hold second TEP call.             |           | 2 month after    |
|                                       |           | award date       |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit summary of TEP call        | E         | 1 weeks after    |
|     discussion and decisions to call  | lectronic | TEP call         |
|     participants, TEP members who     |           |                  |
|     could not participate, and TOO    |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Revised Work Plan                |           |                  |
|  {#revised-work-plan .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit comprehensive work plan    | E         | 2 weeks after    |
|     for TOO approval, with a copy to  | lectronic | TEP call         |
|     EPC@ahrq.gov                      |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Peer Review                      |           |                  |
| ers {#peer-reviewers .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit list of                    | E         | 4 months after   |
|     individuals/organizations who may | lectronic | award date       |
|     be asked to peer review the draft |           |                  |
|     technical report to the TOO.      |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Pe                               |           |                  |
| er Review and Draft Report {#peer-rev |           |                  |
| iew-and-draft-report .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit draft report and summary   | 1         | 9 months after   |
|     to TOO.                           | e         | award date       |
|                                       | lectronic |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Send draft report and summary to  | print     | 9 months after   |
|     peer reviewers.                   | only      | award date       |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Peer Review Comments {#          |           |                  |
| peer-review-comments .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit complete copies of peer    | 1         | 12 months after  |
|     review comments to TOO, and       | el        | award date       |
|     report their disposition to the   | ectronic, |                  |
|     TOO and CO.                       | 2 print   |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Final Report and Summary {#fina  |           |                  |
| l-report-and-summary .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Submit Technical Report and       | 1         | 12 months after  |
|     Summary in AHRQ\'s required       | el        | award date       |
|     format, in hard copy and in       | ectronic, |                  |
|     Microsoft Word on re-writable     | 1 print   |                  |
|     disks to TOO.                     |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| #### Monthly ca                       |           |                  |
| lls and Status Reports {#monthly-call |           |                  |
| s-and-status-reports .RFC-delivery-1} |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+
| -   Hold monthly conference calls     | E         |  monthly         |
|     with TOO. Send short summary of   | lectronic |                  |
|     call as status report to TOO and  |           |                  |
|     CO.                               |           |                  |
+---------------------------------------+-----------+------------------+

**Tasks In Addition to Evidence Reports**

As indicated above, AHRQ may assign Task Orders to: (1) update prior EPC
reports; (2) conduct methods research; (3) perform special analyses,
such as meta-analyses, cost effectiveness analyses, decision analyses;
(4) provide technical assistance to organizations that seek to use EPC
evidence reports as a basis for development of clinical guidelines,
performance measures, and other quality enhancement tools, and use to
inform reimbursement or coverage policies; (5) perform special cost
effectiveness studies; (6) collaborate with academic medical centers,
payors and employer groups, non-profits, and other private sector
entities in, for example, developing evidence-based curricula, providing
training opportunities in systematic reviews and assessments to junior
faculty, Fellows, etc. from other academic institutions, or in
conducting educational sessions on interpretation and understanding of
research studies; (7) design special dissemination strategies for EPC
products; (8) evaluate the use and impact of evidence reports and
technology assessments on the quality, outcomes, and costs of
healthcare; and (9) other assignments as requested.

**EPC Products Not Funded By AHRQ**

For EPCs designated under this Solicitation, AHRQ will continue its
practice of encouraging the EPCs to seek funding from and enter into
agreements with private and public organizations to perform similar work
on topics other than those funded by AHRQ. EPCs may include the EPC logo
and attribution, "produced by an AHRQ EPC", on the final report with
prior written approval of the Director, Evidence-based Practice Centers
Program.

Approval will generally be granted if such products are developed with a
transparent and rigorous methodology and process consistent with that
required of products funded by AHRQ, including peer review and
modification of the product to include peer review comments, as
appropriate, and other requirements specified in this scope of work.
AHRQ shall be one of a group of peer reviewers of such products. Should
AHRQ object to some portion of the work contained in the product (for
example, during peer review) AHRQ may negotiate mutually agreeable
modifications or require removal of the EPC logo and attribution and
insertion of a disclaimer, if deemed necessary, should the product
nevertheless be published. Such negotiation may include a requirement to
review peer review comments and their disposition.

Approval to use the EPC logo and attribution also is contingent on the
funding source giving AHRQ written assurance that the product(s) shall
be made available at a reasonable cost (defined as the cost of
duplication, mailing and handling) to Federal and State agencies and to
the public.

No later than at the same time that the EPC delivers the final report or
assessment to the third party funding source, the EPC shall deliver to
AHRQ the final report or assessment, and upon request, a copy of all
peer review comments, and a report of disposition of those comments.

**[OPTIONAL PERIOD #1]{.underline}**

If exercised, Optional Period #1 will continue the above efforts for an
additional twelve-month period. The Contractor will be notified
approximately sixty (60) days in advance should the option period be
exercised.

**[OPTIONAL PERIOD #2]{.underline}**

If exercised, Optional Period #2 will continue the above efforts for an
additional twelve-month period. The Contractor will be notified
approximately sixty (60) days in advance should the option period be
exercised.

**NOTE**: It should not be assumed that all EPC contracts will receive
award of optional periods of performance. The decision will be based on
a number of factors including AHRQ's need (i.e., there may be
insufficient work or funding for all EPC contracts to be extended), as
well as the performance of the EPCs during the base period.

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

Not Applicable

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

**E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE**

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

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

c\. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

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

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

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

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

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

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

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

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

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989)

Alternate I (APRIL 1984)

**F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE**

> The Government anticipates the period of performance shall begin on or
> about
>
> August 1, 2007 and continue through July 31, 2010 with two (2)
> one-year options
>
> (if exercised) from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011 and August 1,
> 2011 through July 31, 2012 respectively.

**F.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

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

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

  -------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------
  [Item]{.underline}   [Description]{.underline}              [Quantity/Delivery
                                                              Date]{.underline}

  1                    Administrative, progress, and          As specified in each task
                       financial reports                      order

  2                    All deliverables identified in each    As specified in each task
                       task order                             order

  3                    Final report under each task order     As specified in each task
                                                              order

  4                    Active participation in EPC Program    As scheduled
                       meetings and calls                     

  5                    Small Disadvantaged Business           1 copy at contract
                       Participation Report                   completion
  -------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------

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

**G.1 KEY PERSONNEL**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**G.3 INVOICE SUBMISSION**

a\. INVOICE SUBMISSION

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

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

Contracting Officer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**G.4 INFORMATION ON VOUCHERS**

> \(1\) The Contractor 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.

\(2\) 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 RELEASE AND USE AND COPYRIGHT OF DATA FIRST PRODUCED FROM WORK
PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT**

\(a\) *Release and Use -- Data* *first produced in the performance of
the Contract.* As permitted in FAR 52.227-17, the provisions of this
Section H.1 shall apply to any release or use of data first produced in
the performance of the Contract and any analysis, tools, methodologies,
or recorded product based on such data.

\(b\) *Release and Use -- Requirements related to confidentiality and
quality.* To ensure public trust in the confidentiality protections
afforded participants in Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ)-supported research, AHRQ requires and monitors compliance by its
contractors with section 934(c) of the Public Health Service Act (PHS
Act) (42 U.S.C. 299c-3(c)), which 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.

In addition to this requirement, section 933(b)(1) of the PHS Act (42
U.S.C. 299c-2(b)(1)) requires AHRQ to assure that statistics and
analyses developed with Agency support are of high quality,
comprehensive, timely, and adequately analyzed. Accordingly \--

> \(1\) prior to the release or use of data based upon work performed
> under this Contract, the Contractor agrees to consult with the Project
> and Contract Officers regarding the proposed release or use. The
> Contractor will in good faith consider, discuss, and respond to any
> comments or suggested modifications that are provided by AHRQ within
> two months of receiving the proposed release or use.
>
> The purpose of such consultation is to assure that:
>
> \(A\) identifiable information is being used exclusively for the
> purpose(s) for which it was supplied or appropriate consents have been
> obtained;
>
> \(B\) the confidentiality promised to individuals and establishments
> supplying identifiable information or described in it is not violated;
> and
>
> \(C\) the quality of statistical and analytical work meets the
> statutory standards cited above.
>
> \(2\) The Contractor must satisfy conditions (1)(A) and (1)(B). At the
> conclusion of any consultation required by paragraph (b)(1) above, if
> AHRQ and the Contractor cannot agree that a proposed use or release
> satisfies condition (1)(C) above:
>
> \(A\) the research professional at the Contractor responsible for the
> quality of the Contract work will, in advance of any release or use of
> such data, certify in a letter to the Contracting Officer what
> differences of opinion cannot be resolved regarding the statutory
> standards referenced in condition (1)(C) and the basis for Contractor
> assertions that these standards have been met; and
>
> \(B\) the Contractor must print prominently on the release or other
> product, or on any portion that is released, or state prior to any
> oral presentation or release of such material, the following
> disclaimer:
>
> THIS presentation/ publication/or other product is derived from work
> supported under a contract with THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY (AHRQ) (# ). However, this presentation/ publication/or other
> product HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED by the agency.

\(c\) *Required Statement Regarding Protected Information*. On all
written material or other recorded products, or preceding any
presentation or other oral disclosure, release or use of material based
on identifiable information obtained in the course of work performed
under this contract, the Contractor shall make the following statement:

> IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ON WHICH THIS REPORT, PRESENTATION, OR OTHER
> FORM OF DISCLOSURE IS BASED IS PROTECTED BY FEDERAL LAW, SECTION
> 934(c) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, 42 U.S.C. 299c-3(c). NO
> IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES SUPPLYING
> THE INFORMATION OR DESCRIBED IN IT MAY BE KNOWINGLY USED EXCEPT IN
> ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR PRIOR CONSENT. ANY CONFIDENTIAL IDENTIFIABLE
> INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT OR PRESENTATION THAT IS KNOWINGLY DISCLOSED
> IS DISCLOSED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS PROVIDED.

\(d\) *Copyright -- Data first produced in the performance of the
Contract.* Subject to the terms of this Section regarding release and
use of data, AHRQ, through its Contracting Officer, will grant
permission under FAR 52.227-17(c)(1)(i) to the Contractor to establish
claim to copyright subsisting in scientific and technical articles based
on or containing data first produced in the performance of this contract
that are submitted for publication in academic, technical or
professional journals, symposia proceedings or similar works. When claim
to copyright is made, the Contractor shall affix the applicable
copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402 and acknowledgment of
Government sponsorship (including contract number) to the data when such
data are 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. In such circumstances, the Contractor hereby agrees to
grant to AHRQ, and others acting on its behalf, 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, by or on behalf of AHRQ. A description of this
license will be incorporated into the copyright notices required above.

\(e\) *Subcontracts.* Whenever data, analyses, or other recorded
products are to be developed by a subcontractor under this Contract, the
Contractor must include the terms of H.1 in the subcontract, without
substantive alteration, with a provision that the subcontractor may not
further assign to another party any of its obligations to the
Contractor. No clause may be included to diminish the Government's
stated requirements or rights regarding release or use of products or
materials based on data derived from work performed under this contract.

**H.2 LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEASE OR USE**

Failure to submit materials for statutorily mandated confidentiality and
statistical and analytic quality reviews as required by Section H.1 of
this contract will be viewed as a material violation and breach of the
terms of this contract, as the requirements of this provision are
necessary for AHRQ to carry out its statutory obligations and
responsibilities. Records of the Contractor\'s performance, including
the Contractor\'s performance pertaining to this Contract, will be
maintained in AHRQ\'s Contracts Management Office and will be considered
as an element of past performance which is part of all subsequent
competitive contract proposal reviews.

**H.3 SUBCONTRACTS**

The contractor must include in any subcontracts executed or used to
provide the support specified in this contract the terms of requirements
H.1, H.2, H.3, and H.6. These requirements are to be included without
substantive alteration, and no clause may be included to diminish these
requirements.

Award of any subcontract is subject to the written approval of the
Contracting Officer upon review of the supporting documentation as
required by FAR Clause 52.215-12, Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data, of
the General Clauses incorporated into this contract. A copy of the
signed subcontract shall be provided to the Contracting Officer.

**H.4 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.5 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.6 SALARY RATE LIMITATION HHSAR 352-270-15 (JANUARY 2006)**

Pursuant to the applicable HHS appropriations acts cited in the table
below, the Contractor shall not use contract funds to pay the direct
salary of an individual at a rate in excess of the salary level in
effect on the date the expense is incurred as shown in the table below.

For purposes of the salary limitation, the terms \`\`direct salary,\'\'
\`\`salary,\'\' and \`\`institutional base salary\'\' have the same
meaning and are collectively referred to as \`\`direct salary\'\' in
this clause. An individual\'s direct salary is the annual compensation
that the Contractor pays for an individual\'s appointment whether that
individual\'s time is spent on research, teaching, patient care, or
other activities. Direct salary excludes any income that an individual
may be permitted to earn outside of duties to the Contractor. Direct
salary also excludes fringe benefits, overhead, and general and
administrative expenses (also referred to as indirect costs or
facilities and administrative \[F&A\] costs).

The salary rate limitation also applies to individuals performing under
subcontracts. However, it does not apply to fees paid to consultants. If
this is a multiple-year contract, it may be subject to unilateral
modification by the Contracting Officer to ensure that an individual is
not paid at a rate that exceeds the salary rate limitation provision
established in the HHS appropriations act in effect when the expense is
incurred regardless of the rate initially used to establish contract
funding.

+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------+
| **Public law**                     | Period Covered    | Salary      |
|                                    |                   |             |
|                                    |                   | Limitation  |
|                                    |                   |             |
|                                    |                   | (based on   |
|                                    |                   |             |
|                                    |                   | Executive   |
|                                    |                   |             |
|                                    |                   | Level I)    |
+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------+
| 108-447, Div F, Title II, General  | 10/01/05 --       | \$180,100   |
| Provisions,                        | 12/31/05          |             |
|                                    |                   |             |
| Section 204                        |                   |             |
+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------+
| 109-149, General Provisions,       | 01/01/06 -- until | \$183,500   |
| Section 204                        | revised           |             |
+------------------------------------+-------------------+-------------+

Executive Level salaries for the current and prior periods can be found
at the following Web site:
[http://www.opm.gov/oca/05tables/html/ex.asp](http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.opm.gov/oca/05tables/html/ex.asp).
Click on \`\`Salaries and Wages\'\' and then scroll to the bottom of the
page to select the desired period.

**H.7** Number range CHAPTER**TASK ORDER SELECTION CRITERIA AND
PROCEDURES**

> All work required under this contract will be authorized through the
> issuance of task orders (TOs) signed by the Contracting Officer and
> accepted by the Contractor. Funding for the contract will be through
> the issuance of TOs. TOs may be solicited, negotiated and awarded at
> any time within the contract period.
>
> TOs may often vary in terms of content, cost and duration. Task orders
> will usually be firm fixed price or cost-reimbursement type contracts.
> However, depending on the nature of the task order, task orders may
> also be negotiated as performance based, incentive type, etc.
>
> The Contractor will be guaranteed a minimum of one task order during
> the 3-year contract. It is expected that TOs will average between
> \$50,000 and \$300,000 and last between six (6) to eighteen (18)
> months with an average being thirteen months. There may be
> circumstances where the amount and duration of task orders exceed
> these average amounts. The minimum dollar amount guaranteed per
> Contractor is \$50,000 and the maximum allowable will be \$10,000,000
> for the contract period.
>
> A Task Order Officer (TOO) will be designated for each TO issued under
> this contract. The TOO will function as principle technical liaison
> between the Contracting Officer and the Contractor\'s Project Manager.
>
> Each awardee will be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for
> each TO. Factors such as past performance, quality of deliverables,
> cost control, price, cost, or other factors that the Contracting
> Officer believes are relevant to the placement of orders will be
> considered.
>
> Awardees may not be given an opportunity to be considered for a
> particular TO if the Contracting Officer determines that:

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

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

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

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

Procedures for Issuance of TOs

1\. When a TO is to be awarded, the Government will request a proposal
from the awardees. A cost proposal and a brief discussion of technical
approach shall be submitted within twenty (20) calendar days. In unusual
circumstances, awardees may be requested to reply within a shorter
amount of time.

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

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

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

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

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

\--types of final products anticipated;

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

\--management plan for conducting the TO.

4\. The cost and fee for each TO will be negotiated.

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

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

7.  Protests ARE NOT authorized in connection with the issuance or
    proposed issuance of a TO except for a protest on the ground that
    the order increased the scope, period or maximum value of the
    contract under which the order was issued.

8.  Awardees are not required to compete for a particular TO if it
    chooses not to do so, i.e., the Contractor may elect not to submit a
    proposal on a particular TO. Such election will not preclude the
    Contractor from an opportunity to submit proposals on subsequent
    TOs.

Number range CHAPTER PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES (12/06 - DCM)

**(FAC 2005-15)**

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACT

WITH NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

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 (JULY 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 (SEP2005)

52.204-4 Printing/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 (JUNE 1999)

(ALTII) (APRIL 1998)

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)

52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment (FEB 2002)

52.216-11 Cost Contract - No Fee (APR 1984)

52.216-18 Ordering (OCT 1995)

52.217-2 Cancellation of Multiyear Contracts (OCT 1997)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for Hubzone Small
Business Concerns (JUL 2005)

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

52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEPT 2006)

(Applicable to contracts over \$550,000)

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

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

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

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

52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2002)

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era and Other Eligible Veterans (SEPT 2006)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 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 (APR 1984)

52.227-17 Rights in Data -- Special Works (JUNE 1987)

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

52.230-2 Cost Accounting Standards (APR 1998)

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

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

52.230-7 Proposal Disclosure -- Cost Accounting Practice Changes

(APR 2005)

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

52.232-17 Interest (JUN 1996)

52.232-18 Availability of Funds (APR 1984)

52.232-22 Limitation of Funds (APR 1984)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt Payment (FEB 2002)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor
Registration (OCT 2003)

52.233-1 Disputes (JULY 2002)

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

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

52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime (OCT 1997)

52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996)

52.242-1 Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs (APR 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) - ALT II (APR 1984)

52.244-2 Subcontracts (AUG 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 (APR 1984)

52.246-25 Limitation of Liability (FEB 1997)

52.248-1 Value Engineering (FEB 2000)

52.249-5 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Educational

and Other Nonprofit Institutions) (SEP 1996)

52.251-1 Government Supply Sources (APR 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

352.216-72 Additional Cost Principles (JAN 2006)

352.223-70 Safety and Health (JAN 2006)

352.224-70 Confidentiality of Information (JAN 2006)

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

352.232-9 Withholding of Contract Payments (JAN 2006)

352.232-75 Incremental Funding (JAN 2006)

352.233-70 Litigation and Claims (JAN 2006)

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

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

Persons With Disabilities (JAN 2001)

352.270-6 Publication and Publicity (JAN 2006)

352.270-7 Paperwork Reduction Act (JAN 2006)

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

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

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

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

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

(End of clause)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

> (End of clause)

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

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

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

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

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

(End of clause)

**OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) 52.217-9  **

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

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

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

(End of clause)

**KEY PERSONNEL (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

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

3\. Small Business Subcontracting Plan 8

**(included for information purposes only)**

4\. Proposal Intent Form 2

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

Number range CHAPTERNumber range CHAPTER (FAC 2005-03)

PART IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 HHSAR 315.204-5 Representations and Instructions

K.2. FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 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 541611.

\(2\) The small business size standard is 6.5Mil.

\(3\) 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. 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 (JUN 2003)

> \(2\) 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 (JAN 2004)**

**ALTERNATE I (OCT 1997)(FAR 52.215-1)**

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

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

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

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

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

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

\(i\) The solicitation number;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\(f\) Contract award.

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

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

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

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

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

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

specifies otherwise in the proposal.

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

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

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

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

poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iv) A summary of the rationale for award

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

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

(End of provision)

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

> Number range CHAPTERThe Government contemplates award of multiple
> completion type, task order contracts resulting from this
> solicitation. Awards are estimated to be made by August 2007.

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 Sharon Williams
> at <sharon.williams@ahrq.hhs.gov> no later than **April 11, 2007**.
> 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 REFERENCE MATERIALS**

> Offerors are directed to the following websites for additional
> information concerning AHRQ's EPC program:

[www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm]{.underline}

[www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov]{.underline}

[www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epc/epctopicn.htm](http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epc/epctopicn.htm)

www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcpartner/epcresmat.htm

www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm.

www.ahrq.gov/clinic/serfiles.htm.

www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/synthesize/reports/final.cfm.

www.ahrq.gov/clinic/techix.htm.

> http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareReform/108s1013.pdf.

**L.8 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 multiple completion type, task order
contracts (which will include cost-reimbursement task orders and firm
fixed-price task orders) will be awarded. In addition to the special
provisions of this request for proposal (RFP), any resultant contract
shall include the general clauses applicable to the selected offeror\'s
organization and type of contract awarded. Any additional clauses
required by Public Law, Executive Order, or procurement regulations, in
effect at the time of execution of the proposed contract, will be
included.

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

I. [TECHNICAL PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Technical Proposal Instructions
for recommended format (L.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).

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

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

> \(1\) Technical Proposal; (2) Past Performance Information; (3)
> Business Proposal, 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.9 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS**

The technical proposal shall contain an original and 16 hard copies,
plus 2 electronic copies on CD. The number of pages shall not exceed 125
pages (not including attachments), single-sided, single-spaced with 1
inch margins, size 11 font without reduction.

Applicants are encouraged to respect the page limitation and endeavor to
present primary content in the main text. Attachments should include
expanded reference material (such as curriculum vitas) and examples of
prior work. Applicants should describe their plans to satisfy the
requirements referenced in the Statement of Work but should not simply
copy-and-paste or otherwise parrot the content therein. Technical
Proposals should be cogent documents reflecting thoughtful consideration
of the technical requirements and responsive planning for a
high-functioning EPC. Multiple authors may contribute to the proposal;
therefore, the author and co-authors for each section should be named at
the end of each section.

The format shall include:

Cover Page

The cover page should include 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.

Table of Contents

Technical Proposal:

For ease of evaluation, the technical discussion shall be divided into
the following sections, corresponding to the evaluation criteria:

1.  Introduction - Understanding of EPC Program

2.  Technical Approach

3.  Conduct rigorous systematic reviews of relevant scientific
    literature

4.  Synthesize results of systematic reviews and report the findings

5.  Advance the methodology of systematic review

6.  Collaborate with partners

7.  Other EPC-related activities

8.  Management Plan and Organizational Experience

9.  Key Personnel and Core Team

10. Facilities

11. Past Performance

Technical Proposal Requirements

1.  Introduction - Understanding of EPC Program

Briefly, but in sufficient detail to provide an appropriate response to
this evaluation criterion, the Offeror shall describe its understanding
of the model adopted by AHRQ for its Evidence-based Practice Centers
Program (EPC Program).

Second, the Offeror shall describe its perspective on how this model is
operationalized to produce methodologically rigorous and transparent
evidence-based systematic reviews that impact evidence-based practice
and decision-making.

Finally, the Offeror shall describe their primary and secondary interest
in the areas of focus within the EPC Program. (SRC, TA Program, USPSTF,
Generalist Program). This preliminary indication of interest will assist
us in our planning for awards of task orders. Designation to an area of
focus will take place [after]{.underline} award of base contracts. All
successful offerors receiving an award will be given the opportunity to
submit a proposal for a task order for one of the above areas of focus.

1.  Technical Approach

Offeror shall submit a narrative which clearly addresses how they plan
to implement each specific requirement outlined in this RFC. The
narrative should be organized under the following headings which
identify areas of specific requirements. Under each heading should be a
general narrative with content and format of the Offeror's choice that
describes their understanding and specific expertise as related to that
objective. In addition, each section should include a response to the
specific issue or topic area described below.

2.  Conduct rigorous systematic reviews of relevant scientific
    literature

## General Narrative {#general-narrative .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative for this section should include descriptions of
the Offeror's processes for (1) identifying scientific questions within
a given topic that are of the greatest importance with respect to
clinical practice or policy; (2) identifying specific types of evidence
that would be appropriate to answer important questions related to a
given topic; (3) identifying, and criteria for selecting, sources of
evidence (e.g., English language studies, foreign language studies,
published and/or unpublished studies), including strategies for
describing explicit details of literature searches and reviews; (4)
evaluating individual studies for issues that may affect the

validity of individual study results, including consideration of both
internal and external validity; (5) synthesizing results of data from
multiple individual studies; and (6) conveying or reporting results from
syntheses in ways that communicate readily to audiences.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative .tech-reqs-header}

In addition to the general narrative, Offerors should describe up to
three topic areas in which they hold notable expertise. Expertise should
describe experience related to systematic review, other research methods
and, if relevant, how the systematic review was used for evidence-based
practice, research agenda-setting, policy decision-making or other
related follow-up activities of impact.

3.  Synthesize results of systematic reviews and report the findings

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-1 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe the Offeror's understanding and
specific expertise as related to this EPC Program objective.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-1 .tech-reqs-header}

Offerors should include a short essay on their philosophy and approach
to one of the following four issues: writing transparent reports of
systematic review, summarizing findings in a systematic review, editing
of key questions to focus a systematic review, or writing research
recommendations garnered from systematic reviews.

4.  Advance the methodology of systematic review

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-2 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe the Offeror's understanding and
specific expertise as related to this EPC Program objective.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-2 .tech-reqs-header}

Offerors should respond to the following invented scenario. The EPC
program issues an RFTO for high-priority methods projects with a
generous budget projection. Describe the methodology issue (including
rationale for it being high priority), the Offeror's proposed approach
to the issue and the not more than two deliverables that would result
from the proposed work.

5.  Collaborate with partners

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-3 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe the Offeror's understanding and
specific expertise as related to this EPC Program objective.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-3 .tech-reqs-header}

In addition to the general narrative, Offerors should briefly describe
one challenge that they have been presented with in past collaborations
and how they worked through that challenge or would alter their future
approach to the issue.

6.  Other EPC-related activities

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-4 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe the Offeror's understanding and
specific expertise as related to this EPC Program objective, namely,
examples of their ability and flexibility to implement additional tasks.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-4 .tech-reqs-header}

The EPC Program will include a variety of areas in which additional
expertise supports the program. Offerors should describe at least one
methodologic or content area described in the RFP in which they hold
notable expertise. Examples include meta-analysis, decision analysis,
analytic validity, genomics, women's health, use of indirect data,
evaluating screening tests. These examples are purely for illustrative
purposes and should not be interpreted to be preferred areas of
expertise. The narrative should describe experience related to the
expertise and how, if relevant, it was used for evidence-based practice,
research agenda-setting, policy decision-making or other related
follow-up activities of impact.

7.  Management Plan and Organizational Experience

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-5 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe a.) scientific and leadership
characteristics of the individuals making up the Key Personnel and Core
Team, and b.)  their performance as a management team. The Offeror must
have demonstrated experience as an organization in successfully
conducting and managing large scale and complex research, evaluation,
and/or development projects in the health care field.

a.) The depth of functioning must be reflected in each individual of the
Core Team-- the EPC Director, the EPC Associate Director and the EPC
Project Director. The Offeror's proposed EPC Director, EPC Associate
Director, Project Manager shall be identified and their individual skill
sets described briefly. The Offeror shall identify the three individuals
making up the Core Team and briefly describe experience, qualifications
and strengths of the individual members of the Core Team. Supporting
documentation such as a curriculum vita, resume or biosketch may be
included in the attachments.

Required characteristics of the Core Team have been described
previously. In brief, the EPC Director and Associate Director shall
possess strong corporate level management experience, communication
skills and maintain integral involvement with EPC activities. The EPC
Director is not expected to hold a figurehead role or routinely delegate
leadership to the Associate Director and/or Project Manager, or maintain
superficial involvement in EPC activities. There is an expectation that
The EPC Director is responsible for the overall management of this task
order contract, including coordination and cooperation with Federal
Government staff and policy officials, direction and oversight of all
studies awarded under the task order contract, and assuring quality and
timeliness of work performed.

Project Managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of
individual task orders. These individuals must also be highly qualified,
with significant leadership and communication skills, and demonstrated
experience and competence in managing complex projects with similar or
differing requirements. In most cases it is expected that they will have
training and experience in management of health professions, social
sciences, behavioral, and/or health services research (e.g.,
epidemiology, bio-statistics).

b.) The functioning of individuals as a coherent and effective team is
essential. Therefore, the Offeror shall describe, with specific
examples, the overall plan for organizing, staffing, and managing the
tasks required by this task order contract. Descriptions of past
management plans may be described. The plan shall indicate how
organizational roles and responsibilities will be divided, consistent
communication will be established, decisions made, work monitored, and
quality and timeliness of products assured. The Offeror shall explain
how this management and staffing plan demonstrates Offeror's capability
to start projects quickly, ensure that qualified personnel are available
for individual task orders, conduct more than one task order
concurrently, complete complex tasks within narrow time frames, and
assure quality of the products.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-5 .tech-reqs-header}

Finally, a short narrative about the functioning of the team should
include a brief description of how the team would adapt to the sudden,
unexpected loss of one member. For purposes of illustration, Offerors
may assume the following scenario. The Team Lead for a report in the
final stages of development must leave the country during the last two
months of a systematic review. This timing is not anticipated and the
individual will not be available for consultation. Describe how the Core
Team will adapt to cover this work while maintaining other work in
progress.

8.  Management Plan and Organizational Experience

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-6 .tech-reqs-header}

The general narrative should describe the overall EPC functioning. It is
essential that the Offeror demonstrate the capability to organize and
manage resources and personnel effectively, and to successfully
undertake and complete highly technical and, potentially, controversial
projects within stipulated performance periods. Proposed staff,
including consultants and subcontractors, shall reflect diverse
experience and skills. For example, it is expected that the Core Team
for EPC projects will include librarian, statistician/data analyst, and
editor roles in a consistent process across projects. It is understood
that these individuals may be used on retainer or a subcontract
mechanism. Therefore, the Offeror shall describe their experience in
incorporating such roles into past work. If individuals for these roles
are known, they shall be identified and documentation of their
qualifications included (curriculum vita, resume or biosketch). Planned
subcontracting and consulting relationships and other special
organizational relationships shall be described in detail. The Offeror
shall provide Letters of Intent from proposed consultants. If
individuals for these roles are not known, the Offeror shall describe
essential qualifications that will be sought for these roles.

Overall EPC functioning often includes the use of outside experts,
consultants or subcontractors. If the Offeror proposes to use
consultants or subcontractors to carry out work under this task order
contract, the management plan shall specify how the contractor,
consultants, and/or subcontractors will work together, how tasks will be
divided, how decisions will be made and communicated, how activities
will be coordinated, and how the relationships will be managed to assure
quality, timeliness, and productivity.

EPCs may need to access technical experts outside of the Core Team when
an assigned topic requires additional expertise. Offerors shall describe
their access to general and specialized clinical, policy, behavioral,
social sciences, economic and management expertise. AHRQ expects that
over the five year life of the contract, evidence reports and technology
assessments may be developed in several broad topic areas. Topics are
expected to cover all health care clinical and therapeutic areas of
focus. Clinical areas may focus on traditional therapeutics as well as
complementary, alternative, nutritional, and other emerging areas such
as genomics. Topics may also include a focus on implementation, delivery
and systems of care, effectiveness and efficiency of health care and the
group or organizational unit of analysis. Cost and cost-effectiveness
analyses, and analyses of organization and financing of health delivery
systems, also may be required. In establishing several EPCs, AHRQ seeks
to ensure that the necessary expertise to adequately address each of
these topic areas will be available through one or more of the EPCs.
While AHRQ reserves the right to make awards based on topic-area
expertise, it is anticipated that EPCs will not necessarily specialize
in specific topic areas, nor are they required necessarily to have
in-depth expertise in all of these areas. However, Offerors must
demonstrate that they have access to a range of health-related,
clinical, health services, policy and social sciences expertise within
their sponsoring institution or affiliated organizations or through
consulting or subcontracting arrangements. Offerors are encouraged to
provide detailed information on their expertise and interest in any of
the broad areas mentioned above.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-6 .tech-reqs-header}

A short narrative should describe how use of graduate students, clinical
fellows or other like individuals would be incorporated into systematic
review work. Assume that the topic is not overly specialized and the
literature is primarily randomized clinical trials or other
straightforward research. Describe all tasks this individual would
perform, how their work would be supervised and by whom.

9.  Facilities

## General Narrative {#general-narrative-7 .tech-reqs-header}

Offeror should briefly describe how adequate scientific facilities,
space and equipment are available for the accomplishment of project
goals and objectives. Offeror should describe their procedures for
invoicing under a task order mechanism. Describe standard accounting
procedures, including how budgets are set up and reconciled, including
communication with the scientific staff.

## Specific Response Narrative {#specific-response-narrative-7 .tech-reqs-header}

Situation: A \$200,000 task order has been assigned with three work
assignments: a 9 month \$100,000 assignment starting in January, a 3
month \$25,000 assignment starting in March and a 6 month \$75,000
assignment starting in June. Each is fixed-price has a monthly invoice
schedule (\$assignment ÷ #months= invoice amount) and requires a
separate cover page for each assignment. Describe how these multi-year
task order budgets are set up, accounted, reconciled, including the
roles of key participants.

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

> Offerors shall submit the following information (original and 2 hard
> copies plus 2 electronic copies on CD) 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 relative to the type of work being required under
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: Description of type of work
>
> f: Contracting Officer and telephone number
>
> g: Program Manager and telephone number
>
> h: Administrative Contracting Officer, if different from item f, and
> telephone number
>
> i: List of major subcontracts

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

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

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

> The attached Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance
> Form (Attachment 1) shall be completed by those contracting
> organizations listed in (1) above. The evaluation forms shall be
> completed and forwarded directly to the following:
>
> Sharon Williams
>
> 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 **[May 22,
2007]{.underline}** in order to be included in the review process. It is
the responsibility of the offeror to ensure that these documents are
forwarded to the Contracting Officer.

**L.11 BUSINESS PROPOSAL**

> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal" (original
> and 5 hard copies plus two electronic copies on CD). The Business
> Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small Business
> Subcontracting Plan and Other Administrative Data in accordance with
> the following:

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

Number range CHAPTERA. Cost/Price Proposal

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

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature (Class Levels I through IV as
described below:

> **Class I**
>
>  
>
>             Senior management personnel, holding an advanced clinical,
> technical or professional degree, at the M.D., Ph.D., or Masters
> level, with a minimum of 10 years experience in analyzing data,
> scientific literature, research findings,  and with significant
> experience related to development of community initiatives to improve
> health care quality.  Class I personnel shall also have corporate
> level management experience that reflects an ability to command
> organizational resources and direct staff within the broader
> organization.
>
>  
>
> **Class II**
>
>  
>
>             Associate management or clinical/professional/technical
> personnel, holding an advanced degree, at the M.D., Ph.D., or Master
> level, with a minimum of 5 years experience in analyzing data,
> scientific literature, research findings, and with experience related
> to development of community initiatives to improve health care
> quality. 
>
>   
>
> **Class III**
>
>  
>
>             Intermediate clinical/technical personnel, holding a BS or
> BA degree and at least 3 years experience in technical activities of
> which 2 years experience are directly related to in analyzing data,
> scientific literature and research findings.    The individual is
> capable of carrying out independent assignments with minimum
> supervision or acting as leader of small projects.  Class III
> personnel includes specialists in science writing and editing, as well
> as computer programming.
>
>  
>
> **Class IV**
>
>  
>
>             Data support, literature search and retrieval, report
> drafting, etc. at a research assistant level.

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 (April 1984)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\(c\) The management and control of any Government property shall be in
accordance with HHS Publication (OS) 74-115 entitled, [Contractor\'s
Guide for Control of Government Property]{.underline}\" 1990, a copy of
which will be provided upon request.

\(4\) [Royalties]{.underline}: You shall furnish information concerning
royalties which are anticipated to be paid in connection with the
performance of work under the proposed contract.

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

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

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

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

**L.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 electronic copy on a CD is required).

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

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
offeror 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.14 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 **May 1, 2007.** The submission of
the intent form is not binding on an offeror to submit a proposal, nor
doe 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
A through E (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:

**TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA WEIGHT**

-   NOTE: evaluation factors listed under the main headings are not
    prioritized or weighted based on order.

Understanding of EPC Program 15 points

The proposal shall be evaluated on the completeness of the proposal and
the Offeror\'s demonstrated understanding of the project as a whole,
including:

-   Understanding of goals and objectives of the EPC Program.

-   Understanding of evidence-based methods for systematic reviews and
    research.

-   Understanding of use of systematic reviews for evidence-based
    practice and decision-making.

-   Ability to organize and describe an EPC team to fulfill the goals
    and objectives of the EPC Program.

Technical Approach 25 points

The proposal shall be evaluated on the completeness, reasonableness,
clarity, and feasibility of the approach to satisfy the requirements
referenced in the Statement of Work and Technical Instructions.

-   Ability to conduct rigorous systematic reviews of relevant
    scientific literature. Systematic reviews will implement methods for
    general evidence reports, effectiveness reviews, technology
    assessments, comparative reviews, systematic review updates and
    other substantive reports of evidence to be developed during the
    course of the contract.

-   Ability to synthesize results of systematic reviews and report the
    findings with high transparency; i.e., explicitly detailed methods,
    rationales, and assumptions in a format(s) appropriate to the topic
    and intended audience.

-   Experience in advancing the methodology of systematic review in
    organized projects which include detailed and descriptive reports.

-   Ability to condense, summarize and be responsive to peer review
    comments.

-   Ability to collaborate with partners, including other EPCs and AHRQ
    programs, to promote relevant, consistent, transparent and valuable
    implementation of the systematic review process, dissemination of
    findings from systematic reviews and methodology projects, and the
    EPC Program as a whole.

-   Experience with other EPC- related activities that support the
    conduct of systematic reviews and research synthesis of literature
    data.

Key Personnel and Core Team 30 points

The background, skills, professional experience and education of key
personnel and the core team as an organizational unit shall be
evaluated.

-   Demonstrated availability of scientific staff with breadth and depth
    of scientific, methodological, technical, and clinical expertise
    required to support the work of the EPC Program as described in the
    RFP.

-   Demonstrated ability of core team to coordinate multiple
    simultaneous reviews of varying complexities, or simultaneous
    reviews and research, and availability of varied resources to ensure
    timely completion of projects.

-   Demonstrated effective procedures for managing multiple tasks,
    including: ensuring availability of qualified personnel; plans for
    organizing, managing, and coordinating the respective roles and
    responsibilities of personnel; quality control processes; procedures
    to assure timely start-up and completion of work; plans for
    obtaining appropriate senior subcontracting and consultant personnel
    with experience and expertise required for individual tasks; and
    plans to involve, where appropriate, qualified personnel from
    postgraduate training programs, to acquire experience in conducting
    evidence-based systematic reviews and research by participation in
    work envisioned under this RFP.

-   Demonstrated appropriate and efficient use of staff and other
    resources to accomplish required tasks.

-   Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing needs of the science,
    literature, Partner and/or AHRQ; or to adapt to other unexpected
    events.

-   Access to topic-related experts and ability to create successful,
    effective and efficient relationships on a consultative or
    subcontract mechanism.

Management Plan and Organizational Experience 25 points

The ability to achieve the delivery of performance requirements through
the proposed use of team and organizational management and the ability
to complete projects within a timely period shall be evaluated. The
Offeror will be evaluated with respect to [demonstrated]{.underline}:

-   Ability to build a core team with individual expertise, as well as
    synergistic team functioning.

-   Extent and relevance of prior experience in conducting
    evidence-based systematic reviews, including conducting literature
    searches, analysis of the evidence, conducting meta-analyses,
    decision analyses, and cost or cost-effectiveness analyses, and
    writing and editing technical or scientific reports.

-   Extent and relevance of prior experience in conducting
    evidence-based methods research.

-   The ability to produce high-quality reports of systematic reviews
    and/or other related activities.

-   The ability to produce timely systematic review reports and/or other
    related activities.

-   Ability to adapt to changes in personnel, a more expansive
    literature than projected, a greater complexity of tasks or other
    shifts in work assignments.

-   Extent and relevance of prior experience in successfully completing
    projects of a similar nature and scale as those envisioned under
    this RFP, within the required time and budgetary constraints.

-   Extent and relevance of prior experience in successfully working
    with clinical organizations, such as professional societies,
    hospitals, health plans, payors, etc., in producing products which
    are responsive to user needs.

Facilities 5 points

Proposals will be evaluated on the availability of adequate facilities,
space, and equipment (library services, personal computers, laptop
computers, word-processing, xerographic, a facsimile) for accomplishing
the project goals and objectives. In addition to computer hardware, the
contractor must provide necessary computer software capability. Finally,
the contractor must be able to have an accounting process that supports
task orders and work assignments with varying periods of performance,
invoice schedules and budgets.

TOTAL POINTS BEFORE PAST
PERFORMANCE..........................................100 points

**[PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION]{.underline} .......25 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 **May 22, 2007.** 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.
>
> 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}

**[SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN EVALUATION...5
Points]{.underline}**

> (TO BE RATED ONLY AFTER A DETERMINATION OF TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY OF
> THE OFFEROR'S PROPOSAL, BASED ON THE ABOVE TECHNICAL EVALUATION
> CRITERIA)

The evaluation will be based on information obtained from the Small
Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting 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 t being the most favorable.

TOTAL AVAILABLE EVALUATION
POINTS.............................................130 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-07-10021, entitled "Evidence-based Practice Centers III." 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 Sharon
Williams, 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
**May 22, 2007**. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon
Williams at (301) 427-1781.

Sharon Williams

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3\. Contract Number:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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

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

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

7\. Type of Contract/Grant: (Check all that apply) ( )Firm-Fixed Price

> ( ) Award Fee ( ) Cost Plus Fixed Fee-Completion ( ) Cost Plus Fixed
> Fee Term
>
> ( ) Cost Plus Incentive Fee ( ) Cost Plus Award Fee
>
> ( ) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity or Task Order ( ) Basic
> Ordering Agreement
>
> ( ) Labor-Hour ( )Time & Materials
>
> ( ) Small Business Set-Aside( )8(a) ( )SBIR
>
> ( ) Sealed Bid( )Negotiated
>
> ( )Competitive ( )Non-Competitive

8\. Description of Requirement:

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

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

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

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

you use this Contractor again? Yes No

Reason:

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

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

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

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

**MAILING ADDRESS:**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**ATTACHMENT 2 0348-0046**

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

(See reverse for public burden disclosure.)

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

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

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

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

**DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES**

**CONTINUATION SHEET**

Approved by OMB

0348-0046

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

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

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

Authorized for Local Reproduction

Standard Form\--LLL-A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Attachment 3 -- Required only on task orders awarded over \$550,000
(For Information Purposes Only)**

**SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total contract or Option #1

> Base-Year, if options (if applicable)

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

Option #2 Option #3 Option #4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**2. Goals**

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

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

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

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

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

> (Base Year)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

                                                                      

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a.  Outreach efforts to obtain sources:

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

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

1.  Conducting workshops, seminars, and training programs;

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

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

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

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

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

52.244-6(c).)

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

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

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

  Oct 1 - Mar 31              SF 294                    4/30

  Apr 1 - Sept 30             SF 294                    10/30

  Oct 1 - Sept 30             SF 295                    10/30

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

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

a.  Submit SF 294 to cognizant Awarding Contracting Officer.

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

**7. Record keeping**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**8. Timely Payments to Subcontractors**

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

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

**9. Description of Good Faith Effort**

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

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

**SIGNATURE PAGE**

Signatures Required:

This subcontracting plan was submitted by:

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

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

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

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

This plan was reviewed by:

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

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

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

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

This plan was reviewed by:

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

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

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

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

This plan was reviewed by:

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

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

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

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

**And Is Accepted By:**

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

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

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

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

> Number range CHAPTER
>
> Number range CHAPTER**ATTACHMENT 4**
>
> ***PROPOSAL INTENT RESPONSE SHEET***
>
> **[RFP No. AHRQ-07-10021]{.underline}**
>
> **Please review the attached request for proposal. Furnish the
> information requested below and return this page by May 1, 2007. Your
> expression of intent is not binding but will greatly assist us in
> planning for the proposal evaluation.**
>
> **\[ \] INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL**
>
> **\[ \] DO NOT INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING
> REASONS:**
>
> **\[ \] I GRANT PERMISSION TO THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY, CONTRACTS OFFICE TO ADD THE CONTACT INFORMAION BELOW TO A
> BIDDERS LIST TO PROVIDE TO OTHER INTERESTED OFFERORS FOR
> SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES. (\*MUST INCLUDE AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)**
>
> **COMPANY/INSTITUTION NAME:**
>
> **\*AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:**
>
> **TYPED NAME AND TITLE:**
>
> **DATE:**
>
> **\[ \] PLEASE [DO NOT]{.underline} RELEASE THE CONTACT INFORMATION.**
>
> **Please return to:**
>
> **Sharon Williams**
>
> **Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality**
>
> **Contracts Management**
>
> **540 Gaither Road**
>
> **Rockville, Maryland 20850**