Number range CHAPTEROMB 0990-0115

**PART I - THE SCHEDULE** **Request for Proposal No. AHRQ-2008-10036**

**SECTION A - SOLICITATION FORM**

Date Issued: July 29, 2008

Date Questions Due: August 11, 2008

Date Notice of Intent Due: August 15, 2008

**Date Proposals Due: August 29, 2008**

You are invited to submit a proposal to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) for Request for Proposal (RFP) No.
AHRQ-08-10036, entitled "Incorporating Health Information Technology
Into Workflow Redesign". Your proposal must be developed and submitted
in accordance with the requirements and instructions of this RFP.

The Government anticipates awarding one (1) contract from this
solicitation with the contract estimated to have a maximum budget of
\$500,000. A firm fixed price contract is contemplated for a 12 month
period of performance. Please see Section L.10 Technical Proposal
Instructions for further information. The North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) code that best describes the requirement
is 541611. The small business size standard is \$6.5 million (provided
for information only, this procurement is advertised on a full and open
competition basis).

Offerors shall submit the following:

A. Technical Proposal (See Section L.10) (Original, 10 copies, 1
electronic copy)

B. Past Performance Information (See Section L.11) (Original and 3
copies)

C. Business Proposal (See Section L.13) (Original and 3 copies, 1
electronic copy)

Your **technical proposal** must be concisely written and should be
**limited to** **50 typewritten pages** (double-spaced, single sided),
exclusive of cover page, table of contents, bibliography, personnel
qualifications (i.e., resume, etc., see Section L.10 for additional
details). Your **appendices are** **limited to 50 pages** (single sided)
including all resumes, bibliographies, exhibits and attachments. This
limitation is for administrative purposes only and exceeding the
limitation shall not, of itself, be considered a basis for rejection of
your proposal.

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

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

If you intend to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation,
please inform the Contract Specialist of your intent by completing the
Proposal Intent Response Form (attached) and submit the form no later
than August 15, 2008. Please fax it to 301-427-1740, Attention: Linda
Simpson, Contract Specialist, or email to: <Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>.

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be received in this office
**no later than August 11,** **2008.** (See Section L.7). All questions
shall be submitted electronically by e-mail to the Contract Specialist,
at the following email address: <Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>.

The subject line should be marked **"Proposal Questions RFP No.
AHRQ-08-10036"**

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

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

The proposal shall be signed by an authorized official to bind your
organization and must be received in our Contracts Office no later than
**12 noon**, **EST**, **on August 29, 2008**. Your proposal must be
mailed to the following address:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road, Room 4315

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
the Contract Specialist at <Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>. Please note
e-mail requests should state subject as **RFP AHRQ-08-10036**.

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

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

Section A Solicitation 1-2

Table of Contents 3

Section B Supplies or Services & Prices/Costs 4

Section C Description/Specification/Work Statement 5-11

Section D Packaging and Marking 13

Section E Inspection and Acceptance 13

Section F Period of Performance/Delivery Schedule 14-16

Section G Contract Administration Data 17-18

Section H Special Contract Requirements 19-21

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

Section I Contract Clauses 22-24

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

Section J List of Attachments 25

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

Section K Representations and Instructions 26-32

Section L Instructions, Conditions & Notices to Offerors 34-49

Section M Evaluation Factors for Award 50-53

**[Attachments]{.underline}**

1\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form 54-59

2\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet 60

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

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

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will award a contract to
develop a practical and easy to use toolkit on workflow analysis and
redesign that can be used by both small and large practices as well as
other ambulatory settings in the selection and implementation of health
information technology (IT) to support practice design entitled
"Incorporating Health IT into Workflow Redesign. "

**See Section C for a complete description**

**B.2 FIRM FIXED PRICE**

> 1\. For this Firm Fixed Price contract, the Contractor may bill in
> accordance with
>
> the payment schedule set forth herein.
>
> 2\. Total funds currently available for the base period are:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
>
> 3\. This contract is for period as set forth below:
>
> The Government anticipates the period of performance shall begin on or
> about September 30, 2008 and run through September 29, 2010**.\***

**\*Actual Dates To Be Inserted At Award**

**[SECTION C -- DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/ WORK
STATEMENT]{.underline}**

**[Statement of Work]{.underline}**

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.  **[Overview]{.underline}**

> A contract is being solicited to address how redesign of clinician
> workflow can be supported by health IT. Specifically this contract
> will develop a practical and easy to use toolkit on workflow analysis
> and redesign that can be used by both small and large practices as
> well as other ambulatory settings in the selection and implementation
> of health IT to support practice redesign. This contract will leverage
> currently existing guides such as the work of the Centers for Medicare
> and Medicaid Services' Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program
> Doctor\'s Office Quality Information Technology (DOQ-IT), California
> Healthcare Foundation and the World Health Organization and enhance it
> with other work in the areas of workflow, task analysis, and health IT
> by AHRQ grantees, other researchers, and the National Resource Center
> for Health IT.
>
> Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor
> and its subcontractors shall furnish all the necessary services,
> qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not
> otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the specific
> requirements below.

-   Conduct a literature and environmental scan of current practice
    redesign efforts that use health IT as a tool, health IT impact on
    clinical workflow, and available workflow analysis and redesign
    methods and tools

-   Draft a federal request for information (RFI) to be issued by AHRQ
    to obtain information regarding currently developed methods and
    tools or initiatives focusing on workflow analysis and redesign and
    how health IT can support workflow redesign

-   Synthesize responses to RFI

-   Develop a summary report that combines findings from the literature
    review, environmental scan, and RFI

-   Develop a toolkit on workflow analysis and redesign that provides a
    description of available tools and methods and a decision framework
    on how to determine when health IT can be used as part of practice
    redesign

-   User test the toolkit and modify as needed

-   Disseminate the toolkit to professional societies and other relevant
    stakeholders

> The product of this contract will be a summary report synthesizing the
> information from the literature review, environmental scan, request
> for information (RFI) and a toolkit. The final report will also
> identify gaps in the field and make recommendations regarding future
> AHRQ research in this area.

B. **[Objectives]{.underline}**

The purpose of this contract is to develop a toolkit that teams can use
to easily asses their practice's or setting's workflow to determine when
and how health IT may be used in larger practice redesign efforts by:

-   Assessing existing research and evidence in the area of the impacts
    of health IT on workflow, its linkage to clinician adoption, and its
    links to the safety, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of care
    delivery,

-   Identifying currently available resources for workflow assessment in
    healthcare as well as proven workflow analysis methods and
    instruments used in the field of human factors and ergonomics that
    could be applied in healthcare settings, and

-   Synthesizing the information gained into a toolkit that summarizes
    commonly used methods for workflow assessment, explains the purpose
    of each method, describes how to implement them as well as resources
    needed to do so, explains the advantages and disadvantages of each
    approach, cites available resources for more in-depth information on
    each tool, and provides a decision guide for how and when health IT
    can be used in practice redesign efforts.

## C. [Tasks to be Performed]{.underline}

1.  Kick-Off Call

Participate in a conference call with the Project Officer (PO) and other
appropriate AHRQ staff to discuss the overall objectives and specific
elements of work to be performed. Contact information for participants
beyond those listed in this solicitation will be provided from the AHRQ
PO to the contractor, who will schedule and host the call. The
contractor will provide an electronic summary of the discussion to
everyone who participated in the call.

2.  Develop Work Plan

Submit a comprehensive work plan to the PO. The work plan shall include
the following elements:

-   Key contact information

-   Brief background on the topic

-   Plan describing the proposed approach and methodology for conducting
    the literature review, environmental scan, drafting a Request for
    Information and synthesizing the results and delivering the Summary
    Report

-   Plan to synthesize the information into a Summary Report and toolkit

-   Also, the contractor shall deliver to the PO an electronic project
    plan including deliverables, tasks and schedule and provide updates
    for the completion of the project, using Microsoft Office Project
    (version 2003). The electronic plan should include a work breakdown
    structure (WBS) with a minimum of 3 levels of detail with unique
    numbering, deliverables, milestones, and Gantt chart. Also, the
    contractor shall deliver to the PO a hierarchical-type Project
    Organizational Chart and a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM).
    Document the proposed timeline using actual dates for the delivery
    schedule rather than days from effective date of contract (EDOC).

3.  First Required TEP Call

In consultation with the Project Officer, identify a small number of
individuals (6-8) including workflow redesign experts (e.g., human
factors and industrial engineers, such as from the Human Factors and
Ergonomics Society or Institute of Industrial Engineers Society for
Health System members, or the TransforMED project), ambulatory clinical
workflow experts (e.g. practice managers, clinicians, architects and
relevant organizations such as IHI or MGMA), health IT experts (e.g.
vendors, researchers, implementers), and other content and methods
experts. These individuals will comprise a Technical Expert Panel (TEP)
with which the contractor will consult, as appropriate, in conducting
the literature review and environmental scan and developing and testing
the toolkit. Submit the names, CV's, and completed disclosure of
interest forms for proposed technical experts to the PO for approval.
Once TEP members are approved, the contractor will arrange an initial
TEP conference call to discuss approaches to the literature search and
toolkit development. An electronic summary of the call shall be
distributed to all participants.

4.  Revised Work Plan

Following the initial TEP conference call, submit a comprehensive
project and work plan highlighting any changes from the initial draft
work plan regarding proposed literature search and review, environmental
scan, toolkit development, etc.

5.  Compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act

User testing (as described under Task 15) may fall under the governance
of the Paperwork Reduction Act, depending on the size and scope of the
work. If this is the case, the contractor shall work with the AHRQ PO
and the AHRQ OMB compliance officer (Doris C. Lefkowitz) to prepare a
package for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It
will be the contractor's responsibility to prepare the package,
including an estimation of the number of participants, discussion guide
questions, and estimated burden.

It is estimated this will require 4-5 full days of a Master level effort
to prepare the package. It will be the responsibility of the AHRQ PO to
submit the package to the AHRQ OMB compliance officer and coordinate any
follow-up discussion. If revisions are requested, the contractor shall
provide these in a timely fashion.

6.  Bi-Monthly Conference Calls and Status Reports

Participate in a bi-monthly conference call with the PO to summarize
progress. Calls may be scheduled more or less frequently, as requested
by the PO. Participation includes scheduling the call in advance and
circulating an agenda at least two working days prior to the call. The
PO may request that the agenda include attachments of working documents,
such as reference lists, literature retrieval figures, draft summary
tables, etc. Within one week after the call, submit an electronic
summary of the call, which will serve as a status report. Submit via
e-mail to the PO and the CO. This report must also document (even if not
discussed during the call):

-   Progress during the prior period in completing tasks.

-   Any problems or major issues encountered, how they came to be and
    how they were addressed. Major issues include those that involve
    changes in scope of work, timeline, outcomes, inclusion/exclusion
    criteria, resources, or cost.

-   Any foreseeable problems and plans to eliminate or mitigate those
    problems.

-   Any expected change to the delivery schedule and budget, including
    rationale.

-   An updated Gantt chart using tracking Gantt feature.

7.  Literature Review and Environmental Scan\
    The contractor shall conduct a literature review and environmental
    scan on:

-   Workflow issues encountered in the development, implementation,
    adoption and use of health IT and methodology currently being
    utilized in health IT for workflow assessment and redesign,

-   Applicable peer-reviewed and gray-literature research, tools and
    methods available for workflow analysis and redesign (in healthcare
    and other industries, where applicable), and

-   Publicly available workflow design tools and methods applicable to
    ambulatory practice workflow analysis and redesign or related
    initiatives

8.  Request for Information\
    The contractor will draft a Request for Information (RFI) for AHRQ
    to disseminate asking for relevant parties to submit information
    regarding currently developed methods and tools or initiatives for
    ambulatory workflow analysis and redesign and how health IT can
    support workflow redesign. The contractor shall synthesize all
    submissions to the RFI and use them in the toolkit development.

9.  Second Required TEP Call

After reviewing the literature and learning what is available to address
and inform toolkit development, convene another TEP conference call to
discuss any further refinement of toolkit development. This is the
second required TEP call, but additional calls are often useful and held
at the discretion of the contractor or as requested by the PO.

10. Peer Reviewers

In addition to the experts identified for the TEP and to ensure
opportunity to receive input from the range of clinical and professional
interests in the topic, identify individuals who may serve as peer
reviewers of the draft summary report, including appropriate federal
agencies. Submit the names and professional affiliations of these
individuals to the PO. AHRQ also may provide names of individuals or
organizations to be peer reviewers.

The contractor shall send the report directly to reviewers as a hard
copy (electronic copies should not be provided to peer reviewers, unless
as requested by them). To be considered for the peer review task, the
individuals must commit to reviewing the draft report and providing
written comments within a very circumscribed time frame.

11. Draft Summary Report for Peer Review

Prepare the draft summary report and appendices. The draft summary
report is expected to be complete and of the same quality as a final
report so that the peer review process can function effectively. A draft
Summary Report that is not complete and/or which does not follow AHRQ's
format will be returned as incomplete. The Summary Report shall include:

-   An executive summary

-   A background section on workflow issues encountered in the
    development, implementation, adoption and use of health IT, any
    studies that use health IT as part of practice redesign, and
    methodology currently being utilized in health IT for workflow
    assessment and redesign,

-   A summary of the literature review of applicable peer-reviewed and
    gray-literature research and methods available for workflow analysis
    and redesign (in healthcare and other industries, where applicable),

-   An assessment of the state of the field, as evaluated through the
    literature review and environmental scan, in workflow redesign as
    part of ambulatory practice redesign and how health IT is being used
    for practice redesign,

-   A description of the methodology used in the literature review,
    environmental scan, and background report,

-   A description of the TEP and how it was used,

-   List of existing tools found through the literature review,
    environmental scan, and RFI with descriptive information,

-   Identification of gaps in knowledge, and

-   An annotated list of references (both included and excluded in/from
    the report)

The report is to be concise and written in sufficient detail and clarity
for key health IT and workflow stakeholders to understand. Reports
should follow AHRQ's current required format. Questions about any part
of the AHRQ Style Guidelines should be directed to the Julius Patterson
(301-427-1896 or <julius.patterson@ahrq.hhs.gov>).

Submit the draft report for peer review to the PO and the Peer Reviewers
as identified above.

12. Reviewer Comments and Disposition of Comments

Review and analyze peer reviewers' comments and revise the draft summary
report as appropriate. Once all comments have been received for the
draft report, the contractor should schedule a conference call with the
PO to discuss the general tenor of the comments and review the plan for
disposition of the comments, including how disparate comments will be
handled. Document the process for reviewing and analyzing peer review
comments, including a detailed description of the disposition of all
comments. Submit one (1) complete copy of each reviewer's comments to
the PO, and submit a report of the disposition of all comments to PO.

13. Final Summary Report

Submit the final summary report and appendices to the PO, along with a
completed 2005 ***Style Guideline*** checklist. [Follow the requirements
of AHRQ's Style Guidelines in preparing the final report and
appendices.]{.underline} Questions about any part of the AHRQ Style
Guidelines should be directed to Julius Patterson (301-427-1896 or
<julius.patterson@ahrq.hhs.gov>).

The report and appendices are to be submitted in hard copy and
electronically for preparation of Web publication. This will occur via a
secure Web site or on [re-writable]{.underline} disks (Microsoft Word
for the body of the report). Electronic files for charts, etc., prepared
in another program (e.g., Excel) must be submitted. Tables and charts
must be [unlinked]{.underline} from underlying databases.

14\. [Develop Prototype Toolkit]{.underline}\
The contractor shall use findings from the literature review,
environmental scan, and RFI to develop a practical and easy to use
toolkit of available workflow analysis and redesign methods and tools
that ambulatory care practitioners can use. The purpose of the toolkit
is to help ambulatory care providers to better define their practice
problems and identify how and where health IT can help in practice
workflow redesign. The toolkit shall provide summaries of each of the
analytic tools and methods that include:

-   Tool or method name,

-   Purpose of the method,

-   Advantages or disadvantages of the method,

-   Resources (time, personnel, materials) needed to use this tool,

-   Expected results, and

-   Reference to other publicly available materials on the tool.

    The contractor shall look for tools to include that are available in
    the public domain. If the contractor finds tools that are
    proprietary, the contractor will work to obtain permission to use
    them in the toolkit. The Toolkit is required to be in the public
    domain. Tool copyright holders must make their tools freely
    available.

    The toolkit shall make use of relevant examples of how some of the
    tools were used in practice. It will also include a decision guide
    or framework about when and how to adopt health IT to enhance
    workflow and shall include information about publicly available
    resources on each of the different types of health IT applications
    currently available. Also refer to H.1 Release And Use And Copyright
    Of Data First Produced From Work Performed Under This Contract (See
    Section H -- SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS).

    15\. User Test

The contractor will identify ambulatory care practitioners to
participate in a users' group that will vet the prototype toolkit and
provide feedback on whether they would use it, how they would use it,
its usefulness and potential utility, and whether it is missing any
areas. Submit the names and professional affiliations of these
individuals to the PO. AHRQ may provide names of individuals or
organizations to user test. The contractor will summarize all the users'
comments and provide a summary to the PO. The contractor and PO will
discuss the users' feedback and agree on how to revise the toolkit and
how to incorporate users' suggestions.

16\. Dissemination Activities\
The contractor will develop and submit a dissemination plan for PO
review. The contractor will conduct dissemination activities, as agreed
upon with the PO, to promote the toolkit and make it available to
relevant stakeholders (e.g. Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs),
Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), professional medical
societies). The contractor will work with the PO to coordinate
dissemination efforts with the Agency's Office of Communication and
Knowledge Transfer (OCKT) and also disseminate the tool through the
National Resource Center for Health IT. The Project Officer will
coordinate the activities between the Contractor and OCKT.

17\. Final Toolkit\
Based on agreed upon feedback from the users and the PO the contractor
will revise the toolkit.

18\. Presentation Slides

The Contractor will prepare and submit a PowerPoint presentation that
can be used to summarize the report findings to stakeholders. The
presentation should be 20-30 slides and suitable for non-technical
audiences.

**D. Section 508 Compliance**

This language is applicable to Statements of Work (SOW) or Performance
Work Statements (PWS) generated by the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) that require a contractor or consultant to (1) produce
content in any format that could be placed on a Department-owned or
Department-funded Web site; or (2) write, create or produce any
communications materials intended for public or internal use; to include
reports, documents, charts, posters, presentations (such as Microsoft
PowerPoint) or video material that could be placed on a Department-owned
or Department-funded Web site.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) requires
Federal agencies to purchase electronic and information technologies
(EIT) that meet specific accessibility standards. This law helps to
ensure that federal employees with disabilities have access to, and use
of, the information and data they need to do their jobs. Furthermore,
this law ensures that members of the public with disabilities have the
ability to access government information and services.

There are three regulations addressing the requirements detailed in
Section 508. The Section 508 technical and functional standards are
codified at 36 CFR Part 1194 and may be accessed through the Access
Board's Web site at http://www.access-board.gov. The second regulation
issued to implement Section 508 is the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR). FAR Part 39.2 requires that agency acquisitions of Electronic and
Information Technology (EIT) comply with the Access Board's standards.
The entire FAR is found at Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Register
(CFR) Title 48, located at http://www.acquisition.gov. The FAR rule
implementing Section 508 can be found at http://www.section508.gov. The
third applicable regulation is the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR).

Regardless of format, all Web content or communications materials
produced for publication on or delivery via HHS Web sites - including
text, audio or video - must conform to applicable Section 508 standards
to allow federal employees and members of the public with disabilities
to access information that is comparable to information provided to
persons without disabilities. All contractors (including
subcontractors 1) or consultants responsible for preparing or posting
content intended for use on an HHS-funded or HHS-managed Web site must
comply with applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and where
applicable, those set forth in the referenced policy or standards
documents below. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with
the applicable provisions of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the SOW or
PWS, shall be the responsibility of the contractor or consultant
retained to produce the Web-suitable content or communications material.

1 Prime contractors may enter into subcontracts in the performance of a
Federal contract, but the prime remains obligated to deliver what is
called for under the contract.

References:

> HHS Policy for Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology
> (E&IT) (January 2005):
> http://www.hhs.gov/od/Final_Section_508_Policy.html
>
> HHS Section 508 Web site: http://508.hhs.gov/
>
> HHS ASPA Web Communications Division Web site:
>
> http://www.hhs.gov/web/policies/index.html
>
> US General Services Administration (GSA) Section 508 Web site:
> http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm

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

The Contractor shall mark each delivery/deliverable with the
Contractor's name, RFP No. AHRQ-08-10036, and quantity. It is very
important that the contractor indicate if this is a partial, full or
final shipment. As appropriate, note on the face page of each
deliverable or on the binding, (1) 'one volume only' or (2) 'volume 1 of
2, volume 2 of 2' etc.

**[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. The full text
> of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:
> <http://www.arnet.gov/far/>.

FAR Clause No. Title and Date

52.246-4 Inspection of Services-Fixed Price (AUG 1996)

> **[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. The full
> text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:
> <http://www.arnet.gov/far/>.

**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 September 30, 2008 and run through September 29, 2009.

**F.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

> The Contract Specialist shall receive one copy of each progress report
> and final report/ final deliverable. In addition, one electronic and
> one hard copy of final reports and all other deliverables shall be
> submitted to the Project Officer.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ATTN: Linda L. Simpson, Contract Specialist

Contracts Management / OPART

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

<Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ATTN: Teresa Zayas-Caban, Project Officer

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

<Teresa.ZayasCaban@ahrq.hhs.gov>

Items specified for delivery are subject to the review of the Project
Officer (PO) before

final acceptance. The contractor shall be required to make revisions as
deemed

necessary by the PO to ensure a report of high quality. The contractor
shall submit

items to the specified recipient at the email address specified earlier,
in the format and

within the time frames indicated. Due dates which fall on a weekend or
holiday are due

on the next business day.

**[Schedule of Deliverables and/or Reporting Requirements]{.underline}**

+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| **Task**                      | **F     | *       | **Due Dates**  |
|                               | ormat** | *Delive |                |
|                               |         | rable** |                |
+===============================+=========+=========+================+
| [Kick-off Call]{.underline}   |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Hold call with PO and others  |         |         | Within 2 weeks |
| as designated by the PO to    |         |         | of Effective   |
| discuss goals/objectives of   |         |         | Date of        |
| project, key questions, etc.  |         |         | Contract       |
|                               |         |         | (EDOC)         |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit summary of call's      | Ele     | Call    | 1 week after   |
| discussion decisions, to call | ctronic | Summary | kick-off call  |
| participants 1 week from      |         |         |                |
| kick-off call.                |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Work Plan]{.underline}       |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit draft work plan to PO  | Ele     | Work    | 2 weeks after  |
| for approval                  | ctronic | Plan    | kick-off call  |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Technical                    |         |         |                |
| Experts]{.underline}          |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit names and CVs of       | Ele     | P       | 1 month after  |
| proposed TEP members to PO.   | ctronic | roposed | EDOC           |
|                               |         | List of |                |
|                               |         | TEP     |                |
|                               |         | Members |                |
|                               |         | and CVs |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [TEP Call #1]{.underline}     |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Hold TEP #1                   |         |         | 2 months       |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit summary of TEP call    | Ele     | Call    | 1 weeks after  |
| discussion and decisions to   | ctronic | Summary | first TEP call |
| call participants, TEP        |         |         |                |
| members who could not         |         |         |                |
| participate, and PO           |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Revised Work                 |         |         |                |
| Plan]{.underline}             |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit comprehensive work     | Ele     | Revised | 2 weeks after  |
| plan for PO approval          | ctronic | Work    | first TEP call |
|                               |         | Plan    |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Obtain Paperwork Reduction   |         |         |                |
| Act Clearance]{.underline}    |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit appropriate paperwork  | TBD     | OMB     | 6 months after |
| to AHRQ to obtain OMB         |         | Cl      | EDOC           |
| clearance.                    |         | earance |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [[Request for                 |         |         |                |
| Inf                           |         |         |                |
| ormation]{.underline}]{.mark} |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Draft Request for Information | Ele     | RFI     | 1 month after  |
| (RFI) and send to PO          | ctronic |         | EDOC           |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Summarize RFI findings        | 1 print | Summary | 12 months      |
|                               | and     | of      | after EDOC     |
|                               | ele     | F       |                |
|                               | ctronic | indings |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [TEP Call #2]{.underline}     |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Hold second TEP call.         |         |         | 6 months after |
|                               |         |         | EDOC           |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit summary of TEP call    | Ele     | Call    | 1 week after   |
| discussion and decisions to   | ctronic | Summary | second TEP     |
| call participants, TEP        |         |         | call           |
| members who could not         |         |         |                |
| participate, and PO           |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Peer Reviewers]{.underline}  |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit list of                | Ele     | P       | 7 months after |
| individuals/organizations who | ctronic | roposed | EDOC           |
| may be asked to peer review   |         | List of |                |
| the draft review to the PO.   |         | Re      |                |
|                               |         | viewers |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Peer Review and Draft        |         |         |                |
| Summary Report]{.underline}   |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit draft report to PO.    | 1 print | Draft   | 14 months      |
|                               | and     | Report  | after EDOC     |
|                               | ele     |         |                |
|                               | ctronic |         |                |
|                               |         |         |                |
|                               | (print  |         |                |
|                               | copy    |         |                |
|                               | must be |         |                |
|                               | single  |         |                |
|                               | -sided) |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Send draft report to peer     |         |         | 14 months      |
| reviewers.                    |         |         | after EDOC     |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Peer Review                  |         |         |                |
| Comments]{.underline}         |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit complete copies of     | 1 copy  | C       | 15 months      |
| peer review comments to PO,   | of each | omments |                |
| and report of their           | c       | and     |                |
| disposition to the PO.        | omment, | Disp    |                |
|                               | 1 print | osition |                |
|                               | and     | of      |                |
|                               | ele     | C       |                |
|                               | ctronic | omments |                |
|                               | report  |         |                |
|                               | of      |         |                |
|                               | disp    |         |                |
|                               | osition |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Final Summary                |         |         |                |
| Report]{.underline}           |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit final report in AHRQ's | 1 print | Final   | 16 months      |
| required format, in hard copy | and     | Report  | after EDOC     |
| and in Word on re-writable    | ele     |         |                |
| disks to PO. The final        | ctronic |         |                |
| summary report must be        | (print  |         |                |
| compliant with Section 508 of | copy    |         |                |
| Rehabilitation Act.           | must be |         |                |
|                               | single  |         |                |
|                               | -sided) |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Draft Prototype              |         |         |                |
| Toolkit]{.underline}          |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Based on TEP feedback and     | 1 print | Draft   | 18 months      |
| findings from Report and RFI, | and     | Toolkit | after EDOC     |
| develop toolkit and submit    | ele     |         |                |
|                               | ctronic |         |                |
|                               | (print  |         |                |
|                               | copy    |         |                |
|                               | must be |         |                |
|                               | single  |         |                |
|                               | -sided) |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [User Test]{.underline}       |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Identify Users' Group.        | Ele     | List of | 18 months      |
|                               | ctronic | P       | after EDOC     |
|                               |         | roposed |                |
|                               |         | Group   |                |
|                               |         | Members |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Conduct toolkit user testing  | Ele     | F       | 20 months      |
| and submit feedback to PO.    | ctronic | eedback | after EDOC     |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Dissemination                |         |         |                |
| Activities]{.underline}       |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit dissemination plan to  | Ele     | Dissem  | 20 months      |
| PO for approval               | ctronic | ination | after EDOC     |
|                               |         | Plan    |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Final Toolkit]{.underline}   |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Revise toolkit based on user  | 1 print | Final   | 23 months      |
| feedback and submit final     | and     | Toolkit | after EDOC     |
| toolkit to PO. The final      | ele     |         |                |
| toolkit must be compliant     | ctronic |         |                |
| with Section 508 of           | (print  |         |                |
| Rehabilitation Act.           | copy    |         |                |
|                               | must be |         |                |
|                               | single  |         |                |
|                               | -sided) |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Presentation]{.underline}    |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Submit a PowerPoint           | Ele     | Pow     | 23 months      |
| presentation to the PO. A     | ctronic | erPoint | after EDOC     |
| version of the presentation   |         | Slides  |                |
| that is compliant with        |         |         |                |
| Section 508 of Rehabilitation |         |         |                |
| Act shall also be submitted.  |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| [Bi-Monthly Calls and Status  |         |         |                |
| Reports]{.underline}          |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+
| Hold bi-monthly conference    | Ele     | Status  | Ongoing        |
| calls with PO. Send short     | ctronic | Report  |                |
| summary of call as status     |         |         |                |
| report to PO and CO.          |         |         |                |
+-------------------------------+---------+---------+----------------+

**[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 AWARD)**

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

**G.2 PROJECT OFFICER**

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

Teresa Zayas-Caban

Robert Mayes (Alternate)

> The Project Officer(s) is/are responsible for: (1) monitoring the
> contractor\'s technical progress, including the surveillance and
> assessment of performance and recommending to the contracting officer
> changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and
> any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical
> evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and
> acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the
> resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.
>
> The Government may unilaterally change its Project Officer
> designation.

**G.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER**

> 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 Contracting Officer
> designation.

**G.4 CONTRACT SPECIALIST**

The Contracting Officer has designated Linda Simpson, Contract
Specialist, as the point of contact for all contractual matters
associated with this contract.

**G.5 MILESTONE PAYMENT SCHEDULE (To Be Negotiated)**

> The Contractor shall provide the services/supplies as set forth in
> Section C/ Statement of Work and Section F Schedule of Deliverables,
> and will submit invoices as each Task is completed in accordance with
> the following Milestone Payment Schedule:

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

Contract Specialist

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**G.6 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.

\(2\) Payment shall be made by:

PSC Finance

Parklawn Building, Room 16-23

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, Maryland 20857

Telephone Number (301) 443-6766

**G.7 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) Contract# . 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**

> Award of any subcontract is subject to the prior written approval of
> the Contracting Officer upon review of the supporting documentation.
> Failure to obtain prior written approval of the Contracting Officer
> may result in disallowance of use of Federal funds to cover services
> under the subcontract. 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, and H.7. These requirements are to be
> included without substantive alteration, and no clause may be included
> to diminish these requirements. If approved, a copy of the signed
> subcontract shall be provided to the Contracting Officer.

Number range CHAPTER

**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 PRO-CHILDREN ACT of 1994**

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

**H.7** **SALARY CAP GUIDE NOTICE**

> 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        | > Salary        |
|                                   | > Covered       | > Limitation    |
|                                   |                 | > Based on      |
|                                   |                 | > Executive     |
|                                   |                 | > Level I       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| > 108--447, Div F, Title II,      | > 10/0          | > \$180,100     |
| > General Provisions, Section 204 | 1/05---12/31/05 |                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| > 109--149, General Provisions,   | > 0             | > \$183,500     |
| > Section 204                     | 1/01/06---until |                 |
|                                   | > 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> . * Click on ''Salaries
> and Wages'' and then scroll to the bottom of the page to select the
> desired period.

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES **(7/08 DCM)**

**FAC 2005-26**

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A NEGOTIATED FIXED-PRICE CONTRACT

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEBRUARY1998)

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/

A. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

FAR

[CLAUSE NO.]{.underline} [TITLE AND DATE]{.underline}

52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984)

> 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (APR 1984)
>
> 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEPT
> 2006)
>
> 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (JUL 1995)

52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper

Activity (JAN 1997)

> 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal
> Transactions (SEP 2007)
>
> 52.203-14 Display of Hotline Poster(s) (DEC 2007)
>
> (Dept. of Health and Human Services Poster at:

http://www.oig.hhs.gov/hotline/OIG_Hotline_Poster.pdf)

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

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration. (APR 2008)

> 52.209-6 Protecting the Government\'s Interests When Subcontracting
> With Contractors Debarred, Suspended or Proposed For Debarment

(SEPT 2006)

> 52.215-2 Audit and Records - Negotiation (JUN 1999)
>
> 52.215-8 Order of Precedence Uniform Contract Format (OCT 1997)

52.215-17 Waiver of Facilities Capital Cost of Money

(OCT 1997)

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract

(MAR 2000)

> 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004)
>
> 52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (JUNE 2007)
>
> 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2002)

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans,

Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and other Eligible

Veterans ( SEPT 2006)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities

(JUNE 1998)

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled

Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and other

Eligible Veterans ( SEPT 2006)

52.222-39 Notification of Employee Rights Concerning

Payment of Union Dues or Fees (DEC 2004)

52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace (MAY 2001)

52.223-14 Toxic Chemical Release Reporting (AUG 2003)

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases

(JUNE 2008)

52.227-1 Authorization and Consent (DEC 2007)

> 52.229-4 Federal, State and Local Taxes (Noncompetitive Contract
> (APRIL 2003)
>
> 52.232-1 Payments (APR 1984)
>
> 52.232-8 Discounts for Prompt Payment (FEB 2002)

52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments

(APRIL 1984)

> 52.232-11 Extras (APR 1984)
>
> 52.232-17 Interest (JUN 1996)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003)

52.233-1 Disputes (JULY 2002)

52.233-3 Protest After Award (AUG 1996)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim

(OCT 2004)

> 52.242-13 Bankruptcy (JUL 1995)

52.243-1 Changes - Fixed Price (AUG 1987) Alternate I

(APRIL 1984)

52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed Price (AUG 1996)

> 52.246-25 Limitation of Liability - Services (FEB 1997)

52.249-4 Termination for Convenience of the Government

(Services) (Short Form) (APRIL 1984)

52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service)

(APRIL 1984)

B. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION

REGULATION (HHSAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 3) CLAUSES

HHSAR

[CLAUSE NO.]{.underline} [TITLE AND DATE]{.underline}

352.202-1 Definitions (JAN 2006)

352.232-9 Withholding of Contract Payments (JAN 2006)

352.270-1 Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and

Seminars to Persons with Disabilities (DEC 2006)

352.270-4 Pricing of Adjustments (JAN 2001)

352.270-7 Paperwork Reduction Act (JAN 2006)

**Number range CHAPTERPART 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\. Proposal Intent Form 1

**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.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS HHSAR 315.204-5

\(a\) 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)

(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 (b) instead
of completing the corresponding individual representations and
certifications in the solicitation. The offeror shall indicate which
option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

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

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

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

FAR Clause# Title Date Change

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)

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. The full text of a clause may be assessed electronically at
> this address: <http://www.arnet.gov/far/> .

**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 iInternet at
[*http://www.dnb.*com](http://www.dnb.com/); or

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

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

\(i\) Company legal business name.

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

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

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

\(v\) Company telephone number.

\(vi\) Date the company was started.

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

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

\(ix\) Line of business (industry)

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

(End of provision)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\(i\) The solicitation number;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

\(f\) Contract award.

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

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

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

\(4\) The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract
after conducting discussions with offerors whose proposals have been
determined to be within the competitive range. If the Contracting
Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be
in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient
competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the
number of proposals in the competitive range to the greatest number that
will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated
proposals. Therefore, the offeror's initial proposal should contain the
offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint.

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

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

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

\(8\) The Government may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if
the prices proposed are materially unbalanced between line items or
subline items. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable
total evaluated price, the price of one or more contract line items is
significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application
of cost or price analysis techniques. A proposal may be rejected if the
Contracting Officer determines that the lack of balance poses an
unacceptable risk to the Government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iv) A summary of the rationale for award

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

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

(End of provision)

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

> Number range CHAPTERThe Government contemplates award of a firm fixed
> price contract resulting from this solicitation.

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

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

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

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

Director, Division of Contracts Management

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

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

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

> The technical contact for additional information and answering
> inquiries is the Project Officer.
>
> All questions regarding this solicitation shall be in writing and
> received by the Contract Specialist no later than 12:00 noon EST
> August 11**, 2008**. Number range CHAPTERAll questions should be
> e-mailed to Linda Simpson at <Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>.
>
> Number range CHAPTER

Number range CHAPTER**L.8 REFERENCE MATERIALS (IRESERVED)**

**L.9 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS**

[Introduction]{.underline}

> The following instructions will establish the acceptable minimum
> requirements for the format and contents of proposals.
>
> a\. [Contract Type and General Provisions]{.underline}: Number range
> CHAPTERIt is contemplated that a firm fixed price contract will be
> awarded. In addition to the special provisions of this request for
> proposal (RFP), any resultant contract shall include the general
> clauses applicable to the selected offeror\'s organization and type of
> contract awarded. Any additional clauses required by Public Law,
> Executive Order, or procurement regulations, in effect at the time of
> execution of the proposed contract, will be included.
>
> b\. [Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal]{.underline}: The
> proposal shall be signed by an official authorized to bind your (the
> offeror\'s) organization. Your proposal shall be submitted in the
> number of copies, to the address, and marked as indicated in the cover
> letter of this solicitation. Proposals will be typewritten, reproduced
> on letter sized paper and will be legible in all required copies.
>
> c\. [Separation of Technical, Past Performance Information, and
> Business Proposal]{.underline}: The proposal shall be in 4 separate
> parts. To expedite the proposal evaluation, all documents required for
> responding to the RFP should be placed in the following order:
>
> I. [TECHNICAL PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Technical Proposal
> Instructions for recommended format (L.10). Please mark as original or
> copy.

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

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

> 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.

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 Government Accountability
> Office (GAO) for auditing;

-to the Department of Justice as required for litigation;

-to respond to Congressional inquiries; and

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

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

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

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

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

**L.10 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS**

> The technical proposal shall contain an original and ten (10) copies.
> The technical proposal described below shall be limited to **50
> pages** not including biographic sketches, with no less than a 11
> point font, double-spaced (lists of deliverables, person loading
> charts, and similar materials need not be double-spaced, so long as
> they are legible) and numbered pages. Brief biographic sketches or CVs
> (less than ten pages in length) providing the relevant qualifications
> necessary for this effort are only required for key personnel. [The
> technical proposal shall not contain reference to cost]{.underline};
> however resources information, such as data concerning labor hours and
> categories, labor mix, 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 these instructions. Lengthy proposals
> and voluminous appendices are neither needed nor desired as they are
> difficult to read and evaluate and may indicate the offeror's
> inability to concisely state their proposal.

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

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

\(1\) [Cover Page]{.underline}

The name of the proposing organization, author(s) of the technical

proposal, the RFP number and the title of the RFP should appear

on the cover. The cover page must also include the DUNS and

TIN as well as a point of contact and contact information. One (1)

manually signed original copy of the proposal and the number of

copies specified in the RFP cover letter are required.

\(2\) [Table of Contents]{.underline}

Provide sufficient detail so that all important elements of the

proposal can be located readily.

(3) [Introduction]{.underline}

This should be a one or two page summary outlining the

proposed work, your interest in submitting a proposal, and the

importance of this effort in relation to your overall operation.

(4) [Technical Discussion]{.underline}

> The offeror shall prepare a technical discussion which addresses
>
> evaluation criteria A, B, C, D, below. The offeror shall further
>
> state that no deviations or exceptions to the Statement of Work
>
> (SOW) are taken. he evaluation criteria (described in more detail
>
> in Section M) are as follows:

A. Understanding the Problem

B. Technical Approach

C. Key Personnel

D. Capacity and Management Plan

b\. **[Technical Proposal Requirements]{.underline}**

> **[Technical proposals submitted in response to this RFP shall address
> each of the items described below, and shall be organized in the same
> manner. Suggested page lengths are indicated for each section. These
> section page lengths are not mandatory, however the total length of
> the technical proposal (not including cover page, table of contents,
> resumes or bibiographies) may not exceed 50 pages. Proposals shall be
> prepared in double-spaced format, with numbered pages.]{.underline}**

A. **[Understanding the Problem]{.underline}**

> Offeror shall provide a brief statement of the issues and problems
> which underscore the concept of and need for this task order contract.
> This background should include any expertise the offeror can bring to
> understanding the problem. Also included in this section shall be a
> description of the scope, purpose, and products of the services and
> products called for in this contract. General discussion of technical
> approaches to the different types of activities identified in the RFP
> should be included. The offeror shall demonstrate a general, but
> thorough, understanding of the objectives, organization, and operation
> of AHRQ.

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

> Offeror shall submit a narrative which clearly addresses how he or she
> plans to develop, design, and implement the statement of work within
> the time constraints of the project. Within the content of the
> narrative, the offeror shall address plans for identifying relevant
> literature and existing workflow analysis tools or methods; the
> methodology for conducting the review, including search, abstraction
> and summarizing; generating clear, concise reports on project
> findings; incorporating findings into the toolkit development.

a)  Provide a description of the literature review and environmental
    scan methodology, including proposed data bases, search terms,
    abstraction process

b)  Describe how the literature and scan results will be analyzed and
    summarized

c)  Describe how the request for information (RFI) results will be
    summarized

d)  Describe how this will be incorporated into the development of the
    toolkit

e)  Include a proposed dissemination plan and activities under that plan

f)  Describe how user testing will inform the final toolkit

> With reference to each task required by the Statement of Work, the
> offeror shall address the technical approach proposed for each task.

**C.** **[Key Personnel]{.underline}**

> The proposal shall specify the project team, including subcontractors
> and consultants. Offeror shall provide evidence of the availability,
> qualifications, and demonstrated experience of key management
> personnel, including the Project Director or Manager. The project
> director should have demonstrated experience in managing large scale
> human factors, practice redesign and/or toolkit development research
> projects. The personnel should have demonstrated experience in
> workflow analysis and redesign, conducting literature reviews, as well
> as familiarity with medical organizations.

a)  Describe how the education and technical experience of the Project
    Director and other key technical personnel specifically relate to
    the SOW.

b)  Provide length and currency of the overall education of the Project
    Director, the Project Manager and other key technical personnel.

c)  Describe the experience of the proposed Project Director in managing
    the SOW and projects that contain such elements as conducting
    literature reviews, engaging key stakeholders in projects,
    information systems for data collection and management, report
    development and production, toolkit development, and large-scale
    dissemination activities.

**D**. **[Capacity and Management Plan]{.underline}**

> Offeror shall demonstrate his/her ability to achieve the delivery of
> performance requirements through the proposed use of corporate
> management and other personnel resources as well as demonstrate that
> the offeror\'s organizational structure and capabilities will meet the
> project\'s milestones in a timely manner. Demonstrate corporate
> experience in managing projects of a similar size and nature. Show the
> capacity for identifying and achieving success in studying proposed
> sites.
>
> Provide a fully supported narrative showing offeror\'s understanding
> of the requirements in the Statement of Work from a managerial
> perspective. The narrative should address the following topics:

a)  labor skill mix determination (why you chose the skill mix for this
    project)

b)  personnel selection and assignment (why you chose an individual
    person for an individual job), as well as percentage time dedicated
    to this project

c)  timeline and capacity for scheduling and executing tasks in SOW.

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

> Offerors shall submit the following information (original and 3
> copies) as part of their proposal for both the offeror and proposed
> major subcontractors:

\(1\) A list of the last five (5) contracts and subcontracts, grants, or
self-funded projects completed (most relevant or most related) during
the past three years and all contracts and subcontracts currently in
process in which the offeror is a contractor, grantee, or participant in
a self-funded project. Reference contracts, subcontracts, grants, and
self-funded projects completed during the past three years and include
recently completed and ongoing work directly related to the requirements
of this acquisition. 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,
subcontract, grant, or self-funded project:

> a\. Name of activity
>
> b\. Contract number (if relevant)
>
> c\. Contract type (if relevant)
>
> d\. Total contract/grant/project value
>
> e\. Work performed
>
> f\. Reference (Contracting Officer and telephone
>
> number)
>
> g\. Program Manager and telephone number
>
> h\. Administrative Contracting Officer (if relevant),
>
> if different from item f, and telephone number
>
> i\. List of major subcontracts (if relevant)

\(2\) The offeror may provide information on problems encountered on the
projects identified in (1) above and corrective actions taken to resolve
those problems. Offerors should not provide general information on their
performance on the identified projects. 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 organization (one division or the entire organization) 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 projects 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 Performance Form shall
> be completed by those organizations listed in (1) above. The
> evaluation forms shall be completed and forwarded directly to:
>
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
>
> Division of Contracts Management
>
> Attn: Linda L. Simpson, Contract Specialist
>
> 540 Gaither Road, Suite 4315
>
> Rockville, Maryland 20850
>
> FAX: 301-427-1740

Number range CHAPTEREvaluation forms must be received by the date and
time listed 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 Contract Specialist.

**L.12 BUSINESS PROPOSAL**

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

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

> The business proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the
> Government to perform a basic analysis of the proposed cost or price
> of the work. This information shall include the amounts of the basic
> elements of the proposed cost or price.

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature,

2\. If available, 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 if available.

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]{.underline}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**L.14 SELECTION OF OFFERORS**

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

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

c\. Number range CHAPTERPast performance of the technically acceptable
offerors will be evaluated by AHRQ staff. A competitive range will be
determined. The competitive range will consist of those offers which are
highly rated, based upon the technical and past performance evaluation.
Oral or written discussions will be conducted with all offerors in the
competitive range, if necessary. All aspects of the proposals are
subject to discussions, including cost, technical approach, past
performance, and contractual terms and conditions. Final Proposal
Revisions may be requested with the reservation of the right to conduct
limited negotiations after submission of Final Proposal Revisions.

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

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

Number range CHAPTER**L.15 PROPOSAL INTENT/ APPROVAL FOR CONTACT
INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS LIST**

> 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 the date indicated. The
> submission of the intent form is not binding on an offeror to submit a
> proposal, nor does the failure to submit the form prohibit an offeror
> from submitting a proposal. The purpose is to provide us with an
> estimated number of proposals to assist us in our planning and
> logistics for proposal reviews.
>
> We have added a request to include your contact information to a
> bidders list. The bidders list will be provided to interested offerors
> for subcontracting opportunities, as part of an amendment to the
> solicitation. In order for AHRQ to include your contact information on
> the bidders list, you must return the Proposal Intent Form and check
> the box that grants permission to add your name no later than the date
> listed above.
>
> **[SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD]{.underline}**

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1\. Award will be made to that responsible offeror whose proposal is
most advantageous to the Government, cost and the below factors
considered. Paramount consideration shall be given to technical quality
rather than cost. It is pointed out, however, that should technical
quality between offerors be considered approximately the same, then cost
may become the determining factor in award selection.

2\. The technical proposal will be evaluated in terms of its responses
to the evaluation factors. The evaluation factors and assigned weights
which will be used in the technical review of the proposal submitted are
outlined below.

**EVALUATION CRITERIA WEIGHT**

1\. Understanding the problem 20

2\. Technical approach 50

3\. Key personnel 20

4\. Capacity and management plan 10

**EVALUATION CRITERIA**

1\. Award will be made to that responsible offeror whose proposal is
most advantageous to the Government, cost and the below factors
considered. Paramount consideration shall be given to technical quality
rather than cost. It is pointed out, however, that should technical
quality between offerors be considered approximately the same, then cost
may become the determining factor in award selection.

> **THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN AWARD WITHOUT
> DISCUSSION.**

2\. The technical proposal will be evaluated in terms of its responses
to the evaluation factors. The evaluation factors and assigned weights
which will be used in the technical review of the proposal submitted are
outlined below. Factors facilitating the evaluation of each criterion
below are described in Attachment 1 of the solicitation:

> **[Evaluation Criteria]{.underline} [Weight]{.underline}**
>
> **A. [Understanding the Problem]{.underline} [20]{.underline}**
>
> The proposal shall be evaluated on the completeness of the proposal
> and the offeror's demonstrated understanding of the problems of the
> project in its response to the objectives and tasks and solution
> approach thereto. The offeror must demonstrate that they have the
> knowledge of how workflow analysis and redesign fits into the broader
> context of Health Information Technology (HIT) implementation, in
> particular in ambulatory care settings.
>
> **B. [Technical Approach]{.underline} [50]{.underline}**
>
> The proposal shall be evaluated on the completeness, reasonableness,
> clarity, and feasibility of the approach to satisfy the requirements
> of the literature review, environmental scan, synthesis of request for
> information (RFI) results and toolkit development. Specifically, the
> offeror should demonstrate an understanding on how toolkits are
> successful and useful. The proposal must specify and justify the
> literature to be reviewed, environmental scan approach, outline the
> processes for both, and show a synthesis plan that will enable toolkit
> development.
>
> **C. [Key Personnel]{.underline} [20]{.underline}**
>
> The background, skills, professional experience and education of key
> personnel in the area of workflow analysis and redesign, ambulatory
> clinical workflow, and health IT shall be evaluated.
>
> **D. [Capacity and Management Plan]{.underline} [10]{.underline}**
>
> The offeror will be evaluated on its demonstrated ability to achieve
> the delivery of performance requirements through the proposed use of
> corporate management and other personnel resources. Evaluation will
> consider the offeror's proposed organizational structure and
> demonstrated capabilities to meet the projects milestones within the
> timeframe of the proposed contract and within the negotiated fixed
> price.
>
> The offeror will be evaluated on it's demonstrated understanding of
> the requirements of the Statement of Work from a managerial
> perspective, as detailed below:
>
> a\) labor skill mix determination
>
> b\) personnel selection and assignment
>
> c\) timelines and capacity for scheduling and executing the tasks of
> the SOW within
>
> the timeframe of the proposed contract and within the negotiated fixed
> price.
>
> Proposals will be evaluated on relevant projects, provided as
> examples, with specific narrative of how they apply to the above
> criteria.

**TOTAL POINTS BEFORE PAST PERFORMANCE [100]{.underline}**

**E. [Past Performance]{.underline}** [25]{.underline}

> (TO BE RATED ONLY AFTER A DETERMINATION OF TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY OF
> THE OFFEROR'S PROPOSAL, BASED ON THE ABOVE TECHNICAL EVALUATION
> CRITERIA)
>
> The offeror's past performance will be evaluated after completion of
> the technical evaluation. Only those offerors determined to be
> technically acceptable will be evaluated. Each offeror will be
> evaluated on its performance under existing and prior contracts for
> similar products or services. Performance information will be used for
> both responsibility determinations and as an evaluation factor against
> which offeror's relative rankings will be compared.
>
> The Government reserves the right to evaluate relevant past
> performance information not specifically provided by the offeror.
>
> The Government will assess the relative risks associated with each
> offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror's
> likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as
> indicated by the offeror's record of past performance.
>
> If the offeror or the proposed employees for the offeror, do not have
> a past performance history relative to this acquisition, or past
> performance not relative to this acquisition, the offeror will not be
> evaluated favorably or unfavorably on this factor. A neutral rating
> will be determined.
>
> In evaluating past performance the Government, will consider the
> offeror's effectiveness in quality of products or services; timeliness
> of performance; cost control; business practices; customer
> satisfaction, and key personnel past performance.

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

**ATTACHMENT 1**

**PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE**

**PART ONE: INSTRUCTIONS**

The offeror listed below has submitted a proposal in response to the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) **Solicitation No.
AHRQ-08-10036,** entitled **"Incorporating Health IT into Workflow
Redesign."** 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
Linda Simpson, the AHRQ Contract Specialist, 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
August 29, 2008**, 12 noon EST**

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

Attn: Linda Simpson, Contract Specialist

540 Gaither Road, Suite 4315

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

If you have any questions, please contact the Contract Specialist via
e-mail at <Linda.Simpson@ahrq.hhs.gov>.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1\. Name of
Organization:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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

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

3\. Contract/Grant Number (if relevant):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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

5\. Contract/Grant Award or Project Beginning Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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

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

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

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

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

( ) Other \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

8\. Description of Requirement:

**[PERFORMANCE RATING]{.underline}**

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

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

Customer Satisfaction - Is/was the organization committed to customer
satisfaction?

Yes No ;

Would you use this organization again? Yes No

Reason:

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

**(Please Print)**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Rating Guidelines:** Summarize 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     |
|            | project     | get(over/ | milestones |                |
|            |             |           |            | -Businesslike  |
|            | r           | under     | -Reliable  | correspondence |
|            | equirements | target    |            |                |
|            |             | costs)    | -          | -Responsive to |
|            | -Accuracy   |           | Responsive | project        |
|            | 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 | project    | -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 project  | rformance | project    |                |
|            |             | of        | req        |                |
|            | re          | project   | 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 project  |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | project    |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | project   |            |                |
|            |             | 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 project  |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | project    |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | project   |            |                |
|            |             | 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 project | administrative |
|            | of          | impact    |            |                |
|            |             |           | re         | issues is      |
|            | project     | ac        | quirements | usually        |
|            | r           | hievement |            | effective      |
|            | equirements | of        |            |                |
|            |             | project   |            |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | 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 organization 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
organization performance clearly exceeds the performance levels
described as "Excellent."

Number range CHAPTER**ATTACHMENT 2**

> ***PROPOSAL INTENT RESPONSE SHEET***
>
> **[RFP No. AHRQ-08-10036]{.underline}**
>
> **Please review the attached request for proposal. Furnish the
> information requested below and return this page by August 15, 2008.
> 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
> TEAMING/SUBCONTRACING OPPORTUNITIES. (\*MUST INCLUDE AUTHORIZED
> SIGNATURE)**
>
> **COMPANY/INSTITUTION NAME & ADDRESS:**
>
> **\*AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**
>
> **TYPED/PRINT NAME AND TITLE:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**
>
> **DATE: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**
>
> **\[ \] PLEASE [DO NOT]{.underline} RELEASE THE CONTACT INFORMATION.**
>
> **Please return to: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality**
>
> **Division of Contracts Management**
>
> **Attn: Linda Simpson, Contract Specialist**
>
> **540 Gaither Road, Suite 4315**
>
> **Rockville, Maryland 20850**
>
> Fax; 301-427-1740