B --Web-based Sleep Disorders Screening Tool

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the statutory authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), and FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, a contract with the Harvard Medical School (HMS), Division of Sleep Medicine (DSM). The contract will require the contractor to develop a multi-media web-based education program to provide Class 1, 2, and 3 railroad employees with a scientifically valid way to assess personal risk for prevalent sleep disorders as potentially related to the shiftwork schedules of railroad industry employees, and educational resources and accessible information regarding sleep science, sleep health, fatigue and fatigue management. This program shall be developed from currently available web-based applications, specifically, a proven screening tool for sleep disorders in shiftworkers. The goal is to produce a web-based educational program that draws in the target user, and provides him/her with easy-to-understand, scientifically credible information. This program requires the incorporation of an existing web-based sleep disorders screening tool for shiftworkers, which can be adapted to provide a rail context. The screening tool must (1) be web-based; (2) screen for multiple sleep disorders: insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and restless leg syndrome (RLS), in addition to narcolepsy with cataplexy and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), and restless leg syndrome (RLS); (3) be validated as demonstrated by previous, successful development and implementation in another shiftworker population, in order to ensure that it is appropriate for adaptation to shiftworking railroad employees. Proof of validation must exist in the form of published, scientific study findings regarding data obtained through administering the screening tool, and be presented in one or more peer-reviewed, scientific journals; and (4) the data collected using the sleep disorders screening tool must be maintained and utilize appropriate safeguards of personal and sensitive information as provided over the web in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and other such standards. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 611710 and the small business size standard is $6.5 million. This procurement will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. Interested firms must submit, to the above named point of contact, a maximum of three, but not less than two pages addressing their capabilities, and providing clear and convincing evidence of the firm?s capability to meet the screening tool?s required criteria identified above. Written capability statements must be submitted to be received no later than 4:30 pm E.S.T January 15, 2008. This proposed action is for research and development for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority in FAR 6.302-1. All responses to this Notice, including Statements of Capabilities, must be in writing, and may be transmitted by either postal or electronic mail. All responses must be sent to Darren Shaffer, Contract Specialist, United States Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093. Facsimile: +1 (555) 000-0000; email: contact@example.gov. For information concerning this acquisition, contact the above Contracting Official. Responses received after fifteen (15) calendar days from the synopsis date or without the required documentation will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered. Such documentation will be utilized solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. The Government will not pay for any documentation provided in response to this synopsis and documentation received will not be returned to the sender. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses received to the synopsis, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Telephone calls made in place of the required documentation will not be accepted.