Cancer Surveillance Trend Estimates from Multiple Data Sets

Contracting Office Address: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive Room 1E154 Bethesda, MD 20892 Description: The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), Surveillance Research Program (SRP) plans to procure on a sole source basis with the University of Pennsylvania (UPA) for support in conducting cancer surveillance trend estimates from multiple data sets. The products herein are being procured in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures as authorized by FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the small business standard is $14 million dollars. Only one (1) award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch (SMAB) of the Surveillance Research Program (SRP) conducts and supports statistical research, modeling, and collaboration related to the cancer surveillance and cancer control missions of the NCI. Essential corollaries to the development of cancer surveillance databases and cancer control interventions are the statistical analyses and mathematical modeling that contribute insight into the interpretation of these data. Research within SMAB is targeted at improving and developing statistical methods and models for use in the analysis and presentation of population-based cancer statistics, as well as in the broader areas of cancer surveillance and cancer control research. SMAB promotes and facilitates the use of these methods and models at the NCI, in other federal agencies, as well as throughout the extramural research community. Cancer surveillance research requires estimates of the prevalence of cancer risk factors and screening behaviors for small geographical areas such as counties. Small area estimates require the use of statistical models. Small area estimates using a model-based approach have been previously developed (Raghunathan et al., 2007). These estimates and supporting documentation have been placed on a website (http://sae.cancer.gov) which was launched in May, 2010. The most recent estimates are also posted in the State Cancer Profiles website (http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/) in order to optimize the usage. Those estimates are obtained using the responses from two surveys: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The purpose of this project is to provide the necessary support to evaluate the validity of the small area estimates for the two most recent periods and plan for the future of this combining BRFSS and NHIS survey project. The methodology and algorithms developed by the UPA for combining two surveys with one survey being biased is unique. The NCI utilized the computer algorithms for the estimates already obtained (see http://sae.cancer.gov). In this solicitation, the NCI is requesting that the contractor perform various analyses and statistical tests to evaluate the estimates the NCI obtained based on their methodology and algorithms and plan for the future of this combining survey project. These algorithms and associated computer codes were developed by the UPA and are not publically available. The contractor shall perform the following tasks: Task 1: Evaluate the validity of the small area estimates. The contractor shall perform various analyses and statistical tests to evaluate the validity of the small area estimates for the two most recent data periods. This could involve analyses such as aggregating the small area estimates up to larger levels of geography and then comparing the modeled estimates against direct estimates, checking the convergence of the MCMC algorithm, etc. Task 2: Plan for the future of this combining survey project Starting from survey year 2011, the BRFSS public use file includes cell phone only samples in order to improve the household coverage. The methodology developed so far for this combining NHIS/BRFSS may not apply to BRFSS data any more for survey year 2011 and after. In addition, the BRFSS staff is producing small area estimates using BRFSS only for year 2011 and after. The contractor shall recommend options on how to produce the estimates of survey year 2011 and after. The Period of Performance is twelve months from the contract award date. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, especially small businesses, they may submit a tailored statement of capabilities via fax or email. In addition, all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the NCI. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. All information must be received in the NCI contracting office on or before 11:00 AM EST on September 09, 2013. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (240) 276-5401 or emailed to Anh-Huy Nguyen, Contract Specialist at anh-huy.nguyen@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-130127-HN on all correspondences.