Evaluating and Improving HIV Prevention Research Education (EIHPRE)

Introduction This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; women-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. Background The Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (DAIDS) is a division of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. It was formed in 1986 as a part of the effort to address the national research needs created by the advent and spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the Division's mission is to increase basic knowledge of the pathogenesis, natural history, and transmission of HIV disease and to support research that promotes progress in its detection, treatment, and prevention. DAIDS continues to place priority on developing new biomedical approaches for preventing HIV infection. Approaches currently under investigation include vaccines, microbicides that can be delivered topically at the site of sexual transmission, pre-exposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs administered to HIV uninfected people at high risk for infection, and strategies to decrease viral exposure within a community by identifying and treating more HIV-infected people in that community (e.g. "test and treat"). To assess safety and efficacy of these approaches, HIV-uninfected volunteers are needed to participate in clinical studies. It is essential that study participants reflect the demographics of the epidemic in HIV prevention studies, particularly efficacy studies of biomedical prevention interventions. Experience has shown that achieving this representation can be a particular challenge in the United States, partly due to mistrust of clinical research and lack of accurate information among highly HIV-affected communities. While progress has been made in recent years, it has become clear that long-term effort is needed to achieve representation proportional to the epidemic and to sustain ongoing engagement of these communities. NIAID has worked since 2000 to educate U.S. populations about HIV vaccine research, first through the HIV Vaccine Communication Campaign, and beginning in 2006 through the NIAID HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative (NHVREI). In 2011, NIAID intends to award the successor to NHVREI and expand the scope to include education about all types of biomedical HIV prevention clinical research rather than focusing solely on HIV vaccine research. The goal of NHVREI's successor, the Biomedical Prevention of HIV Research Education Initiative (B-PHRE, pronounced "be free"), is to create an enabling environment for biomedical HIV clinical prevention research, including vaccine research, particularly among those U.S. populations most affected by HIV/AIDS. B-PHRE will conduct a national program to raise biomedical HIV prevention research literacy among highly HIV-affected U.S. populations and to foster ongoing interactions between thought leaders of these populations and HIV biomedical prevention researchers. For the B-PHRE Funding Opportunity Announcement, please see Appendix 1. The NHVREI project also had a companion evaluation contract, a NIAID GSA contract #HHSN266200600024T awarded to NOVA Research Company. Its objectives were to design a program evaluation plan for NHVREI, and conduct the evaluation to inform the implementation of NHVREI and other related NIAID-sponsored research education activities. The contractor designed the evaluation plan, developed data collection instruments, and prepared packages to request clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct surveys and focus groups. The key impact evaluation tool is a survey of key influencers of the NHVREI target populations to assess their awareness of HIV vaccine research and their level of support for HIV vaccine trial participation. In addition, the contractor designed a household survey to assess awareness, understanding, and level of support for HIV vaccine and other biomedical prevention research. The household survey is designed around a nationally representative sample, plus oversampling of African Americans, Hispanics, and gay men, currently the three most highly HIV-affected populations in the United States. The results of the household survey can not only inform the evaluation of the NHVREI project, but may also provide baseline data on which to evaluate the follow-on B-PHRE project. Neither the key influencer survey nor the household surveys has been completed at the time of this announcement, but the evaluation plan and the complete OMB packages are provided in Appendix 2 and 3. NIAID anticipates, depending on the overall plan and approach selected for implementation of B-PHRE, that it will be feasible and desirable to adapt and apply the NHVREI Evaluation plan, indicators, and data collection instruments to the B-PHRE evaluation. Scope The Contractor shall be responsible for designing and implementing a process/outcome evaluation to assess the implementation process and impact of the B-PHRE on knowledge, understanding, and supportive attitudes towards participation in HIV prevention clinical research among the U.S. populations most heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The U.S. populations most affected by HIV/AIDS are indicated by surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (see http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/index.htm for more information). The Contractor shall be required to collaborate with the B-PHRE awardee and an Evaluation Stakeholder Committee assembled with the assistance of the DAIDS Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). This contract includes a base period for the conduct of a feasibility study and design of a program evaluation plan, and options to be exercised at the Government's discretion to 1) conduct a program evaluation and 2) conduct a population-based survey. Objectives In collaboration with the implementer of B-PHRE (to be named) and DAIDS/NIAID, the Contractor shall develop measurable program objectives, design and implement an evaluation plan, conduct data analysis and report findings on an ongoing basis during the five and one-half year contract period. The contract will include a base and two options which may be exercised at the discretion of the Government. The tasks to be performed during the base period and options are described below: Base Period: The Contractor shall provide professional and technical support to DAIDS and the implementer of B-PHRE related to program evaluation. Specifically, the Contractor shall perform a feasibility study and develop an Evaluation Plan for the B-PHRE that clearly identifies evaluation questions related to program goals, measures to be used, data collection and analysis requirements, and reporting activities. The Evaluation Plan shall identify appropriate process and outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of the B-PHRE activities and approaches over the five-year grant period. The Contractor shall receive input on the Evaluation Plan from the implementer of B-PHRE and designated stakeholders, including but not limited to the DAIDS Clinical Trial Networks conducting biomedical HIV prevention research. Option 1: The Contractor shall be responsible for implementing the Evaluation Plan, including conducting process and outcome evaluations of B-PHRE activities throughout the option period. The Contractor shall collect program data from the implementer of B-PHRE and analyze such data as required. The Contractor may also be requested or required to collect qualitative and/or quantitative data related to B-PHRE program activities without the assistance of the implementer of B-PHRE. This may require utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods. The Contractor shall comply with all survey (OMB), human subjects (IRB), and Privacy Act guidelines. Information collection from human subjects (e.g. interviews, surveys, focus groups) cannot commence until clearance is granted by the Contracting Officer and COTR, if necessary; this may affect timeline and price. Some evaluation activities may require Spanish translation. Option 2: Conduct a representative population-based survey of knowledge about, understanding of, and attitudes towards biomedical HIV prevention research. The survey questions and sampling frames should largely overlap with those employed in the household survey conducted by DAIDS in 2010, so that changes in survey responses over time can be assessed. It is permissible to eliminate questions deemed uninformative and to add questions as deemed appropriate according to information needs and survey feasibility. Any changes to the survey questions should be developed in close consultation with the COTR. Anticipated Period of Performance The NIAID anticipates awarding a cost reimbursement, completion contract on August 1, 2011 to one organization that meets the overall qualifications needed to fulfill the technical requirements of the solicitation. The contract will include a base period for the conduct of a feasibility study and design of a program evaluation plan, and options to be exercised at the Government's discretion to conduct 1) a program evaluation and 2) a population-based survey. The maximum period of performance, if all options are exercised will be 5.5 years. Mandatory Qualification Criteria The solicitation that is ultimately issued for this requirement will include a mandatory qualification criteria. An offeror submitting a proposal will have to document that they have a completed and current (updated within the last calendar year) Certification and Accreditation (C&A) on file with an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for any computer system that will be used to collect survey information. For more information, see: http://oma.od.nih.gov/ms/privacy/pias.html http://www.hhs.gov/ocio/policy/20090002.001.html http://www.hhs.gov/ocio/policy/hhs-ocio_policy_for_information_systems_security_and_privacy__.html Capability Statement/Information Sought Capability Statements should clearly convey information regarding the respondent's capabilities, including: (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information. Interested contractors must submit a capability statement (five page limitation, excluding resumes) describing their company's experience and ability to perform this effort that includes the following: (1) a summary list of similar work previously performed; (2) the professional qualifications and specific experience of staff who may be assigned to the requirement; (3) resumes for proposed key personnel, including the Principal Investigator, that reflect education, and previous work relevant to the proposed requirement; (4) a general description of the facilities and other resources needed to perform the work; and (5) demonstrated ability to carry out the work. Each response should include the following Business Information: a. DUNS number b. Company Name c. Company Address d. Company Points of Contact (both technical and administrative), including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers and Email addresses e. Current GSA Schedule appropriate to this Sources Sought f. Do you have a Government-approved accounting system? If so, please identify the agency that approved the system. g. Type of Company (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, veteran owned, etc.) as validated via the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). All offerors must be registered in the CCR, located at http://www.ccr.gov/ Teaming Arrangements: All teaming arrangements should also include the above-cited information and certification for each entity on the proposed team. Teaming arrangements are encouraged. NIAID recognizes that no single organization or institution may have the expertise and facilities required to perform all of the tasks mentioned above. Therefore, the Contractor may need to utilize the expertise and resources of subcontractors and specialized consultants to provide the full spectrum of requested activities. The Contractor shall be responsible for ALL work performed under this contract including that performed by any subcontractors and consultants. The Contractor will ensure that any and all processes meet international, federal, local and state regulations to ensure the continuity and validity of the resulting product. Responses must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., local time on February 22, 2011. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date. These statements may be submitted by e-mail or paper copy to Kathleen Sears, Contract Specialist. She can be reached by email at the address provided below. Electronic submissions should be submitted in PDF format, however, Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect will be accepted. In the subject line, please reference: HHS-NIH-NIAID(AI)-SBSS-2011-118. A paper copy can be sent via regular mail at the address provided below. If sending a paper copy, please send an original and one copy. Kathleen Sears Contract Specialist Office of Acquisitions National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health 6700 B Rockledge Drive, Room 3214, MSC 7612 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7612 Disclaimer and Important Notes This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in the Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The Government will not entertain questions regarding this Market Research; however, general questions may be emailed to the following addresses: Contract Specialist: Kathleen Sears Email Address: searsky@niaid.nih.gov Contracting Officer: John Manouelian Email Address: manouelj@niaid.nih.gov Confidentiality No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.