Formative Assessment of Risk Factors for HIV Infection - Angola

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation: proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 2010-Q-12119 and this is a request for quotes. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-37. Period of Performance The period of performance shall be five (5) months from award date. Performance Work Statement Background and Need Through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the CDC is building the capacity of resource-constrained nations to strategically collect and use information for program accountability and improvement. CDC collaborates with U.S. government PEPFAR partners, host governments, Ministries of Health, non-governmental organizations, U.S.-based universities, and the private sector to achieve this goal. To better understand the relationships among population, HIV prevalence, and existing services, CDC: - Builds in-country capacity to design, implement, and evaluate HIV/AIDS-related surveillance systems and surveys; and assists and trains countries on how to analyze, disseminate, and use HIV/AIDS data. - Develops tools, guidelines, recommendations, and policies to translate research for improved planning and program implementation. - Evaluates and implements novel approaches for conducting surveillance and surveys. Considering the well reported importance of monitoring the epidemics and the behavior of most at risk populations (MARPs) for HIV, the Instituto Nacional de Luta contra a SIDA (INLS) has requested assistance in conducting behavioral and serologic surveillance (BSS) in Angola with MARPs. Due to the potential vulnerability of uniformed service personnel (border patrol and police), miners, and prisoners to HIV and sexually transmitted infections, the INLS has requested that behavioral surveillance surveys with biomarkers (BSS+) be conducted in Angola. To inform the conduct of the BSS+ among vulnerable populations, it is necessary to perform preliminary field investigations or formative assessments. This competitive solicitation is for the formative assessment for the target populations. Based on the results of this competition and findings of the formative assessment, a sole-source contract will be awarded to conduct the subsequent BSS+ studies. Project Objectives To assist the Government of Angola in understanding the HIV epidemic among uniformed service personnel (border patrol and police), miners, and prisoners, CDC will support a behavioral and serological surveillance (BSS) baseline survey for the targeted populations, including a formative assessment. The objectives of the formative assessment are as follows: 1) Define the survey subject inclusion and exclusion criteria; 2) Understand their social networks, work environments, structure, and mobility patterns; 3) Obtain information about the individual, socio-cultural, and contextual factors that intervene in the adoption of risky, but motivational, preventive behaviors for HIV and STI in each of the target populations; and 4) Draft protocols for implementing the BSS+ surveys within each of the target populations based on the findings of the formative assessment. 5) Develop capacity within the Ministry of Health to implement subsequent formative assessments for BSS+ surveys among most at risk populations for HIV. Scope of Work Phase 1: Development (6 weeks) 1. Form and support an advisory group including representation from the study populations, the Ministry of Health, CDC, and other stakeholders to guide implementation of the assessment; 2. Determine locations to be assessed in collaboration with the advisory group 3. Develop a work plan for data collection; 4. Tools must be sufficient to gather information required to a. Assess the target populations interest in participating in a BSS+, b. Determine the feasibility of proposed sampling strategies, c. Establish the need for and type of incentives to maximize participation, and d. Make preliminary decisions about survey logistics and procedures; 5. Obtain the required Institutional Review Board approvals or exemptions prior to initiating the assessment. Phase 2: Implementation (6 weeks) 1. Perform ethnographic observations; 2. Recruit participants for interviews and focus groups 3. Obtain consent when required 4. Conduct short, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in Portuguese only 5. Record all interview and focus group discussions 6. Supervise implementation 7. Information gathered must be sufficient to a. Assess the target populations interest in participating in a BSS+, b. Determine the feasibility of proposed sampling strategies, c. Establish the need for and type of incentives to maximize participation, and d. Make preliminary decisions about survey logistics and procedures. Phase 3: Data Management and Analysis (4 weeks) 1. Analyze both quantitative and quality data collected. 2. Summarize analyses. 3. Draft BSS+ survey protocols based on the analysis. Phase 4: Dissemination of Results (4 weeks) 1. Prepare a final written report of the assessment, including details of the methods, challenges, findings, and recommendations. 2. Information obtained from the assessment will first be presented to CDC, INLS, provincial government representatives, and the advisory group. This will include the final written report as well as a summary oral presentation. 3. Dissemination of results may also occur through publications in peer-reviewed international journals and presentations at conferences and other scientific meetings with concurrence from INLS and CDC. Continuous: Capacity Building 1. Share tools with host government epidemiology staff. 2. Obtain host government approval for the assessment. 3. Include appropriate representatives of the host government on the assessment team. 4. Provide training, mentorship and other local capacity building efforts to the host government staff. Other: Consult with CDC and other stakeholders on assessment development, survey implementation, data analysis and dissemination of results. Reporting Schedule None Special Considerations The proposed assessment must be conducted in accordance to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol will be will be reviewed by CDC as required and will be submitted to the National Ethics Committee in Angola for review. Data collection will not begin until both reviews have been completed. CDC and host government representatives will monitor the project for compliance with the approved protocol. The awardee will meet with CDC and host government representatives as requested. Government Furnished Property None References None Deliverables Work Plan - 2 electronic copies in Microsoft Word 1 English copy 1 Portuguese copy - Submit to contracting officer at Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) and Contracting Officers's Technical Representative (COTR) at CDC Angola - First Draft Due 15 days after award If no response provided within 7 days after submission, assume no comments - Second draft Due 7 days after receiving response to the first draft If no response provided within 7 days after submission, assume no comments - Final protocol Due 7 days after receiving response to the second draft Summary Data Analysis - 2 electronic copies in Microsoft Word 1 English copy 1 Portuguese copy - Submit to contracting officer at PGO and COR at CDC Angola - First Draft Due 14 days after completing data collection If no response provided within 7 days after submission, assume no comments - Final Due 7 days after receiving response to the draft Final Report - 2 electronic copies 1 English copy 1 Portuguese copy - 20 bound hard copies in Portuguese - Submit to contracting officer at RPSO and COTR at CDC Angola - First Draft Due 14 days after receiving approval of summary data analysis If no response provided within 7 days after submission, assume no comments - Final protocol Due 7 days after receiving response to the draft