Neuro-QOL: Interim Sustainability and Testing

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to negotiate on a non-competitive basis the continuation of support for the Neuro-QOL contract with the Northwestern University for "Neuro-QOL: Interim Sustainability and Training." The primary continuing goals of the contract are to design and develop a web-based platform that will allow researchers or clinicians to create study-specific web-based data collection pages; will include all Neuro-QOL short forms as well as instruments that include Computer Adaptive Testing for administration to research participants; will provide for scoring and exporting of data; and will provide technical support and consultation to researchers on the use of Neuro-QOL instruments, including data collection and data export functions. In addition, the contractor will be required to conduct 2 to 3 training sessions/workshops to introduce researchers to the development, methodology, and use of Neuro-QOL, provide education on IRT, CAT, and item bank construction, and train investigators in the use of the web-based Neuro-QOL platform in their research. Training sessions may be conducted locally or in conjunction with existing scientific meetings in order to encourage participation. We anticipate that this will be a one-year undertaking to complete all requirements. Over the initial 6 year contract, the Northwestern University, (under a subcontract to NorthShore University HealthCare Research Institute), developed, tested, and completed initial validation of the required instruments. Given that Northwestern University has performed all the work in development of the Neuro-QOL deliverable, there is no reasonable alternative but to award a sole-source acquisition of this interim service. Although there may be other potential sources that would have the technical ability to serve this function, they would not be able to provide the scientific and technical expertise specific to this requirement, including providing consultation and training on the development, implementation, and interpretation of the Neuro-QOL instruments. The NINDS believes that the Northwestern University is the only source available with the knowledge and capability to develop the interim web-based platform and provide the requisite training and consultation to support access, implementation, and maintenance of the Neuro-QOL. The specific approach to long-term sustainability of Neuro-QOL will be determined by NINDS over the next year. Until full implementation of a future plan is accomplished, it is essential to make Neuro-QOL available to the research community for two primary reasons: 1) to avoid protracted delay in incorporation of the Neuro-QOL measures into applicable clinical research projects, and 2) to provide a period of time for interested potential sources to have an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the structure of the Neuro-QOL platform so they may participant in a possible future competition for funding to maintain Neuro-QOL should the government opt to pursue such competition. Organizations that believe they have the qualifications and capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of staffing, facilities, and methodologies currently in place to the Contracting Officer at the above address within 45 days from the date of this announcement. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, quotation or capability statement which shall be considered by the NINDS. The determination by the Government not to compete the new contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Authority: 45 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. This is not a formal solicitation or an announcement that a Request for Proposals (RFP) is available.