R -- Develop Lexicon of Technologies in Long-Term Care Settings

The Department of Health and Human Services intends to negotiate with the Polisher Research Institute located within the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center (formerly Philadelphia Geriatric Center), 1425 Horsham Road, North Wales, PA 19454, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302.1 to award a contract to develop a lexicon (i.e., comprehensive database) of technologies utilized in long-term care settings and to identify barriers to the process of implementing technologies in these settings. The contractor must develop a searchable, updateable lexicon of existing and emerging technologies in nursing homes and residential care settings. The lexicon shall include technologies in use in these settings in areas including, but not limited to, incontinence, fall prevention, nurse call systems, and egress systems. Entry for each technology in the lexicon shall include descriptive information including its ease of use, cost-benefit ratio, clinical, behavioral, and psychological outcomes. Entry shall also include a statement of potential tradeoffs associated with each technology alternative in each area. The lexicon shall be made available through a web-based interface, thereby facilitating access and input internationally by professionals engaged in the planning, design, administration, professional care, and research in long-term care facilities. The contractor must also identify the legislative, economic, and social barriers to the process of implementing these technologies in nursing home and residential care settings. This task shall include a discussion of variations across settings in barriers to technology implementation as well as an investigation of what technology outreach programs are available to nursing homes and residential care settings. A major requirement of this acquisition is that the contractor possesses expertise and extensive research experience in analyses of technological applications in long-term care as well as policy issues regarding elderly, disabilities, and long-term care. The Polisher Research Institute alone has unique qualifications and expertise that would allow the project to be completed in time to provide information relevant to government policymaking. Furthermore, the Polisher Research Institute is in receipt of substantial grant funding (totaling approximately $285,000) from the Alzheimer's Association and the Extendicare Foundation that supplement the efforts to achieve the purposes of the proposed project. Therefore, the government believes that to award this contract to any contractor but the Polisher Research Institute would result in a significant increase in cost. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there may be other sources with the requisite qualifications to perform the work described above. Any organization capable of performing the work should submit a cost estimate and statement of capabilities with documentation supporting its ability to meet the Government's requirement as described above. No solicitation document is available. Capability statements should be submitted within 45 days of the publication of this synopsis to the contact point and address given above. See Note 22.