R -- National Prevention Information Network

We intend to issue a sole source contract to Analytical Sciences, Inc for the period of one year, starting Apr 16, 2003 through Apr 15, 2004 for the purpose of maintaining the National Prevention Information Network (NPIN). A brief description of the NPIN follows: The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) has the primary responsibility within the CDC and the US Public Health Service for the prevention and control of HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and tuberculosis (TB), including community-based HIV prevention activities and syphilis and TB elimination programs. To support NCHSTP's mission and to link Americans to prevention, education, and care services, the CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) serves as the US reference, referral and distribution service for information on HIV/AIDS, STDs, and TB. NPIIN is a critical member of the network of government agencies, community organizations, businesses, health professionals, educators, and human services providers that educate the American public about the grave threat to public health posed by HIV/AIDS, STDs and TB, and provides services for persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Through its toll-free numbers, NPIN also receives calls from the general public requesting information on a wide range of topics, including bioterrorism, smallpox vaccine and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and refers callers to the proper CDC Center/Institute/Office Abbreviations (CIOs) for assistance. Additionally, other CIOs throughout CDC use the NPIN contract as a mechanism for their respective prevention and education services. This contract will serve various audiences in the United States, its territories and Puerto Rico with information services which provide responses to questions and concerns, making referrals to national, state and local resource networks, and fulfilling orders for informational publications through its clearinghouse operations. This sole source contract is a short-term measure. The CDC plans to issue a solicitation for a revised NPIN contract within 6 months.