R -- Syndicated Survey of Consumer Use of Online Health Information

In accordance with FAR Part 13, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to procure consumer health information survey services on a sole source basis from Manhattan Research LLC. The NAICS code is 541990 and the period of performance shall be for a period of one year from September 25, 2007 to September 24, 2008. NLM intends to renew the Cybercitizen Health national consumer health information survey service. NLM determined that Manhattan Research LLC is uniquely qualified as the sole offeror of Cybercitizen Health. The Cybercitizen Health service offers a nationwide in-depth randomized health consumer survey through extended telephone interviews focusing on online health information users. Further, NLM desires to compare the results of Cybercitizen Health 2007 with the prior results of Cybercitizen Health 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000. Additionally, NLM wishes to obtain comparable data on physician perspectives on health information, and therefore intends to again augment CybercitizenHealth with the Taking the Pulse 2007 physician health information survey service, also offered by Manhattan Research LLC, and to compare with the prior results of Taking the Pulse 2006. It is essential that both services, focusing on the consumer and physician respectively, use the same survey methodology, in order to assure comparability and continuity BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Internet and World Wide Web (WWW or web) now play a dominant role in dissemination of NLM information services. And the web environment in which NLM operates is rapidly changing and intensely competitive. These two factors combined suggested the need for a more comprehensive and dynamic NLM web planning and evaluation process. Accordingly, the NLM Director, Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg, and the NLM Associate Director for Health Information Programs Development, Dr. Elliot R. Siegel, have approved an ongoing Web Evaluation Project. The immediate priorities of the Web Evaluation Project include: a) quantitative and qualitative metrics of web usage; b) measures of customer perception and use of NLM web sites; and c) monitoring of the quality of Internet connections by which users access NLM information services. The Web Evaluation Project is pursuing an integrated approach intended to encourage exchange of information and learning within NLM, and help better inform NLM management decisionmaking on web site research, development, and implementation. The Web Evaluation Project has reviewed and discussed a range of internal and external activities, including the proposed work that is the focus of this contract renewal request. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE FOR THIS PROCUREMENT: The contractor shall support NLM in the above efforts. This is a contract request for commercial services. SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall provide NLM with the following services and deliverables: 1. Syndicated Survey of Consumer Use of Online Health Information & Related The contractor shall provide the results of a nationwide survey of health consumers with regard to their use of online health information and other health information technology, and shall utilize statistically valid sampling and analytical methods in conducting the survey. The number of completed health consumer surveys shall be approximately 1000 (or more). The survey results shall identify and analyze the behavior, attitudes, and demographics of the U.S. consumer population who are using technology (including the Internet and Web) for health purposes. The survey shall include U.S. consumer use of the Internet and Web for health information seeking, with specific reference to NIH and NLM web sites where appropriate. The contractor shall provide the survey results in the following formats and deliverables: ? Reference slide deck: A comprehensive PowerPoint slide deck serving as a graphical representation of the entire survey data set. ? Executive management summary: A PowerPoint slide deck with key slides extracted from the initial analysis of the data set. ? Health consumer market trends: A written summary of key survey results that relate to top market trends and highlights, including comparisons to previous data sets, as well as specific forecasts. ? Health consumer research modules: Two research modules analyzing areas and trends relevant to consumer health marketing, and each including a written report, slides, and key findings. ? Health consumer strategic insights: Weekly reports that include concise graphical representation of important and timely health marketing topics. ? Strategic briefing: An in-person or Web-based presentation of the data and key findings at the client?s choice of location. ? Analyst inquiry service: Direct contact with a research analyst for up to 10 hours by phone or e-mail for custom inquiries and research. ? Methodology and data tables: A complete description of the methodology including a questionnaire topical outline and data tables representing all the data elements in all data sets. ? Client portal: Password, online access to all survey research results and special analyses and reports. This includes all data sets in SPCC and Excel formats, and CD-ROM format upon request. 2. Syndicated Survey of Physician Use of Online Health Information & Related The contractor shall provide the results of a nationwide survey of physicians with regard to their use of online health information and other health information technologies, and shall utilize statistically valid sampling and analytical methods in conducting the survey. The number of completed physician surveys shall be approximately 800 (or more). The survey results shall identify and analyze the behavior, attitudes, and demographics of the U.S. physician population who are using technology (including the Internet and Web) for professional purposes. The survey shall include U.S. physician use of the Internet and Web for health information seeking and patient referral, with specific reference to NIH and NLM web sites where appropriate. The contractor shall provide the survey results in the following formats and deliverables: ? Reference slide deck: A comprehensive PowerPoint slide deck serving as a graphical representation of the entire survey data set. ? Executive management summary: A PowerPoint slide deck with key slides extracted from the initial analysis of the data set. ? Physician market trends: A written summary of key survey results that relate to top market trends and highlights, including comparisons to previous data sets, as well as specific forecasts. ? Physician research modules: Two research modules analyzing areas and trends relevant to consumer health marketing, and each including a written report, slides, and key findings. ? Physician strategic insights: Weekly reports that include concise graphical representation of important and timely health marketing topics. ? Strategic briefing: An in-person or Web-based presentation of the data and key findings at the client?s choice of location. ? Analyst inquiry service: Direct contact with a research analyst for up to 10 hours by phone or e-mail for custom inquiries and research. ? Methodology and data tables: A complete description of the methodology including a questionnaire topical outline and data tables representing all the data elements in all data sets. ? Client portal: Password, online access to all survey research results and special analyses and reports. This includes all data sets in SPCC and Excel formats, and CD-ROM format upon request. The contractor shall provide NLM with a one-year subscription to the above surveys and related analytical reports and briefings. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES: The contractor shall provide NLM with the services and deliverables as specified in SOW. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS: All deliverables will be inspected and approved by the NLM Project Officer: Evaluation Criteria Proposals submitted for providing the technical support described above to NLM, shall be evaluated on the following criteria. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD GENERAL The major evaluation factors for this request for quotation include technical factors (which encompasses vendor experience), and cost/price factors. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, cost/price is also important to the overall contract award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. Offerors are advised that award will be made to that offeror whose quotation provides the best overall value to the Government. The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Contractors in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the Statement of Work. The merits of each quotation will be evaluated carefully. The offeror must submit information sufficient to evaluate their quotation based on the detailed criteria listed below. Failure to provide the information required may result in rejection of the quotation without further consideration. Mandatory Criteria The offeror must be able to provide all services and support as described in the Statement of work. Evaluation Criteria Total Possible Technical Score = 100 PTS. Technical Capability (60 POINTS) The criteria below are listed in the order of relative importance for evaluation purposes: ? Comprehensiveness of survey coverage for respondents who use the Internet, Web, and other health information technology for health information seeking and referral purposes. ? Inclusion of both U.S. health consumers and physicians in the survey sample (two separate surveys). ? Sufficient sample size to assure statistical validity of survey results at approximately +/- 3 percent (90% confidence level), or equivalent. ? Ability to compare current survey results with at least 5 prior years of survey results. ? Extensive experience in planning, designing, and conducting nationwide surveys with regard to health topics, including online health-related behavior. Analytical Service Support (30 POINTS) ? Comprehensive analysis and reporting of survey results. ? In-person and custom analytical and briefing services. ? Full client access to all survey results and related analyses and reports, for an unlimited number of client users. Corporate Related Experience (10 POINTS) ? Conducting nationwide surveys of the health sector should be part of the core competency of the offeror. ? The offeror should have a leadership position in the nationwide health survey business. A final best-buy analysis will be performed taking into consideration the results of the technical evaluation, cost/price analysis, and ability to complete the work as described. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsive sources may submit a proposal in a timely manner which will be considered by NLM. Firms interested in responding to the notice must be able to provide the referenced service as specified above. Electronic responses should be sent to singletr@mail.nlm.nih.gov and must be received by 12 PM EDT on September 21, 2007. Proposal must include pricing information and should reference Synopsis No. NLM 07-212/RLS. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Ryan Singletary, Contract Specialist, NLM on (301) 496-6546.