R612--Follow up Study of National Cohort of Gulf War and Gulf Era Veterans

Page 14 of 14 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFQ will not be entertained. SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought/RFI only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 541910, Marketing Research and Analysis Services. Responses to this sources sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this sources sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VISN 05 Network Contracting Office, is seeking sources that can complete requirements for Follow up Study of National Cohort of Gulf Era Veterans that at a minimum meets the requirements listed under the description section below. The information identified above is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the supplies/services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the supplies/services that fulfill the required specifications. If you are interested and are capable of providing the sought out supplies/services, please provide the requested information as well as the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include: Company name, address of company, point of contact Any small business designation as certified by the Small Business Administration, size of business pursuant to the following question. A through description of experience in managing support requirements of this nature. (1) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)? Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) receive preference. (2) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? (3) Your FSS GSA/NAC contract number. (4) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (5) Please submit your capabilities in regards to the salient characteristics being provided and any information pertaining to equal to items to establish capabilities for planning purposes? (6) Please review salient characteristics/statement of work (if applicable) and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (7) Please provide your DUNS/UEI number. CONTACT INFORMATION: Responses to this notice and any questions related to this RFI shall be directed to Cassie White contact@example.gov and Amy Ritchey at contact@example.gov. All information regarding Capabilities Statements or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI shall be submitted via email to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov. Telephone questions or responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than 10:00 am EST, 7/22/2022. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this sources sought. Responses to this sources sought notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. Description 1. Title: Follow up Study of National Cohort of Gulf War and Gulf Era Veterans 2. Purpose : Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) is conducting a follow up health study on a national cohort of 1990-1991 Gulf War and Gulf Era (military contemporaries who served during the same time but did not deploy) Veterans . With results from this study, VA will be able to improve our understanding of the long-term health consequences of military deployment and the health services that recent Veterans need. The findings will also help influence policy for these Veterans 3. Scope: This study will consist of 1) a request to complete a questionnaire on a variety of health topics via mail, web, and telephone (the sample size will not exceed 30,000); and 2) simple and complex data analysis of information collected on the questionnaire. 4. Tasks 4.1 Task 1: Project Management and Progress Reporting 4.2 Task 2: Data Collection and Reporting The contractor shall conduct data collection via survey (web, paper, or CATI).Data collection studies may require that contractors identify and apply the appropriate data collection methods (survey web, phone, mail, medical records, focus groups, qualitative studies, biological specimens, etc). Contractors shall construct and field test/validate each survey, using standardized and validated questions, scales, and survey instruments, as indicated above. The contractor shall compile written survey protocols, train interviewers, perform extensive survey related tasks and appropriate survey follow-up. Additional data collection includes: 4.3 Task 3: Simple and Complex Data Analyses The contractor shall complete both simple and complex analyses of collected data, and develop reports based on the findings (i.e. White Papers, Technical Reports). The contractor shall use statistical analysis software packages (compatible with SAS, SPSS, and/or SQL) to conduct tasks which vary from the straightforward to the complex. Raw data (responses provided in a survey, interview, or other mode of study, i.e. medical record), shall be submitted with the completion of reports, as deemed appropriate by the COR. Raw data includes all responses received from the various modes of data collection mail surveys, web surveys, 4.4 Task 4: Educational and Informational Materials The contractor shall prepare educational and informational materials (newsletters, fact sheets, informational sheets, websites, Smartphone applications, brochures, etc) for diverse audiences to reflect key findings and limitations of studies and analyses. Stakeholders include Veterans, other VHA and VA offices, VAMCs, Providers, Congress, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), etc. All educational and informational materials shall be completed through distribution. All educational and informational materials must be 508 compliant, be available in English and Spanish, use the government defined plain language, and at an 8th grade reading level. 5. Place(s) of Performance: Contractor s facilities, TBD 6. Positions Identified Subject-Matter Expert I Qualifications: PhD in Epidemiology, Statistics or equivalent and at least 10 years of post-dissertation experience Description: Possesses knowledge in designated field or discipline. Individual conducts multiple organizational assessments of challenges using specialized skills and knowledge. Contributes to the execution of project or task plan and helps assess the impact of industry trends, policy, or standard methodologies. Subject-Matter Expert II Qualifications: PhD in Epidemiology, Statistics or equivalent and at least 8 years of post-dissertation experience Description: Possesses demonstrated knowledge in designated field or discipline. Have significant experience providing solutions to an organization s challenges through the application of knowledge gained from prior experience. Contributes to the implementation of strategy and helps assess the impact of industry trends, policy, or standard methodologies. They direct the activities of other staff as necessary on activities related to the specified field or discipline. Subject-Matter Expert III Qualifications: MPH, MS, MA or equivalent and at least 5 years of relevant work experience Description: Provides insight and advice concerning task or project strategic direction and outcomes. Individual may contribute to the evaluation, analysis, and development of recommended solutions. Resolves complex problems, which require an in-depth knowledge of subject matter related to the designated field or discipline. Possesses demonstrated ability and experience in management consulting and cross-team facilitation at the senior management level. Other areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, business process reengineering, statistical process control, individual and organizational assessment and evaluation, process modeling and simulation, strategic and business planning, change management, organizational development, and the development of leadership/ management skills. They direct the activities of other staff as necessary. Program/Project Manager Qualifications: BS, BA or equivalent and at least 5 years of relevant work experience Description: Coordinates and monitors the scheduling, pricing, and technical performance of organizational programs. Responsibilities also include aiding in the negotiation of contracts and contractual changes and coordinating preparations of proposals, plans, specifications, and financial conditions of contracts. Develops new business and expands product line. Location Manager Qualifications: MPH, BS, BA or equivalent and at least 5 years of relevant work experience Description: Coordinates and monitors the location of respondents. Responsibilities also include locating hard-to-find respondents, alternative research methodologies, realizing new techniques for tracing US Veterans, designing research, conducting interviews, writing reports, managing data files, familiar with the use of SPSS, SQL and SAS. The Contracting Officer may notify the Contractor and request immediate removal of any personnel assigned to the task order by the Contractor that are deemed to have a conflict of interest with the government or if their performance is deemed to be unsatisfactory. The reason for removal will be documented and replacement personnel shall be identified within three business days of the notification. Employment and staffing difficulties shall not be justification for failure to meet established schedules. 7. Information Security: All contractors and contractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards and VA policies as VA, and VA personnel, regarding information and information system security. A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) will be required.