RECOVERY Evaluation of Information Technology Professionals in Health Care Program

TAS::75 0131::TAS The purpose of this project is to design and conduct a formative and summative evaluation to assess the impact of the Information Technology Professionals in Health Care (Workforce) program. The program, created under Section 3016 of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, was intended to provide - assistance to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish or expand health informatics education programs, including certification, undergraduate, and masters degree programs, for both health care and information technology students to ensure the rapid and effective utilization and development of health information technologies. This requirement was competed and awarded as cost plus fixed fee. Due to the nature of the work and uncertainties involved in the contract performance, a fixed price contract action is not appropriate. It will not possible at this time to estimate with any accuracy the extent or duration of the work or what type of other direct costs elements (materials, supplies, equipment, travel, subcontractors, etc.) will be required during performance. A cost reimbursement type contract is planned/recommended. As prescribed in FAR 16.306(a) a cost plus fixed fee type contract will provide for payment of allowable incurred costs and a negotiated fee that is fixed at the inception of the contract the fixed fee does not vary with actual cost, but may be adjusted as a result of changes in the work to be performed under the contract. This contract type permits contracting for efforts that might otherwise present too great a risk to the contractor, but it provides the contractor only a minimum incentive to control costs. As prescribed in FAR 16.301-3 Limitations, the Program Support Centers 2009 Task Order Contractors have accounting systems adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract. Appropriate Government surveillance during performance will provide reasonable assurance that efficient methods and effective cost controls are used as this requirement is also performance based. The quality assurance surveillance plan provides a 2% task order deduction amount for tasks that are not completed or performed according to the performance standards.