Support to Implement Increased Transparency of the Processes of the USPSTF

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice (SBSS). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small business; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. Project Description and Requirements: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF or Task Force) is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. Since its inception in 1984, the Task Force has worked to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services and health promotion. These recommendations for adults and children address screening tests, counseling about healthful behaviors, and preventive medications. Since 2009, the Task Force has focused on making its work as transparent as possible so that stakeholders and the public better understand and have more confidence in the approach of the Task Force. This also ensures that its work is open, credible, independent, and unbiased, and is recognized as such. Opportunities for the public and stakeholders to engage in the process contribute to transparency of Task Force's work. Through these efforts the Task Force believes that its recommendations will be more accurate and relevant. For additional information on the Task Force, its procedures including opportunities for public comment, and all documents (e.g., research plans; systematic evidence reviews and recommendation statements), please visit the USPSTF Procedure Manual at https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/about-uspstf/methods-and-processes/procedure-manual. The purpose of this requirement is to use scientifically rigorous methods based on qualitative methods to support the aggregation, analysis, and synthesis of public comments for the USPSTF and to implement, coordinate, and manage processes for expert review of systematic reviews for the USPSTF. This project will require a contractor to: Develop tables for up to 30 - 40 postings each year. The tables shall include the public comments received in response to USPSTF draft research plans, draft evidence reports and draft recommendation statements and shall be used by Principal Investigators at Evidence-based Practice Centers, Task Force members and AHRQ staff. Draft evidence reports include related reports, such as decision modeling reports. Establish a methodology for coding the public comments received in response to USPSTF draft recommendation statements (e.g., develop a coding scheme and process for how coders would be trained, how agreement among coders will be determined, quality control measures, how the data will be analyzed and synthesized). This methodology shall be scientifically rigorous and developed based on principles of qualitative analysis and synthesis. Aggregate, review, analyze and synthesize public comments received in response to USPSTF draft recommendation statements using methods based on the standards of qualitative analysis of data. Write a report for all draft recommendation statements, draft research plans and evidence reviews that summarizes public comments received. Conduct an annual analysis of public comments across topics and write a report summarizing the results. Manage communications with outside experts, including key informants (3-6 per topic) and expert reviewers (4 - 6 for each report) using an established process. Manage key informants for 8-12 research plans, 10-14 draft evidence reports and 1-2 decision modeling reports per year. Other tasks, including but not limited to, quarterly progress reports and monthly progress calls, transition plans, and annual analysis of public comments across topics. Anticipated period of performance: This contract has a base year plus four option periods (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2030). The work performed in the base period will be the same as the work performed in the option periods if the government decides to exercise the options. Capability Information Sought: The capability statement response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice should include the following information: a) Staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training, including: Evidence-based recommendations in primary care Stakeholder input on scientific research and the public comment process Qualitative research methods and analysis Managing Key Informants and Expert Reviewers b) Current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; Develop tables for up to 30 - 40 draft research plans, draft evidence reports and draft recommendation statements postings each year. Analyze public comments for 10-12 draft recommendations each year, including methods for synthesis, identification of themes, reporting, and addressing challenges when analyzing and reporting qualitative data. c) Corporate experience and information on prior projects of similar size and complexity; d) List any Government wide contracting vehicle for which the respondent has a contract (example, GSA schedule, etc). Information Submission Instructions Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement. The cover page must include the following: UEI number Organization name Organization address Size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant to NAICS code 541611. Technical point(s) of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone, and e-mail addresses. All Capability Statements sent in response to this SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Alyssa Tornatore, Contract Specialist, Alyssa.Tornatore@ahrq.hhs.gov in MS Word, or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), no later than 12:00PM on March 13, 2025. Responses should not exceed 15 single-sided pages (including the cover page, all attachments, resumes, charts, etc.) presented in single-space and using a 12-point font size minimum, that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice described above. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).