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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 11, 2010 FBO #3029
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- Methodologist Statistician

Notice Date

3/9/2010
 

Notice Type

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
 

NAICS

541690 — Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center/Office of Purchasing & Contracts, 6707 Democracy Blvd, Suite 106, MSC 5480, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-5480
 

ZIP Code

20892-5480
 

Solicitation Number

RFQ165199
 

Point of Contact

Andrea L. McGee, Phone: 3015945918
 

E-Mail Address

andrea.mcgee@nih.gov
(andrea.mcgee@nih.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION AND A SEPARATE SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 under Simplified Acquisition procedures in Subpart 13.5 as supplemental with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number for this acquisition is RFQ165199 and is being issued as a Request for Quote. The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-38. This acquisition will be processed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541690. A. BACKGROUND AND SCOPE The Research and Practice Development Service is part of Nursing and Patient Care Services at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and conducts research directed toward identifying new knowledge that improves our understanding of the patient experience and developing and testing intervention approaches to improve clinical outcomes. The majority of the nursing research is interdisciplinary in nature with collaborative partnerships that include intramural scientists from other institutes and centers, as well as partnerships with scientists in the extramural research community. The program of research directed by Dr. Sandra Mitchell is focused evaluating interventions to prevent or attenuate fatigue and sleep disturbances in patients with cancer, with a special emphasis on the application of mixture models to characterize and explore the determinants and outcomes of heterogeneity in the human response to cancer treatment and recovery. Her work is particularly focused on the application of growth mixture models to study change over time. Characterizing the symptom experience and examining the efficacy of interventions to manage symptoms have been predominant foci of cancer research. Methodologic approaches to address these foci have emphasized the study of change over time using repeated measures ANOVA, change scores, or mixed effects models. However there is considerable heterogeneity in responses to cancer treatment and recovery, and knowledge of this heterogeneity may have significance for our understanding of the cancer experience and the design of interventions. To better characterize this experience, statistical procedures are required that distinguish among patients who do or do not display particular symptoms at a single point in time, in addition to comparing groups of patients who follow different trajectories over time, both in a naturalistic setting and in response to nursing interventions. Recent advances in latent variable/mixture modeling using the statistical software M-Plus have provided a methodology to empirically identify heterogeneity in growth trajectories by clustering patients according to their trajectories rather than their raw scores. This robust statistical procedure is known as growth mixture modeling (GMM) and expands on both cross section and repeated measures methods by revealing longitudinal changes in treatment efficacy or symptomatology within patients, between patients and among patients who display different baseline characteristics. Thus GMM allows for the prediction of outcome variables as a function of baseline patient characteristics. To date, GMM has had limited application in cancer research. Moreover, there is a paucity of investigators well-versed in the programming language and methodologic assumptions of M-Plus. B. PROPOSED SERICE/STATEMENT OF WORK The purpose of this contract is to retain the services of a doctorally prepared statistical consultant with demonstrated expertise in the application of growth mixture models (GMM). This individual must possess the necessary skills to: (1) consult on applications and extensions of GMM for the analysis of longitudinal data; (2) contribute to articulating an analysis plan for specific GMM analyses (including research questions, corollary growth models, power analyses); (3) support cleaning and preparation of datasets for GMM analyses; (4) collaborate in model building, trimming, and interpretation; and (5) contribute to dissemination of results in published abstracts and manuscripts. C. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The individual retained to execute this contract must hold a doctoral degree with a concentration in methodology, epidemiology or statistics, and must possess/demonstrate: 1.Research •Knowledge and skill in the selection and design of appropriate GMM model and extensions for hypothesis testing •Comprehensive knowledge and experience across all phases of biobehavioral research from design through dissemination •Skill in distilling complex statistical analyses into clinically meaningful observations and conclusions 2.Technical •Skills in technically sophisticated aspects of latent variable/mixture modeling, including Montecarlo simulations for power analysis, handling of missing data, creation of syntax, and expertise in addressing challenges in random coefficient growth modeling within the M-Plus latent variable framework (e.g. model non-covergence, use of modification indices) •Expertise in writing analysis and results sections for manuscripts •Skill in development of figures and tables to present data results in presentations and manuscripts 3.Consultative •Superior skills in communicating complex concepts •Well developed abilities to facilitate the progressive development of consultees’ methodologic skills •Interest in the development of mixture models for novel biomedical applications •Knowledge of relevant literature to support GMM model development and interpretation in behavioral and biobehavioral applications D. TERMS OF CONTRACT: The contractor will be directly supervised by Dr. Sandra Mitchell, Nurse Scientist, Research and Practice Development Service, and will execute the above responsibilities in accordance with the timetable negotiated with her. E. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY All materials, equipment, hardware and data provided by Research and Practice Development Service to the contractor to carry out the tasks listed above will be considered the property of the Federal Government. Additionally, any data collected or any products developed will also be considered property of the Federal Government. F. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND LEVEL OF EFFORT April 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011 October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2010 Level of Effort Remuneration for services provided will be based on a rate of 4 hours per week, but not to exceed a total 96 hours for the year. G. OTHER PROVISIONS: In the event that contractor fails to meet the requirements of this purchase order, the contract will be terminated. Contractor to submit invoice of services rendered in writing to the following address in a timely fashion in order to receive payment for services rendered: National Institutes of Health Commercial Accounts 2115 E. Jefferson Street MSC 8500, Suite 4B-432 Bethesda, MD 20892 And as additional copy as requested on the purchase order (P.O.) to LaRue Skinner Administrative Officer Research and Practice Development Service NIH/Bldg 10 2B Suite Bethesda, MD 20892-1604 Invoice to identify specific hours worked. Contractor further agrees that all clinical data and general information collected as a result of this activity remains the exclusive and confidential property of the National Institutes of Health. Authority to release any or all information to any organization or any person without written consent of the NIH will constitute grounds for termination of contract and possible criminal prosecution. Contractor will adhere to the rules and regulations of confidentiality established within the Mark O. Hatfield, Clinical Research Center. Contract may be renewed or re-negotiated by NIH and contractor upon completion of term of contract. EVALUATION POINTS ASSIGNED TO THE POSITION DESCRIPTION/QUALIFICATIONS Methodologist/Statistician with Expertise in Latent Variable Analyses Research and Practice Development Service Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience directly relevant to applications and extensions of GMM for the analysis of longitudinal data ____________ 25 points Experience in developing analysis plans for specific GMM analyses (including research questions, corollary growth models, power analyses) _____________ 10 points Strong technical skills in sophisticated aspects of latent variable/mixture modeling, including latent class analysis, factor mixture modeling, confirmatory factor analysis, Montecarlo simulations for power analysis, handling of missing data, creation of syntax, and expertise in addressing challenges in random coefficient growth modeling within the M-Plus latent variable framework (e.g. model non-covergence, use of modification indices) _____________ 25 points Strong technical skills in cleaning and preparing datasets for latent variable/growth mixture analyses _____________ 5 points Expertise in model building, trimming, and interpretation relative to latent variable/growth mixture modeling ______________ 5 points Demonstrated ability to distill complex statistical analyses into clinically meaningful observations and conclusions, and in developing analysis and results sections for manuscripts ______________ 15 points Skill in development of figures and tables to present data results in presentations and manuscripts _______________ 5 points Effectiveness in communicating complex concepts _______________ 5 points Effectively supports progressive development of consultees’ methodologic skills in latent variable/mixture model applications ______________ 5 points ________________ Total 100 points The following provisions and clauses apply: Provision 52.52.213-4 Terms and Conditions – Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than Commercial Items); Provision 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. (End of Provision) Provisions52.212-1-Instructions to Offerors/Commercial; 52.212-2-Evaluation-Commercial Items; 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and conditions; 52.222-26 (EO 11246); 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Other Eligible Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212); 52.223-6 Drug Free Workplace, 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332); 52.222-41. 52-217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract; This purchase order shall be for a basic contract period of 6 months with option to renew an additional two year period. The Full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) can be accessed on the internet at www.arnet.gov/far. Parties responding to this solicitation may submit their offer in accordance with their standard commercial practices (e.g. on company letterhead, formal quote form, etc) but must include the following information: 1) company’s complete mailing and remittance addresses 2) discounts for prompt payment if applicable; 3) Dun & Bradstreet number; 4) Taxpayer ID number; 5) Catalog or Published Price Listing applicable to the service; 6) Offerors must meet specifications as noted in the synopsis. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications/Commercial Items with their offer. Note: Contractor must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov). The Government intends to make a single award based on the lowest price technical accepted offeror to the eligible, responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation, and is the most advantageous to the Government. The Government reserves the right to make an award to that offeror whose quotation provides the best overall value to the Government. Interested offerors may submit proposals electronically only within 15 days from the posting of this notice no later than 3/24/2010 Eastern Standard Time 5:00 p.m. Companies that sent in proposal may do so again. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications/Commercial Items with their offer. Note: Contractor must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov). The solicitation shall include pricing for the base year and options priced separately. The Government intends to make a single award based on best value to the Government, technical and price factors considered. The anticipated award date for this requirement shall be on or before _April 1, 2010. Requests for information concerning this requirement are to be addressed to Ms. Andrea McGee via email only to amcgee@cc.nih.gov no later than, _3/19/2010_____. Collect calls will not be accepted. No Phone Calls Please.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/CCOPC/RFQ165199/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Zip Code: 20892
 

Record

SN02086709-W 20100311/100309234720-e77879a3a39523f81b9c59eae54e0bcf (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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