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R -- PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO IDENTIFY OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS IN THE BIOMEDICAL LITERATURE THROUGH ELECTRONIC SEARCHING OF MEDLINE AND HAND SEARCHING OF BIOMEDICAL LITERATURE SOL NLM 98-091/UHP DUE 090798 POC Uyen H. Phuong (301) 496-6127 E-MAIL: karen_riggs@ccmail.nlm.nih.gov, uyen_phuong@ccmail.nlm.nih.gov. It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure on a sole source basis with New England Cochrane Center, BioMed Research Administration, Division of Biology & Medicine, Brown University, 97 Waterman Street, 3rd Floor, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 to identify randomized controlled trials in the Biomedical Literature through electronic searching of MEDLINE (the electronic form of Index Medicus) and hand searching of Biomedical Literature. The contractor shall perform the following activities: (1) electronic searching of MEDLINE using Cochrane search strategy for the publication years 1998-1999 to identify records not currently identified as randomized or controlled clinical trials. Process the results and submit the records for indexing indicating whether the records are Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) (publication type) or Controlled Clinical Trial (CCT) (publication type); (2) hand search 18 high-priority US-published general medical journals for the publication year of 1998 using the Cochrane Center Journal Hand Search Manual criteria and policies to identify published reports of randomized or controlled clinical trials. Process the results and submit the records for indexing indicating whether the records are RCT (publication type) or CCT (publication type); (3) Coordinate Cochrane collaborating members' electronic and hand searching of biomedical literature by maintaining a database of the searches that are currently being conducted by Cochrane collaborators, using this database to indicate status of searches, and producing the Master List of Journals being searched to keep members up-to-date. Make the Master List widely available via the New England Cochrane Center (NECC) ftp and web sites. Process results of Cochrane collaborators electronic and hand searches to identify records not currently identified at NLM indicating whether records are RCT (publication type) or CCT (publication type); (4) submit the processed records from activities (1) through (3) described above tothe NLM as retagging request files in NLM-specified electronic format and in conformance with NLM MEDLINE year-end, routine, for special processing requirements; and (5) submit copy of Master List of Journals being searched to NLM with instructions for accessing the NECC web and ftp site(s). The NLM has identified the NECC as the only organization qualified to provide the requirements of this project. The NECC has a long term involvement with research related to the establishment of clinical trial registries. The NECC and the contributing members of the Cochrane collaboration are the only organizations undertaking the systematic work of identifying published reports of RCTs and CCTs. The NECC is therefore uniquely qualified to provide expert advice to NLM regarding published randomized and controlled clinical trials in the shortest possible time frame and at the least cost. This notice of intent is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ) nor is an RFQ available. See Number Note 22. ***** Posted 08/18/98 (W-SN238366). (0230)

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