Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Contracts Management Staff, Executive Office Center, Suite 601, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852

A -- ACCELERATING THE CYCLE OF RESEARCH THROUGH A NETWORK OF INTEGRATED DELIVERY SYSTEMS SOL AHCPR-99-0011 POC Darryl Grant, Contracting Officer, 301-594-7189 WEB: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, www.ahcpr.gov. E-MAIL: Darryl Grant, Contracting Officer, dgrant@ahcpr.gov. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is soliciting proposals for a task order contract to conduct research in targeted areas throughout the research cycle. It is expected that multiple awards will be made under this requirement. At least one award is targeted for small businesses, contingent upon submission of an acceptable technical and cost proposal and if the Government determines it to be in their best interest to make such an award. The SIC Code for this requirement is 8733 ($5.0 million). This requirement consists of conducting research in targeted areas throughout the research cycle, which consists of: needs assessment, knowledge development, translation and implementation, and evaluation. The rapid growth and evolution of managed care has challenged AHCPR to develop more innovative and timely ways of conducting research and to improve dissemination and implementation of research results. Given these environmental forces, AHCPR seeks to enhance existing mechanisms for conducting research and implementing results in order to accelerate the cycle of research (see AHCPR's strategic plan at http://www.ahcpr.gov/about/stratpln.htm). Through this initiative, AHCPR seeks to develop a research network of integrated delivery systems (referred to herein after as the Integrated Delivery System Research Network, or IDSRN) capable of conducting rigorous and timely research in key substantive areas, either independently or in collaboration with other research organizations. We define integrated delivery systems (IDS) as any organization or entity that: a) collects or maintains encounter-level data on a defined population whose care is managed using the financial and organizational strategies traditionally associated with "managed care." b) includes a network of providers (e.g., physician groups, hospitals), or is able to work closely with one or more network of providers, to conduct research in a variety of substantive areas, particularly how best to translate research findings into practice. This definition of IDS's includes: 1) hospital-based integrated delivery systems or large physician group accepting responsibility for the delivery of care for a defined population; 2) managed care plans or self-insured employers that work closely with a network, or several networks, of provider, and 3) other specialized organizations that manage the care of a defined population or persons with certain conditions (e.g., specialty "carve-out" or disease management firms). Consortia of IDS's will be encouraged to apply. A consortia of IDS's can be comprised of: a) state or regional offices of national health plans, hospital-based integrated delivery systems, or medical groups, or b) IDS's under different ownership, and not part of the same national organization, but agreeing to collaborate on Task Order issued under this RFC. Types of research that could be conducted under this contract include: a) descriptive studies of the prevalence and nature of clinical, technological, and organizational innovations and interventions; b) evaluation, cost, and feasibility studies of existing enrollment and encounter-level data to conduct particular kinds of health services research; and c) analytic and evaluation studies in targeted substantive variety of areas, including health outcomes, quality measurement and improvement, practice and technology assessment, and organization and delivery. AHCPR recognizes that IDS may not have the necessary expertise and experience to conduct research in all of these areas, therefore, they will be asked to identify those areas in which they are most capable. Anticipated products from this contract consist primarily of research reports. However, products may also include meetings, or educational materials and tools. Sources must have an understanding of AHCPR and federal contracting and reimbursement policies and regulations. Sources must also have the research capacity to conduct a range of research expeditiously. This includes high quality encounter-level data that can be combined with existing or newly collected data for purposes of research, a governance structure for working with strategic planning and operations leaders of the IDS's in order to capitalize on research opportunities (e.g., "natural experiments"), and professional research staff capable of conducting research expeditiously, either internally or through sub-contracting arrangements with other research organizations (e.g., universities, academic health centers). Familiarity with a range of study designs and methods (qualitative and quantitative) is also necessary. The contract period of performance is expected to be three (3) years. The estimated issue date of the RFP will be approximately July 15, 1999, with proposals due 45 days thereafter. Requests for copies of the solicitation shall be forwarded to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Attn: Darryl Grant, Division of Contracts Management, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 601, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone requests will not be honored; all requests must be submitted in writing. Faxed requests may be sent to (301) 443-7523. Posted 06/25/99 (W-SN347251). (0176)

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