R -- PROCUREMENT OF THE USP DI VOLUME II FOR ACCESS THROUGH NLM INTERNET SITE

Notice Date

March 1, 2001

Contracting Office

National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20894

ZIP Code

20894

Solicitation Number

NLM 01-076/UHP

Response Due

March 19, 2001

Point of Contact

Uyen H. Phuong (301) 496-6127

E-Mail Address

karen_riggs@nlm.nih.gov (uyen_phuong@nlm.nih.gov)

Description

It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure on a sole source basis from Micromedex Inc., Englewood, Colorado, the United States Pharmacopoeia Drug Index (USP DI) Volume II -- Advice for the Patient for use by consumers through Medlineplus, an NLM Internet site. This procurement will be for a one-year base period with two successive one-year option periods. The NLM is developing and managing Medlineplus, an easily understandable World Wide Web resource to assist consumers in obtaining the information needed to make informed decision about health care. Medlineplus links to MEDLINE, the world's largest database of peer-reviewed information, as well as to self-help groups, the NIH consumer health information site, clearinghouses, health-related organizations, and clinical trials. In addition to general health topics, Medlineplus provides access to extensive, authoritative information about specific diseases and conditions ("Health Topics"). The site which, is continuously expanded, includes comprehensive and cutting-edge information on hundreds of diseases and conditions. The purpose of this procurement is to assure continued access to the authoritative, consumer-oriented drug information provided in the USP DI Volume II, Advice for the Patient needed to complement other information available on this web site. The USP is the organization that sets the official standards of strength, quality, purity, packaging and labeling for medical products used in the United States. Congress has recognized the USP and the National Formulary as the official U.S. compendia for standards for drugs and for the inactive ingredients in drug dosage forms. The USP DI is the unquestioned American source for independent, authoritative information on drugs marketed in the United States and Canada. Volume I of the USP DI, contains drug use information in technical language for the professional health care provider (e.g. physicians, pharmacists, nurses, etc.). Volume II, the product which the NLM intends to procure, is its lay language counterpart for use by consumers. Micromedex, Inc. has been given exclusive rights to market the USP DI, and the product is available only from that source. The proposed acquisition will be procured under FAR Part 12 -- Acquisition of Commercial Items. This is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide the USP DI Volume II as specified above. Responses must be in writing and must be received in this office within fifteen (15) calendar days from publication date of this notice, and must include pricing information and meet the criteria requirement. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to the National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38A, Room B1N20, Bethesda, Maryland 20894, Attention: Uyen H. Phuong, Lead Purchasing Agent, on (301) 496-6127. Fax requests WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010302/RSOL001.HTM (W-059 SN50E927)