R -- TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: THE NATIONAL TREATMENT PLAN INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Notice Date

July 24, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, Program Support Center, Division of Acquisition Management, Parklawn Building Room 5-101 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20857

ZIP Code

20857

Solicitation Number

01M008927

Response Due

August 2, 2001

Point of Contact

Joe Pirrone, Contracting Officer, Phone 301-443-4852, Fax 301-443-3238, Email jpirrone@psc.gov -- Nora Tyson, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-443-5229, Fax 301-443-3238, Email ntyson@psc.gov

Description

If you have any questions regarding this order, please contact Nora V. Tyson at (301)443-5229. Professional Service Contract Title: Technical Assistance for Implementation of Changing the Conversation: The National Treatment Plan Initiative to Improve Substance Abuse Treatment The Agency for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) through the Program Support Center, General Acquisition Branch, plans to award a sole source simplified acquisition to Leslie Scallet. The anticipated date of award is August 6, 2001. The purpose of this procurement order shall support the provision of technical assistance to the Center for Substance Abuse and Treatment (CSAT). This assistance will aid CSAT staff charged with implementing initiatives outlined in Changing the conversation: The National Treatment Plan Initiative to Improve Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center's work plan and strategy for improving substance abuse treatment. Background: In 1992, the Congress created the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to improve the Federal government's ability to make treatment and recovery services for alcohol and drug problems widely available to all Americans who need them. Research has shown that treatment helps to decrease substance abuse substantially. In the late 1990s, it was estimated that between 13 million and 16 million people in the United States needed treatment for in any given year, but less than one-quarter of those individuals received care. As the lead federal entity responsible for substance abuse treatment, CSAT is committed to improving access to quality substance abuse treatment. In the fall of 1998, the Center for Substance Abuse and Treatment began the National Treatment Plan Initiative to create consensus within the substance abuse treatment community about how best to improve substance abuse treatment availability and quality, and to implement a plan to achieve the desired change. Through extensive examination of relevant research and past efforts, active solicitation of public comment, reports, consultation and discussion, five panels of experts in the field of substance abuse treatment developed a report containing recommendations for key stakeholders to pursue. The report, Changing the Conversation, contains recommendations in five key areas/domains: I Closing the Treatment Gap II Reducing Stigma and Changing Attitudes III Improving and Strengthening Treatment Systems IV Connecting Services and Research V Addressing Workforce Issues To address recommendations directed toward CSAT, the Center has created a National Treatment Plan Coordinator position and an internal committee for each of the key areas. This purchase order is intended to assist CSAT staff in implementing the recommendations. All reports, statistics, or tables produced under this project shall be the property of the Federal government, which includes the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA or CSAT may utilize, print, or disseminate such material without further charge. The procurement order should include a provision which will prohibit the Contractor from publicizing or disseminating information without the prior written approval of the Project Officer. Statement of Work: A. General Requirements: 1. The Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment and facilities (not otherwise provided by the Government under the terms of this procurement order) to perform the tasks set forth. 2. All work under this procurement order shall be monitored by the Project Officer. B. Specific Tasks: Task 1 -- Meet with CSAT leadership, on a bi-monthly basis (on average) or more frequently as requested by the PO, to develop plans for further NTP initiatives and provide advice on the prioritization and direction of ongoing NTP dissemination and implementation projects, both internal and external to CSAT. Task 2 -- Provide Technical Assistance The Contractor shall provide technical assistance to the NTP Coordinator, other NTP staff, and NTP committees as they implement recommendations outlined in the National Treatment Plan Initiative. The form of assistance will likely vary depending on the nature of the NTP recommendation being addressed. The types of tasks that the contractor may be asked to complete include: Subtask 2.1 Lead expert panels and focus groups with stakeholders in the substance abuse community; Subtask 2.2 Provide technical advice to CSAT committees and offices to assist in the implementation of NTP recommendations; Subtask 2.3 Conduct meetings or telephone interviews with individuals in the substance abuse treatment field or related fields. Subtask 2.4 Provide written summaries of activities undertaken under this task, including appropriate recommendations for next steps. Task 3 -- Special Reports or Papers At the request of the Project Officer the Contractor shall prepare up to 4 special reports, papers, or other documents such as training materials for use in conjunction with the dissemination and implementation of the NTP. Approximately half of the total amount of the procurement order will be devoted to this task. The Project Officer and the Contractor will jointly agree on each topic and scope of work. The Project Officer will propose topics and requirements for these reports, papers or documents such as purpose of document, intended audience and use, style/format, length, deliverables, schedule, and an outline of material to be covered, as appropriate. The Contractor shall then prepare a brief plan describing how the project will be conducted, including the use of any consultants needed for specific expertise, along with the schedule of deliverables. Following approval of each plan by the Project Officer, the Project Officer as appropriate, will provide the Contractor with any reference materials to be used by the Contractor or consultant in the preparation of the assigned reports, papers, or documents. The Contractor shall have procedures and policies in place to enable the Contractor to retain consultants on short notice and to pay the consultants in accordance with the schedule of deliverables. The Contractor shall negotiate a daily rate with any proposed consultants on a per assignment basis. This rate should not exceed $500 per day unless the Contractor requests an exception and can document an approved Federal rate for the consultant for similar work and this rate is approved by the Contracting officer. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that requested material is submitted in accordance with the specified schedule of deliverables. The Project Officer shall be responsible for reviewing deliverables, providing substantive feedback and for approving final documents. Delivery Schedule: The Contractor shall provide services in accordance with the schedule set forth below: Schedule of Deliverables: Task 1 -- Develop plans: Draft Workplan Due Date -- 1 month after date of award Revise Workplan Due Date -- 6 months after date of award Task 2 Provide Technical Assistance: (sub 2.1-2.4) Written Summaries -- 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from date of award Special reports or papers (3) (TBD: Schedule and report total for each assigned report) Plan -- 10% of report total Draft document -- 60% of report total Final document -- 30% of report total The proposed simplified acquisition is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of far 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest by responding to the requirement within 10 days after the date of publication of this notice. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed simplified acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No solicitation is available. For further information, please contact Nora Tyson in Rm. 5C-03, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20857 or on 301-443-8826.

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010726/RSOL018.HTM (D-205 SN50S855)