Inactive

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION INTRODUCTION This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposal, o... REQUEST FOR INFORMATION INTRODUCTION This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposal, or Request for Quotations. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract, nor do they affect a potential Offeror’s ability to respond to any future synopsis/solicitation, which may or may not follow or restrict the U.S. Government’s eventual acquisition approach. Additionally, the U.S. Government will not provide reimbursement for any information that may be submitted in response to this notice. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this notice. Interested vendors responding to this request for information should provide white papers that address all components of this requirement. Respondents will not be notified of any results derived from a review of the information provided. However, information gathered may be utilized for technical and acquisition purposes. Time permitting and depending upon the information received individual vendors may be contacted for product demonstration. The U.S. Government will not pay for any costs associated with such demonstration(s) of any software products. BACKGROUND The mission of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers. ACL programs support strong State, Tribal, and local community networks designed to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities, older Americans, and their families through advocacy, systems change and capacity building to ensure access to needed community services, individualized supports. ACL programs also provide other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life. Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the federal focal point on matters concerning older persons. Although older individuals may receive services under many other federal programs, the OAA is a major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 state agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 Tribal organizations, and 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes. The OAA also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities. The Office of Performance and Evaluation (OPE) coordinates data collection and analysis activities such as developing an integrated data collection strategy including: overseeing OAA performance data systems; informing programmatic decisions about performance data including what data, how to collect the data, ensuring data quality, recommending analyses, defining data standards; managing and disseminating existing ACL data to ensure relevance and utilization; meeting the legislative needs of the agency (e.g., budget justifications); and developing a comprehensive ACL performance management plan. OPE staff also oversee process and outcome evaluations of ACL programs working closely with contractors to conduct evaluability assessments, develop feasible evaluation designs, collect and analyze data, work with program stakeholders, disseminate results. Data dissemination includes a range of print and virtual materials as well as webinars, conference presentations and provision of the data portal “Aging, Independence, and Disability Program Data Portal” (www.AGID.ACL.Gov). In 2020, ACL awarded a 9-month study to a small business to conduct research on unmet needs within the aging network. This study was a systematic and comprehensive literature review that explored predictors of service use and non-use and challenges and barriers to accessing services among older adults with need. It also examined definitions of need/unmet need for support services for older adults and for similar programs and populations that may be relevant, and methods for quantifying unmet need for support services for older adults and other similar or related services. ACL also awarded a 12-month study examining the value of volunteering to augment OAA services. In 2022, ACL is interested in awarding a contract to a small business to conduct research on a priority topic or issue related to aging outcomes, programs, and services for older adults. This research will have a quick turn-around and should be conducted over a 12-month period to meet ACL information needs and support ACL small business goals. The research should be appropriate and relevant for the identified topic and issue and can include literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, secondary analysis, meta-analyses, and research agendas. ACL/OPE is conducting this market survey to gather information on potential small businesses who have an interest as well as the capability and capacity to conduct this research and generate important knowledge in one of several research areas of interest. OBJECTIVE The objective for this RFI is to gather industry information from small businesses on field-initiated approaches and strategies to conduct quick turn-around research on priority topics identified by ACL. ACL has a priority interest in research focusing on caregiving. Through this research, ACL plans to generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge and expertise to inform policy or programmatic activities and decisions. The research will also help to inform future research and funding actions that focus on examining and improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of outcomes and services for older adults. The Offeror should demonstrate the ability, capability and capacity to conduct rigorous, quick turn-around research and develop high quality products on the identified topic. The contractor will undertake a variety of activities including, but not limited to: Literature reviews and environmental scans Annotated bibliographies Meta-analyses Research agendas Secondary data analyses Primary research studies Identification of promising practices Drafting research plans and evaluation designs Drafting and testing collection tools Designing sampling plans The ACL research topics of interest for the research are below: Topic #1: Caregiving of Older Adults within and across Diverse Sub-groups and populations This research study should examine the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that inform caregiving of older adults within and across diverse sub-groups and populations (e.g. race/ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic levels). Research on caregiving is a priority area for ACL. What are the attitudes and perceptions about caregiving for older adults within and across different sub-groups and populations? What are the behaviors regarding perceptions about caregiving within and across different sub-groups and populations? What other factors influence caregiving of older adults within and across diverse sub-groups and populations? How do these factors impact outcomes for older adults and their caregivers? How can ACL use this information to inform programmatic, policy, and funding decisions? How can ACL share this information better among its grantees and the field? Topic #2: Formal and Informal Caregiving of Older Adults This research study should exploree types of informal and formal caregiving available for older adults, their value, features, similarities, and differences. ACL has a strong interest in research focusing on caregiving. What are the different types of informal and formal caregiving available for older adults? What types of caregiving do certain sub-groups or populations lean towards? When and why? What factors influence informal and formal caregiving and how do these factors differ across sub-groups and populations? What are the characteristics of formal and informal caregivers and how do they differ, if at all, across caregiver type? What are some special issues and considerations that ACL needs to examine regarding the similarities, differences, and overlap between formal and informal caregiving of older adults? Topic #3: Using Technology to Improve Access to Services for Older Adults This research should focus on how technology can reduce and/or exacerbate service access for older adults. How can technology enhance the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of older adults in terms of understanding, accessing, and utilizing aging services? What types of technology are most helpful and useful in supporting older adults with accessing and utilizing aging services? How can ACL better support and empower older adults and service providers in viewing and using technology as a supportive tool and resource? Topic #4: Enhancing Technical Assistance for ACL OAA Grantees This research should identify strategies and best practices for enhancing technical assistance for ACL OAA grant programs and grantees. Given a need to utilize technical assistance resources more creatively and efficiently, ACL is interested in better understanding strategies and approaches that will help provide more equitable, high quality, and useful technical assistance within and across aging grantee programs and grantees. What processes and practices can ACL develop to facilitate this goal? What tools and resources can ACL create to support this effort? Finally, what dissemination products and information can ACL develop to inform and educate ACL grantees and staff in developing more equitable technical assistance across aging programs and grantees? Topic #5: Addressing Follow-up Recommendations from ACL Completed Program Evaluations and Studies ACL has completed a number of program evaluations and studies in recent years. The Offeror can review the final summary reports from these evaluations and studies to identify recommendations for additional research to address specific gaps in knowledge and or to facilitate the implementation of the evaluation recommendations. The ACL completed program evaluations and studies can be found on the “ACL Program Evaluations and Reports” webpage under the “Completed Evaluations and Studies” section at: https://acl.gov/programs/program-evaluations-and-reports. Some of the completed evaluations and studies include the following: The Caregiver Outcome Evaluation Study of the National Family Caregiver Support Program Evaluation of Home and Community-Based Services for Older American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians (Title VI Programs) Tribal Ombudsman Case Study Title VI and Title III Grantee Collaboration Study Evaluation of Title III-C Elderly Nutrition Services Program (ENSP) Evaluability Assessment of the American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs (Title VI) Evaluation of the Ombudsman Program of the Older Americans Act Process Evaluation of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program (CDSME) SCOPE ACL anticipates that the range of tasks under this contract will focus on three primary areas: 1) conducting research and producing findings; 2) presenting the findings to ACL leadership and staff; and 3) creating brief dissemination products on key findings that can be shared with ACL leadership, staff, and stakeholders. The success of the project will require effective planning, ongoing project management, excellent interviewing skills, critical skills in reviewing and synthesizing information, and strong writing, dissemination and presentation skills and experience. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The technical requirements of the contract will include the following: Conduct project planning and management Establish a shared understanding of project goals and objectives Develop a detailed work plan that specifies all project activities, deliverables, and timelines Communicate frequently via regular meetings and email and phone as necessary Provide summary notes for meetings Develop research plan that includes all relevant and necessary activities to conduct the research Literature review focusing on the background and importance of identified topic Scope of the work to be conducted such, but not limited to the research questions, hypotheses, data sources and data availability Methods and approach to conducting the work Plan for analysis Conduct the research on the identified topic Complete all activities described above of the research study and plan Prepare a summary report and briefing Establish consensus on format for report and develop an outline Share initial findings and synthesis of the research w in draft report Present and discuss research findings in briefing to ACL Produce final report incorporating feedback from ACL on draft report and briefing Develop brief products from key findings for ACL staff, grantees and stakeholders Identify three topics for potential brief dissemination products and resources to highlight important findings from the research Develop two dissemination products on the findings from the final research findings Recommend three subsequent research studies that ACL should consider based on the research findings INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO RFI Responses to this RFI should include a Statement of Qualifications/Capabilities Statement package as the cover letter. The cover letter must cite the following information at a minimum: (1) Response to RFI Number; (2) Organization Name, Address, Contact Person Information; (3) Organization’s DUNS Number; (4) Business Size and Size Standard/Classification; and (5) Applicable GSA Schedule contract number or other available procurement vehicle. Please identify your size classification relative to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 5419 for this requirement. Include whether or not you are a small business; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small business; women-owned small business; or small disadvantaged business in order to assist the government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Please note that the collection of this data does not obligate the U.S. Government to the incorporation of the solicited comments in any future procurement action nor does it obligate the Government to the procurement of any services or products related to this RFI. Proprietary information should not be included in the RFI response. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Interested parties shall provide information addressing the following questions and statements in their white paper responding to this RFI: Please describe your experience and expertise in conducting research studies, both qualitative and quantitative research studies. Describe the types and outcomes of the research studies have you conducted previously. Please describe your organization’s knowledge of the proposed topic for this research. Do you have any current or prior work related to this topic? What methods, strategies, and approaches did you undertake in conducting this current or prior research? Please share your proposed approach and plan, research questions, methods, data sources and products, plans for analysis, and other components and issues necessary to complete the identified research study. Please describe any innovations, and promising practices you plan to provide to meet specifications described for this project. Explain your plan for bringing together a skilled and quality team to conduct the research. Please describe the specific research skills, experiences, and capabilities possessed to complete this project successfully. What differentiates your organization from other organizations, and how will that increase value to this project? Information provided in response to this RFI must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist no later than 15 calendar days from the date of posting, in the form of a “white paper.” Responses should be limited to not more than 12 single spaced pages exclusive of marketing slicks or published information available at time of release of the RFI request. We request electronic responses only. E-mail a copy of all response files to Contract Specialist at: anne.mineweaser@psc.hhs.gov Responses to this RFI shall be submitted via email to: anne.mineweaser@psc.hhs.gov no later than July 28, 2021 by 5:00PM EST.