Inactive

Request for Information (RFI) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this RFI in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). The agency does not intend to award a contract but rather gather information... Request for Information (RFI) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this RFI in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). The agency does not intend to award a contract but rather gather information on capability, delivery and other market information pertinent for acquisition planning. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement and identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the following: The Office of Data Governance and Analytics (DGA), within the Office of Enterprise Integration (OEI), is responsible for leading VA data stewardship and governance and providing capstone population level analytics services, coordination, and oversight. To achieve that mission, DGA has several key functions, roles, and responsibilities. DGA is driving VA use of data as a strategic asset and implementation of the VA Data Strategy and Roadmap and the VA Enterprise Information Model (EIM). The Executive Director, DGA is also the VA Chief Data Officer (CDO). The CDO chairs the Data Governance Council and is responsible for enterprise data policy, processes, and oversight. VA is ensuring clinical, practice management, analytic, and operational systems are functional, with a secure unified person-centered data model under VA data management policy and strategy. VA seeks to improve centrally led data management and establish infrastructure requirements necessary to support modern data management and analytics capabilities, to include the production and reuse of trusted data objects. The VA Data Strategy has five goals: Stewardship, Analytics, Technology, People, and Governance. This IDIQ is divided into tasks that will advance one or more of these areas. All tasks and deliverables support the implementation of evidence-based policymaking capabilities. SCOPE OF WORK DGA seeks support in the following areas: program and project management; data analytics and visualizations; change management; performance frameworks; strategic communications; technical and programmatic assessment; requirements analysis; metadata management; data quality; data curation and enrichment; data validation; master data services; applications and analytics; and data governance. This work is instrumental in helping VA establish a persistent, integrated set of enterprise capabilities to be used as a core support for VA s data management and data integration requirements associated with planning, implementation, and quality assurance of VA s Electronic Health Record Modernization, Financial Management System Modernization, and the Supply Chain and Logistics Management modernization efforts. The VA Data Strategy and Roadmap provides the umbrella that will enable integration of these major systems and ensure that the VA s future state data environment and data management capabilities are postured to support evidence-based policymaking. Policy decisions should be based on, or informed by, rigorously established objective evidence. OMB defines four types of evidence: Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, Foundational Fact Finding, and Performance Measurement. These types of evidence shall be utilized in all tasks below. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE TBD GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Contract Type The contract will be Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity. TASKS AND DELIVERABLES STEWARDSHIP Task 1: Metadata Management Lead the review, prioritization, validation, and subsequent management of metadata dimension reconciliation, as they relate to clinical, operational, KAQ requirements, and the VA CIM. Capture, document, and sustain metadata structures (tables, fields, definitions, data types, and data lengths) in an automated tool so that structures can be dynamically updated, and previous versions referenced. Using trusted and curated data, establish and maintain a VA Enterprise Data Catalogue, accessible to end-users and linked to the VA Enterprise Data Management Dashboard. Identify opportunities for improving the coherence of the underlying terminologies and data representations in a manner that reduces system complexity and is consistent with HRO principle Deliverables: Metadata captured and sustained in automated tool Enterprise Data Catalogue. Data Catalogue will be managed and maintained in Option Period. Document identifying recommendations for improvement Task 2: Data Quality Establish and manage the VA Data Quality assessment process Task 2A: Establish and manage VA clinical data quality rules, leveraging those established and present in Millennium as the baseline requirement. Task 2B: Apply data quality rules in an automated process and report results to VA leadership via the VA Enterprise Data Management Dashboard. Perform descriptive and predictive analytics on the results of the data quality rules execution, identify data quality issues and trends, communicate causality, and propose recommendations for remediation. Identify issues with forms, data structures, and other representations that may lead to systematic data quality errors Identify gaps in the system s ability to recognize equivalence for the purpose of decision support and analytic reporting Task 2C: Provide detailed and quantitative reports of stark deviations (debilitating), variance (impeding), and full compliance (perfect) of data elements at key enforcement points through the pipeline, from source to consuming destination. Deliverables: Task 2A: Creation, implementation, and management of data quality rules Task 2B: Descriptive and predictive analytics on the results of the implemented data quality rules, including issues, trends, causality, risks, and mitigation. Identification of forms, data structures, or other representations that may lead to systematic data quality issues, as well as gaps in systems ability to recognize equivalence. Task 2C: Prior to implementation, bi-weekly reports on status of data quality rules. Once implemented, bi-weekly reports containing analytics, errors, trends, gaps, etc., as well as stark deviations (debilitating), variance (impeding), and full compliance (perfect) of data elements at key enforcement points through the pipeline, from source to consuming destination. Task 3: Data Validation Establish and manage data quality health check process that supports an automated review of the output from the data enrichment service, applying evidence-based cleansing routines. Deliverables: Data quality health check process and implementation Task 4: Paperwork Reduction Act Under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, Paperwork Reduction Act activities moved to the Chief Data Officer. The contractor will assist in the development and refinement of VA s PRA processes, as well as implementation of PRA activities. DGA requires support in training VA staff, tracking Information Collection Requests (ICRs), reviewing ICRs, and coordinating ICR renewals. Deliverables: Prepare and deliver training to VA personnel to inform them of compliance requirements Extract data about, preparing reports on, and tracking the status of expired, due, and forthcoming information collection requests (ICRs) Review information collection requests to determine if they comply with requirements, conflict with existing information collection requests, and/or require modifications Support engagement with VA staff who own information collection requests to coordinate renewals of ICRs as required Work with intra- and interagency partners and OMB subject matter experts to integrate best practices from other agencies where PRA is well implemented with the goal to drive mission value and establish and promulgate VA PRA ICR policies. Develop and review policy, directives, standards, processes, and governance for VA information domains and provide any recommendations to the VA program SME, data steward, or appropriate representative Build and maintain a PRA database that completes the required metadata according to prioritization of the PRA ICR process ANALYTICS Task 5: Data Analytics and Visualizations Using VA-provided data management and data analytics tools, the contractor shall perform data analytics in support of projects addressing Key Analytic Questions sponsored and approved by the VA Data Governance Council. Analytics and visualizations will be used to support framework processes, KAQs, and key metrics VA intended to be used to realize value by operationalizing the North Star. Analytics may be aligned to support functional, mission execution, service delivery, product development, data quality and integrity or data interoperability. The vendor will create visualizations, dashboards, and reports that are accessible to VA Leaders, clinicians, and analysts. The vendor will be responsible for providing in progress briefings and peer reviews and incorporating feedback to ensure end-products and visualizations meet the needs and expectations of customers and stakeholders. Analytics and visualizations will be in support of evidence based policymaking and operational support and rely on one or more of the four evidence activities defined by OMB. The vendor will provide Overlay Services and establish and implement the non-functional administrative tools that provide instrumentation and oversight to syndication pipelines, including model coherency, valid-value assertion, audit and access control, and operational KPIs. The vendor will also support the development of Operational Decision Support materials, reports, and leading indicators from identified KAQs that result in accessible visualizations and decision support workflows. The vendor will also inform the Open Data Initiative which enables analytic results and data to be posted at VA s open data website (www.va.gov/data) so researchers, academia, and entrepreneurs can mine the data and build new products and services to improve Veterans and their supporter s lives. The contractor is expected to provide senior data scientists to create data stories by utilizing protected and nonprotected data sets for the analysis and visualizations, using several tools such as maps, business intelligence, and using different analytical methods. Deliverables: 5A: Dashboards to provide a range of operational decision support and evidence building 5B: Development, modifications, and enhancement of coding language (e.g., Java, Python, R, SQL), in support of advanced analytics 5C. Descriptive and Statistical analysis 5D: Dynamic Visualizations based on KAQs 5E: Overlay Services and Operational Decision Support Visualizations 5F: Open Data support 5G: NCVAS webpage development 5H: Creation of data stories TECHNOLOGY Task 6: Performance Frameworks The vendor will have demonstrated VA experience and expert knowledge of EHR challenges, CIO and CDO authorities, large scale government transformation, and the demonstrated ability to operate and gain confidence with senior government executives in complex organizations (distributed, decentralized) resistant to change, and in particular, enterprise integration. Familiarity with the Evidence Act, CMMI, High Reliability Organizations (HRO), and health informatics is needed. Evidence activities shall be considered in all deliverables. The vendor will establish a performance and metrics framework that aligns to the VA Enterprise Information Model (EIM), Veteran Information Model (VIM), Business Information Model (BIM), and establish a prototype approach for business case development that enables: Line of sight view/traceability of VA resources required to deliver VA products and services (Budget, Contracts, Human Capital, Information Technology, Supply Chain/Facilities) and the relationship to health care delivery and data management Quantification of the impact VA products and services have on Veteran outcomes Identification of business data quality issues Understanding of the level of alignment of investments and Veteran outcomes to legislative requirements and VA policies, strategic objectives, and priorities Deliverables: 6A: Business Case framework and methodology 6B: Metrics and measures that trace data quality to VA products and Veteran outcomes 6C: Performance and metrics framework supporting alignment of VA EIM, VIM, BIM, and VA Products, Services, and Veteran Outcomes 6D: CDO Value Chain, Performance Measures, and Performance Tracking Task 7: Requirements Analysis Conduct data architecture, knowledge architecture and semantic interoperability-based evaluations on priority data sources and repositories within VA to assess the readiness of data to support HRO tenets (e.g., zero patient harm, culture of learning). Organize and manage the identification and prioritization of data syndication gaps at facilities that have migrated to Cerner Millennium. This includes: Task 7A: Facilitate identification of priority data, data sets, and key data elements and attributes Recommend data priorities to Leadership and the Data Team that relates to and harmonizes: veteran experience, provider experience, local through enterprise reporting, HRO deployment. Task 7B: Identify gaps in the system s ability to respond to unmet ability to represent clinically significant concepts Evaluations will focus on the impact data structure, model, and elements has on VA's ability to develop and disseminate standardized clinical knowledge (e.g., clinical practices guidelines) throughout the health IT enterprise Evaluations will be focused on data concepts, and related to, areas of care critical to VA's mission and needs (e.g., pandemic response, care in the community) Understand and mitigate potential issues with clinical, operational, analytical, and reporting requirements that might impede clinical, operational, analytical, and reporting requirements (with a detailed description of that impediment, and remediation). Task 7C Establish KAQs that emerge from an analysis, alignment, and aggregation of analytic and reporting requirements. Task 7D: Identify opportunities for Semantic translation and information presentation that facilitates clinical understanding and improved reporting and/or analytics Develop process and recommendation for enterprise-wide analytic and reporting models that support harmonization of facility and VISN-level data analytics requirements. Identify opportunities for improving syndromic surveillance and the ability to respond to public health emergencies such as COVID-19 in an efficient and effective manner Deliverables: Task 7A: Data Priorities template to support Clinical Team prioritization inventory In the option period, the Data Priorities template will be revised to include new information, best practices, and additional requirements of similar scope as identified by the program office. Task 7B: Bi-weekly evaluation report that is updated on an ongoing basis that includes gaps in system abilities. Evaluations will include VA s ability to develop and disseminate standardized clinical knowledge and focus on data concepts and areas critical to VA s mission, as well as risks and mitigation strategies. Task 7C: KAQs that will inform the process and recommendations for analytics and reporting models. Task 7D: Process and recommendation for analytic and reporting models, including opportunities for both Semantic translation and for improving syndromic surveillance. Task 8: Data Curation and Enrichment Using an evidence-based policy framework, establish, implement, and supervise the processes necessary to generate trusted and refined data through the profiling, enrichment, and validation of raw data necessary for clinical, operational, and KAQ requirements. Establish a data profiling service that profiles raw data and generates descriptive statistics (and, as appropriate, metatags) for each of the data sources Develop, deploy, and manage the assessment of data enrichment services provided by the OEHRM and Office of Information and Technology. Deliverables: Data profiling service. Profiling service will be managed, maintained, and updated in Option Period. Assessment of data enrichment services Task 9: Master Data Services Establish, implement, and manage the process for creating, designating, and making accessible, golden records from the Data Validation Service. Deliverables: Create and implement process for establishing and managing golden records. Process will be refined and managed in Option Period. PEOPLE Task 10: Change Management The vendor will develop tailored change management strategies and provide practical advice to support improving, iteratively modifying, and executing the VA Data Strategy Implementation Roadmap, through the lens of EHR implementation and rollout. Develop and propose methods for aligning CIO and CDO interests and objectives for data; information management; and IT systems policies, operating models and practices. Deliverables: Develop a value proposition demonstrating benefits to other organizations, including buy-in strategies Change Management and engagement plan, supporting: o VA Data Strategy o Data Strategy Implementation Roadmap o VA Common Information Model development and implementation o To-be Data and Analytics System Architecture Task 11: Strategic Communications The contractor shall provide an expert review of leadership s communications requirements and deliver a comprehensive communication strategy, key messages, and materials to support internal and external messaging to drive and reinforce partnerships and alignment. Stakeholder engagement, actionable objectives, development and prioritization of strategies and tactics, as well as metrics, timeframes, and responsibilities Strategic communications for the EIM, data syndication, data sharing and access, KAQs, use cases, and other tasks of the SECVA Data Team Communication and change management with VA and VHA stakeholders. Deliverables: 11A: Stakeholder Analysis and Strategic Messaging Proposals 11B: Quarterly Communications Plan 11C: Monthly Communications Targets 11D: Weekly Communications Products Governance Task 12: Data Governance VA seeks to channel data-driven decisions through a single governance body, incorporating stakeholder inputs and ensuring that good management discipline is applied, and risk management is rigorous. VA is using continuous learning and risk mitigation techniques to achieve timely actions and decisions, ensure patient safety and improve the Veteran experience. A priority moving forward includes that governance, performance, and risk management, reporting and analytics and decision-making activities are made in coordination and through a unified voice. Data Governance helps the organization achieve strong participation in decision-making for all activities related to data. This practice sets forth the data governance program and structure to achieve consistency in data management activities in VA. The vendor shall support development of data management policy, guidance, and standards. Additionally, the vendor will support 1) conduct of an enterprise data maturity assessment, 2) delivering a report and briefing on the results, and 3) executing workforce development activities to prepare the organization to conduct future maturity assessments. The VA Data Strategy Roadmap focuses on developing, strengthening, and enhancing the enterprise data management program to increase VA s data maturity at all organizational levels. The Contractor shall support up the implementation of the Data Strategy and Implementation Roadmap, to include alignment and integration of OEHRM over the period of performance. The vendor will also support the creation of the FY23-24 Implementation Plan and the full alignment of EHR data and analytic plans and capabilities into the VA Data and Analytic Segment Architecture and Product Line efforts. The vendor will also provide facilitation support to Five Working Groups, aligned to the VA Data Strategy Goals. The Working groups will be established under the authority of the Data Governance Council (DGC). The contractor shall facilitate working group meetings, coordinate meeting times, develop meeting materials, provide meeting minutes and/or after-action reports, and track all action items. The contractor shall also ensure coordination among the various working groups so that information is shared between them in a timely manner, as well as between the working groups and the Data Team and/or Data Governance Council. The facilitation team will support the following Workgroups: Goal 1 Working Group: Stewardship Clarify Data Steward Responsibilities for Internal Data Sharing for Enterprise-use Develop and Document the physical security requirements for each data type implicated by Goal 2 Workgroup Goal 2 Working Group: Analytics Create Key Analytic Questions focused on Business Function and Delivery of Business Services Consolidate analytic requirements in the form of Key Analytic Questions Goal 3 Working Group: Technology Align VA Enterprise Information Model (EIM) and current VA Data Concepts Develop Logical Data Model Goal 4 Working Group: People Define options for driving efficient and effective organizational structures and personnel assignments to support future-state data and analytics requirements Goal 5 Working Group: Governance Codified data sharing and data access processes Development of data standards for each EIM data domain Federated data management and accountability process maps and workflows Deliverables: Task 12A: DGC Support Meeting agendas, facilitation services, minutes, after action reports Tracking action item tracking, status reporting, and dashboard input maintenance Maintain the VA Enterprise Data Management Performance Dashboard and present data quality and data management performance briefings to the DGC and VA Leadership Communicate data standards and national level program policies and procedures to the DGC membership and Data Stewards Task 12B: Monthly Reports Monthly Data Strategy Implementation Report Enterprise Data Management Monthly Compliance Report Task 12C: Policy Review data policy, directives, standards, processes, and governance for VA information domains and provide recommendations to improve accountability and adherence to data policies, standards, and quality improvement efforts. Develop Data Governance and Data Management Directives, Handbooks, and SOPs Propose compliance and oversight mechanisms and processes for driving compliance and accountability for data policies and standards. Develop enterprise standards, methods, and workflows to ensure accountability, accessibility, and quality of VA data and its use as a Strategic Asset. Task 12D: Business Model Implementation and Support Business case for data and analytics requirements In coordination with DGC working groups and OIT, develop and maintain a VA Authoritative Data Source transition plan, that supports and is aligned to the CIM data domains. Funding Justification documents Codified data sharing and data access processes Federated data management and accountability process maps and workflows Briefing and decision templates supporting the implementation of data standards THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capabilities information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. Your responses may be shared with all stakeholders, thus the information received will not be considered proprietary. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information: Cover Sheet 1 page Please provide the following information: 1. Organization name, address, and web site. 2. Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number. 3. Business size (large or small). If small, please provide type of small business. 4. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that best fits these task areas. 5. If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule, and SIN category. Index 1 page Please provide an index to assist the Government in identifying where you have addressed each question below in your Capabilities Statement and Market Information. Please provide question number and corresponding page and section heading and/or paragraph number. Capabilities Statement and Market Information Please respond to the following questions by providing a capabilities statement and market information. Briefly describe the organization, products and services, history, ownership, financial information, size, and other information deemed relevant. Include any past projects supporting VA and a description of tasks performed. Please provide your relevant organizational capabilities relative to the tasks described above. Respondents may include organizational information such as: past experience working in any of the noted technical areas; core capabilities; experience working with other stakeholders; or other information relevant to an organization s ability to successfully perform the tasks outlined in this RFI. Provide a summary of your capability to meet the requirements for one or more of the following areas. For each area addressed, provide at least two examples of successful work that has been previously completed. Metadata Management Data Quality Data Validation Paperwork Reduction Act Data Analytics and Visualizations Performance Frameworks Requirements Analysis Data Curation and Enrichment Master Data Services Change Management Strategic Communications Data Governance Describe your firm s approach for supporting and driving business integration and implementation of a data-driven, federated operating model. Describe your firm s demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, data analytics and leveraging advanced data analytics techniques to connect data to outcomes. Describe your firm s approach for creating capabilities that support evidence-based policymaking STRUCTURE AND SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Contractors should respond to this RFI by January 7, 2022 by 3PM ET via e-mail to Jaime.Belletto1@va.gov and Melissa.Maloy@va.gov. Limit all responses to 15 pages.