This is a request for information/sources sought notice in order to identify sources that have the resources and capabilities to provide market research & analysis services for the Veterans Health Adm... This is a request for information/sources sought notice in order to identify sources that have the resources and capabilities to provide market research & analysis services for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), to assist VHA in enhancing its Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry questionnaire process. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry allows eligible Veterans to enter information about their service and health concerns on a secure website and to request a medical examination if desired. The Registry affords Veterans an opportunity to document their exposures and health concerns through online questionnaires. Description of Work The Contractor shall produce a project plan that encompasses the items as listed below into one synchronized effort. The Contractor shall develop a project management plan (PMP) that outlines the overall strategic approach to the requested work. The PMP shall cover the following areas at a minimum: project overview (e.g., assumptions & constraints), project description (e.g., project structure, roles & responsibilities), project schedule. The PMP shall be a two-part document. The first part is a narrative description in Microsoft Word. The second part is similar to a Gant chart and indicates deadlines and dependencies. VA will review the proposed project plan and return it to the Contractor within two weeks with comments and any adjustments that might need to be made. For initial drafts of other deliverables, VA will provide comments within one week of draft receipt. Primary tasks of the Contractor will include (1) producing a project plan; (2) convening a panel of experts to evaluate and analyze the current web-based questionnaire; (3) developing a single discussion guide for participant interview and recruitment processes; (4) coordinating and facilitating interview sessions in or near cities with a high concentration of registry participants; (5) conducting one-on-one cognitive interviews with up to 500 participants and registrants from varying geographical areas process shall include a range of methods possibly including cognitive testing interviews, timing tests, face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, telephonic interviews with validated personal identifiable information authenticated; (6) produce an analysis report summarizing findings from the interview sessions and participate in a face-to-face meeting to discuss the overall project outcomes; and (7) produce a report addressing the questionnaire s construct validity, reliability, response bias, comprehension and other attributes as determined by the panel of subject matter experts. Technical Requirements The contractor should be a survey expert who is experienced in web-based instruments and who can help with any restructuring of the registry questionnaire and improve the usefulness of the registry as an information source for health care professionals. E.g., the contractor needs to have relevant experience in conducting, completing and reporting on large-scale online or web-based surveys and have ability to produce the required materials, and manage and process study tracking data. Interested & Capable Responses NCO 5 is seeking responses from businesses that are interested in this procurement and consider themselves to have the resources and capabilities necessary to provide these services. Please respond with your: 1. Business name, business type, socio-economic status (e.g., Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), etc.), and person of contact (including telephone number & email address). 2. GSA contract number, if you have one. Note: the GSA contract must include CLINs for SIN 541 4A. 3. Capability statement and summary of relevant experience conducting market research & analysis services for VHA and other healthcare entities. 4. Ballpark cost estimate what VHA could expect to pay your company to perform the work described above. Responses to the information requested above must be submitted via email to evelyn.walker@va.gov by February 15, 2021. This request for information/sources sought notice is for planning purposes ONLY. The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition strategy (e.g., small business set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses submitted as a result of this notice.
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Work Statement - Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) Questionnaire Enhancement Services. Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Patient Care Services (PCS) Office, for ... Work Statement - Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) Questionnaire Enhancement Services. Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Patient Care Services (PCS) Office, for Post Deployment Health Services (PDHS), has a requirement to enhance the current AHOBPR questionnaire process. In 2012, U.S. Congress mandated that VA create a registry for Veterans who may have experienced such exposures. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry allows eligible Veterans to enter information about their service and health concerns on a secure website and to request a medical examination if desired. Veteran participation is voluntary and does not affect access to healthcare or other benefits available to eligible Veterans and Service members. The Registry affords Veterans an opportunity to document their exposures and health concerns through online questionnaires. The AHOBPR is VA s fastest growing environmental exposure registry As of May 2, 2020, over 206,604 participants, of approximate 3.7MIL Veterans and service members, have completed the online survey. Interest continues concerning respiratory disease from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts from Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), the media, The Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress. Objectives: The registry continues to garner interest. VA is tasked with improving VHA clinical proposals, developed in conjunction with research, focusing on the post-deployment health for Veterans exposed to airborne hazards and open burn pits. To that end, VA requires a comprehensive review of the questionnaire s construct validity, reliability, response bias, comprehension and other attributes. PDHS is interested in interviewing registry respondents to evaluate understanding of questions, as currently drafted, how Veterans form responses, understand the questionnaire construct and flow, the burden of providing a response, and willingness to provide valid responses. Scope: In February 2017, the National Academies Assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry was published. This report outlined nine recommendations. This proposed effort will address two of the recommendations. VA should involve external survey experts who are experienced in web-based instruments in any restructuring of the registry questionnaire and Improve the usefulness of the registry as an information source for health care professionals. Period of Performance: The period of Performance shall be twelve months from the date of the award. Place of Performance: Work shall primarily be performed offsite at the Contractor s facility or other offsite locations specified in the PWS for successful completion of required deliverables. Participant screening for the focus groups shall occur at the Post-Deployment Health Services office at 1717 H Street NW, 5th floor, Washington, D.C. The remainder of the performance may be at the Contractor s facilities (offsite) or onsite as needed for successful completion of required deliverables. There is an occasional need for Contractor staff to come to VA Central Office for face-to-face meetings. These meetings will be scheduled as needed and will include the project kick-off and close-out meetings. PDHS anticipates four face-to-face meetings lasting approximately 90 minutes each. Travel: PDHS anticipates some travel for this requirement. Local travel within a 50-mile radius from the Contractor s facility is considered the cost of doing business and will not be reimbursed. Travel is required to facilitate information collection processes in other locations. Associated travel is anticipated to include lodging, meals and one three-day car rental per location. Travel shall be approved in advance by the COR and Contractor and will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations. Contractor invoice must include copies of all receipts that support the travel costs claimed in the invoice. Key Personnel: One Project Manager with a master s degree in Public Health or applicable research related discipline with greater than 10 years of relevant work experience. In lieu of Master s level preparation, Bachelor s degree with greater than 10 years of relevant work experience One Database Analyst/Programmer with a PHD with at least 10 years post graduate work experience technology-related field. This individual must be able to design, implement and maintain complex databases with respect to access methods, access time, device allocation, validation checks, organization, protection and security, documentation, and statistical methods. He/she must demonstrate proficiency using programs, such as .Net SOA application, SQL Server 2012 (including SSAS & SSRS) Windows 2012 and Pyramid Analytics. He/she must demonstrate the ability to maintain database dictionaries, monitor standards and procedures, and integrate systems through database design. He/she must be competent to work at the highest level of all phases of database management. One Survey Methodologist with a PHD degree in survey methodology or a similar field and at and at least 10 years of post-dissertation experience. At least 3 years of experience in conducting methodological research to develop and improve survey procedures and capabilities, as well as serving on survey projects. This individual must be able to provide development and design expertise across all modes (in-person, telephone, web, self-administered) of the focus groups and will share responsibility with project staff for development activities. The person should have expertise in the design and testing of web-based surveys, One epidemiologist with a PHD degree in survey methodology or a similar field and at and at least 10 years of post-dissertation experience. master s degree in epidemiology. Must have expertise in online surveys and developing questions for research purposes. Tasks: 8.1 Task 1: Project Management Plan: The Contractor shall produce a project plan that encompasses the items as listed below into one synchronized effort. The Contractor shall develop a project management plan (PMP) that outlines the overall strategic approach to the requested work. The PMP shall cover the following areas at a minimum: project overview (e.g., assumptions & constraints), project description (e.g., project structure, roles & responsibilities), project schedule. The PMP shall be a two-part document. The first part is a narrative description in Microsoft Word. The second part is similar to a Gant chart and indicates deadlines and dependencies. VA will review the proposed project plan and return it to the Contractor within two weeks with comments and any adjustments that might need to be made. For initial drafts of other deliverables, VA will provide comments within one week of draft receipt. 8.1.1. Conduct Kick-Off Meeting: This deliverable is a presentation to familiarize project team members with the project. The presentation includes the following topics: Project Overview Project Schedule (high level) Objectives and Definitions Process Deliverables Roles and Responsibilities Resources Success Measures Next Steps Questions and Answers (Q&A) NOTE: The Contractor shall provide the kickoff presentation to the agency at least 3 business days prior to the meeting to provide enough time for PDHS PM and COR to review and provide input on the material and request revisions if necessary. The Contractor shall provide minutes of the meeting to the VA COR within three business days of the meeting. The Contractor shall provide minutes of the meeting to the VA COR within three business days prior to the meeting. 8.1.2. Bi-weekly Progress Reports: The Contractor will provide bi-weekly progress reports to the VA COR every other Friday. The reports shall contain a narrative review of work accomplished during the reporting period itemized by project, and significant events, problem areas, anticipated activity for the next reporting period, description of any travel or unique services provided, and other relevant information, as necessary. Task 1 Deliverables: Documents shall be submitted and both Microsoft Word and PDF with date included: Deliverable 1: Kick-off meeting within two weeks of contract award. Contractor shall provide minutes of the meeting. Deliverable 2: Project Management Plan (PMP) due within four weeks of kick-off meeting. Deliverable 3: Bi-weekly progress reports due every other Friday for the duration of the contract. 8.2. Task 6: Convene Expert Panel to Review Questionnaire: The Contractor shall convene a panel of experts to evaluate and analyze current web-based Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry questionnaire and resulting information from interview process:  Include subject matter experts (SME) with experience in Survey Methodology and Survey Design including online-surveys, web-based communications, environmental epidemiology, occupational medicine, pulmonary medicine, and clinical and basic research. Include SME s familiar with VA Environmental exposure programs. Emphasis is on the registry question phraseology, respondent comprehension, web-based questionnaire construct, validity, reliability and response bias.  After panel convenes, produce report within 30-days. Task 6 Deliverables: Deliverable 1: Convene a panel of experts to evaluate and analyze the current web-based questionnaire. Deliverable 2: After-action report (in Microsoft Word). Provided after actions report to Core and PM no later than 30-days after the panels convenes. 8.3. Task 7: Final report: The Contractor shall produce a report addressing the questionnaire s construct validity, reliability, response bias, comprehension and other attributes as determined by the panel of subject matter experts. The report shall include specific recommendation for the structure of the registry. New questionnaire viewing construct for ease of completion; question design. Graphical User Interface to improve comprehension and viewing. Detailed recommendations on phraseology to enhance understanding in compliance in registry questions. Task 7 Deliverable: After-action report (in Microsoft Word). Delivery Schedule: The Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) shall have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables. In the event of rejection of the deliverables, the COR shall notify the Contractor in writing as to the specific reason why the deliverables are being rejected. All deliverables shall be documented, and this document provided to the COR or his/her designee. TASK Deliverable QTY Delivery Date 1. Project Management Project Management Plan 1 Within four weeks of kick-off meeting  Kick-Off Meeting and minutes 1 Within three business days of kick of meeting; three days business days after kickoff meeting  Bi-weekly progress reports 23 Every two weeks beginning upon approved PMP 2. Conduct Subject Matter Expert Panel Review Convene a panel of experts to review current questionnaire and incorporate feedback include in the interview session report 1 No later than two weeks of deliverable Five.  After Action Report 1 Two weeks after panel convenes 3. Final report Produce final report with recommendations to enhance the questionnaire 1 No later than six weeks after panel convenes Government-Furnished Information, Equipment, and Facilities: PDHS will provide government furnished property under this requirement to support information required for recruiting of participants. In support of this process, VA will provide three workspaces (e.g., cubicles), three laptop computers, printing capability, telephones, necessary credentials for building access, and necessary permissions to access VA networks for three personnel. Laptops are provided to support the management of personally identifiable and sensitive information during the interviewing sessions. Security Requirements: The Contractor and their subcontractors (if any) shall be subject to the Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks regarding information and information system security as delineated in this contract. Position/Task Risk Designation Level(S): Tier 1 / National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI). The Position Sensitivity and Background Investigation requirements identify the Background Investigation requirements for Contractor individuals, based upon the tasks the particular Contractor individual will be working.
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