A--ADAPTING ALGORITHMS FOR ANALYSIS OF NARRATIVE PROVIDER NOTES

Solicitation No. VA-241-10-RQ-0525 The VA Boston Healthcare System intends to negotiate and procure on a sole source basis the service Adapting Algorithms for Analysis of Narrative provider notes from Be-Tech Inc located at 1237 Ave Z, Apt #3T, Brooklyn, NY 11234. This procurement of the services includes vendor to provide the service of Adapting Algorithms for analysis of narrative provider notes. This procurement is being conducted under FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other vendor or service will satisfy agency requirements. To the best of our knowledge Be-Tech Inc is the only provider that can meet agency's requirements and standards. The NAICS 541512 with a size standard of $25.0 million. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is VA-241-10-RQ-0525 and is a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-43, effective September 10, 2010. A list of contract line items number(s), items quantities and units of measure are incorporated in the solicitation. The dates and place of delivery are included on the solicitation as well. The provision 52.212-2, does apply and established the criteria as Technical and past performance, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price. Please include a complete copy of the provision at 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations abs Certifications - Commercial Items, with its offer. The provision 52.212.-4 is incorporated. The clause 52.212-4 does apply The clause 52.212-5 does apply and clauses that apply have been marked. The clause 52.224-1 does apply. The clause 52.224-2 does apply. The clause 52.227-14 does apply. The clause 52.252-2 does apply. Please send responses to Christine Gorman via e-mail to: [email protected]. The solicitation is to be released on Friday, September 10, 2010, and response is required no later than 12 NOON, EST., Tuesday, September 14th, 2010. B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK FOR HYPERTENSION COMPUTATIONAL LINGUIST CONTRACTOR Statement of Work for Hypertension Computational Linguist Contractor Introduction and Scope of Work The Health Service Research and Development, VA Central Office, Washington, DC 'Research on Educational Interventions for Health Professionals' grant program focuses on understanding the relationship between educational interventions for health professionals and outcomes of health care. HSR&D intends to fund the grant proposal submitted by VA Boston Healthcare System (EDU 08-422 Interactive spaced education to optimize hypertension management) as part of this program. The contractor's expertise in medical informatics development and research, computational linguistics and hypertension management is critical to the project. The contractor has expertise in natural language processing and experience in analysis of narrative medical documents for data elements that influence provider decision-making. The contractor will work with Doctors on adapting the algorithms for analysis of narrative provider notes developed at Partners Healthcare (Boston, MA) to the VA data as well as on developing new algorithms specific for the proposed study. By the conclusion of the contract, the contractor will assist in the construction of a manuscript to disseminate the research findings to the larger community of health outcomes researchers. The full details of the work required for the project are outlined below. i) At least ten (10) publications in the field of computational linguistics and/or natural language processing; ii) At least two (2) years of experience in extraction from narrative documents of information about treatment intensification, providing counseling and patient non-adherence. The requirement will have one (1) base period plus two (2) option years. B. 3 REQUIREMENTS Base Period - from date of award to September 30, 2010: 30% time (not to exceed 12 hours per week) " Intall informatics tools for extraction of information from narrative notes on the VA computer system " Test informatics tools for extraction of information from narrative notes on the VA data " Adjust informatics tools for extraction of information from narrative notes to optimize their accuracy for VA data " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress Option Year One (1) Year 2 from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011: 30% time (not to exceed 12 hours per week) " Gather health outcomes data on the study subjects using free-text informatics protocols on the VA computer systems. " Combine the free-text informatics data with VA clinical data " Analyze factors responsible for differences in performance of the free-text informatics tools between Partners and VA data " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress Option Year two (2) from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012: 20% time (not to exceed 8 hours per week) " Finish gathering health outcomes data on the study subjects using free-text informatics protocols on the VA computer systems. " Finish combining free-text informatics data with VA clinical data " Co-author a manuscript to disseminate the research findings to the larger community of health outcomes researchers. Re-submit the manuscript as needed until accepted for publication. " Conduct informatics analyses of free-text data in the VA system " Critically review the other manuscripts derived from the overall research study. " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress B.4 ACRONYMS B.5 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE (Please refer to B.3 REQUIREMENTS for details) ITEM DESCRIPTION OF QTY UNIT UNIT AMOUNT NO. SUPPLIES/SVCS PRICE 0001 48 HOURS Adapting algorithms for analysis of narrative provider notes Base period - date of award to September 30, 2010 Total: 0002 628 HOURS Adapting algorithms for analysis of narrative provider notes Option Year One (1) - October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011 Total: 0003 416 HOURS Adapting algorithms for analysis of narrative provider notes Option Year Two (2) - October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 Total: ____________________ Aggregate total: ================ B.6 DELIVERY SCHEDULE All services should be delivered to: VA New England Healthcare System 150 South Huntington Ave Jamaica Plain MA 02130 Jamaica Plain Campus JP B11-68 Research (115) Base Period: date of award to September 30, 2010 " By the end of the base period - Set up server environment at the VA for processing of narrative notes " By the end of the base period - Set up informatics tools for processing of the narrative notes in the VA server environment. " By the end of the base period - Start evaluation of the natural language processing informatics tools on the VA data. " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress Option Year One (1): October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011 " By the end of month 3 - Complete validation of free-text informatics protocols on the VA computer systems. " By the end of month 8 - Complete gathering of health outcomes data from the intervention phase of the trial using free-text informatics protocols on the VA computer systems. " By the end of month 10 -- Combine the health outcomes data from the intervention phase of the trial with VA clinical data " By the end of month 12 - Complete the statistical analyses on the health outcomes data in conjunction with the MAVERIC for the intervention phase of the trial. " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress Option Year two (2): October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 " By the end of month 8 -- Finish gathering health outcomes data on the study subjects using free-text informatics protocols on the VA computer systems. " By the end of month 8 -- Finish combining free-text informatics data with VA clinical data " By the end of month 8 -- Complete the statistical analyses on the health outcomes data in conjunction with the MAVERIC. " By the end of month 10 -- Co-author a manuscript to disseminate the research findings to the larger community of health outcomes researchers. Re-submit the manuscript as needed until accepted for publication. " Bi-weekly 1-hour scheduled meeting with other investigators to discuss study progress SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2010) Please refer to FAR for details. C.2 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUL 2010) Please refer to FAR for the unchecked clauses. List below are the checked clauses. (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). Alternate I (AUG 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104 (g)). (2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). (3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78) (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [X] (11) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). [X] (19) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (APR 2009) (15 U.S.C 632(a)(2)). [X] (20) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). [] (21) 52.222-19, Child Labor--Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JUL 2010) (E.O. 13126). [X] (22) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). [X] (23) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). [X] (24) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) (38 U.S.C. 4212). [X] (25) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998) (29 U.S.C. 793). [X] (26) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) (38 U.S.C. 4212). [X] (27) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) [X] (40) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332). [X] (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act--Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). [X] (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (FEB 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). (End of Clause) C.3 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within ten (10) days before the expiration of the contract. (End of Clause) C.4 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within ten (10) days ; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least ten (10) days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed one base period and two (2) option years. (End of Clause) C.5 52.224-1 PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION (APR 1984) Please refer to FAR. (End of Clause) C.6 52.224-2 PRIVACY ACT (APR 1984) Please refer to FAR. (End of Clause) C.7 52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA--GENERAL (DEC 2007) Please refer to FAR. (End of Clause) C.8 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oamm/oa/ars/policyreg/vaar/index.cfm (End of Clause) 52.204-9 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF SEP 2007 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT APR 1984 FISCAL YEAR C.9 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (JAN 2008) Please refer to VAAR. (End of Clause) C.10 VAAR 852.215-70 SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS EVALUATION FACTORS. (DEC 2009) PLEASE REFER TO VAAR. (End of Clause) C.11 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. (DEC 2009) Please refer to VAAR. (End of Clause) C.12 VAAR 852.219-11 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. (DEC 2009) Please refer to VAAR. (End of Clause) C.13 VAAR 852.273-75 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES (Interim - October 2008) Please refer to VAAR. (End of Clause) C.14 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984) Please refer to VAAR, (End of Clause) C.15 VAAR 852.273-76 ELECTRONIC INVOICE SUBMISSION (Interim - October 2008) Please refer to VAAR. (End of Clause) SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS D.1 PROGRRESS AND COMPLIANCE Progress will be assessed bi-weekly at the scheduled meeting of investigators to ensure that the contractor is compliant with delivery of requirements listed in section B.3. In addition, formal evaluation of the contractor's progress and compliance will be undertaken by project leaders at the end of months eight (8) and twelve (12) in option year one and at the end of months eight (8) and ten (10) in option year two. D1.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2008) Please refer to FAR. (End of Provision) E.2 52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999) a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (i) technical; (ii) past performance; (iii) price Technical and past performance, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (End of Provision) E.3 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (AUG 2009) Please refer to FAR. (End of Provision)