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nnlm.govNational Network of Libraries of Medicine |
ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION
PURPOSE
The purpose of this outreach initiative is to ensure that health professionals, their patients and the general public are connected to the health information resources they need to make informed health care decisions. This solicitation will focus on projects designed to improve access to electronic health information for such groups and organizations as consumers, the underserved and minority health care professionals, public health workers, public libraries, and community-based and faith-based organizations.
Outreach can take various forms depending on the needs of the target audience: promoting awareness of relevant health information resources at the regional, state, and local level through presentations, demonstrations, and exhibits; linking individuals and organizations with a National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) member for backup assistance in locating hard to find information; obtaining the full text of journal articles; teaching how to search the Internet for reliable and authoritative health information; demonstrating and teaching the use of PubMed, MedlinePlus, ClinicalTrials.gov, PHpartners.org, additional NLM databases, and other sources to obtain health information; and developing links to local, state and regional health-related information to enhance what is available in MedlinePlus for consumers.
Full and Affiliate members of the NN/LM are eligible to apply. Applications may cover groups of institutions. A single, lead institution, which must be an NN/LM member, may apply on behalf of the group. Health sciences libraries, health information resource centers, public libraries, state organizations, and public health departments which provide health information services are eligible for Network membership. See Attachment 1 or the membership fact sheet at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/nnlmem.html for information about becoming an NN/LM member.
FUNDING
The lead institution will subcontract to the Regional Medical Library (RML) in their region with responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project. For a single institution, support is available up to $10,000; a collaborative project conducted by two or more institutions may receive up to $40,000. These amounts are inclusive of all indirect costs. Please note that all awards are made as cost reimbursement subcontracts. The proposed projects may target individuals and organizations providing health information to the public and health professionals, as well as targeting the public directly.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
Up to eighteen (18) months from date of the award.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
June 4, 2004.
CONTACT
For membership information or for additional information on the RFP, please call 1-800-338-7657.
Please send proposals, including an electronic version (Microsoft Word), to the appropriate Regional Medical Library contact for your state from the list below:
REGIONAL CONTACTS
States Served; DE, NJ, NY, PA
Mary Mylenki
Associate Director
NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region
The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10029-5283
(212) 822-7353
States Served: AL, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Janice Kelly
Executive Director
NN/LM SE/A
University of Maryland at Baltimore
Health Sciences and Human Services Library
601 West Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-1583
(410) 706-2855
States Served: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI
Ruth Holst
Associate Director
NN/LM GMR
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Library of the Health Sciences
1750 West Polk Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7223
(312) 996-2464
Midcontinental Region
States Served: CO, KS, MO, NE, UT, WY
Claire Hamasu
Associate Director
NN/LM-MCR
University of Utah
Spencer S. Eccles Health Science Library
10 North 1900 East, Bldg. 589
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5890
(801) 587-3412
States Served: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Renee Bougard
Associate Director
NN/LM SCR
Houston Academy of Medicine-
Texas Medical Center Library
1133 John Freeman Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030-2809
713-799-7880
States Served: AK, ID, MT, OR, WA
Cathy Burroughs
Acting Associate Director
NN/LM PNR
University of Washington, Box 357155
Heath Sciences Building, Room T227
1949 NE Pacific St.
Seattle, WA 98195-7155
206-543-9261
States Served: AZ, CA, HI, NV, and U.S.-Associated Pacific Basin
Heidi Sandstrom
Acting Associate Director
NN/LM PSR
UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library
12-077 Center for the Health Sciences, Box 951798
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1798
(310) 794-6572
New England Region
States Served: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
Javier Crespo
Associate Director
NN/LM NER
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Lamar Soutter Library
55 Lake Avenue, North
Worcester, MA 01655-0121
508-856-2223
ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION
A. OBJECTIVES
For more than 30 years the National Library of Medicine�s bibliographic database, MEDLINE, has aided health professionals in keeping up with new developments in their field. The introduction in 1997 of free MEDLINE searching on the Internet through PubMed, which provides access to NLM�s bibliographic databases, extended this tool to a much wider audience. Since that time, public interest in MEDLINE has skyrocketed. The number of MEDLINE searches has increased from 7 million a year in 1997 to more than 400 million in 2001. Approximately one-third of these searches are being done by the general public.
NLM's consumer health focus led to the development of MedlinePlus, an easy-to-understand resource for the public. MedlinePlus includes links to self-help groups, NIH consumer health information, clearinghouses, health-related organizations, list of libraries that provide health information to consumers, and clinical trials. MedlinePlus also provides access to extensive information on over 650 specific diseases and conditions. The site is being continuously expanded to include comprehensive information on hundreds of diseases and conditions. Designed to assist the public and health professionals in locating appropriate, authoritative health information, MedlinePlus is a selected list of quality sources, not a list of every web page on health. A Spanish version of MedlinePlus has been available since September 2002.
The eight Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs), through contracts with the National Library of Medicine, provide outreach to communities in their region. Their outreach activities include training in MedlinePlus and other NLM databases. The RMLs have also developed training and partnership resources targeted towards public libraries and public health departments. These resources are available to organizations working with public libraries and public health departments. Organizations awarded the project will work as a subcontractor to the RML in their region. A listing of the other Regional Medical Libraries and their associated states can be found at http://nnlm.gov/about/.
NLM, through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, is especially interested in forming multitype library partnerships with the goal of improving access to health information through a variety of mechanisms. Subcontracts will be competitively awarded to NN/LM member libraries which have established or plan to establish relationships with local public libraries, school libraries, state library organizations, health information resource centers, public health departments, and/or community-based and faith-based organizations, in order to assess information needs of the public and health professionals, and plan and propose an appropriate outreach program to meet those needs. Subcontracts will also be awarded to individual institutions to expand the level of health information services they currently provide to include new individuals and groups beyond their own institution.
The projects proposed may include ideas for enhancing health information resources of the National Library of Medicine without duplicating NLM�s resources or databases. Applicants should contact their RML if they are uncertain about their proposed idea.
Proposed projects should include several of the following elements. Additional creative ideas for improving access to health information are also encouraged.
(a) Partnerships
Developing or strengthening partnerships and connections among NN/LM libraries and other organizations (public, school, and/or state libraries; voluntary health agencies; community organizations; health information resource centers, public health departments, etc.) that provide health information. Partnering organizations should take an active role in working towards accomplishment of project goals. These partnerships may include arrangements for backup reference service, consultation on researching difficult questions, building web-based community health information sites, provision of document delivery, advice on collection development, training, assistance in searching PubMed and other cooperative activities.
Training staff of targeted organizations to search NLM�s databases including PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, MedlinePlus, Tox Town, PHpartners.org, etc.;
Training staff of targeted organizations to identify, access, retrieve, evaluate, and use relevant print and electronic health information resources and services;
Training staff of targeted organizations to provide health information services to consumers and health professionals, including conducting the reference interview, understanding basic medical terminology, and obtaining full text of articles not available in their collection;
Training staff of targeted organizations to train others to provide health information services and/or to find and evaluate health information on the Internet;
Training groups of consumers and health professionals to locate good sources of health information on the Internet.
Developing enhanced access to PubMed, MedlinePlus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and other health information resources using the latest technology. This may include building local web pages and creating links to regional, state and local consumer health information resources or developing other innovative programs and services through the use of technology.
Publicizing NLM and NN/LM products and services, as well as other appropriate health information resources and services;
Exhibiting, demonstrating or making presentations at meetings of appropriate groups to reach the public and health professionals or organizations providing them with health information.
The bidder(s) shall prepare and submit the following reports:
Quarterly Reports
Quarterly reports must include a brief 2-3 page narrative description of the activities during the reporting period, and the activities planned for the next reporting period. At a minimum, the report will include:
� Progress toward major objectives of the project
� Problems encountered and measures taken to resolve them
� Suggestions for modifications to the project
� Outreach reporting form(s)
� Exhibit information form(s) (if applicable)
Quarterly reports are due 15 days after the close of each quarter.
Final Report
The final report must include a narrative summary of project accomplishments; sites where training was done and a description of training sites; description of target audience; list of exhibits, if applicable; approaches and interventions used; project evaluation results; observations on problems or barriers encountered; impact of the project; and recommendations for improvements, alternative methods, insights, etc. In addition, a graphical compilation of web site statistics, classes and demonstrations conducted of NLM databases, and meetings attended, must be provided. A final report shall be submitted 30 days from the last day of the performance period.
The quarterly reports and final report must be submitted in hard copy as well as in electronic format as Microsoft Word or HTML documents.
C. DELIVERABLES
In addition to the aforementioned REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, the bidder shall provide, in electronic format (whether in ASCII, HTML, PDF, or other document formats), any materials developed or produced with project funds. In accepting the award, the bidder gives permission for use of such materials by the NLM and NN/LM. The bidder may also be asked to provide information to the RML or to NLM, such as IP addresses, which will be used to track usage of MedlinePlus, PubMed or ClinicalTrials.gov by institutions participating in the project. Information on training materials developed under this contract should also be submitted to the National Training Center and Clearinghouse (NTCC) (http://nnlm.gov/train/suggest.html).
II. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
Proposals will be accepted from Full and Affiliate Network members. A detailed plan must be submitted indicating how the statement of work will be implemented. All elements outlined in the STATEMENT OF WORK must be addressed in as much detail as necessary to demonstrate a clear understanding of the work being undertaken.
Please prepare your TECHNICAL PROPOSAL according to the following outline:
A. Cover Sheet
Include name of the lead institution and the name, address, voice and fax numbers, and email address of the Principal Investigator(s).
B. Checklist of Mandatory Qualification Criteria
Please fill out the checklist included in this package as Attachment 2.
C. Project Narrative
The Project Narrative shall discuss how the project will accomplish the technical requirements and specific tasks required to implement the STATEMENT OF WORK. Bidders must include information sufficient for reviewers to evaluate the proposal based on the evaluation criteria (See Section IV Evaluation of Proposals). The project narrative must include technical requirements and specific tasks. Project descriptions must be succinct in addressing the following:
1. Abstract
The abstract must include a brief description of:
(a) the purpose;
(b) target groups and partners;
(c) methods, anticipated outcomes, and evaluation activities.
2. Introduction and Background
Provide a brief introduction to the planned project and the organizations that will be involved with the project, incorporating any relevant background information.
3. Identification and Description of Target Population and Geographic Area Covered
Identify the specific libraries and organizations that will participate in the program, both those carrying out the project and those receiving the services. For each organization participating in the project, including any branches and satellite locations, information must be provided on:
a. the demographics of the populations served;
b. geographic areas covered;
c. connectivity to the Internet;
d. the number of workstations available for public access to the Internet;
e. the number of workstations available for staff access to the Internet;
f. the health information resources currently available;
g. the health information services currently provided.
4. Identification of Need
For the target audience(s) specified in the proposal, provide data on the need for the proposed outreach activity, based on previously published information or on data previously collected by the bidder as part of a needs assessment.
5. Project Objectives
State the objectives to be achieved. Indicate the rationale for the plan and relationship to comparable work elsewhere, if known. Review pertinent work already published and relate it to the proposed approach. Explain how the proposed project will improve access to health information.
6. Methodology
Relate the methodology to the stated objectives so that each objective has an equivalent methodology. Provide a detailed plan of the outreach services and methods that will be used during the course of the project, and include expected outcomes. Detail how the project will be implemented, highlighting specific tasks that will be performed and who will perform them. Provide an implementation schedule for all activities to be undertaken during the project.
7. Evaluation Plan
Evaluation methodologies must be described in full. The evaluation plan should be closely tied to the statement of work and the project goals and objectives. The evaluation should also seek to identify the general health information needs and behaviors of the public and health professionals as observed during the project, and report the usefulness of the information products/services used, especially MedlinePlus, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Anecdotal summaries will be acceptable as appendices to the overall evaluation. Recommendations for future services/products geared toward the targeted community and identification of needs that could not be met, should also be included. The bidder is encouraged to refer to and utilize Measuring the Difference: Guide to Planning and Evaluating Health Information Outreach (http://nnlm.gov/evaluation/guide) developed by the NN/LM Pacific Northwest Region in the evaluation plan of the project.
8. Publicity/Promotion
Provide a detailed plan for promoting the project to the targeted community or communities. Projects that develop web sites are encouraged to register with Internet search engines as a means of promoting the site to the community.
9. Personnel
Identify all project personnel. Include a narrative summary of qualifications as they relate to the statement of work and project responsibilities. Evidence of the Principal Investigator(s) ability to manage a project of similar scope should be provided. A tabular summary of estimated hours of project work and percentage of total hours worked should be provided for all personnel. Include curriculum vitae for all proposed personnel.
If a position is new and will not be filled by current staff, please provide a detailed job description and minimum qualifications for the position.
Preference will be given to organizations that have prior experience working with the target group or those willing to take steps to obtain such experience prior to carrying out the project.
10. Facilities/Institutional Support
Describe the bidding institution, its resources and services, as it pertains to the statement of work. Describe the services that will be provided to project participants. Include a letter of commitment from the bidder's institutional administration, and letters of commitment from the administration of all libraries and agencies involved in or targeted in the project. Include a description of how this project will build on other initiatives to improve public access to the Internet, if applicable.
11. Continuation of Activities After Project Completion
Describe intent to continue project services to targeted community after completion of the project. Which services will be continued and how will they be funded? Describe any plans for sharing results of the project with participants.
12. Other NLM or NN/LM Support
Information on grants/contracts/competitive purchase orders with the National Library of Medicine or the NN/LM funded previously, are currently active, pending review or funding, or being prepared for submission, must be provided.
13. Number of Copies
Bidder should submit one original and 3 copies of the proposal. An electronic version (Microsoft Word) must also be e-mailed to Associate Director at the RML.
Bidder shall submit a detailed budget providing a breakdown and written justification for the costs included in each expenditure category. The breakdown should include items funded through the project, in-kind contributions and funding from any other sources if applicable. Funds may be requested for the following (these are examples only and are not meant to be all-inclusive):
� salaries of project personnel
� rental or purchase of equipment and software to support training and demonstration activities or to improve access to health information
� travel necessary to support the project
� developing, producing, and distributing promotional materials
� other costs
Please Note:
Funds requested to develop print collections of health materials or to purchase access to any commercial electronic health information product may not exceed 5% of the total amount of the project budget.
Costs related to providing food or purchasing furniture may not be requested in the budget.
Bidders are strongly encouraged to not include IDCs or consider a reduced IDC since these are education and training projects. Please note that this is a cost reimbursement subcontract.
Please prepare your COST PROPOSAL according to the following outline:
A. Cover Sheet
Include name of the lead institution and the name, address, voice and fax numbers, and email address of the Principal Investigator(s).
B. Budget Form
Sample budget form provided (Attachment 3).
C. Budget Narrative
Provide a detailed cost breakdown and justification for each of the categories listed below.
1. Personnel
Include professional and support personnel for the project.
2. Equipment
Include rental or purchase of equipment and software to support the project.
3. Communications
Include telephone, postage, parcel and other delivery services and communication line charges.
Include costs for printing/photocopying of project related materials.
Include any items which do not fit into any other line item, i.e. travel, exhibit, or evaluation costs. Please provide a breakdown of what has been included under Other Costs.
In the selection of the awardee(s) for this acquisition, primary consideration will be given to the evaluation of technical proposals rather than cost or price. The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective bidders in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the Statement of Work. The merits of each proposal will be carefully evaluated, based on responsiveness to the RFP and the thoroughness and feasibility of the technical approach proposed. Bidders must submit information sufficient to evaluate their proposals based on the criteria listed below.
The mandatory qualification criteria establish conditions that must be met in order for the proposal to be considered. Please complete the checklist (Attachment 2) indicating that these mandatory criteria are met.
The technical evaluation criteria are listed in the order of relative importance with points assigned for evaluation purposes. PROPOSALS WILL BE SCORED AGAINST THESE CRITERIA, SO PLEASE BE CERTAIN THAT ALL CRITERIA HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
The logic and feasibility of the technical approach to reaching the target group or community.
The types of outreach services provided for the target population with consideration given to the appropriateness, creativity and cost effectiveness of the methods proposed.
Inclusions of a timeline or implementation schedule for major events and activities.
Plans for evaluating the success of the approach to meeting the information needs of the target group.
Inclusion of partnerships with other libraries and organizations to improve the target population's access to health information.
Statement or plan to continue support of services beyond the project period.
The extent to which the proposed project adds value to other initiatives to improve the target population's access to the Internet.
Information on the target population should be provided. Estimates of the potential population and the portion expected to be reached should be included.
Target group or population is described and the actual or perceived need for the proposed program is discussed. Estimation of the program's potential impact on future information services to this group or population is discussed.
Experience of the proposed personnel in developing and conducting promotional and/or training programs in health information for patients, the public or health professionals. Preference will be given to bidders with prior experience/knowledge of the target group and experience in providing PubMed and Internet training. If the bidder has no prior experience in developing and conducting related programs, indication should be provided concerning the steps that will be taken to obtain adequate background or experience prior to carrying out the project.
Evidence of institutional facilities and resources adequate to support the proposed program.
Letter of commitment from bidder's institutional administration, and letters of commitment from administrations of all agencies involved or targeted in the project.
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), the first comprehensive national library network, began in 1967. Under the leadership of the National Library of Medicine and through the participation of medical libraries and other information resources throughout the nation, it has developed into a well-organized and effective network for meeting the information needs of the nation's health professionals and of the general public.
The NN/LM (formerly the Regional Medical Library Network) has been in existence longer than any other library network, however a mechanism had not been established to formally recognize participating institutions until 1988. Although formal recognition is now being given to these participants, it is acknowledged that many other organizations and institutions are part of and contribute to the success of the Network.
The Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-291) established a program of grants and contracts to assist in developing the services of medical libraries and facilitating the dissemination and utilization of information related to health sciences. Included in the original law and all subsequent amendments was a program to assist the development of a national system of Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs).
The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals equal access to biomedical information and by improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The program is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health sciences libraries and information centers.
Stated goals for the NN/LM are:
a) To develop collaborations with NN/LM members to improve access to and sharing of
biomedical information resources throughout the nation.
b) To promote awareness of and access to biomedical information resources for health
professionals and the public.
c) To develop, promote, and improve access to electronic health information resources
by Network member libraries, health professionals, and organizations providing health
information to the public.
There are two (2) categories of membership within the NN/LM: Full Member and Affiliate Member.
A Full member can be any health sciences library or health-related information center, institution, or organization that: (1) is regularly staffed; (2) has an Internet connection; (3) has its own collection of health sciences materials (books, journals, audiovisuals, electronic databases); (4) provides information services to health professionals and/or the general public.
"Information services" must include DOCLINE participation, and should include the following:
(1) answering or referring reference questions; and (2) performing information searches.
Members are encouraged to provide Loansome Doc service to their own users and/or to unaffiliated users.
An Affiliate member is a library, information/resource center or organization that is called on for health information by its users, but which does not meet all of the criteria for Full member participation. An Affiliate member might form a cooperative relationship with a Full member, for example, for reference assistance or document delivery.
Each Full and Affiliate member institution, regardless of category, must agree to make the following contributions:
Each Full member and Affiliate member will receive:
For membership information or for additional information on the RFP, please call 1-800-338-7657.
Single Institution_______ OR Multi Institutions________
Lead Institution Name: ____________________________________________________
Library's LIBID (if applicable):______________________________________________
Please fill in or check the appropriate answer to each of the following statements.
delivery service to the targeted
population for the duration of the project.
YES _____ NO_____
a) $10,000 (including indirect cost) for a
Single Institution
YES _____ NO_____ OR
b) $40,000 (including indirect cost) for a Group of
Institutions
YES _____ NO_____
Submitted by:____________________________________________________________
Date Submitted: __________________________________________________________
Period Covered: __________________________________________________________
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EXPENDITURE CATEGORY |
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Personnel |
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Equipment |
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Supplies |
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Communications |
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Reproduction |
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Other Costs |
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TOTAL |
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